Political Quotes

“I thank my colleague on the Rules Committee, who handles our rules and legislation so effectively on the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and the underlying bills. When the Democrat-controlled Congress rammed the so-called Affordable Care Act through this Chamber, I joined my Republican colleagues in expressing our grave concerns over the effects of the law's tax increases. Specifically, we warned that the excise tax on medical devices would hinder innovation as well as restrict growth and job creation in an industry that has improved the quality of life for millions around the world. And just as we cautioned, this tax on devices that restore mobility, keep hearts in rhythm, and help doctors diagnose life-threatening diseases earlier than ever before has cost us local jobs and reduced research capabilities. Cook Medical is a privately owned company, with facilities around the world. It employs about 500 people in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where the company focuses on endoscopic and urological medicine. Since the medical device tax was levied in 2013, Cook Medical has paid roughly $13 million annually. As a result, the company has pulled back on capital improvements as well as research and development investments. They have also considered moving manufacturing capacity outside the United States.…”