Political Quotes

“I thank my colleague from Massachusetts, who has seen the same tragedy we are seeing in New Hampshire. I am sad to have to come to the floor again today to join my colleagues, Senator Markey and Senator Klobuchar, who have spoken so passionately about our need to address the ongoing heroin and opioid crisis. Like them and many others, I have been coming to the floor for many months to describe the terrible toll this crisis is taking on communities across the country. I know the Presiding Officer must see it in his home State because it is happening all across America. It is ironic that we are here during Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week to once again call on this Congress and the Senate to pass emergency funding to address what is the most pervasive, most destructive, and, I believe, most urgent public health crisis that faces this Nation. I certainly don't want to minimize the gravity of the other health challenges we are facing in America, especially the Zika outbreak, which I believe is absolutely critical, but by any objective measure, these challenges are dwarfed by the destruction and loss of life that is being inflicted every day by the uncontrolled epidemic of heroin and opioid abuse. This epidemic is raging in all 50 States. It is an uncontrolled public health epidemic of staggering dimensions.…”