On the recordSeptember 7, 2016
I thank the gentleman from Georgia, and I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I am glad you had a little reference here: don't allow companies or corporations to avoid their responsibilities. I want to speak to that issue. I think it is very, very, very critical. Mr. Speaker, let's not beat around the bush. We are on the floor today debating H.R. 5063 under the guise of ``ensuring responsibility.'' I mean, who would be against that? That is like apple pie. However, this bill is nothing more than a political exercise void of real reprimand for these practices, reforms to the system, or redress to actual victims. If that is what it did, I would be here supporting it. We have known for years of instances where deferred prosecution agreements have gotten out of hand. You don't remember those days? I will bring them back to you. When I tried to make modest reforms to improve the transparency of these agreements, I was rebuffed by Members on the other side of the aisle. They have short memories. They have selective memories. Where was this outrage when I was screaming about seven deferred prosecution agreements with large medical device companies that were negotiated by New Jersey's former United States Attorney Chris Christie? There is a name. One of the settlements allowed Bristol-Myers Squibb to avoid prosecution for securities fraud in exchange for a $5 million donation to Mr.…
