Frank Pallone: “just as I finished before the Memorial Day break talking about the need for a Medicare prescription drug benefit, and…”

“just as I finished before the Memorial Day break talking about the need for a Medicare prescription drug benefit, and was very critical at the time about the fact that the Republican leadership in the House had failed to bring up a bill to address the need for a Medicare prescription drug benefit, I come back here today after the Memorial Day recess and the district work period believing stronger than ever that there is a need to pass such legislation. We had during the course of the Memorial Day recess, a number of Members had forums, opportunities to be back in our respective States and talk to our constituents. When I came back to the floor of the House today for the votes this afternoon, I had so many colleagues come up to me, particularly on the Democratic side of the aisle, and point out this was the concern that was raised most by their constituents during the Memorial Day recess. I do not understand how the Republican leadership continues to delay and not address this issue and not bring legislation into committee and onto the floor of the House that provides for a prescription drug benefit.”