Frank Pallone

Our first goal when discussing how to improve NAFTA should be closer ties and friendship among all three countries.

It's unfortunate that the Republican majority has focused today's hearing primarily on fossil fuels.

But based on the President's foolish decision to walk away from the Paris climate agreement, I do not have high hopes that he will fulfill this commitment.

Our constituents want and expect us to take concrete action to address this growing problem.

I urge Chairman Walden to schedule a legislative hearing in the early part of next year to examine specific proposals to address the high prices of prescription drugs.

It's no wonder that six in ten Americans have said that lowering prescription drug costs should be a top priority for Congress and this Administration.

I do believe that making prescription drugs more affordable for the average consumer is an issue that we all care about and can support.

I have long believed that one critical component of the successful drug supply chain is a robust generic manufacturing presence and market.

It is long past time for Congress to take a serious look at all solutions that will help American families to afford the medications they depend on.

It is no wonder that six in 10 Americans have said that lowering prescription drug costs should be a top priority for Congress and this administration.

Today, prescription drug spending represents about 14 percent of overall health care spending.

For some, it is a choice of filling their prescriptions or filling their tank of gas to get to work.

Prescription drug prices are higher than ever, and while the dramatic rise in prescription spending has come down a little, we know addressing drug costs continues to be a top priority for many American families.

I believe that if the U.S. auto industry is to remain competitive in the global market we must reject efforts to move backwards.

These targets are critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute greatly to the ongoing threat of climate change.

I appreciate again your willingness to look at that, Mr. Administrator.

The other concern I have is that now that Brazil has banned asbestos mining all of the asbestos that is going to continue to flow into the United States will come from Russia.

Do you think you can just ignore certain things that are inconvenient for the industry?

If you ignore those things you will produce a risk assessment that fails to capture the risk to workers and ordinary Americans.

Unfortunately, your EPA's work on asbestos, in my opinion, clearly illustrates the problems in how you are implementing the act.

So you did not recuse her.

I think this is because Nancy Beck, a former lobbyist for the chemical industry, was allowed to completely rewrite the rules in flagrant violation of ethics rules.

Unfortunately under your leadership I think EPA is retreating from the important task of TSCA in regulating toxic chemicals.

His words ring hollow because his actions have consistently and systematically undermined protections for human health and the environment.

Ignoring the staff, undermining the staff, and cutting the staff out of decisions, amounts to ignoring and undermining that mission, in my opinion.