Frank Pallone

I am opposed to language in the discussion draft that repeals Section 433 of the Energy Independence and Security Act.

I would not be in a position to support it, or to recommend that others support it.

I think I have made it clear that I am interested in working with you and Chairman Upton on energy legislation.

NIH funding has also been responsible for generating investment in dry development pipelines

The current draft does not authorize any additional funding for FDA to take on these additional responsibilities

It seems to me that we are asking the FDA to take on a lot of new responsibilities in this discussion draft.

We are all very much onboard to try and increase that money.

Had a lot of discussions since then, even yesterday with Cory Booker and Durbin.

It was Henry Waxman and myself that led the effort in the House to double the money for the NIH back in the '90s.

$10 billion in mandatory funding for NIH over the next 5 years... is a real win for researchers, patients and industry alike.

True bipartisanship is critical to achieving successful and broadly supported policies.

I have said all along that broadly extending drug exclusivity will not solve the problems 21st Century Cures sets out to address.

I believe Federal funding is the foundation of our biomedical ecosystem, and is one of the most promising ways to spur economic prosperity and treatments and cures for the 21st century.

While it is by no means perfect, it does reflect hard work by staff, true collaboration between Republicans and Democrats, stakeholders, and the administration, and I am hopeful we can bring this legislation to a successful conclusion.

The goal of this legislation might be well intentioned, but the drafting is flawed.

I cannot support the bill before us today. It includes problematic language that does not move us forward.

Legislative solutions to address these vague, threatening, unsubstantiated, and often inaccurate letters have received bipartisan support, so I have hope that we can find a solution that all Members are able to support.

The question before us is simple: Are those current efforts enough to combat the problem, or should Congress legislate in this area?

Efforts to combat abusive demand letters have already begun, and some State attorney generals have taken legal action to protect their citizens from unfair and deceptive demand letters.

The patent system plays a crucial role in promoting innovation by providing an incentive to inventors to make costly and time-consuming investments in research and development of new inventions.

I urge my Republican colleagues to work with us in a bipartisan fashion to get the language right.

I am amazed we don't have better information about patient outcome service user quality of care.

These things concern me a great deal.

I was very impressed with the statements you have made so far because you really have been kind of urging caution in terms of how we proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I thank you for having this hearing because I think it is very important.