Frank Pallone

It is long past time to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for the American people.

I really think that healthcare is still the number one priority for the American people, and within that context lowering the costs of prescription drugs is the biggest priority.

Americans pay three, four, or 10 times the amount that people pay in other countries for the exact same drug. And how is that fair? It is not.

For too long, Americans have been forced to ration their medications, go without, or exhaust their life savings in order to afford the drugs they need.

It is outrageous, and it is long past time that we negotiate a better deal for Americans.

Thanks to Administrator Regan and the leadership of President Biden, we can look at this year's EPA budget with optimism about what we can achieve.

The EPA is back to work protecting the planet and public health, and, in my opinion, not a moment too soon.

We believe the goal of reducing emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030 is necessary and achievable.

I want to thank the Administrator and the leadership of President Biden, that now we can actually look at this year's EPA budget with optimism about what can be achieved.

We in Congress and on this committee are ready to work with you to restore EPA, protect the public health, and fight climate change.

And that is why I reintroduced the Superfund Polluter Pays Act to reinstate the Superfund tax.

Administrator Regan, it falls to you to right this ship and restore the EPA to the highest standards of scientific integrity.

We must collectively address the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, racial inequality, and the severe economic damage resulting from the pandemic.

President Biden's American Rescue Plan is already making a difference by crushing the virus and providing critical relief to struggling Americans.

Thank you, Chairman Tonko. And it really is a pleasure to welcome the EPA Administrator, Michael Regan, to this committee for his first appearance, and I hope there will be many more.

I am always giving out history lessons, but Jim Florio, who is my predecessor on the committee, sponsored the Superfund.

Like so many of these environmental challenges, climate change threatens to make the risk from Superfund sites even worse.

I believe the goal of reducing emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030 is necessary and achievable.

I think that the cost should be borne by the polluters and by the chemical and petroleum industry and not by taxpayers with their income tax.

A growing number of individuals are experiencing the lingering effects of COVID-19 weeks and months after their initial infection.

I think that you have touched a little bit on some of my questions, so maybe we can just ask you to develop some more details.

We have been battling COVID-19 for more than a year, and while much has changed in our knowledge and ability to combat this disease, it continues to present these new health challenges.

There is no better protection from this terrible virus than one of the FDA approved vaccines that are currently available.

I hope this hearing will help us better understand how we can support further research as well, but also how to prevent and treat those who suffer from long COVID.

If we don't take any action, the FTC's ability to provide that kind of help to our constituents is no longer possible because of the Supreme Court's decision.