Steve Rothman: “this is a shameful morning in America. Two of the most important issues facing the American people, anti-tobacco…”

“this is a shameful morning in America. Two of the most important issues facing the American people, anti-tobacco legislation and campaign finance reform, have just been dealt a severe setback by this Republican-controlled Congress. There was an opportunity yesterday in the Republican-controlled Congress to bring some justice to this debate, to right some wrongs, to invest in the tobacco-free future of our children. But instead, our Republican colleagues killed the tobacco bill. Here in the Republican-controlled House, the leadership will not even allow debate on tobacco. They do not even plan to bring a bill to the floor. Instead, the Republican leadership in this House continues to spend their time killing campaign finance reform. Mr. Speaker, I believe strongly in finding bipartisan solutions to America's problems. But how can we solve America's most important problems if the present Republican-controlled Congress continues to kill or strangle debate on issues of such vital importance to America as tobacco and campaign finance reform?”