Political Quotes

“Mr. President, first, let me thank my colleague from Illinois for his remarks on the funding issue. I couldn't agree more. There is no question that this body should be working to help curb opioid abuse in this country, to improve mental health services, to improve the way we treat addiction and speed up recovery. Everyone in this Chamber knows it. But the bill before us, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, is woefully insufficient for dealing with the opioid and heroin crisis. It makes a whole lot of changes, but it doesn't support a single one with new resources. It would authorize block grants to States to treat people who are hooked on these dangerously addictive prescription painkillers, but it doesn't provide any actual money to give. It would authorize programs to help law enforcement crack down on this scourge, but it doesn't provide a single plugged nickel to our cops. Without actual appropriations, this bill is like a Hollywood movie set--something that appears real on the surface but has no substance and no life behind its facade. Let me say that again. Without actual appropriations, this bill is like a Hollywood movie set--something that appears real on the surface but has no substance and no life behind its false facade. I want to clear one thing up. I have heard many of my Republican colleagues say that we should pass this bill, and we can just fill in the money later.…”