Jeff Merkley

There are people being oppressed systematically in Cuba.

I am deeply concerned by the deterioration of human rights in China and the environment for civil society and independent voices in that country.

I am very interested in hearing your thoughts on how, if confirmed, you will stand with civil society and with the Chinese people.

Should USAID be brought under the more direct influence of the short-term diplomatic mission?

Egypt is an ally. It is also a human rights violator.

President Xi's administration has adopted a slew of laws that violate the most basic human rights of the Chinese people.

I think the framework that is most likely to produce lasting peace is a two-state solution.

I think it is the most ideal. I think it is the path that has received the most thought and effort and consideration.

The bedrock principle is still direct negotiations between the parties.

I would do all I could to strengthen that.

I do not see how Israel can remain democratic and Jewish in a one-state solution.

Reserving the right to object, I believe my colleague makes a persuasive argument. Many did come to the floor to share in that important dialogue regarding extending health care for our miners, and given that, I take the Senator's point…

Reserving the right to object, I have been on the floor here waiting for 2\1/2\ hours to deliver my speech on WRDA, and I don't think my colleagues across the aisle have been here for that amount of time. Maybe we should stick to the list…

The price of drugs are making health care the most expensive in the world here in the United States, out of reach to millions of Americans.

Indeed, I was appalled to hear that, that somehow a name brand company can prevent their competitor from getting enough of the drug to do the very studies that you are requiring.

So I am challenged to understand why competition does not kick in more quickly.

I think there is a lot of interest in this hearing and the role of generic drugs and the role that they can play in diminishing drug prices in America.

You have authority in cases where there is market dysfunction to prioritize applications. Is that correct?

So when you ask yourself the question why has somebody not jumped into this gap, is it because in getting their manufacturing approved that that is so difficult?

So if I am somebody at risk for this challenge of my throat closing down and I am unable to breathe, then I would suffocate, can I legally acquire a little amount of the drug and put it into a syringe and inject myself?

What is the barrier for entrepreneurs stepping into this gap? It just seems like it is a dysfunctional market.

I encourage you to ponder whether there are unreasonably difficult, expensive procedures that make it very hard for competitors to enter the market.

When there is a single product in a marketplace and the costs are so high people cannot afford it, do you have the ability to help address that?

That is not accepting responsibility. This was a systemic problem that you benefited from enormously.

Accepting full responsibility for establishing a culture that put people in an impossible situation would be to resign.