Political Quotes

On the recordJune 17, 1998
around this building now there is that army of high-priced tobacco lobbyists who are getting ready to celebrate tonight. It looks like the tobacco industry is going to win a big round in this fight. The children lose. The powerful will beat out the powerless. But this fight is going to have other rounds. And to those who think that the Senators who are trying to protect the kids are going to give up today, I ask, ``What are you smoking?'' The health of millions of our kids is worth a long, hot summer of debate in this Capitol. Get ready for it, folks.
Said by
Ron Wyden
Democratic · Oregon

Editor's note · Context

Addressing the influence of tobacco lobbyists during a debate on tobacco legislation.

Share

More from Ron Wyden

Jul 31, 2026

Pete Hegseth has made no secret of his contempt for women and transgender servicemembers.

hirono.senate.gov
Aug 3, 2026

Mr. Clayton didn’t offer a shred of evidence to support his conspiracy theories, so I asked him – who were these mythical election bandits?

wyden.senate.gov
Aug 18, 2026

Without USAID, CDC’s global health infrastructure remains the most effective tool the U.S. has to monitor and prevent global health emergencies.

wyden.senate.gov
Jul 31, 2026

Look, Trump has had no plan for Intel. He’s had no plan for intelligence for months and months, and I assume that’s going to continue.

dailycaller.com

Other voices in this conversation