Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) for yielding and for his support for prompt consideration of this bill today. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 3201, the Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act. In just a few short days, the DEA temporary ban of deadly fentanyl will expire. While I am relieved that the House will vote on this extension of the fentanyl ban today, I remain deeply troubled that this lifesaving bill was delayed by the political distractions. Mr. Speaker, in both your and my districts, we have seen the devastation of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. As a doctor, I have witnessed this drug crisis firsthand. Substance abuse and addiction have devastated individuals in my district of Pennsylvania and in every one of my colleagues' districts across America. Fentanyl and its analogues are uniquely dangerous and deadly and have caused way too many overdose deaths from opioids in the last 2 years. We must act to protect the people that we represent from these deadly substances. Mr. Speaker, just a few days ago, you and I heard from ONDCP Director James Carroll about the importance of passing this specific piece of legislation. It is shameful that we waited until now to act on this lifesaving legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to renew this ban immediately. We cannot afford to wait.”