Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 578, the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019. As my colleague, Mr. Larson, has indicated, this legislation will provide immediate access to disability insurance benefits for individuals suffering from ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease, by eliminating the 5-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits. Madam Speaker, it is only fair that we remove this waiting period to ensure everyone with this disease will have immediate access to the benefits they have earned. It is only fair, also, that we help great Americans like a family in our district, the Palmesano family, Mike and Suzy, who are close, personal friends of mine, who I have gotten to know over the years when their son Mick was recently diagnosed with rapid progression ALS. The Palmesano family has been strong advocates for this cause, and I couldn't be prouder of their efforts. Their bravery in the face of adversity represents hundreds of families in our district and thousands of families across the country struggling with this terrible disease day in and day out. The disability insurance waiting period was designed to make sure a condition wasn't temporary before benefits were paid, not to prevent great Americans, like Mick and his family and others, from receiving disability benefits. The data, Madam Speaker, is clear. On average, ALS patients live 3 to 5 years.…”