Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Shalala) for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 2339, the Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019. This bill is a misnomer. It is not aimed at curbing youth tobacco or e-cigarette use, it is aimed at tobacco generally. Both parties in the House and Senate agreed that we needed to act in order to prevent youth access to these products. In December, we fulfilled that commitment by sending a bill to the President's desk, which he signed, that raised the legal age to purchase all tobacco products to 21 years of age. President Trump signed what has been termed ``T21`` into law on December 20 of 2019. This policy will break down youth access through social networks in schools where 18-year olds could purchase tobacco products legally and then disseminate those products to younger students. Other significant efforts such as the flavor ban by the Trump administration will help limit youth tobacco use. The Food and Drug Administration has issued a ban on flavored e-cigarette products that appeal to children, including fruit and mint flavors. This ban will help deter youth use in the future and prevent companies from targeting children with appealing flavors.…”