Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6 is by far the most comprehensive legislation to address this national crisis. While more work remains--and I am the first to admit it--it provides meaningful solutions and vital resources for our States and localities. Many of the priorities developed by the Energy and Commerce Committee are included in H.R. 6, like the 21st Century Tools for Pain and Addiction Treatment Act, partially repealing the institutions for mental disease exclusion and strengthening interagency coordination at our international mail facilities so that, perhaps, once and for all, we can do something about this poison coming into our country from eastern Asia to the detriment of our citizens. I believe H.R. 6 could have been stronger. It could have included language aligning 42 CFR Part 2 with HIPAA. That stand-alone bill received 357 votes in this House. And I promise you, you will see it again. I am concerned about expanding prescriptive authority for nonphysicians, and I hope we will be able to look at that again in the future. But I cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I urge our Members to support this product today.”