Political Quotes

“from the outset I had hoped to be able to vote for a bill that would effectively reduce underage smoking and I still hope to do so during this session of Congress. I continue to believe that a resolution of the issues surrounding tobacco are in the best interests of all interested parties--not just children, but also the public health community, plaintiffs, tobacco workers, tobacco companies, tobacco farmers and their communities. After nearly four weeks of Senate debate on this bill, however, the bill currently before us has lost its focus and falls well short of a reasonable resolution of the issues involved here. In fact, it actually undermines the original goals of the legislation. And with as little discernible benefit to the public health in the legislation as it currently stands, I cannot support a bill which unfairly places too heavy a burden on too many people I was sent here to represent. First, this legislation currently places no limits on the liability of tobacco companies. While I understand the desire of many of my colleagues to punish the companies for their past behavior, the fact of the matter is that a liability cap is needed to entice consent from the companies to modify their speech and limit their advertising and marketing practices. Second, this legislation now contains tax and spending measures which have nothing to do with the underlying purpose of reducing teen smoking.”