The American people cannot afford to lose access to lifesaving medications, but they also cannot afford astronomical, unexpected, and sudden new costs to their weekly and monthly budgets.

We, as Members of Congress, have an obligation to our constituents to find out why [drug prices increase].

drug prices in this country are, by far, the highest in the world.

Congress should fix this loophole immediately.

I consider myself lucky.

the issue that we are discussing today is of huge consequence to the American people.

What is he telling them? According to a call he held with investors on fourth quarter earnings for 2014, his company just recorded its highest net sales, its highest gross margin, and its highest net income in their entire 72-year history.

Thank you very much.

Let us be clear that these huge increases in generic drug prices not only drive up healthcare prices throughout America, which is a huge issue, but they impact the lives of very real people, many of whom are struggling economically.

You think that consumers all over this country should be worrying about this trend.

Totally absurd situation.

I personally use the inhaler version of this drug myself, so I know how important it is for people with asthma and other lung conditions.

Generic drugs are critically important to the American people.

We have heard from patients, doctors, pharmacists, hospitals, providers, and group purchasing organizations--all raising the alarm.

We, in the Congress of the United States, do not have the right to remain silent on this issue.

more than one out of four Americans do not fill their prescriptions because they cannot afford the cost.

this has been an enormously helpful development in alleviating illness and suffering.

According to Medicare and Medicaid data, between July 2013 and July 2014, half of all generic drugs went up in price.

It is unsatisfactory to hear from my colleagues here about the long wait periods that folks struggling with mental health conditions have to overcome.

This country, above and beyond the VA, faces a major crisis. We do not have enough doctors, we do not have enough nurses, we do not have enough psychiatrists, we do not have enough psychologists.

When people are hurting, they should be able to get the help they need.

I think you are here to make sure other families do not experience what you have experienced.

I will say it again. You know, it will be billions we will be spending on what is going on in ISIS without any funding source for it.

It means passing legislation that I have sponsored on ensuring that there is loan forgiveness for people who get into the field of mental health services.

I thank the Senator. I would mention that several years ago we worked together to pass the Energy Efficiency Block Grant Program, which pumped billions of dollars into weatherization, into sustainable energy. I can tell you that in the…