Joe Manchin: “since we first began consideration of the FDA bill, I have stood on this floor again and again to highlight the…”

“since we first began consideration of the FDA bill, I have stood on this floor again and again to highlight the importance of an amendment I offered to this legislation that is very significant to my fellow West Virginians and all Americans. This amendment would put tighter control on drugs containing a substance known as hydrocodone, a highly addictive prescription painkiller that is destroying communities across this country and leaving families devastated by abuse and addiction. It was a proud moment for me when the Senate came together across party lines on May 23 and unanimously adopted my amendment to reclassify hydrocodone as a schedule II substance from a schedule III. In practical terms, this means those who are using hydrocodone for illegitimate reasons would have a harder time getting their hands on it. I cannot tell you how much this amendment means to the people of West Virginia and to every law enforcement group fighting the war on drugs across this Nation who believe very strongly that access to hydrocodone would give them a powerful tool in combating prescription drug abuse. So it pains me to stand here following last night's vote to move forward with the passage of the FDA bill, which did not contain this important amendment.…”