| The Food And Drug Administration Safety And Innovation Act—Motion To Proceed—Continued |
May 17, 2012 |
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Jack Reed, D-RI
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"One of the ironies of our current health care system, pending the, we hope, implementation of the affordable care act, is that we have millions and millions of Americans who have no real access to health care, no access to preventive care, no access to simple things such as cheap pharmaceuticals to control cholesterol until they get to be 65 years old. Then they go into the doctor’s office, and they have Medicare. But their problems are so much more expensive."
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| S. Con. Res. 41, H. Con. Res. 112, S. Con. Res. 37, S. Con. Res. 42, S. Con. Res. 44 En Bloc—Motions To Proceed |
May 16, 2012 |
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Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI
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"It doesn’t stop there. They repeal the affordable care act, which would reopen the doughnut hole. The affordable care act has helped nearly 15,000 Rhode Islanders save an average of $554 each last year just by closing the doughnut hole partway, and soon it will be all the way. That made a difference to people such as Olive in Woonsocket, whose husband fell into the doughnut hole last July. Thanks to the new law, they saved $2,400. Under the House Republican budget, they would be stuck paying that $2,400 as an out-of-pocket cost to the big drug companies."
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| Supreme Court Review |
May 14, 2012 |
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Patrick Leahy, D-VT
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"Madam President, I was fortunate to be able to attend the argument before the U.S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the provision in the affordable care act providing that individuals should take personal responsibility for paying for their health care by obtaining health insurance or pay a fine. I have watched a lot of arguments in the Supreme Court. Obviously, as the chairman of the Judiciary Committee I pay close attention—as do all Members—to what goes on there. I heard a great deal of instant analysis from commentators after the argument, including their predictions on how the Court will rule. I didn’t hear much devoted to the role of the Chief Justice of the United States."
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| Commerce, Justice, Science, And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 |
May 10, 2012 |
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Mazie Hirono, D-HI
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"This bill underfunds programs that are critical to Hawaii, including programs that support fisheries and ocean stewardship programs. It includes a $20 million cut to the Legal Services Corporation, denying legal aid to tens of thousands in underserved communities, as well as many military families. Funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services, COPS, program in the bill is well below the administration’s request. Fortunately, we were successful in passing an amendment to increase funding for COPS by $126 million (equivalent to the FY 2012 level), but many other amendments to this bill have made it even worse. For instance, amendments were adopted that would: Prevent use of Department of Justice funds in the legal defense of the Affordable Care Act; Prohibit funding to implement the National Ocean Policy; Eliminate funding for science-based climate change education efforts that will help prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; Prohibit funding of Census Bureau collection of detailed housing, economic, and demographic statistics. "
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| Securing American Jobs Through Exports Act Of 2012—Motion To Proceed |
May 10, 2012 |
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Mark Udall, D-CO
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"As you know, and we all know, there is a broad consensus that we have to prevent these Stafford loans from doubling on July 1. However, many of our friends on the other side want to raid the Prevention and Public Health Fund to offset the cost of these student loans. This fund is aimed at preventing chronic disease and it was implemented as a part of the Affordable Care Act. The Prevention and Public Health Fund helps to reduce chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, while also providing much-needed dollars toward immunization for children."
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