Pelosi Remarks at Press Event Ahead of Vote on H.R. 2339, the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act

Contact: Speaker's Press Office,
202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined Members of Congress and advocates for a press event ahead of the House vote on H.R. 2339, the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I know you have to go to the Floor, and I'll be up there shortly. Thank you for taking the lead in this – to you and Chairman Richie Neal, the Ways and Means Committee – I will be yielding to you momentarily – and of course to the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Karen Bass.

When people ask me what are the three most important issues facing the Congress, now for 30 years I've always said the same thing: our children, our children, our children – their health, their education, the economic security of their families, a clean, safe environment in which they can thrive, a world in peace in which they can reach their fulfillment.

Do you see what is happening with this appeal to children? Trying to addict them to tobacco is a real assault on the health and well-being of America's children and America's families. Today, Democrats are taking strong action to protect America's children as we pass H.R. 2339, legislation to confront the growing youth tobacco crisis in our nation – the growing youth tobacco crisis in our nation.

I thank Chairman Pallone of the Energy and Commerce Committee, as I did, Mr. Neal, the CBC Chair Karen Bass and all who have worked to advance this bill including two of our physicians in the Congress, of whom we're very proud. Congressman – Doctor – I guess we can call him many things, Raul Ruiz, an articulate spokesperson on this subject and you'll hear that for yourselves. And Dr. Kim Schrier, a pediatrician, a new Member of Congress, she's been a real important force in what we are doing today.

And I'm honored to welcome Abby Hefner, Dr. Lanre Falusi and all other outside guests who are here to share their stories and raise the drumbeat on behalf of America's children, our children, our children.

Others will talk about what the bill does, and if they don't I will come back up here, but I do want to thank also the NAACP – thank you for being here – the National Medical Association and so many others, the National African American Nursing Association, so many others who have come out in strong support for this legislation, actually to help shape it.

We have our – what they have said, I don't know if you've seen their ad but, what they have said: ‘For decades, Big Tobacco has targeted African Americans with menthol cigarettes, with devastating consequences. Menthol cigarettes have addicted generations of African Americans, resulting in high death rates from lung cancer, heart disease and other smoking-related illnesses.'

And they go on to say, ‘Support H.R. 2339 to protect our kids.' Again, over 75 organizations have joined them in this resolution. We must listen to them and pass this bill.

And aren't we lucky to have the future standing with us this morning? The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. They're our VIPs, welcome.

[Applause]

Give us a wave. Give us a wave.

[Laughter]

So cute.

With that, I'm pleased to yield to the distinguished Chair of the Ways and Means Committee and thank him for his important leadership on this important issue, as well. Mr. Neal.

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Speaker Pelosi. Thank you very much Dr. Ruiz, Dr. Schier, Dr. Falusi, to Abby, to our colleagues, to Chairman Pallone, to Chairman Richard Neal. I also want to acknowledge the work of Tom Suozzi who put the tax piece into this bill. And to Karen Bass. Karen Bass has been like a guardian angel to children – foster kids, kids just at every aspect of their lives where public policy has an impact. She has been a complete champion and in fact, has created more opportunities for public policy to weigh in. They all had to leave to go to the Floor, as do I now.

But, since Congresswoman Bass, Madam Chair Bass, mentioned the California law, I will tell you this experience we had in San Francisco. Juul put an initiative on the ballot. It was horrible. It was horrible. And they made it sound as if it was something that was going to protect children. They completely misrepresented. I wish I had some of the mailers I received at my home about how this was going to prevent kids from smoking and the rest. Total misrepresentation. Total enticement for kids to be hooked on nicotine.

They were not protecting children; they were a path to addiction. So they're not playing it honest in terms of what they are presenting. And today we want to bring reality to the Floor of the House. If we're serious, as we weigh the equities about who, what's this and what's that and could it have been done better or this or that: let us weigh the equity in favor of our children.

And thank our – we thank our guests who made this, the case so clear, scientifically, by personal experience. Thank you, Abby, for your courage to do so. And to all of these beautiful children of the Campaign for Tobacco [Free] Kids. Thank you for honoring us with your presence. And the docs who also joined us, thank you all very much.

Now we have to go to the Floor and make this happen. Thank you all very much.

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