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Transcript of Speaker Pelosi Press Event on Capitol Steps Ahead of Vote on Lower Drug Costs Now Act

December 12, 2019

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

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol for a press event ahead of the House vote on H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Good morning, everyone. Good morning, everyone.

We are thrilled to be here on the steps of the Capitol with our Members to support a very important piece of legislation, led by our Freshmen Members. When they took the oath of office, they made the difference, bringing their priorities of – the priorities of their communities to the Congress. Last year, guided by our Freshmen, Democrats made a pledge For The People: that we would lower health costs, health care costs, by lowering the cost of prescription drugs.

Today, we are delivering on that promise to pass H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower [Drug Costs] Now – Drug Costs Now.

[Applause]

And now, I have several pages here that in the light of the weather and despite the sun, I want to yield to our first Freshman, Doctor and Congresswoman Kim Schrier, who brings her expertise as a physician to this important debate.

I am now pleased to yield to Doctor Congresswoman Kim Schrier of Washington State.

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I thank our colleagues for telling their personal stories as well as their official responsibility to make a difference in the health and well-being of America's families.

I'll just say of my mother, and I am sure of everybody's mother here has probably said the same thing, ‘If you don't have your health, you don't have anything.' And so, it's for the health, not only the physical health, but the financial health of America's families, that we will now go up the steps, into the chamber, continue the debate.

I thank Leader Hoyer for yielding the time to the Freshman who are leading the debate, not only on the steps here, but on the Floor of the House as we pass this historic legislation named for our colleague, Elijah E. Cummings Lower [Drug] Costs – Lower Drug Costs Now.

And again, we salute the American people: to your health. That's what it's all about today.

Thank you all very much.

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Issues:Health Care