[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NOMINATION OF ROBERT CALIFF

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, at a time when the prescription drug 
opioid epidemic is tearing families and communities apart in our 
country, it is clear we need strong leadership at the FDA. This is an 
agency that can play a leading role in addressing the crisis through 
its drug-approval process, but it is also an agency that has been 
rightly criticized for not recognizing the severity of such a 
significant problem and for not taking greater action to address it.
  Today we will consider the nomination of someone who I think can help 
lead the agency in a new direction. I recently met with Dr. Califf and 
raised my concerns and desire for the FDA to take a more assertive role 
in addressing this serious epidemic. He shared with me his proposed 
plan for dealing with the issue and for establishing a necessary 
cultural shift over the agency. I plan to support his nomination today, 
and I look forward to working with him.
  That said, I have proudly led many efforts over the years to push the 
FDA to take a stronger approach when it comes to ending today's 
prescription opioid epidemic. I don't plan to let up now. The FDA 
should expect continuous, rigorous oversight in the way the agency 
addresses this epidemic in the future.

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