My work to end drug shortages

Dear Neighbors,

With the United States in the middle of one of the worst drug shortage crises in recent memory, I joined local health officials and providers to stress the need for Congress to pass legislation addressing the national drug shortage crisis. Democrats have introduced bills to strengthen drug supply chain safety, but the Republican majority in the House refuses to act as this crisis continues.

Every day there are heartbreaking stories of cancer patients who have had their chemotherapy appointments canceled due to shortages, parents who can’t find children’s aspirin on store shelves, and millions of Americans struggling to fill prescriptions to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

House Democrats have put forward five bills to help ensure that our nation is prepared for future public health emergencies while providing tools to mitigate ongoing shortages now. The legislation would bring transparency to the drug supply chain by requiring drug manufacturers to report their active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) suppliers to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This would help FDA, doctors, and public health officials know which drugs will be impacted by manufacturer delays and move quickly to work with other manufacturers to mitigate shortages.

Another bill would improve mandatory reporting of drug and medical device shortages to help the FDA respond to increased demand and potential shortages when products experience a sudden increase in demand. Other bills provide new tools to support extended shelf life during shortages like the ongoing cancer drug supply shortages and give the FDA recall authority to ensure dangerous products can be removed from the market quickly.

Unfortunately, the Republican majority has so far refused to act, which is putting American lives at risk. This is a crisis that demands urgent government action, and it is time for Republicans to join us in passing these bills. Read more here

Extreme Right-Wing Supreme Court Decisions

The Supreme Court issued three rulings last week that are harmful and dangerous to Americans. I strongly disagree with the Court’s decision on affirmative action because it seriously undermines the progress we've made since the civil rights movement to foster educational institutions that reflect our country’s diversity and give everyone an opportunity to go to college.

The Supreme Court decision striking down President Biden’s student debt repayment plan harms millions of Americans struggling with unaffordable student loan debt. No one should be punished for pursuing a better life. President Biden has made it clear that the fight is not over. Go to studentaid.gov to learn more about what the Biden Administration is doing to help eligible borrowers.

Another shameful Supreme Court decision that sided with a web designer who refuses to work with same sex couples also shows just how far the extreme right-wing is willing to go to destroy equality and grant businesses a license to discriminate. This is exactly why we need the Equality Act to codify protections for the LGBTQ+ community into federal law. Our country is better, and our economy is stronger when we support inclusion and equality.

Action to Stop Car Thefts

I joined Governor Murphy at a press conference today as he signed bills into law to stop car thefts in New Jersey. Car theft is a serious crime that can put the lives of victims at risk and cost consumers and businesses enormously. The comprehensive legislative package the Governor signed into law will implement important guidelines that increases the price criminal offenders pay and give our law enforcement officers the tools they need to protect New Jerseyans across state. Everyone deserves peace of mind when they run errands, go to work, and park their car on the street.

Click here to visit my website or call my offices directly if you have questions or need help with a federal agency:

Middlesex County: 732-249-8892

Monmouth County: 732-571-1140

Sincerely,

Congressman Pallone