Drug Czar Nominee Withdraws Following Reports That He Helped Undermine DEA’s Power On Opioids
President Donald Trump says in a tweet that Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.) withdrew his name from contention to be the next drug czar after a Washington Post and "60 Minutes" report revealed deep ties to the drug industry. Many lawmakers voiced strong objections to the nomination and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) called for a repeal of a controversial law pushed by Marino that hindered the Drug Enforcement Administration's ability to regulate opioids.
Politico:
Trump Says Marino Has Withdrawn As Drug Czar Nominee
President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that Rep. Tom Marino has withdrawn his name from consideration to become the administration's next drug czar, after CBS' "60 Minutes" and The Washington Post reported that the lawmaker championed a law that hobbled federal efforts to combat the abuse of opioids." Rep.Tom Marino has informed me that he is withdrawing his name from consideration as drug czar. Tom is a fine man and a great Congressman!" Trump tweeted on Tuesday morning. (10/17)
CBS News:
Tom Marino Out As Trump's Drug Czar Nominee After "60 Minutes" Report
The announcement came following a joint investigation by CBS' "60 Minutes" and The Washington Post on the opioid crisis. The report found that Congress helped disarm the Drug Enforcement Administration during the height of the crisis. Marino, R-Pennsylvania, was the chief advocate for the bill at the center of the investigation. (10/17)
CNN:
Trump Tweets That Marino Is Out For Drug Czar
The congressman's withdrawal comes after a joint CBS "60 Minutes" and Washington Post report revealed that Marino took nearly $100,000 from the pharmaceutical lobby while sponsoring a bill that made it easier for drug companies to distribute opioids across American communities and thwart the Drug Enforcement Agency. (10/17)
Stat:
McCaskill Seeks To Repeal Law That Hampered DEA Enforcement
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) on Monday said she would introduce legislation to repeal a 2016 law that hampered the Drug Enforcement Administration’s ability to regulate opioid distributors it suspects of misconduct. The new bill would rescind a little-noticed law championed last year by Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.), who President Trump has since nominated to serve as “drug czar” and director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. (Facher, 10/16)
