UPDATED: Trump says Rep. Tom Marino withdraws from consideration as drug czar in wake of...

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico

Trump says Rep. Tom Marino withdraws from consideration as drug czar in wake of Washington Post/60 Minutes investigation

By Washington Post Staff October 17 at 8:50 AM

A Washington Post/60 Minutes investigation this week explained how Rep. Tom Marino helped guide legislation that weakened the Drug Enforcement Administrations ability to go after drug distributors, even as opioid-related deaths continue to rise.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.

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Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/10/17/off-message-puerto-rico-trump-maria-215718

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UPDATE:

Trump drug czar nominee withdraws

BY REBECCA SAVRANSKY - 10/17/17 08:43 AM EDT

Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.) is withdrawing his name from consideration as the nation's drug czar, President Trump announced Tuesday.

"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.

Link to tweet

The withdrawal followed a Washington Post-60 Minutes investigation that highlighted his support for legislation that weakened the government's ability to go after drug companies that critics said contributed to the nation's opioid crisis.

Marino was a leader in passing the legislation last year that made it tougher for the Drug Enforcement Administration to stop suspicious shipments of drugs. The pharmaceutical industry heavily lobbied for the bill, and showered Marino with campaign contributions.

A number of senators, including a key centrist, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), on Monday had called for the president to withdraw his nomination.

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http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/355780-trump-drug-czar-nominee-withdraws

[NCjack]

1. 60 Minutes saved us from crooked Tom. nt

[SJMULE]

2. Haven't heard

much about Marsha Blackburn, his co-sponsor on the bill. She is running for Senate in TN. Normally she is all over the TV. Is she hiding in her bunker?

[Judi Lynn]

11. It would be appropriate if some reporter took the time to look her up, if she isn't hidden too well.

She shouldn't be able to skate through this abomination without being asked for an accounting.

[dalton99a]

3. Another fine man disappears

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Good.

Time to find a Democrat to run against him now. The District (PA-10) did have a Democrat in the recent past (Chris Carney) -



Marino is apparently considering running against Wolf for governor next year so I expect after this, he may leave Congress.

[lagomorph777]

5. Give the man some morphine for his pain.

The first one is free.

[PA Democrat]

7. The 10th district is currently rated as a "Solid R" by the Cook Political Report.

I would bet the district has been badly gerrymandered since the last time a Democrat won. Marino won in 2016 with more than 70% of the vote.


https://ballotpedia.org/Pennsylvania%27s_10th_Congressional_District_election,_2018

[BumRushDaShow]

8. The map that I posted was the pre-2010 one that Carney won

The current district looks like this -



It's not much different as both versions dipped and dodged around Scranton. But the thing is, Carney was a blue dog vet and won 2 terms. And just like how Murtha was years ago, there are certain ones who capture the attention of that crowd and they (along with indies) have elected Democrats before.

[davertcx]

6. Orange Lies Matter

Orange Lies Matter

[thesquanderer]

9. I wonder if Donald ran this nomination by Jared.

After all, isn't Jared in charge of handling the opioid crisis? I mean, when he's not taking care of peace in the middle east.

[harun]

10. Those proved to0 easy for him, too much winning. Now Jared is working on our intergalactic

space plane.

*sarcasm*

[IcyPeas]

12. thank you 60 Minutes. /nt