Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, is scheduled to discuss the death of Whitney Houston with Soledad O’Brien on CNN Tuesday morning.
Houston was at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Bono Mack, who plans to hold a series of Congressional hearing on prescription drug abuse, said she was saddened to hear of the singer’s death.
“While it’s still too early to know the exact cause of her death, Whitney Houston – like millions of Americans – reportedly struggled with the demons of prescription drug abuse for a long time,” Bono Mack said in a statement.
“Today, prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in America and is now considered an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control. But here’s what’s so tragic: for the most part, prescription drug abuse is a treatable and even preventable health problem.”
The Congresswoman said that Houston will be remembered for her “rich, soulful, unmistakable voice.”
“But perhaps her death can also be remembered as the turning point in the struggle against prescription drug abuse in America. That would be quite a legacy, too,” Bono Mack said.
Her appearance is set during the 5 a.m. PST hour, according to Jill Shatzen, a spokeswoman for Bono Mack's office.
Bono Mack is running for the newly formed 36th Congressional District, which includes Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Banning and Beaumont. Her current district includes the city of Murrieta.
