[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               FDA REFORM

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, this is the second time this week I have 
been blocked from trying to move to consideration of critical FDA 
reform legislation.
  This bill, the FDA Modernization and Accountability Act, would ensure 
that patients and consumers have prompt access to safe and effective 
products, including prescription drugs, medical devices, and foods.
  It would streamline the FDA bureaucracy, which has spun dangerously 
out of control in recent years. And, it would reauthorize the 
Prescription Drug User Fee Act.
  I am greatly disappointed that this bill is being held hostage by a 
small number of Senators. This legislation enjoys strong bipartisan 
support. It passed the Labor Committee by a bipartisan vote of 14 to 4.
  Since the bill passed committee on June 18, supporters of FDA reform 
have tried repeatedly to address the concerns of these four opponents. 
In fact, supporters of reform have made an additional 30 concessions in 
the bill since it was reported from committee.
  Cosponsors of the bill, Democrat and Republican alike, met with 
Senator Kennedy this morning in a last ditch effort to convince him to 
let the bill go forward. Despite the bill's strong bipartisan support 
and despite these additional compromises, he refused.
  This legislation is too important to be held hostage. As such, I 
intend to bring the committee-passed FDA reform bill to the floor in 
September. If necessary, I will file cloture to ensure that this 
important piece of business for the health of the American people is 
completed in a timely manner.

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