[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 OPPOSING H.R. 3310 IN ITS CURRENT FORM

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                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 1998

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I understand that under House rules it is 
too late to withdraw as a cosponsor of H.R. 3310, the Small Business 
Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments of 1998, which is to be considered 
by the House tomorrow. However, new information has come to light about 
H.R. 3310, which compels me to declare that I can no longer support the 
legislation as it is drafted.
  I share with many of my colleagues the desire to streamline 
unnecessary and onerous regulatory requirements. Small businesses 
should not be overburdened by government regulations in this highly 
competitive economy. It is with this goal that I signed onto H.R. 3310. 
Unfortunately, I have learned that this bill will have unintended 
consequences that go far beyond paperwork reduction.
  H.R. 3310 throws out the wheat and the chaff. Besides addressing 
technical violations of reporting requirements, it also creates 
disincentives to report information vital to public health, workers 
safety, the environment, and to the smooth running of our economic 
markets. To cite just one example, this bill creates disincentives for 
businesses to file reports with the Food and Drug Administration about 
the adverse affects of new drugs and products.
  I join the Administration, the U.S. Securities and Exchange 
Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and 
numerous labor and environmental groups in opposing H.R. 3310 in its 
current form.

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