[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE MEDICAL DEVICE USE FEE AND MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2002

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I bring to the attention of the 
membership the bill H.R. 5651, the Medical Device User Fee and 
Modernization Act of 2002. It has now passed the House of 
Representatives. We have been working on this legislation for 10 years. 
It has been a divisive issue, both the issue and as a public policy 
issue. We finally have virtual support from the Members in the House of 
Representatives, the committees of jurisdiction, and also the Members 
here. There may be Members who have questions. We are prepared to 
answer those.
  I indicate this is a public health matter of enormous importance and 
consequence. If Members are going to object, they are going to have to 
come to the floor of the Senate and express those objections and 
reasons. We will not tolerate someone holding up this bill in hopes 
that they can get it carried back to the House. We have worked too 
long. We have worked too hard. This is an enormously important health 
issue. We will not tolerate it. I will not tolerate it. Those members 
of our committee will not tolerate it.
  I want to make it very clear, if they ever expect any kind of 
cooperation on any other health matters, they had better understand the 
importance and significance of this measure--if they ever expect any 
cooperation on any health matters down the road.
  I thank the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Nelson of Florida). The Senator from 
Indiana.

                          ____________________