[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 174 (Tuesday, November 25, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15960-S15961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I express my support for an amendment 
offered by my colleagues Mr. Hatch, Mr. Harkin, and Durbin earlier this 
year that provides funding for the Food and Drug Administration to 
implement the dietary supplements law.
  I sponsored and voted for the Dietary Supplement Health and Education 
Act, DSHEA, of 1994 and continue to support it today because it gives 
consumers the power to make informed decisions about whether they want 
to use dietary supplements. Millions of Americans take vitamins, 
minerals, and other dietary supplements every day, knowing that if 
there is a problem with a particular product the FDA has the authority 
to step in to protect the public.
  Ever since the tragic death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve 
Bechler earlier this year there has been increased interest in the 
potential dangers of taking ephedra. In the wake of that tragedy, the 
FDA has opened an investigation into the use of ephedra.
  I support the enforcement efforts and urge the FDA to act as 
expeditiously as possible. I know some of my colleagues

[[Page S15961]]

would simply like to see ephedra banned by legislation. My own view is 
that we already have a review process in place under DSHEA and now it 
is important for Congress to help the agency do its job.
  I support the amendment offered by my colleagues because it does just 
that. We must continue to provide consumers with informed choices about 
dietary supplements and one way to do that is to make sure the FDA has 
the resources to do the job as expeditiously as possible.
  The FDA should conclude its rulemaking on ephedra, as well its ``good 
manufacturing practices'' rules, and move forward as quickly as 
possible so that consumers can be better informed.

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