How long does it take for Congress to pass potentially life-saving legislation that has widespread support and no obvious opposition? We are now at fifteen months and counting.
Since 2005, the number of medications in short supply -- including cancer drugs -- has more than tripled. The reasons are complex and include manufacturing problems and reduced production due to lower profits with generic drugs. There is no simple answer. However, one solution lies with giving the FDA more power to help solve the problem. Given enough warning, the FDA has been able to prevent shortages by helping companies increase production. What the FDA wants is a law requiring companies to warn the agency when drugs are running out. That very law -- that would help fix the problem -- was introduced in Congress fifteen months ago with bipartisan support, the backing of the President, and no obvious opposition from any special interest group. But it has still not reached the floor for a vote. I went to Washington and asked six members of Congress -- three Democrats and Three republicans -- why it's taking so long. The segment aired earlier this week on the CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley.
Finally, the finish line appears close. Two weeks ago, drug shortage legislation finally cleared a Senate committee. And just this morning I got some good news from Michael Mahaffey, the Communications Director for Representative Tom Rooney, a Republican from Florida. He told me that the Energy and Commerce Committee approved a larger bill today that includes the legislation. That means language supporting the new law has now passed out of committee in each chamber of Congress. The next step is for the full House and Senate to finally vote on the issue. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office told CBS earlier this week that the vote may occur in the Senate before Memorial Day.
He is a bitter, mean man.
He has been practicing sedition since January 2009.
He should be investigated for working from inside government to stop our government from working - because the popularly elected President of the United States is "not my guy".
Mitch McConnell wanted the Tea Party to make him Senate Majority Leader. They didn't.
So he stopped our government from working.
Then I would make a decree forbidding any organized religion from dabbling in politics and lobbying...and toss their asses in the stockade too.
I'd also grab Luntz,Rove and Norquist..(what the hell,I'm on a roll) and send them to Gitmo for indefinite vacation.
Dictator? Tyrant? Sure,why not.Someones got to step up to the plate,it's obvious that half our populace are to stupid to vote for their own best interests.....
I might even design some snappy uniform...shiny objects to distract my detractors....
The tactics are so obvious and moronic - - high school student councils would be embarrassed to use them.
It's akin to incompetence,or malpractice our government system.
Add to that all the influence of money.......and we have a system of farce and corruption.Our participation in Democracy has become one of "legislative bribery",and our Congress? It's an auction house.
Founding fathers are stirring in their resting places...
No,what we really need to do,and (everyone knows this in their heart) is remove the influence of money.Our current system is a joke,it's a farce.We have become a governing body of"legislative bribery",and our Congress is an auction house.
Our elected officials will not work for the best interest of the nation and it's people as a whole as long as their own power base and positions are at the financial whims of special interest or industry.
One could take virtually any single issue we currently face,any problem,and any legislative dysfunction,and link it with some special interest or corporate money source.
F&F