TWICMAY4

Reauthorized under this bill are programs and procedures of the Federal Drug Administration, an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Senate bill would create new mechanisms for pre- and post-market drug safety testing as well new procedures and fees to manufacturers for inspecting and testing medical devices. Fees would be used to support increased safety procedures. The bill also seeks to improve oversight of direct-to-consumer television advertisements.

The underlying bill, supported by some amendment activity, would allow lower cost drugs to be imported, mostly from Canada, and would allow for American's and businesses to order lower priced drugs from foreign providers at a calculated savings to Americans of $50 billion. The Senate agreed to that provision in an amendment with a 63 vote majority that some say would still be available to override a presidential veto should one be imposed on the bill. An amendment would extend that provision and require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to certify the safety and authenticity of imported drugs.

Opponents to that amendment argue that the Secretary has already made it clear that he cannot guarantee the safety and quality of imported drugs. The path of such drugs into the country is too extensive and convoluted, they hold. The bill, according to supporters, requires imports to arrive with a chain of custody and other back-tracking information and that the drugs would already be FDA approved and manufactured in FDA approved facilities, probably in the US. Most Canadian drugs sold to Americans are American manufactured drugs but are sold to Canada for less than they are sold to Americans. The import provision in the bill would allow Americans to buy the drugs for less. The provision governing drug imports is a point of contention in the bill and is lengthy, covering more than just US manufactured drugs but extending into labeling and other ways sellers can communicate to consumers the quality and content of prescription drug containers.

Debate on this bill and the drug import amendment is expected to continue through the week of May 7th through 11th with a possible vote on passage. This bill report will be updated as more information comes available.

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HOUSE FAILS TO OVERRIDE PRESIDENT'S VETO

OF WAR SUPPLEMENTAL

The expected veto arrived leading to House Leadership meetings with the President. Points of contention expressed by the President are the timelines for withdrawal, measuring the success of Iraqi efforts to take control of their country's circumstances and about $15 billion in funding unrelated to the war on terror.

The House is expected to produce a second bill that will reflect any compromise language developed in meetings with the President.

The Bill with Amendments & Votes: HR 1591

The Bill Conference Report details as passed and now vetoed

The Bill Language Regarding Benchmarks for Iraq to Meet.

Text of the Bill Indexed for Research

BILLS ADDRESS HATE CRIMES, AUTHORIZE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS & EARLY EDUCATION

HATE CRIMES DEFINED-PUNISHMENT INCREASED

Violent crimes based on gender, race and other prejudices face increased fines and prison.

{Full report}

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED

NSF is charged with strengthening the Nation’s base of science and engineering knowledge and research. The bill would spend $28 billion over three years to support and stimulate innovative technologies. Grants are authorized as well as NSF oversight of grant use.

{Full Report}

NATIONAL STANDARDS AGENCY PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED

Innovative technology development and public/private partnerships are the focus of the authorization bill for the Nation's keeper of measurements.

{Full Report}

HEAD START

EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED

Certification of early childcare workers education and early childhood development skills is mandated in the bill that provides mechanisms for monitoring success and expanding the early learning centers.

{Full report}