UPDATE: US Senate Panel Approves FDA Tobacco-Regulation Measure

[LaceyUnderall]

The proponents of the bill keep saying how there is nobody regulating tobacco (which as we saw with Burr, that's not the case). Apparently (based on what the ones pushing for this bill to pass as-is have said), the ATF is totally ineffective at doing their job, as well as the Attorney General.

The more I watch, the more P.O.'d I get. Kudos to the senator that threw a wrench into the works. Not sure what he did, but from what was said there is one senator that is holding up the putting of the bill on the floor for a vote.

Was this McCain? I saw that portion and wow, did it put Dodd into a tailspin.

Essentially, what McCain wants to do is add an amendment to the bill that would allow people to import their prescriptions. Obviously, Dodd is against this for many reasons, but he did specifically note that McCain's amendment could force those who may vote for this bill, to vote against the bill just because of the amendment. Dodd is seriously afraid he could not get his necessary votes.

Wouldn't that be lovely if the entire bill failed because of a prescription drug add on?

[TropicalBob]

I honestly did not get that it was John McCain they were referring to -- and I watched all day, including the ending speeches. I think it's that Inzy guy (or however you spell it) from Wyoming (remember him from the HELP committee hearings?; strange dude). And they never said how he messed up the consensus discussions.

Sorry, but I also think Dodd's speech was brilliant oratory. It had passion and conviction -- and that works! Burr has been excellent, but his wise words fall on deaf ears. Our final hope is that Inzy or whoever messes up things so a vote cannot be conducted Monday.

If not, this won't be some party line vote. Who can vote against "the children" and for the "continued killing of 400,000 Americans every year, more than AIDS, car crashes, murders, suicides and H1N1 combined"? Who will vote against perhaps the last bill ever sponsored by beloved Senate Lion Ted Kennedy, who has worked a decade to save the children?

It will be overwhelmingly approved.

[LaceyUnderall]

TB- I had to jump in late to today's discussion so I only arrived as they were closing for the day... I did notice they were very frustrated with someone else for sure.

Wouldn't be surprised that it was Enzi .: United States Senator Mike Enzi :: News Room :.. (old PR but still interesting).

Also... I am not sure where I heard it... but aren't they (Senators) not allowed to call out other members by name when they do certain things? I know they can't when a Secret Hold is done. Secret hold - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

OMG - Someone must have placed a Secret Hold!?! If they did, I would have expected Hagan or Burr?? (Edit: As it is a "secret hold" I have no idea and am not saying this is what has happened... it just could be.)

[OutWest]

i hope and pray that it was a hold and that the congressperson will have the gumption to leave the hold on indefinately, even after the secret period. If s/he does, then they will have to either roll this bill into another bill, add it onto another bill as an amendment, or wait until the next congressional session which isnt until 2011.

[Ivisi]

i hope and pray that it was a hold and that the congressperson will have the gumption to leave the hold on indefinately, even after the secret period. If s/he does, then they will have to either roll this bill into another bill, add it onto another bill as an amendment, or wait until the next congressional session which isnt until 2011.

Either that, or have a senator add an amendment so toxic that supporters would have no choice but to abandon the bill.

"I'd like to add this amendment to aid the perverted arts"

"All those for the amended FDA Tobacco/Prevert bill, please say aye"

*silence*

One can hope.

Ivisi

[RandallFlagg]

Either way, we need to get busy and assume that a ban is fact, and prepare to counter with whatever means we have available.
Homemade ecigs, fluids, etc.
This is about money, and Washington wants more of it from every source they can steal it from.

BTW, this is an issue that transends political stripes. Liberal, conservative, it doesn't matter.

However, HERE..
We're all on the same side.

[orlampagal]

Surf, I am obviously a conservative and you are obviously not. I stated my opinions and neither of us are going to sway each other one way or another.

I am "not" either. I obviously would only agree with whoever makes the most rational/logical/intelligent argument.

[dEFinitionofEPIC]

Either that, or have a senator add an amendment so toxic that supporters would have no choice but to abandon the bill.

"I'd like to add this amendment to aid the perverted arts"

"All those for the amended FDA Tobacco/Prevert bill, please say aye"

*silence*

One can hope.

Ivisi

[Wally]

I honestly did not get that it was John McCain they were referring to -- and I watched all day, including the ending speeches. I think it's that Inzy guy (or however you spell it) from Wyoming (remember him from the HELP committee hearings?; strange dude). And they never said how he messed up the consensus discussions.

Sorry, but I also think Dodd's speech was brilliant oratory. It had passion and conviction -- and that works! Burr has been excellent, but his wise words fall on deaf ears. Our final hope is that Inzy or whoever messes up things so a vote cannot be conducted Monday.

If not, this won't be some party line vote. Who can vote against "the children" and for the "continued killing of 400,000 Americans every year, more than AIDS, car crashes, murders, suicides and H1N1 combined"? Who will vote against perhaps the last bill ever sponsored by beloved Senate Lion Ted Kennedy, who has worked a decade to save the children?

It will be overwhelmingly approved.

In case anyone didn't see the details on this, here is the story on McCain's move:

TheHill.com - Spat between Reid and McCain delays tobacco bill

[lotus14]

Thanks Wally. Anything that slows the rush to pass this thing in it's current form is a good thing.

More time for letters, email, phone calls, and the possibility that an opening can be created that allows more leeway for harm reduction product like the e-cig.