Senate Debate On Tobacco Bill Likely To Drag To Next Week
By PATRICK YOEST, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- While a bill tightening regulation of tobacco
products appears to have strong support in the Senate, the chances of a quick
final vote on the measure are bleak and only getting dimmer.
Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., who opposes the measure, has signaled he will
prolong debate on the measure using a number of procedural tactics. The Senate
Wednesday is expected to vote in favor of proceeding to the bill -- a vote
forced by Burr.
Burr plans to insist upon an official reading of the 218-page bill, according
to a Senate staffer. That would extend debate on the bill for hours longer.
The stalling tactics will likely cause Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-
Nev., to file a motion to limit debate on the bill, and Burr appears poised to
insist upon 60 hours of debate allowed under the motion. Aides say that would
push debate on the bill until Tuesday or later.
Burr opposes the measure largely because it would give the Food and Drug
Administration authority to regulate tobacco. A substitute measure proposed by
Burr would create an agency within the Health and Human Services Department
rather than placing regulation at the FDA.
"What is so magical about putting this at the FDA?" Burr asked in debate
Wednesday. "I'll tell you, because they've attempted to do it for 10 years. It
is because when you put it there, over time you will be able to outlaw this
product."
Burr is waging an uphill battle. The Senate Tuesday registered strong support
for the bill, voting 84-11 to limit debate on proceeding to it.
Burr said Wednesday that he had made several changes to his alternative
legislation since a similar measure that he offered was defeated in the Senate
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
"Let me put members on notice before they come down and make claims on it,"
Burr said. "It is not the same bill."
Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., is co-sponsoring Burr's alternative bill. The two
North Carolina senators have expressed concern about how FDA regulation of the
tobacco industry would affect jobs in their state.
Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) and Lorillard Inc. (LO), two large tobacco
companies, are based in North Carolina.
A major question at this point is whether supporters of a "cash for clunkers"
program will offer amendments that would create such a program. The aim of cash
for clunkers is to provide vouchers to people with heavier-polluting cars
looking to trade them in for new cars.
A spokesman for Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who could offer an amendment
to create the auto program, said Feinstein has not decided a time frame for
offering it. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., could also introduce a cash for
clunker amendment.
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., who has shepherded the bill through committee
and Senate debate, on Wednesday discouraged colleagues from adding amendments to
the bill.
"This is a delicate, fragile compromise," Dodd said. "If we're not careful
here, we could fracture this and fall short of that 60 votes."
Dodd did not say specifically that he was opposed to the cash for clunkers
measure, but did express reservations about a proposal by Sen. Mike Enzi, R-
Wyo., to increase civil penalties for tobacco producers that violate federal
laws.
An Enzi spokesman said the two are working to reach a compromise on the
language.
-By Patrick Yoest, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-3554; patrick.yoest@
dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
06-03-091721ET
Copyright (c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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