Heidi Alexander: “this amendment is an amendment I believe almost every Senator will want to vote for because this is an amendment that…”

“this amendment is an amendment I believe almost every Senator will want to vote for because this is an amendment that guarantees that when you walk into the local drugstore, your medicine is safe because you know that it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This amendment clarifies the current law, which says that if you sell a prescription drug in the United States, it has to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It may be made overseas--and many are, and they are sold here--but they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. I have the privilege of being the chairman of the HELP Committee, and I can't tell you the number of impassioned speeches I have heard from my Democratic friends about the importance of drug safety and the gold standard for the Food and Drug Administration. So if you are for the gold standard of the Food and Drug Administration, if you are for making prescription drugs approved by the FDA, vote yes. If you are against it, vote no. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the Senator wish to call up his amendment?”