Barbara Mikulski: “I am so happy this day has finally come, in which the U.S. Senate, and I believe the House, will pass a conference…”

“I am so happy this day has finally come, in which the U.S. Senate, and I believe the House, will pass a conference report to modernize the Food and Drug Administration and to bring it into a 21st century framework. I want to thank Senator Jeffords for the patient leadership he has provided in moving this bill, and a special thanks for the collegiality of his staff in working with mine. I also would like to acknowledge the special role that Senator Coats has played. I have enjoyed working with him these last 3 years. We will miss him here as he undertakes next year a new life in encouraging faith-based community groups to become more involved. I think in this bipartisan collegial exchange we have come up with an outstanding bill that is going to save lives, save jobs in the United States of America, give us a product to export around the world that is translingual, transcultural, but certainly helps our people and at the same time puts patients first.”