Byron Dorgan: “one of the observations I made when I was privileged to come to the Senate is that virtually everyone here is a pretty…”

“one of the observations I made when I was privileged to come to the Senate is that virtually everyone here is a pretty effective communicator. I am reminded of that every day. I hear debate by people who really are effective, and I always appreciate it, and it is always interesting to me. I do think--certainly everybody is entitled to their opinions; I respect their opinions--not everybody is entitled to their own set of facts. We have to deal with a common set of facts. My colleague just made a statement, a philosophical statement, about what he believes. I respect that. But the statement included thoughts like that this piece of legislation would probably abrogate or not respect copyrights. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is nothing in here that would abrogate copyright protection, and so on. In fact, this amendment provides the requirement of serial numbers on lots and samples by those who are engaged in this sort of thing that has been prevented from occurring inside this country. It requires it for importation, and it requires it for domestic medicines. This will dramatically change the safety of the drug supply here and with respect to that which would be imported. With respect to the American people, the American people are not undecided on this issue. Mr. President, 70 or 80 percent of them believe there ought to be allowed the importation of prescription drugs. This is not something the American people are undecided about.…”