Frank Lautenberg: “I rise to discuss the FSC/ETI conference report. What the Republican Leadership did to this bill in conference is…”

“I rise to discuss the FSC/ETI conference report. What the Republican Leadership did to this bill in conference is downright shameful. In July, I supported an amendment Senators DeWine and Kennedy offered to this bill that combined a tobacco buyout with a provision giving the Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over tobacco. The Senate passed the FDA amendment by a vote of 78-15. That is a strong show of support. But something strange happened in conference. The FDA portion disappeared. So in this conference report we have the buyout, but not FDA authority over tobacco products. That is unacceptable. It is nothing more than a sweetheart deal for tobacco companies. They get cheaper tobacco and continue to avoid FDA regulation. I have a long history of working on tobacco control. As a former smoker, this is a personal issue to me. And the more I learn about that menace the happier I am for myself and my loved ones. I have worked hard in the Senate to protect Americans--especially children--from the deadly effects of cigarettes and other tobacco products.”