On the recordMay 21, 2012
we are now on the motion to proceed to the FDA user fees bill. At 4:30 the Senate will proceed to executive session to consider the nomination of Paul Watford to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. At 5:30 there will be a cloture vote on the Watford nomination. If we are able to confirm his nomination, we should expect a second vote on the motion to proceed to the FDA user fees legislation. Obstructionism Repeated Mr. President, this week the Senate must complete work on legislation that will enact crucial reforms that will prevent drug shortages and bring lifesaving medicines to market more quickly. Senators Harkin and Enzi, a Democrat and a Republican, worked very hard to bring this legislation to the floor. I am cautiously optimistic that the spirit of bipartisanship will continue because Democrats cannot pass this legislation without the cooperation of our Republican colleagues. I certainly hope they will allow us to advance this bill this evening without additional delay caused by another filibuster. I would like Senators from both parties to be free to offer relevant amendments to improve a worthy bill, but before we can get to work on this legislation in earnest, I urge my Republican colleagues to stop their filibuster.…





