Arlen Specter
The Public Record
Arlen Specter was a prominent American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania for 30 years, from 1981 to 2011. Originally a member of the Republican Party, he switched to the Democratic Party in 2009. During his tenure, Specter was known for his moderate positions and played a key role in various significant legislative efforts, including judicial nominations and health care reform. He was involved in high-profile hearings, including those related to the 9/11 attacks and the confirmation of Supreme Court justices.
Dr. Penn, the question is, when was SMA selected for this transitional research program?
Ladies and gentlemen, what I want to be sure about, and I cannot quite accomplish it in this hearing today, is that we are not making any political decision, that you are making scientific decisions.
Dr. Tabak, if you allocated more than $1.5 million, do you think you could get a faster result on this important test?
These people come to us and say, you are giving NIH all the money. What is happening? I do not like to hear talk of long periods of time on appointing steering committees.
Does this new test pose real promise to give an easier, better diagnosis of breast cancer?
Are you saying that is the maximum amount that can be efficiently spent on that research?
I broach the subject of some delicacy now, which has already been communicated to you.
We appreciate what you are doing. There are going to be questions submitted for the record.
If we convey a sense that we are looking for a greater sense of urgency, if you get that message today, you are right.
But at the moment, the policy is sort of--perhaps it is not drifting along, but it is pretty hard to formulate it with precision.
The prevalence of autism is increasing, with the disease affecting, as we understand it, some 500,000 people in this country at a cost of $13 billion annually.
There is no precise, cannot be a precise, evaluation of what the risk is of a smallpox attack.





