Orrin Hatch: “I thank the managers, Chairman Bennett and Senator Kohl, for agreeing to the amendment that Senators Harkin, Durbin and…”

“I thank the managers, Chairman Bennett and Senator Kohl, for agreeing to the amendment that Senators Harkin, Durbin and I offer today. The purpose of our amendment is simple. The Food and Drug Administration has advised us that, in fiscal year 2004, it will spend $10.4 million to regulate dietary supplements. The Hatch-Harkin-Durbin amendment would increase those activities by 10 percent, or $1 million. Let me explain why this amendment is necessary. First, I will explain the pertinent law that the FDA administers. There is no question that tens of millions of Americans rely daily on safe dietary supplements to maintain and improve their healthy lifestyles. The popularity of these products and the concern over their regulation are what led to enactment of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, DSHEA, in 1994, a bill that Senator Harkin and I were proud to author with now-Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson. DSHEA is a strong law that properly implemented will protect the interests of consumers. But, as with any law, it has to be implemented for it to work.”