Orrin Hatch: “I rise to speak on the Gregg-Schumer amendment. This is a revised and improved version of S. 1225, the Gregg-Schumer…”

“I rise to speak on the Gregg-Schumer amendment. This is a revised and improved version of S. 1225, the Gregg-Schumer bill, "The Greatest Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act of 2003." The HELP Committee reported S. 1225 just last week. This bipartisan amendment was authored by Senators Gregg, Schumer, McCain, and Kennedy. I commend all of them for their hard work which, I believe has resulted in a bill that is vastly improved over legislation that passed the Senate last July, S. 812. Additionally, substantial improvements have been made between the version reported by the HELP Committee last week and the new draft of the amendment that I understand was only completed early this morning after an all night drafting session. While I am supportive of the efforts and leadership of Senator Gregg and his prime cosponsors, Senators Schumer, McCain, and Kennedy, I am not in position to support this extremely important but complicated amendment at this time.”