Maria Cantwell: “For example, the Register-Guard--I don't know why Oregon is paying so much attention to what is happening, but they are…”

“For example, the Register-Guard--I don't know why Oregon is paying so much attention to what is happening, but they are on top of things--says in an editorial, ``Unjustifiable protection against lawsuits,'' making sure to protect the drug companies is an immunity deal for vaccine makers that has been slipped into the Defense bill. They think it is unjustifiable. Another paper, the Vindicator, a Youngstown, OH, newspaper with the headline: ``Trading on fear by passing legislation is wrong.'' It says that when legislators begin attaching complex legislation with far-reaching effects to must-pass bills, a tactic designed to grease the way for passage with virtually no debate, people should be alarmed. I ask unanimous consent these articles be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: [From the Register Guard, Dec. 14, 2005] Vaccines Come With Risk President Bush and Republican leaders in Congress are right to focus special attention on improving the nation's capacity to develop and distribute vaccines quickly. No response to a bioterrorism attack or influenza pandemic would save more lives than rapid, widespread immunization of healthy people. But it's inexcusable to exploit public fears of a flu pandemic as a means to grant the drug industry unjustifiable protection against lawsuits filed by injured patients.…”