David Obey: “again trying to separate symbol from substance, the bill language already clearly says that none of the funds made…”

“again trying to separate symbol from substance, the bill language already clearly says that none of the funds made available for injury prevention may be used to advocate or promote gun control, courtesy of the Livingston-Obey amendment. So that problem is taken care of. The report language makes clear that CDC may continue to engage in all legitimate research and analysis. All it says is that the committee expects research in this area to be objective and grants to be awarded through an impartial peer review process. It says, ``The committee does not believe it is the role of the CDC to advocate or promote policies to advance gun control initiatives or to discourage responsible private gun ownership.'' We have already been told by supporters of the Lowey amendment that they no longer have any objection to that language. That means we simply have a choice about where the dollars ought to go. One can have a legitimate difference of opinion on that. All I would say is that I think the dollars are best spent if they remain where the committee put them in the Area Health Education Centers account. That has been a very tiny account. It is only $23 million. If you think $23 million is enough to spread around to all of the underserved rural areas of the country and the underserved urban areas of the country, you are looking at a different country than I am. Those underserved areas badly need those added resources. That is where the committee puts them.”