Bob Wise: “Mr. Chairman, it is not to offer an amendment. I just want to assure the chairman and ranking member there was a…”

“Mr. Chairman, it is not to offer an amendment. I just want to assure the chairman and ranking member there was a statement I wanted to make very briefly concerning the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act which was a significant reform allowing for the expedited approval of food contract substances principally used in plastic, paper and aluminum food packaging, and under this innovative program approvals which currently take unto 6 years can be accomplished in as little as 120 days while still assuring the safety of these materials. Employers in my district would benefit from this program which would speed the introduction of new packaging materials and new uses for existing ones. I appreciate the committee's statement recognizing the value of this regulatory reform, but I am concerned that the necessary funds have yet to be appropriated since both the committee and the administration are counting on the authorization of user fees. Although the industries benefiting from this program are willing to support reasonable use of fees, an authorization by Congress this year is not guaranteed. In fact, as of today no fee authorization bill has been introduced much less discussed in any detail.”