Mike Enzi: “I wish to acknowledge the intense, enthusiastic, and persistent work of the Senator from Louisiana, Mr. Vitter, for drug…”

“I wish to acknowledge the intense, enthusiastic, and persistent work of the Senator from Louisiana, Mr. Vitter, for drug importation. I do not know that I have seen anybody lead as much on an issue or work as hard on an issue. Around here, that is a talent which is very much appreciated. I do want to mention that, again, Dr. Von Eschenbach has not been confirmed, so he does not have full authority to run the Department or to do what he would like to do or might need to do. He has to rely on the advice of other people, particularly until he is confirmed. After that, even then, he will have to abide by the laws. I would point out that drug importation is illegal right now, and it is Congress, not the FDA, that has determined that. So until we change the law, until we do some or all of the things the Senator from Louisiana is suggesting, Dr. Von Eschenbach would really be stepping out of bounds to do drug importation. So I hope we do not hold that against him or hold up his nomination for that reason. We should hold him accountable for what is within his control, but urge him to work with Congress. I have had dozens of meetings with him on a variety of issues, as Senators have brought them up. Most of them have been resolved. Those within the law, those the Department of Justice has not contested, have been resolved.”