Hamburg Confirmed by Voice Vote in Senate
Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, President Obama's nominee to head the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate yesterday by a voice vote.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee had moved up her confirmation hearings because of the imminent threat of H1N1 influenza, and she sailed through both the heaings and action on the Senate floor with bipartisan accolades.
There are few things that would be better for the country than for those bipartisan accolades to continue to be earned by her during her entire tenure in this incredibly challenging job. We wish her luck.
Senator Durbin Likely to Introduce New Food Safety Legislation
The National Grain and Feed Association has reported to its members that Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), is likely to reintroduce food safety legislation next week. Senator Durbin has introduced similar bills in prior Congresses. Likely, co-sponsors include Senator Edward M. Kennedy, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) committee, and Republican Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Judd Gregg of New Hampshire. According to NGFA, the bill would require participants in the food chain to develop food safety plans to identify hazards that could adversely affect human or animal health.
Because of the peanut butter recall, there may be an attempt to take the bill straight to the Senate floor, bypassing committee hearings.
