Senators Threaten to Stall Nomination (Medicare Admin-McCain and Dorgan)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3298-2004Feb24.html

Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.) threatened yesterday to hold up the nomination of Mark McClellan to run the federal Medicare program because they are frustrated by his refusal as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration to permit importation of lower-cost medicines from Canada.

Speaking to governors at a meeting on Capitol Hill, McCain said the pair will stall McClellan's nomination to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services "until there's a full and complete explanation of why he will not make prescription drugs from Canada available to Americans." He and congressional allies also intend to use parliamentary maneuvers to force votes in the Senate on the volatile issue, he said.

Also yesterday, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) announced that his state -- in defiance of the FDA -- will launch an Internet site this week to steer residents to a limited number of Canadian mail-order pharmacies that Wisconsin officials deem safe and reliable.

At a separate meeting, FDA Associate Commissioner Peter Pitts said the agency has no intention of backing off its aggressive pursuit of cities and states that promote illegal drug importation. "We're not going to go away," he said.

[LiviaOlivia]

1. Well this is interesting

I wonder how long they(McCain and Dorgan)can hold them off? Should
be a good show. McCain has a huge retirement constituency.

[aquart]

2. Talk about a government working aggressively against its people.

Although I can't help but wondering how the picture of State governments fighting the Federal government will play in the Congressional elections.

State govs look like heroes. Anyone connected with the Federal gov't looks like....the enemy?

Now would be a good time to run Democrats for Republican safe seats.

[Dover]

3. Mutiny is long overdue. The Bushies certainly figured out long ago

that if they simply refuse to follow the laws there really is no mechanism to stop them. So perhaps the Congress and individual states will be equally uncooperative. And what will the WH do about it?

[salinen]

4. I wonder which way Tauzin

will vote? POS.