When it comes to federal agencies, there are
two types of bills that Congress considers. There are
authorization bills that set policy goals and direct where
monies are supposed to be spent, and appropriations bills that
actually distribute the money. In the absence of the passage of
an authorization bill, the agency appropriation legislation is
used to serve these dual legislative responsibilities.
The House and the Senate have both passed the spending bill for
fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Defense (DOD), HR 2863.
The House has passed its Department of Defense authorization
bill, HR 1815. The Senate has yet to pass its DOD authorization
bill, S 1043.
It is to this last bill, S 1043, that Senator Durbin has
proposed his Amendment #1379. The Durbin amendment would require
manufacturers who sell dietary supplements on military bases,
except for vitamins, to submit reports of adverse health
reactions to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However,
Amendment #1379 would also apply to nonmilitary sales of
supplements to consumers.
A hundred or so amendments have been filed for S 1043, including
the Durbin amendment. Senate leaders from both parties,
including Senator Durbin, the Assistant Minority Leader, are now
in negotiations over what amendments will be considered and
voted on individually, and what amendments could be considered
“en bloc” and adopted by unanimous consent, without a full
Senate vote.
The NHF has been actively involved in lobbying against the
Durbin amendment and needs your continued help. Even if you have
already sent a letter to your US Senators urging them to vote
against Amendment #1379, please do so again.
If you have not sent a letter your US Senator, please help by
sending one now. Without your support, Senator Durbin may
prevail in his ongoing efforts to repeal DSHEA and give the FDA
the authority to regulate supplements more like drugs.
