Patty Murray's Washington View

Press Release

PATTY MURRAY'S WASHINGTON VIEW

U.S. Senator Patty Murray's Weekly Report to the People of Washington

FDA Must be Strong & Independent

NOT THE SAME FDA - As the federal agency in charge of
making sure the food we eat and medicines we take are
safe, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a critical
role in Americans' health. However, I continue to be deeply
concerned that some at the FDA are putting politics ahead of
sound science. The FDA has long been one of the federal
government's most revered agencies, but by allowing politics
to play a role in decision making, the FDA is opening a
Pandora's box that could have lasting consequences on the
agency's credibility.

BACKGROUND: PLAN B IS EXHIBIT A - Nowhere has the
FDA's politicization been more evident than its refusal to
issue a long-promised decision on Plan B emergency
contraceptives.

I've been working to get a decision from the FDA on the
over-the-counter (OTC) status for Plan B. In December of
2003 - almost two years ago - the FDA's own scientific
advisory board overwhelmingly recommended approval of
Plan B's OTC application by a vote of 23-4, but the FDA has
not adhered to its own guidelines for drug approval and
continues to drag its heels.

Despite a written promise from the Secretary of Health and
Human Services that a decision on Plan B would be reached
by September 1, the FDA has only provided further delays.
This is a serious breach of faith, and it's why I've stepped up
my efforts to get a decision on Plan B and restore the role of
science in decision making at the FDA.

FIGHTING FOR SCIENCE OVER POLITICS - This week, I
took two specific actions against this dangerous trend.
First, I gave a speech on the Senate floor in support of my
ongoing efforts to restore science as the guiding principle at
the FDA. In that speech, I called for the FDA to return to the
"gold standard" it had once set for the approval of food and
drugs, instead of the "double standard" it is operating under
today.

Second, I used my power on the Senate Appropriations
Committee to obtain language that will be included in the
final Agriculture Appropriations bill - which funds the FDA -
expressing Congress's concerns over the direction of the FDA
and urging the agency to expedite a decision on Plan B.
I'm proud to have stood up against the politicization of FDA.
This fight is not over and I'll continue to use every tool at my
disposal to work for a decision on Plan B and to return
credibility to the FDA.

Read my speech calling for a strong, independent FDA:

Read a timeline and get more on my work on Plan B:

Standing up for Our Veterans

HELP WITH PTSD - This week I stood up for America's
veterans by ensuring that those who need help with Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are not scrutinized,
stigmatized, or penalized by a planned VA investigation.

BACKGROUND: A BARRIER TO CARE - Earlier this year,
the VA announced plans to investigate the PTSD disability
claims of 72,000 veterans. An earlier study of a small
number of cases by the VA's Inspector General found errors
in about one-third of the claims examined. Many of the
problems uncovered were merely paperwork errors.

Along with organizations like the American Legion and the
Paralyzed Veterans of America, I feared the VA would use the
review to strip benefits from veterans with mental illness. I also
knew the review would take valuable time and resources away
from processing current disability claims.

BLOCKING THE REVIEW - Yesterday, I blocked the review by
inserting language into the 2006 Military Construction and
Veterans' Affairs Appropriations Bill which passed the full Senate
Thursday. My language says the review cannot proceed until the
VA justifies the program to Congress. It also ensures veterans
cannot be stripped of their benefits except in cases of fraud.

The VA must not delay its work on today's disability claims in
order to investigate decisions it made years ago. It's already hard
enough for veterans to seek care for mental health problems. I
can't stand by and let the VA throw down another barrier in front
of veterans with PTSD.

The bill has passed the Senate, and must now be reconciled with
the House of Representatives' version in conference.

Sign up to get periodic updates on my work for our veterans:

Don't Shortchange Katrina Workers

DON'T DENY RELIEF WORKERS A FAIR WAGE - This week, I
signed on as an original cosponsor of a bill that would protect fair
wages for Katrina relief and reconstruction workers. The brave
men and women working in the Gulf region are working in
extremely hazardous conditions to rescue the stricken and rebuild
devastated areas. It is simply wrong to repay their hard work and
sacrifices with lower wages. We have to provide them with full
pay and healthcare benefits.

BACKGROUND: AN UNFAIR PRESIDENTIAL ORDER - On
September 8, 2005, President Bush issued a proclamation stating
that federal construction contractors operating in the areas of
hurricane recovery would be exempt from the prevailing wage
protections of the Davis-Bacon Act. The Davis-Bacon Act has
ensured since 1931 that workers earn local wages on federallyfunded
construction contracts.

LEGISLATION TO PROTECT DAVIS-BACON - That's why, I
cosponsored the Fair Wages for Katrina Recovery Workers Act. It
would reverse the President's suspension and ensure that the
workers involved in the recovery and reconstruction effort will
earn a prevailing wage. I look forward to working with my
colleagues to pass this bill and protect our workers.

Military Construction Projects for WA

IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL - On
Thursday, I announced over $319 million in construction projects for
Washington state military installations in the Senate 2006 Military
Construction and VA Appropriations bill. As a key member of this
subcommittee, I worked to include critical funding for projects
ranging from a new resistance training facility at Fairchild Air Force
Base to housing facilities at Fort Lewis. The funding was approved by
the Senate yesterday, and will now be negotiated with the House.

Washington state's military bases are strategically important to our
nation's defense and our ability to project force worldwide. I'm
pleased to have secured funding to improve these facilities for the
training and quality of life of our military personnel. These projects
will modernize and upgrade the facilities in which our men and
women in uniform and their families live, work and train. By
approving this funding, the Senate has sent the message that we
appreciate their sacrifices.

Get details on the distribution of the funding:
http://www.murray.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=246310

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