Senator Coburn ?

Posted by: "Chuck Hummer" gamboachuck@yahoo.com gamboachuck
Date: Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:32 am ((PST))

I spent a good deal of time with the ALSA advocacy department
representative at a local conference yesterday and specifically asked
about the status of the registry legislation and, in particular, our
friend, Senator Coburn. Their experience with Coburn goes all the way
back to when he was in the House. He has been a maverick with more or
less the same objectives from his earliest days, in spite of being very
unpopular in wide circles, but popular amongst his constituency base.

ALSA met with him and his staff over the past two years specifically on
the registry and provided numerous briefings. The latest was prior the
HELP committee hearing where the bill was reported out by unanimous
consent with no amendment or objection by Senator Coburn. Then he gave
notice to the entire Senate that he would put a hold on at least 80
pieces of legislation that were intended to pass at the last hour by
unanimous consent, a procedure that that unless someone objects (C0burn)
the legislation passes without further action.

It does not appear that the Senator will deviate from his long policy
where he feels the government should not pass legislation on specific
diseases, or even health care at all and his strong objection to
anything that has the appearance of an earmark. (Which the registry
bill does not) and his long standing unhappiness with the CDC
management.

What happens next? The Senators can easily pass the legislation by the
normal process should it wish to, in spite of Coburn's solo objection,
but it will take longer. Even with a bill like ours with 70
co-sponsors, it is prudent to keep communicating with your Senators on
the importance of this legislation. ALSA intends to put out some
guidance on a campaign to pass the registry when Congress reconvenes.

I pointed out that one of my concerns was the complete lack of any word
on what was happening or going to happen since the hold was placed at
Christmas time, and especially since there had been such an overwhelming
support and participation by grass roots advocates. So my report above
may serve to catch everyone on this list up and just as important, the
need for timely communication to the advocates by the advocacy
department.

gamboachuck aka Chuck Hummer


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