The Senate voted overwhelmingly to give the FDA control over tobacco products. Senators Burr and Hagan both voted against the bill. However, it passed 79-17, with 3 not voting. The House, earlier in the week, supported this bill too. The votes from NC delegation are as follows:
YES: Butterfield, Etheridge, Price, Miller, Watt
NO: Coble, McIntyre, Foxx, McHenry, Kissell, Myrick, Shuler
NOT VOTING: Jones
President Obama is looking forward to signing this bill as is shown in the video below:
The Grange opposed FDA regulation of tobacco.
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Today's Washington Post has an interesting article on Senator Hagan fighting the Tobacco/FDA bill while the Governor was siging the smoking ban. My, how things have changed.
ReplyDeleteAs a Rural NC supporter and someone who grew up working in the tobacco fields, even I support the smoking ban and realize that tobacco can't continue as it has in the past. As rural people and/or tobacco growers, we can't continue to support the manufacturers lock step anymore. I think it may be possible for regulation to turn out good for farmers and rural communities. Tobacco will always be a legal but regulated product.