With the November 7 elections leading to a shift in power on Capitol Hill, the Republican leadership of the House and Senate plan to postpone final action on the remaining fiscal year (FY) 2007 appropriations bills until next year, forcing the Democratic-controlled 110th Congress to deal with the issue.  After the election, Congress reconvened for one week and approved a continuing resolution (CR) that funds the remaining ten annual appropriations bills through December 8.   

Several sources are reporting that when the House and Senate reconvene on Tuesday, December 5, they will work to approve a long-term CR that funds those ten spending bills through early next year, possibly March.  This CR is expected to continue to use the lower number of the House-passed FY 2007, Senate-passed FY 2007, or FY 2006 enacted level for its funding basis. 

If Congress moves forward with approving a long-term CR, it is unclear how long the House and Senate would remain in session in December.  Some pundits are speculating that the House could pass the CR and adjourn for the year next week.  In the Senate, the nomination of Robert Gates as Secretary of the Department of Defense is awaiting action, so the Senate could stay in session through the week of December 11 to confirm him. 

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FDA UPDATE

Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Drug Safety

On November 16^th the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) committee held a hearing entitled "Building a 21^st Century FDA: Proposals to Improve Drug Safety and Innovation".  The primary focus of the hearing was the recently released Institutes of Medicine (IOM) report on drug safety.  Shelia Burke, chair of the IOM committee on the assessment of the U.S. drug safety system, outlined the committee’s findings.   On September 26^th, the IOM released a report containing a number of recommendations aimed at enhancing drug review, safety surveillance and the functioning of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Review at FDA.    The committee also made recommendations to increase overall resource for the agency and improve public communication.

Also of discussion at the hearing was “The Enhancing Drug Safety and Innovation Act of 2006.” This legislation was introduced this fall by HELP committee chair Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY) and ranking member Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA).  Providing input was a panel of representative experts from consumer groups, industry, and patient groups.  While some panelists offered different suggestions of improvements that FDA could make, all of the panelists agreed that in order for the FDA to continue as the gold-standard agency it would require increased resources from congressional appropriations. 

During the upcoming 110^th Congress it is likely that drug safety and FDA will receive a great deal of attention.  Along with previously introduced legislation, Congress will look to renew the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, which provides vital resources for FDA product review.   Joining the drug safety debate next year as new members of the Senate  HELP committee are Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), and Senators-elect Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).  

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FRIENDS EVENTS

Friends Celebrates Tenth Anniversary with special Benefit Evening at The Four Seasons Hotel

Above: Master of Ceremonies Sam Donaldson with Cancer Leadership Award Recipient Representative Deborah Pryce.

In between a unique four-course tasting menu, Master of Ceremonies Sam Donaldson led the program of award presentations to prominent members of Congress, the Administration, and the entertainment industry who have demonstrated steadfast leadership and support in their work for cancer research. 

The Cancer Leadership Award, for extraordinary leadership that has made a real difference in advancing cancer research, was presented to Representative John Dingell (D-MI) and Representative Deborah Pryce (R-OH).   The Lifetime Achievement Award, for setting an example both personally and professionally in their dedication to the fight against cancer, was presented to Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), and Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, Acting Commissioner of the Food & Drug Administration.

The Research Advocacy Award, for leadership on public education and advocacy of stem cell research that holds vast potential for providing treatments and cures for life-altering diseases, was presented to

Lucy Fisher and Doug Wick of Red Wagon Entertainment (Award-winning movie producers whose credits includeGladiator, Stuart Little, Girl Interrupted and Memoirs of a Geisha), and Janet and Jerry Zucker of Zucker Productions (Award-winning movie producers and director whose credits include First Knight, Rat Race, Airplane, The Naked Gun, Ghost and My Best Friend's Wedding), all pictured above.

 A surprise award was presented by Benefit Committee Co-Chairs Sandi Hoffman and Pennie Abramson to Friends Chair and Founder, Ellen Sigal, for her decade of commitment, achievements, and perseverance.

In addition to star-studded list of honorees, noteworthy guests in attendance included: Peter Brandt and Dr. Joseph Feczko of the evening’s underwriter Pfizer Inc, Debbie Dingell (Benefit Co-chair with Friends President Marlene Malek), Joan Specter, Catherine and Senator Ted Stevens, Dan Glickman of MPAA, Nancy Moonves, Lisa Paulsen and Kathleen Lobb of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the Butterworth Brothers, Alma Powell, The Honorable John Edward Porter,  Director of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Amy McGuire, Ambassador Joe and Valerie Wilson, Dr. Elias Zerhouni, Director of the National Institutes of Health, and his wife Nadia, Director of NIAID Dr. Anthony Fauci, Calvin and Jane Cafritz, Gary and Pennie Abramson (Friends Board Member and Benefit Committee Co-Chair with Sandi Hoffman), and many others representing a unique mix of the Hollywood Hills and Capitol Hill.  Board member and former CEO of Paramount Pictures, Sherry Lansing, was unable to attend but delivered a special video message.

Pictured above: Friends Chair and Founder Ellen Sigal with AACR CEO Dr. Margaret Foti, Friends President Marlene Malek, Lucy Fisher and Doug Wick, and Entertainment Industry Foundation CEO Lisa Paulsen.

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