Is Dr. Coburn Blocking Legislation Funding Breast Cancer Research?»

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/coburn-breast-cancer/

Is Dr. Coburn Blocking Legislation Funding Breast Cancer Research?»

The Senate is currently considering the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act, legislation that would authorize $40 million per year over five years to fund research into the possible links between breast cancer and the environment. The proposal has over two-thirds support in the Senate.

But the bill’s passage has been stalled, as a senator placed a “hold” on it. Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) released a statement announcing that a single Republican senator was blocking the bill. Reid called it “unconsciable” that one person would “singlehandedly block our ability to have a reasonable debate on a bill.”

It appears that this lone senator may be Dr. Tom Coburn (R-OK) — “an obstetrician who sees patients one morning a week.” Yesterday, when Reid brought the bill to the floor for a vote, Sen. John Kyl (R-AZ) “objected” on behalf of Coburn:

REID: Upon the disposition of all amendments…the Senate proceed to vote on the passage of the bill as amended.

WEBB: Is there an objection? Senator from Arizona.

KYL: Mr. President, on behalf of Sen. Coburn, there is an objection.

WEBB: Objection is heard.

Watch the floor exchange at link~

The evidence strongly suggests it was Coburn who placed the hold. In 2006, he put a hold on the same bill, claiming it “would take the authority for research out of the hands of scientists and put it into the hands of politicians.”

more...

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/coburn-breast-cancer/