Congressional Affairs (Prepared May 6, 2005)

BUDGET FY 2006

The FY 2006 budget request for NIH is $28.845 billion, an increase of $251 million or 0.7 percent over the FY2005 funding level. The FY 2006 President's request for NIDA $1,010,130,000, 0.4 percent above the FY 2005 level.

NIH Appropriations Hearings for FY 2006

March 9, 2005 - The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education (Representative Ralph Regula [R-OH], Chairman) held its NIH Overview hearing on the FY2006 Budget, with Dr. Elias Zerhouni, Director, NIH, testifying. Representative Ralph Regula (R-OH), Chairman, presided over a positive hearing that offered the opportunity for NIH to discuss the progress of initiatives begun in FY2004 (The NIH Roadmap), FY 2005 (the NIH Strategic Plan for Obesity Research), and for FY 2006, the NIH Neuroscience Blueprint; and the new Office of Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives (OPASI), which will include an improved process for collecting data on various diseases, conditions, and research fields, and improvements in data about burden of disease. There was considerable interest in how NIH sets priorities and in what will be the goal of OPASI and the role that the President's new health information system will play in support of decision-making and translational activities at NIH.

April 6., 2005 - The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education (Senator Arlen Specter [R-PA], Chairman) held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 NIH budget. Dr. Elias Zerhouni, Director, NIH, provided the NIH Overview. He was accompanied by Drs. Andrew von Eschenbach, Director, NCI; Anthony S. Fauci, Director, NIAID; James Battey, Director, NIDCD; and Allen Spiegel, Director, NIDDK. The hearing provided Dr. Zerhouni with an opportunity to discuss the progress of initiatives as mentioned above. It also provided committee members, most notably Chairman Specter and Ranking Member Harkin, an opportunity to voice their concerns about the recently implemented NIH Conflict of Interest policy.

April 27, 2005 - The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education (Representative Ralph Regula [R-OH], Chairman) held a "theme" hearing on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research and Services -- the FY 2006 budget proposals of SAMHSA, NIDA, NIAAA and NIMH. Testifying were Charles Curie, Administrator, SAMHSA; Dr. Nora Volkow, Director, NIDA; Dr. Faye Calhoun, Deputy Director, NIAAA; and Dr. Thomas Insel, Director, NIMH. To read Dr. Volkow's testimony, go to /Testimony/4-27-05Testimony.html.

Other Hearings and Briefings of Interest

March 16, 2005 — At the request of the Friends of NIDA, Dr. Nora Volkow, Director, NIDA, briefed congressional staff on research focusing on the intersection of drug abuse and criminal justice issues. The briefing was extremely well attended. Dr. Volkow's presentation can be found at http://www2.apa.org/ppo/volkow31505.ppt.

Also speaking at the event were Dexter Manley, Dr. Dwayne Simpson, and Representative Patrick Kennedy.

Dexter Manley, Director of Community Outreach, Second Genesis, Inc. and a former NFL football player with the Washington Redskins: Mr. Manley outlined his cocaine addiction and contact with the criminal justice system. Despite his own experience with relapse, Mr. Manley returned to follow a regimen that has kept him sober, out of the criminal justice system, and a valuable member of the community. He now works as Director of Outreach at Second Genesis in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Dwayne Simpson, PhD, Director of the Institute of Behavioral Research, Texas Christian University: Dr. Simpson provided an overview of NIDA-funded research in the area of criminal justice. He focused on his work through the Criminal Justice/Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS) project — a multi-site set of research studies designed to improve outcomes for offenders with substance use disorders by improving the integration of drug abuse treatment with other public health and public safety systems. His presentation is available at http://www2.apa.org/ppo/simpson31505.ppt.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Co-Chair, House Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus and member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education: Rep. Kennedy thanked members of the audience for attending and applauded the event's speakers for their leadership. Rep. Kennedy noted that he enjoyed recent visits with Dr. Volkow, and with scientists at NIDA's intramural program — and shared with briefing attendees the fact that he keeps a large NIDA-generated poster of the brain in his Capitol Hill office to help educate people regarding "addiction as a brain disease." He noted his own experience with addiction and bi-polar disorder — and called on more Americans to step out of the shadow of anonymity in order to chip away at the stigma surrounding addiction.

Pictures of the event can be found at http://www.apa.org/ppo/issues/fonbriefpics305.html.

March 17, 2005 - The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health and the Environment (Representative Nathan Deal [R-GA], Chairman) held a hearing entitled, "Setting the Path for Reauthorization: Improving Portfolio Management at the NIH." Dr. Elias Zerhouni, Director, NIH, testified.

March 17, 2005 -- The House Committee on Government Reform (Representative Tom Davis [R-VA], Chairman) held a hearing on Steroids and Major League Baseball. Dr. Nora D. Volkow, Director, NIDA, testified. Dr. Volkow testified on the health effects of steroids and what we can do to prevent their abuse. To read Dr. Volkow's testimony, go to /Testimony/3-17-05Testimony.html.

April 21, 2005 - The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education (Senator Arlen Specter [R-PA], Chairman) held a hearing on the escalating problem of methamphetamine abuse. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) chaired the hearing in Mr. Specter's absence. Dr. Nora Volkow, Director, NIDA, testified. Dr. Volkow's testimony focused on the health effects of methamphetamine abuse, what we have learned via brain imaging about that abuse and the potential for recovery, and successful treatment approaches. To read Dr. Volkow's testimony, go to /Testimony/4-21-05Testimony.html.

April 26, 2005 — The House Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources (Representative Mark Souder [R-IN], Chairman), held a hearing on "Drug Prevention Programs and the Fiscal Year 2006 Drug Control Budget: Is the Federal Government Neglecting Illegal Drug Use Prevention?" Mr. Souder and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) are very concerned about cuts in prevention programs in the President's FY 2006 budget proposal, and made remarks specifically supporting the importance of prevention programs in the fight against drug use and demand. Included in the programs Mr. Souder highlighted were Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC) State Grants program of the Department of Education, the national media campaign and Drug Free Communities programs of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) of SAMHSA.

BILLS OF INTEREST - SENATE

[For the full text and additional information about any bill, go to the Library of Congress website at http://thomas.loc.gov]

S. 45 — Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), introduced on January 24, 2005 a bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to lift the patient limitation on prescribing drug addiction treatments by medical practitioners in group practices, and for other purposes. The bill would impact practices that prescribe buprenorphine products for treatment of opiate addiction. Committees: Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Judiciary. Related Bills: See H.R. 869. Status: The bill was discharged on February 1, 2005 by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

S. 103 — Senator Talent (R-MO) introduced on January 24, 2005 the "Combat Meth Act of 2005," a bill to respond to the illegal production, distribution, and use of methamphetamine in the United States, and for other purposes. Committee: Judiciary. Related Bills: See S.102, H.R. 314.

S. 259 — Senator Johnson (D-SD) introduced on February 2, 2005 a bill to require that federal forfeiture funds be used, in part, to clean up methamphetamine laboratories. Committee: Judiciary.

S. 408 - Senator DeWine (R-OH) introduced on February 16, 2005 the "STOP Underage Drinking Act." In part, the bill would authorize the Director of ONDCP to award "enhancement grants" to eligible entities to design, test, evaluate and disseminate strategies to maximize the effectiveness of community-wide approaches to preventing and reducing underage drinking. Committee: Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Related Bills: See H.R. 864.

S. 518 — Senator Sessions (R-OH) introduced on March 5, 2005 the "National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act of 2005," which would provide for the establishment of a controlled substance monitoring program in each State. Committee: Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Related Bills: See H.R. 1132.

S. 521 - Senator Hutchison (R-TX) introduced on March 3, 2005 the "Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act," a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary HHS to establish, promote, and support a comprehensive prevention, research, and medical management referral program for hepatitis C virus infection. Committee: Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Related Bills: See H.R. 1290.

S. 537 — Senator Bingaman (D-NM) introduced on March 7, 2005 the "Child Healthcare Crisis Relief Act" a bill to increase the number of well-trained mental health service professionals (including those based in schools) providing clinical mental health care to children and adolescents, and for other purposes. Committee: Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Related Bills: See H.R. 1106.

S. 538 — Senator Biden (D-DE) introduced on March 7, 2005 the "Health Professionals Substance Abuse Education Act." In introductory remarks, he explained that the bill would do three things for each of the fiscal years 2006 thru 2010: (1) authorize $9 million in grants to train medical generalists to recognize substance abuse and know properly how to refer patients and their families for treatment; (2) authorize $6 million to fund a faculty fellowship program at educational institutions to teach courses on substance abuse, incorporate substance abuse issues into required courses, and educate health professionals about matters involving non-therapeutic uses of prescription medications; and (3) authorize $6 million to establish centers of excellence at medical centers or universities to initiate and implement training, research and clinical activities related to special focal areas of substance abuse, and provide opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in curriculum development, clinical practice, research and policy analysis. Committee: Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

S. 666 — Senator DeWine (R-OH) introduced on March 17, 2005 the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act," a bill to protect the public health by providing the FDA with certain authority to regulate tobacco products. Committee: Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

S. 803 — Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) introduced on April 14, 2005 the "Help Expand Access to Recovery and Treatment Act of 2005," to provide parity with respect to substance abuse treatment benefits under group health plans and health insurance coverage. Committee: Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Related Bills, see H.R. 1258.

S. 884 — Senator Cantwell (D-WA) introduced on April 25, 2005 the "Methamphetamine and Identity Theft Study Act of 2005," instructing the Attorney General to conduct a study evaluating whether there is a connection between the commission of crimes involving methamphetamine and the commission of identity theft crimes. Committee: Judiciary.

S. 927 — Senator Corzine (D-NJ) introduced on April 27, 2005 the "Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act of 2005," which would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand and improve coverage of mental health services under the Medicare program. Committee: Finance. Related Bills: See H.R. 1946.

BILLS OF INTEREST - HOUSE

H.R. 3 - Representative Young (R-AK) introduced on February 9, 2005 the "Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users," a bill to authorize funds for federal aid for highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs. Under Section 2013 of HR 3, the "Drug Impaired Driving Research and Prevention Act," the legislation would require the development of a model statute for States relating to drug impaired driving. The model would include threshold levels of impairment for a controlled substance; methods for detecting the presence of controlled substances; and penalties for drug impaired driving. It would be based on recommendations contained in a report to be developed by NIH and submitted to Congress not later than 18 months after the date of enactment. Status: This bill has been passed by the House. A similar bill, which does not contain the drugged driving language, awaits final Senate action.

H.R. 240 - Representative Pryce (R-OH) introduced on January 4, 2005 the "Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2005." The bill, which would extend welfare legislation, was approved by the Ways and Means Committee's Human Resources Subcommittee on March 15, 2005. The subcommittee amended the bill to cut federal welfare funding to any state that does not drug test those applying for or receiving welfare benefits. No state currently drug tests welfare recipients. In fact, a 2003 ruling by a federal appeals court that covers the states of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee ruled that states cannot drug test welfare recipients because it is unconstitutional. Those states, and many others, could lose federal funding if the drug testing provision makes it into law. Status: pending at full committee.

H.R. 313 - Representative Blunt (R-MO) introduced on January 25, 2005 the "Exile Meth Act," a bill to provide grants to states to combat methamphetamine abuse. In part the bill would require the Attorney General to establish a program that provides grants to qualified States for combating the problem with a specific focus on the prosecution of repeat offenders. Committee: Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Related Bills: See S.102.

H.R. 314 - Representative Blunt (R-MO) introduced on January 25, 2005 the "Combat Meth Act of 2005," a bill to respond to the illegal production, distribution, and use of methamphetamine in the United States, and for other purposes. In part the bill would authorize funds to provide training to State and local prosecutors and law enforcement agents for the investigation and prosecution of methamphetamine offenses. Committees: Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security; Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health. Related Bills: See S. 103.

H.R. 370 - Representative Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced on January 26, 2005 the "Biomedical Research Assistance Voluntary Option Act," a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Service Code to allow taxpayers to designate part or all of any income tax refund be paid for use in biomedical research conducted through the NIH. Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Ways and Means.

H.R. 798 -- Representative Gordon (D-TN) introduced on February 16, 2005 the "Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005," a bill to provide for a research program for remediation of closed methamphetamine production laboratories, and for other purposes. Committee: Science, Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards. Status: voted out of full committee on 4/13/05, see House Report 109-42.

H.R. 812 -- Representative Cummings (D-MD) introduced on February 16, 2005 the "Dawson Family Community Protection Act," a bill to amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 to ensure that adequate funding is provided for certain high intensity drug trafficking areas. Committees: Government Reform; Energy and Commerce.

H.R. 864 — Representative Roybal-Allard (D-CA) introduced on February 16, 2005 a bill to provide for programs and activities with respect to the prevention of underage drinking. Committee: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health. Related Bills: See S. 408.

H.R. 869 — Representative Souder (R-IN) introduced on February 17, 2005 a bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to lift the patient limitation on prescribing drug addiction treatments by medical practitioners in group practices, and for other purposes. This would impact group practices where buprenorphine products are prescribed for treatment of opiate addiction. Related Bills: See S. 45. Status: The bill was reported favorably from the Committee to the House on May 4, 2005.

H.R. 1020 — Representative Rogers (R-MI) introduced on March 1, 2005 a bill to declare adequate pain care research, education, and treatment as national public health priorities, and for other purposes. In part the bill would establish within NIH a center to be known as the National Center for Pain and Palliative Care Research. Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health; Ways and Means; Armed Services.

H.R. 1054 — Representative Green (R-WI) introduced on March 2, 2005 the "Tools for Community Initiatives Act," which would establish an Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives in the Executive Office of the President. Committee: Government Reform.

H.R. 1055 — Representative Hooley (D-OR) introduced on March 2, 2005 the "Comprehensive Methamphetamine Response Act," a bill to provide for the designation and funding of high intensity methamphetamine abuse and trafficking areas. Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Judiciary.

H.R. 1056 — Representative Hooley (D-OR) introduced on March 2, 2005 the "Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act of 2005," a bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to the distribution of pseudoephedrine. Section 7 of the bill would authorize funding for NIH to conduct research on medical alternatives to pseudoephedrine. Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Judiciary.

H.R. 1106 — Representative Kennedy (D-RI) introduced on March 3, 2005 the "Veterans Medical Research Assistance Voluntary Option Act of 2005," a bill to increase the number of well-trained mental health service professionals (including those based in schools) providing clinical mental health care to children and adolescents, and for other purposes. Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Ways and Means. Related Bills: See S.537.

H.R. 1132 — Representative Whitfield (R-KY) introduced on March 3, 2005 the "National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act of 2005," which would provide for the establishment of a controlled substance monitoring program in each State. Committee: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health. Related Bills: See S. 518.

H.R. 1258 — Representative Ramstad (R-MN) introduced on March 10, 2005 the "Time for Recovery and Equal Access to Treatment in America (TREAT America) Act, a bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, PHSA and the IRS Code of 1986 to provide parity with respect to substance abuse treatment benefits under group health plans and health insurance coverage. Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Education and Workforce, Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations; Ways and Means. Related Bills: See S. 803.

H.R. 1290 — Representative Wilson (R-NM) introduced on March 14, 2005 the "Hepatitis C Epidemic Control Prevention Act," to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish, promote, and support a comprehensive prevention, research, and medical management referral program for hepatitis C virus infection. The bill also would require the Director of NIH to establish a Liver Disease Research Advisory Board, which would be charged with developing a Liver Disease Research Plan. Committee: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health. Related Bills: See S. 521.

H.R. 1350 — Representative Peterson (D-MN) introduced on March 16, 2005 the "Methamphetamine Blister Pack Loophole Elimination Act of 2005," a bill to eliminate the safe-harbor exception for certain packaged pseudoephedrine products used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Judiciary. Related Bills: See H.R. 1446.

H.R. 1376 - Representative Davis (R-VA) introduced on March 17, 2005 the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act," a bill to protect the public health by providing the FDA with certain authority to regulate tobacco products. The bill text states that the use of tobacco products by the Nation's children is a pediatric disease of considerable proportions that results in new generations of tobacco-dependent children and adults and that nicotine is an addictive drug Committee: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health.

H.R. 1378 — Representative Emerson (R-MO) introduced on March 17, 2005 the "Ephedrine Alkaloids Regulation Act of 2005," a bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to regulation of ephedrine alkaloids, including ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. The bill states that methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that can be readily made from products and precursors purchased from retail stores. Committee: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health.

H.R. 1402 - Representative Kennedy (D-RI) introduced on March 17, 2005 the "Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2005," a bill to provide for equal coverage of mental health benefits with respect to health insurance coverage unless comparable limitations are imposed on medical and surgical benefits. Committees: Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations; Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health.

H.R. 1446 — Representative Souder (R-IN) introduced on March 17, 2005 the "Methamphetamine Abuse Prevention Act of 2005," a bill to eliminate the safe-harbor exception for certain packaged pseudoephedrine products used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Judiciary. Related Bills: See H.R.1350.

H.R. 1528 — Representative James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced on April 6, 2005 the "Defending America's Most Vulnerable: Safe Access to Drug Treatment and Child Protection Act of 2005," which would amend the Controlled Substances Act to protect vulnerable persons from drug trafficking, and for other purposes. Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.

H.R. 1639 — Representative DeLauro (D-CT) introduced on April 14, 2005 the "Military Health Services Improvement Act of 2005," which would require pre- and post-deployment mental health screenings for members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. Committee: Armed Services.

H.R. 1704 — Representative Portman (R-OH [now resigned from the House]) introduced on April 19, 2005 the "Second Chance Act: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention Act of 2005," which would reauthorize the grant program of the Department of Justice for reentry of offenders into the community, to establish a task force on Federal programs and activities relating to the reentry of offenders into the community, and for other purposes. Committees: Judiciary; Education and the Workforce.

H.R. 1758 -- Representative Andrews (D-NJ) introduced on April 21, 2005 the "Open Air Drug Market Penalty Act of 2005," which would amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide penalties for open air drug markets, and for other purposes. Committees: Judiciary; Energy and Commerce.

H.R. 1789 — Representative Kennedy (D-RI) introduced on April 21, 2005 the "Health Professionals Substance Abuse Education Act," designed to educate health professionals concerning substance use disorders and addiction. Committee: Energy and Commerce. Related Bill: See S. 538.

H.R. 1862 — Representative Stearns (R-FL) introduced on April 26, 2005 the "Drug Free Sports Act," which would direct the Secretary of Commerce to issue regulations requiring testing for steroids and other performance-enhancing substances for certain sports associations engaged in interstate commerce. Committee: Education and Commerce; Education and the Workforce.

H.R. 1946 — Representative Stark (D-CA) introduced on April 27, 2005 the "Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act of 2005," which would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand and improve coverage of mental health services under the Medicare program. Committees: Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce. Related Bills: See S. 927.

H.R. 2087 — Representative Frank (D-MA) introduced on May 4, 2005 the "States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act," which would provide for the medical use of marijuana in accordance with the laws of the various States. Committee: Energy and Commerce.

H.R. 2124 — Representative Weldon (R-FL) introduced on May 5, 2005 the "Clinical Research Act of 2005," which would amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for clinical reasearch support grants, clinical research infrastructure grants, and a demonstration program on partnerships in clinical research, and for other purposes. Committee: Energy and Commerce.

H.R. 2195 — Representative Lynch (D-MA) introduced on May 5, 2005 the "Act to Ban Oxycontin," which would provide for the withdrawal of the drug OxyContin from the commercial market. Committee: Energy and Commerce.

H.Res. 246 — Representative Kennedy (D-RI) submitted on April 27, 2005 a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Drug Court Month, and for other purposes. Committee: Government Reform.

109TH CONGRESS — KEY COMMITTEE ROSTERS

Senate Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (includes jurisdiction over NIH); Members: Republicans (8) Arlen Specter, PA — chairman; Thad Cochran, MS; Judd Gregg, NH; Larry E. Craig, ID; Kay Bailey Hutchison, TX; Ted Stevens, AK; Mike DeWine, OH; Richard C. Shelby, AL. Democrats (7) Tom Harkin, IA - ranking member; Daniel K. Inouye, HI; Harry Reid, NV; Herb Kohl, WI; Patty Murray, WA; Mary L. Landrieu, LA; Richard J. Durbin, IL.

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
(No longer includes a Subcommittee on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services). Full Committee Members: Republicans (11) : Michael B. Enzi, WY — chairman; Judd Gregg, NH; Bill Frist, TN; Lamar Alexander, TN; Richard M. Burr, NC; Johnny Isakson, GA; Mike DeWine, OH; John Ensign, NV; Orrin G. Hatch, UT; Jeff Sessions, AL; Pat Roberts, KS. Democrats (9) Edward M. Kennedy, MA - ranking member; Christopher J. Dodd, CT; Tom Harkin, IA; Barbara A. Mikulski, MD; James M. Jeffords, VT (I); Jeff Bingaman, NM; Patty Murray, WA; Jack Reed, RI; Hillary Rodham Clinton, NY.

Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Crime, and Drugs - Members: Republicans (6) Lindsey Graham, SC — chairman; Charles E. Grassley, IA; Jon Kyl, AZ; Mike DeWine, OH; Jeff Sessions, AL; Tom Coburn, OK. Democrats (5) Joseph R. Biden Jr., DE - ranking member; Herb Kohl, WI; Dianne Feinstein, CA; Russell D. Feingold, WI; Charles E. Schumer, NY.

Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control
Members: Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) Chairman; Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) Co-Chairman; Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL); Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH); Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN).

House Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. Members: Republicans (10) Ralph Regula, OH — chairman; Ernest Istook, OK; Roger Wicker, MS.; Anne M. Northup, KY - vice chairwoman; Randy "Duke" Cunningham, CA; Kay Granger, TX; John E. Peterson, PA; Don Sherwood, PA; Dave Weldon, FL; James T. Walsh, NY. Democrats (7): David R. Obey, WI - ranking member; Steny H. Hoyer, MD; Nita M. Lowey, NY; Rosa DeLauro, CT; Jesse L. Jackson Jr., IL; Patrick J. Kennedy, RI; Lucille Roybal-Allard, CA.

House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Subcommittee on Health - Members: Republicans (17) Nathan Deal, GA - chairman Ralph M. Hall, TX; Michael Bilirakis, FL; Fred Upton, MI; Paul E. Gillmor, OH; Charlie Norwood, GA; Barbara Cubin, WY; John Shimkus, IL; John Shadegg, AZ; Charles W. "Chip" Pickering Jr., MS; Steve Buyer, IN; Joe Pitts, PA; Mary Bono, CA; Mike Ferguson, NJ - vice chairman; Mike Rogers, MI; Sue Myrick, NC; Michael C. Burgess, TX. Democrats (14) Sherrod Brown, OH - ranking member; Henry A. Waxman, CA; Edolphus Towns, NY; Frank Pallone Jr., NJ; Bart Gordon, TN; Bobby L. Rush, IL; Anna G. Eshoo, CA; Gene Green, TX; Ted Strickland, OH; Diana DeGette, CO; Lois Capps, CA; Tom Allen, ME; Jim Davis, FL; Tammy Baldwin, WI.

House Committee on Government Reform
Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources — Members: Republicans (10) Mark Souder, IN. — chairman; Patrick T. McHenry, NC - vice chairman; Dan Burton, IN; John L. Mica, FL; Gil Gutknecht, MN; Steven C. LaTourette, OH; Chris Cannon, UT; Candice S. Miller, MI; Ginny Brown-Waite, FL; Virginia Foxx, NC. Democrats (8) Elijah E. Cummings, MD - ranking member; Bernard Sanders, VT (I); Danny K. Davis, IL; Diane Watson, CA; Linda T. Sanchez, CA; C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, MD; Major R. Owens, NY.