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• Tar Heel Senator Vows to Block Tobacco Regulation Bill 

Sen. Richard M. Burr , R-N.C., has promised to drag out debate, offer amendments, and do whatever he can to ensure “a full and lengthy debate and lengthy amendment process,” should the bill (HR 1108) come to the floor. . . .

In addition to his threats to run out the clock and offer amendments, he was waged a more public campaign to argue that the FDA is not the proper venue for tobacco regulation. Burr has previously argued that cigarette content might more logically be regulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and packaging and labeling might be placed under the purview of the Federal Trade Commission. . . .

“You can’t represent North Carolina and say regulation of tobacco is not important,” said Burr, when questioned about the reasons for his opposition to the bill. “I haven’t opposed regulation of tobacco, I’ve just opposed putting it at the FDA,” he added.

Burr said the state’s tobacco industry “is not as dominant a manufacturing base as it once was.” . . .

Neither company has given large donations directly to Burr’s campaign, but have instead sent contributions to his leadership committee, the Next Century Fund. Reynolds’ political action committee gave $10,000 in the current election cycle, and Lorillard $5,000, according to data from CQ MoneyLine.

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