Sunday October 26, 2008
(Manchester, NH) – In this morning's debate at Temple Yeshurun, John Sununu misrepresented his positions on important issues in an effort to hide from his record of supporting George Bush 90% of the time. On the issues of stem cell research and the safe reimportation of prescription drugs in particular, Sununu claimed very different positions this morning than the ones he's taken in Washington.
"As Election Day approaches, John Sununu is becoming more and more desperate to convince New Hampshire voters that his record is something it's not," said Kate Bedingfield, communications director for Jeanne Shaheen for Senate. "Sununu has been a stalwart supporter of the Bush policies banning federal funding of embryonic stem cell research and opposing the safe reimportation of prescription drugs. He should be straightforward with New Hampshire voters on where he stands rather than trying to disguise his record."
ON EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH:
Sununu Says: "I certainly believe that the federal government shouldn't restrict the ability of researchers around the country to do research in this or any other area." –10/26/08
"And I have supported funding for research in areas of embryonic stem cell lines that exist today. And that research should continue." – 10/26/08
Sununu Does: John Sununu Was Only New England Senator to Vote To Uphold George Bush's Ban on Embryonic Stem Cell Research. In 2006 and 2007, Sununu was the only Senator from New England to vote against a bill that would have expanded federal funding of stem cell research. The bills would have lifted Bush's 2001 federal ban on stem cell research. [Senate Vote #127, 4/11/07; Senate Vote #206, 7/18/06]
ON THE SAFE REIMPORTATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS:
Sununu Says: "The key word there is safe. That's what we should be focused on. Safety for anyone purchasing drugs here in the United States or if they're purchasing them from overseas. And what I supported is what every director of the Health and Human Services department and the United States Democrat and Republican supported which is to make sure our director of HHS has the power to guarantee that any drug being imported to America are safe… And I have supported amendments that will allow re-importation as long as those conditions are met. And I'll continue to do so."
Sununu Does: Sununu Voted Against Drug Re-Importation Approved by HHS Secretary. [Senate Vote #150, 5/3/07]
Sununu Voted Against Prescription Drug Importation from Canada Approved by HHS Secretary. [Senate Vote #232, 6/20/03]
Sununu Voted Against FDA Approved Drug Importation from Canada. [Senate Vote #191, 7/11/06]
Sununu Voted Against Drug Re-Importation. In July 2005, during a Senate Commerce Committee meeting, Sununu voted against and amendment to allow drug re-importation into the United States. The amendment would have authorized individuals to re-import prescription drugs from Canada, Australia, and the European Union. The amendment also would have established counterfeit protections for drugs and only have allowed drugs to be re-imported that were produced in factories with FDA approval. [CQ Committee Coverage, Senate Commerce Committee Markup, 7/21/05]
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