House Energy and Commerce: Oversight and investigations

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., opened today's hearing with a statement, "We can't afford to do (mandatory) traceability." Other comments by other subcommittee members include observations about the "broken" FDA, which only yesterday was asked to step up oversight of tobacco.

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., said the salmonella outbreak should be a "wakeup call" to the risks the countries faces from intentional and unintentional contamination. Dingell also said the 2002 Bioterrorism Act has failed in its purpose. "What should have taken hours or days has taken months or more."

"Why can't FDA mandate traceability?"