Senator expects vote soon on terrorist bill

Senator Tom Harkin expects a vote next week on his seven-point plan to combat bioterrorism. Harkin’s bill calls for better training for health care workers, more food safety inspections, and a big boost in vaccine stockpiles.
Harkin says there’s no reason to stockpile Cipro, the drug made exclusively by Bayer to treat anthrax, because there are plenty of other drugs that work, too. He says penicillin can also be used.
Harkin says Congress must act immediately on these proposals to protect the health and safety of all Americans.
Harkin is chairman of the Senate subcommittee which writes the budget for federal health programs.
Harkin’s plan would cost two-point-three billion dollars to implement.