Senate to Debate Food Safety Bill

SN STAFF

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Wednesday to begin debate on The Food Safety Modernization Act, a bill that would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to issue mandatory food recalls and to place stricter safety requirements on food growers, processors and importers, among other powers.

The vote was 74 to 25, with one Democrat joining Republicans in opposition to debating the measure.

Democratic leaders overcame a filibuster threat from Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, who has raised concerns about the cost of the bill. The bill's companion legislation passed in the House last year.