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Senate begins debating FDA tobacco bill  

The U.S. Senate yesterday began debating legislation that would give the federal government the power to regulate tobacco products.

"Passing this bill would be an historic victory for our nation's children," Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said on the Senate floor.

But Sen. Richard Burr, N.C., who represents the nation's top tobacco-producing state, said the legislation was flawed and would do little to reduce smoking rates. . . .

Kentucky Sens. Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning, both Republicans, were among the minority early yesterday as senators voted 84-11 to proceed with the bill.

McConnell opposed the procedural move, according to spokesman Robert Steurer, "because he's concerned about the legislation's impact on Kentucky's farmers and their communities, as well as the burden of additional regulatory responsibilities on FDA that could prevent the agency from meeting its core mission."

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