Fred Upton RSS Articles

HOLLAND SENTINEL: FDA Reform Benefits Michigan Patients, Jobs

Wed, 16 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

By Rep. Fred Upton -

This past week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee took a major step by passing bipartisan legislation that will make important reforms in the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) evaluation and approval process for new medical products. From the latest medical devices to tomorrow’s drug treatments, these reforms will enable U.S. manufacturers to get their breakthrough products to market faster while maintaining the highest levels of patient safety.

That is good news for the life sciences industry and the thousands of jobs that depend upon it here in Michigan, and certainly it is wonderful news for countless patients from across the country who await the delivery of these life-saving innovations.

Earlier this month, I met with the employees of local medical industry innovators Pfizer and Stryker, two of Southwest Michigan’s largest employers. The medical device and drug industries employ thousands here in Michigan – jobs that are now being threatened by the lack of predictability in the FDA approval process. A slow and uncertain approval process is detrimental to American jobs and competitiveness, putting U.S. companies at a severe disadvantage with foreign competitors. The United States has long been the global leader in medical innovation – thanks in large part to the work being done right here in Michigan – but that position could soon be jeopardized if reforms are not enacted. What’s more, ongoing delays at the FDA have come at a serious cost to American patients whose lives depend upon the availability of these new drugs and medical technologies.

While Michigan medical product manufacturers have had to hack their way through a jungle of bureaucratic red tape, companies in Europe have flourished, commanding a larger share of the global market including here in the United States. That is simply unacceptable.

Our bipartisan reform package is the culmination of more than a year of work and negotiations between House Democrats and Republicans, all of whom recognize the importance of a more efficient, transparent, and consistent FDA for our nation’s patients, healthcare providers, and job creators.

These reforms are part of broader legislation that will extend the FDA’s current user-fee programs – which are now set to expire in September – for an additional five years. The expiring programs – the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) and the Medical Device User Fee Act (MDUFA) – both play an essential role in ensuring that groundbreaking medicines and technologies reach the patients who need them. Our bipartisan reform bill also supports new user-fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars, helping both reach the market faster to provide a greater range of affordable healthcare options to patients.

As we extend these programs, we have a must-act opportunity to improve the review and approval process, maintaining important safeguards for patients while encouraging the development of cutting-edge products.

I applaud the work of our entire Energy and Commerce team – Democrats and Republicans – to move this process forward and hope to see this legislation reach the President’s desk before the end of summer. As an issue of importance to jobs, patient care, economic growth, and medical innovation in Michigan, completing reauthorization of these programs and enacting commonsense reforms at the FDA must be a top priority and is an issue upon which we can all agree.

Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) represents Michigan’s Sixth Congressional District and serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/opinions/x1035953558/MY-TAKE-FDA-reforms-benefit-Michigan-patients-jobs

DETROIT FREE PRESS: Keystone pipeline will bring jobs, greater energy independence

Thu, 10 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

By Rep. Fred Upton -

This week, I began negotiations with House and Senate colleagues on a transportation package to support jobs and infrastructure, and the good news is, there's an infrastructure project with shovel-ready jobs that we can include in this legislation, and it won't cost taxpayers a dime: the Keystone XL pipeline, which will carry Canadian energy supplies to American refineries.

We can see the economic benefits of North American energy development right here in Michigan. Just last month, I visited Detroit's Marathon Petroleum refinery, which is undergoing a $2.2-billion expansion project to also process Canadian oil sands. This type of investment is great news for our state, and Keystone XL will allow us as a nation to embrace these energy resources, creating jobs and greater energy security.

Keystone XL will support jobs not just along the pipeline's 1,700-mile route, but all across the country, including in Michigan. I recently visited Delta Industrial Valves in Niles, which would benefit from the pipeline's proposed expansion by supplying valves used in the Canadian oil extracting plants and the refineries where the oil will end up.

The Obama administration rejected the project, and opponents have manufactured excuses to reject this stable, affordable supply of energy from our neighbor to the north. But if we don't act, we risk losing the entire project, along with thousands of jobs and access to one of the world's richest energy resources.

If we don't accept Canada's oil, China and other energy-hungry nations will. Canadian officials already are negotiating to expand a pipeline to the Pacific so that oil can be shipped to the Far East on tankers. And if it goes there, it won't be coming back.

Michigan families and businesses are struggling with high prices at the pump just like the rest of the country. While gasoline prices are influenced by many factors beyond the reach of Congress, there are some factors we can control, including access to energy supplies. Increasing the

supply of oil will help meet demand, and the Keystone XL pipeline will bring nearly a million barrels of additional oil per day to U.S. refineries.

Opponents of this project claim that expanding the oil supply to Midwest and Gulf Coast refineries and distribution centers will somehow increase gasoline prices in the Midwest. On its face, this argument strains credibility. Even the U.S. Department of Energy has weighed in to debunk this myth. In a June 2011 memo, the deputy assistant secretary for policy analysis wrote: "Gasoline prices in all markets served by (Gulf Coast and East Coast) refiners would decrease, including the Midwest."

The Keystone XL pipeline is good news for jobs, energy security, and, yes, for the environment. Pipelines are the safest, most environmentally sound way to transport oil and gas -- much safer than with trucks, railways or ships.

Keystone XL will adhere to new and stronger pipeline safety standards that were signed into law earlier this year, the product of legislation authored by myself and U.S. Rep. John Dingell, reflecting lessons learned from the devastating Enbridge spill here in Michigan two summers ago.

The president wants to push this issue past Election Day, but our window of opportunity is closing. The stakes are too high for our economy and energy security for Congress not to act, which is why I will make it a priority to see that Congress creates an immediate path forward for Keystone XL.

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, a Republican from St. Joseph, represents Michigan's 6th U.S. House District and is chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

http://www.freep.com/article/20120510/OPINION05/205100453/U-S-Rep-Fred-Upton-Keystone-pipeline-will-bring-jobs-greater-energy-independence?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Upton, Committee Advance Major Reform Bill for Medical Devices, Prescription Drugs

Thu, 10 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) made the following statement in support of today’s Energy and Commerce Committee passage of the bipartisan Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Reform Act of 2012 (H.R. 5651). The legislation reauthorizes FDA user fee programs for prescription drugs and medical devices – the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) and the Medical Device User Fee Act (MDUFA) – that are set to expire in September. The bill also establishes user fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars, and reforms the FDA’s evaluation and approval process for medical products. Reauthorization and FDA reform will enable U.S. manufacturers to get their breakthrough products to market faster while maintaining the highest levels of patient safety. Last week, Upton visited with employees of local medical industry leaders Pfizer and Stryker, who will benefit from a more efficient, transparent, and consistent FDA. Apart from U.S. jobs and global competitiveness, reform will significantly improve patient care by ensuring lifesaving products are brought to market in a timely manner. H.R. 5651 passed full committee by a unanimous vote of 46 to 0 and now awaits consideration before the full House.

“The medical device and drug industries employ thousands here in Michigan – jobs that are now being threatened by the lack of predictability in the FDA approval process,” said Upton. “A slow and uncertain approval process is detrimental to American jobs and competitiveness, putting U.S. companies like Perrigo, Pfizer, and Stryker at a severe disadvantage with foreign competitors. The United States has long been the global leader in medical innovation, but that position could soon be jeopardized if reforms are not enacted. What’s more, ongoing delays at the FDA have come at a serious cost to American patients whose lives depend upon the availability of these new drugs and medical technologies. Today’s vote demonstrates that the best policymaking gets done when both sides of the aisle come together and focus on the issues that matter.”

“Pfizer appreciates Fred’s leadership on PDUFA,” said Frank Foley, site leader of Kalamazoo operations for Pfizer, Inc. “This bill is vital to ensure the FDA has the resources it needs to review our products and inspect our manufacturing facilities.”

“Your bipartisan legislation comes at a critical time, ensuring that there is a well-defined pathway for future products that will improve the health of those with diabetes, including 750,000 people with diabetes in Michigan,” said Cathy Coury, Executive Director of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Michigan Great Lakes West Chapter, upon passage of the bill. “We believe your legislation will better enable the FDA to effectively review and approve future products of similar significance in a timely manner.”

“Reauthorization is not only critical to the patients of our state, it is vital to Michigan’s economy,” wrote Michigan Governor Rick Snyder in a May 9th letter to Upton concerning PDUFA. “In order for the United States and the State of Michigan to remain competitive in [the pharmaceutical] industry, we must work to provide a business environment that provides a level of certainty and predictability.”

WSJM: Upton Continues Push For Keystone XL Pipeline

Wed, 09 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Mike Arney Reporting

Getting the Keystone XL oil pipeline approved to come into the U.S. from Canada remains a priority for Congressman Fred Upton. The St. Joseph Republican appeared on CNBC's "Squawk Box" program today and said approving the pipeline should be a "no-brainer."

Full story and audio here: http://www.wsjm.com/Upton-Continues-Push-For-Keystone-XL-Pipeline/13081072

TRI-CITY RECORD: Dredging, Keystone Two of Top Priorities in Highway Bill

Thu, 03 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

By Rep. Fred Upton -

When it comes to maintaining our nation’s vast infrastructure, it comes down to one word: jobs. From the roads we all drive on to the harbors that support our local industries, it is an issue that has a tremendous impact on future growth and job creation here in Michigan.

Last week, I was named by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) 1 of 33 House Members that will negotiate a final highway bill with the Senate. For jobs and economic growth in southwest Michigan, two of the most important issues at stake in this debate will be the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and ensuring future maintenance of our Great Lakes harbors.

Folks in Michigan deserve a national energy policy that helps create jobs and lower the price at the pump. The proposed 1,700-mile expansion of the Keystone XL pipe-line would mean the creation of tens of thousands of good-paying U.S. The pipeline would also go a long way to fortify our nation’s energy security by transporting nearly 1 million barrels of oil per day from Alberta, Canada to refineries in the United States.

Despite continue delay from the administration, the Keystone project has been repeatedly approved by the House with strong bipartisan support, both as a stand-alone provision and as part of broader legislation. With jobs and our energy security on the line, Keystone should be a no-brainer and a pathway for its approval should be a part of the final highway bill.

Maintaining our commercial and recreational harbors is also essential to local growth, infrastructure devel-opment, and countless jobs here in southwest Michigan. The Great Lakes are not only our most treasured natural resource; they are our strongest economic asset. The livelihood of thousands of Michi-gan families and businesses depend upon our harbors and deserve the certainty of knowing that these gateways of opportunity will remain operational and open for business. In the highway bill negotiations, I will continue to fight to ensure they are adequately maintained and that the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) is fully used for its intended purpose.

http://www.tricityrecord.com/extranet/files/file_1399_2.jpg

Upton Named Negotiator on Highway Bill – Keystone, Harbor Maintenance Top Priorities

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) issued the following statement today after House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) named him one of 33 House Members to negotiate with the Senate on the federal highway bill. Last week, Upton joined his House colleagues in passing a bipartisan extension of federal surface transportation programs (H.R. 4348) that would last through September. The House extension, which recently passed by a bipartisan margin of greater than two-to-one, would provide for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, giving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 30 days to approve the project. H.R. 4348 would also ensure vital harbor maintenance by requiring all revenues collected through the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) be fully used for their intended purpose. From emergency dredging to maintaining standard operations, keeping southwest Michigan harbors open for business has been a top priority for Upton.

“Folks in Michigan deserve a national energy policy that helps create jobs and lower the price at the pump through projects such as the Keystone XL pipeline. Through a renewed commitment to North American energy production, we can take our economic recovery from the county road to the interstate,” said Upton. “Maintaining our commercial and recreational harbors is also essential to local growth, infrastructure development, and countless jobs here in southwest Michigan. The Great Lakes are not only our most treasured natural resource; they are our strongest economic asset. The livelihood of thousands of Michigan families and businesses depend upon our harbors and deserve the certainty of knowing that these gateways of opportunity will remain operational and open for business.”

A champion of an “all of the above” energy policy, Upton has been a leading supporter of the 1,700-mile pipeline extension, which would transport energy resources from Canada to refineries in the United States. Construction of the Keystone project is estimated to create tens of thousands of U.S. jobs and reduce America’s dependence on overseas suppliers by carrying nearly 1 million barrels of North American oil to U.S. markets per day. The project has been repeatedly approved by the House with strong bipartisan support, both as a stand-alone provision and as part of broader legislation.

Maintaining southwest Michigan harbors has been a top priority for Upton. Upton is also a strong supporter of the bipartisan Realize America’s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act (H.R. 104), which would ensure that all federal revenues currently being collected for harbor maintenance are fully used. This past winter, Upton worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to secure emergency funding to dredge the St. Joseph harbor, which had been closed to commercial traffic due to severe shoaling.

HERALD PALLADIUM: Congress OKs funding for harbor dredging

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

By Scott Aiken -

The U.S. House approved legislation this week that would ensure funding for maintenance dredging to keep harbors on the Great Lakes in operation.

A provision included with a short-term highway bill guarantees the use of all funding going into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is used as intended.

The fund, supported by a tax imposed on commercial shippers, is used to maintain harbors and has always been adequate to keep open deep-draft ports and waterways.

But only about half of the $1.6 billion collected by the fund each year is appropriated for harbor maintenance, allowing a huge backlog of needed work to develop.

The fund currently has a surplus of about $7 billion. But because funding for dredging has been inadequate for many years, more than 16 million cubic yard of sediment clog Great Lakes ports and waterways, according to a task force working to address the problem.

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, who has worked for years to get adequate funding for the St. Joseph River harbor and other Great Lakes commercial harbors, welcomed passage of the legislation.

"Ensuring our harbors remain open and ready for business is essential to job creation and growth here in Southwest Michigan," Upton said. "Rather than denying our local harbors these vital dredging dollars - money that is already paid into the system through harbor user fees - we must see to it that our harbors remain bastions of economic growth."

The amendment would require using trust fund revenue for dredging in the years ahead but does not address the surplus developed over the years, which is held as government bonds.

Eugene Caldwell, president of the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, said passage of the House resolution and amendment "represents further progress" in requiring that the trust fund money all be spent on dredging each year.

The task force is a large coalition of groups representing labor and management that promotes waterborne commerce on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Caldwell is also vice president and general manager of Bay Shipbuilding Co., Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

"This is important progress as this legislation moves forward toward a House-Senate conference committee," Caldwell said.

Don Cree, first vice president of the task force, said the dredging crisis has limited the ability of Great Lakes shipping to efficiently serve industry in the region.

SDLqShips designed to carry more than 70,000 tons of iron ore or coal each trip have routinely left port with 10 percent or more of their hauling power unused," he said.

Cree is Great Lakes special assistant to the national president for American Maritime Officers, a labor union representing licensed officers on many Great Lakes vessels.

The legislation moves to a House-Senate conference committee, where it is backed by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and other senators in a bipartisan group.

Upton has worked to maintain commercial shipping in Great Lakes harbors, and supports the bipartisan Realize America's Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act.

It would also ensure that all federal revenue collected for harbor maintenance be used for that purpose and not left unspent as a budgetary offset.

Last winter, Upton worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for maintaining commercial harbors, to get emergency funding to dredge the St. Joseph harbor after shoaling caused by storms shut it down.

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2012/04/22/local_news/9611038.txt

Upton, House Fight to Keep St. Joseph, Great Lakes Harbors Open for Business

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) hailed this week’s House passage of legislation that would ensure future funding for vital harbor maintenance, keeping harbors throughout southwest Michigan and the Great Lakes open for business. The commonsense provision, which was part of the short-term highway bill (H.R. 4348), guarantees that all funding in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) be fully used for its intended purpose of harbor maintenance. These revenues are already collected through the federal Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) that is imposed on commercial shippers for the purpose of maintaining our nation’s harbors. The fund has been left with a surplus in recent years as a budgetary gimmick, jeopardizing the operating capability of the region’s harbors.

“Ensuring our harbors remain open and ready for business is essential to job creation and growth here in southwest Michigan,” said Upton. “Rather than denying our local harbors these vital dredging dollars – money that is already paid into the system through harbor user fees – we must see to it that our harbors remain bastions of economic growth.”

Keeping the St. Joseph harbor open to commercial traffic has long been a top priority for Upton as our Great Lakes harbors are essential to economic growth, infrastructure development, and countless local jobs. From emergency dredging to maintaining standard operations, Upton has fought to keep these vital resources open. Upton is a strong supporter of the bipartisan Realize America’s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act (H.R. 104), which likewise would ensure that all federal revenues currently being collected for harbor maintenance are fully used and not left unspent as a budgetary offset. This past winter, Upton worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to secure emergency funding to dredge the St. Joseph harbor, which had been closed to commercial traffic due to serve shoaling.

The timeline below provides an overview of Upton’s major actions this Congress to support the St. Joseph harbor:

February 18, 2011 – Upton becomes early cosponsor of H.R. 104, the bipartisan Realize America’s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act

April 1, 2011 – Upton signs letter to House Budget Committee, requesting that all revenues derived from the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) be apportioned for harbor maintenance

May 19, 2011 – Upton joins Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI) in leading bipartisan letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee requesting action on the misuse of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) Here for release

December 2011 – St. Joseph Harbor becomes inaccessible to commercial vessels due to severe shoaling in the outer harbor. Upton works with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, area dock owners, and local officials to reopen the harbor

December 11, 2011 – Upton signs letter to Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting that the HMTF be fully utilized in the President’s budget for Fiscal Year 2013

December 20, 2011 – Upton joins U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to announce $100,000 in emergency funding to dredge the St. Joseph Harbor Here for release and story on WSBT

January 9, 2012 – Upton holds press conference at local Dock 63 in St. Joseph to highlight importance of open harbors to local economy, underscore importance of passing the RAMP Act Here for release

February 8, 2012 – Upton welcomes news of $693,000 in U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers funding for dredging and maintenance of the St. Joseph harbor for Fiscal Year 2012 Here for release

April 18, 2012 – Upton hails successful inclusion of RAMP Act provisions in short-term surface transportation bill (H.R. 4348) Here for release and video of Upton Floor speech

WSJM: Upton Praises House Vote To Release Dredging Funds

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Andrew Green Reporting:

The US House this week approved a short term highway funding bill that includes a provision which guarantees that all money in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund actually goes towards paying for things like harbor dredging. Congressman Fred Upton hailed the move on the House floor Thursday, saying that in places like Saint Joseph, Great Lakes shipping is vital to the economy.

Upton's been trying to get more Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund money released for dredging projects ever since the Saint Joseph harbor had to shut down early last year because of excessive shoaling.

FULL REPORT AND AUDIO HERE: http://www.wsjm.com/Upton-Praises-House-Vote-To-Release-Dredging-Funds/12902420

Upton, House Support Tax Relief for Small Business

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) voted today to provide tax relief for Michigan small businesses through the Small Business Tax Cut Act (H.R. 9). The temporary tax cut proposal would reduce taxable income on businesses with fewer than 500 employees by 20 percent in 2012. This one-time 20 percent cut would help more than 20 million American small businesses grow and create jobs. Small businesses represent over 90 percent of all Michigan employers and employ over half of the state’s private-sector workforce. H.R. 9 passed the House this afternoon by a vote of 235 to 173 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

“Michigan small business owners are on the front lines of our state’s recovery, leading the way for job creation and economic growth,” said Upton. “Rather than saddle our job creators with costly new regulations and higher taxes, we should be incentivizing them to expand their operations and create jobs here at home. After the challenges of the past three years, it is time to give them the relief and certainty they deserve.”