Von E confirmation reheats

Senate Finance chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) places a hold on the nomination of Andrew von Eschenbach's nomination for FDA Commissioner Nov. 17. Grassley objects to the acting commissioner's failure to comply with subpoenas the committee issued in May for FDA documents related to Sanofi-Aventis' antibiotic Ketek. "The authority and integrity of Senate and Committee processes are being challenged," says Grassley. A day earlier, during a hearing on drug safety, Senate Health Committee Chairman Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.) urged colleagues to take up a vote on the nominee. "Give Dr. von Eschenbach the chance to effectively run the FDA with full statutory authority," Enzi said. Holds from Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) also remain in place. After the hearing, Enzi told reporters he continues working to lift those holds. If action is not taken during the lame duck session, incoming chair Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who supports the nomination, appears likely to continue to press for confirmation...