�鶹Ů��

Senate Republicans are still planning to force Planned Parenthood defunding legislation through the chamber using a fast-track process — despite concerns from some GOP moderates. GOP leadership briefly mulled dumping the defunding provision from a broader measure that dismantles key parts of Obamacare, in an effort to mollify worried moderates. Senate Republicans have struggled to corral 51 votes for the package, which will be passed using a fast-track "reconciliation" process, amid growing opposition from both the conservative and moderate wings of the party. (Kim, 11/17)

Senate Republican leaders initially wanted to vote on the ObamaCare repeal bill this week, but they’ve had trouble rounding up enough votes in part because moderates have balked at the Planned Parenthood language. McConnell, however, held course Tuesday and vowed it would not be dropped to make the bill more enticing for Sens. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). He told reporters the repeal package “will contain a defund of Planned Parenthood,” adding, “we’ll be moving to that after Thanksgiving.” Senate GOP sources say the package, which will move under special budgetary protections that allow it to pass with a simple-majority vote, still does not have enough support. As many as eight Republican senators are threatening to vote no either because of the Planned Parenthood language or because of concern it does not go far enough to repeal the landmark healthcare reform law. (Bolton, 11/17)

President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration defended his record Tuesday as senators pressed him about rising drug prices, slow approval times for new drugs and his ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Robert Califf, 64, is currently the No. 2 official at the agency, which regulates consumer products from medications to seafood to e-cigarettes. He joined the FDA as deputy commissioner earlier this year after more than 30 years as a prominent cardiologist and medical researcher at Duke University. (Jalonick, 11/17)

Dr. Robert Califf, President Barack Obama’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration, defended his acceptance of drug industry funding Tuesday and promised never to lower the agency’s safety standards. (Kaplan, 11/17)

One of the most pressing problems facing the agency is boosting competition in the generic drug market. Right now, it takes a long time to bring a generic drug to market — 48 months, according to the Generic Pharmaceutical Association. (Gorenstein, 11/17)