Vaccine injury compensation bill
Executive Summary
Sen. Hawkins' bill (S 827) was reported out of the Commerce Committee to the full Senate on Sept. 24. Hawkins reportedly is waiting for the House to pass Rep. Waxman's (D-Calif.) version (HR 5546), which includes a federal compensation program, so that she can substitute it for her bill on the Senate floor. Federal compensation provisions were deleted from S 827 during committee markup. Both legislators are said to be eager for an expedited review by the House Ways & Means Committee. Oct. 3 is the scheduled last day of Congress, unless a lame duck session is called after national elections.