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Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 H.R. 493 passed the US House of Representatives and is stalled in the Senate (S. 358). After making it through the House many believed that the Senate would mean easy passage as it had made it through in previous Congresses. Senate rules allow any member to place a bill on hold without stating a reason which precludes it from reaching the floor. Senator Coburn from Oklahoma has held the bill and media reports suggest that he has a number of concerns that include the definition of genetic testing and a need for a “firewall” between the two titles in the bill (Health and Employer). Members of the Alpha-1 Community who are constituents of Senator Coburn have met with his staff and been active in urging him to release the hold. Many advocates continue to place pressure on the Senate to urge passage, however, to date no progress has been made. The bill will “live” until the end of the 110th Congress which is December of 2008 and needs your support!
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