May 1, 2006 

Dear Mr. Daniel Linn:

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 2829, the Office of National
Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006.  I appreciate hearing
from you.

I understand your concern about the provision in H.R. 2829 that would
require the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to develop a
plan to conduct a scientific study of the use of mycoherbicide as a means
of eliminating illicit drug crops.  Care must be taken to ensure that the
ONDCP does not support the use of herbicides that pose a danger to health
and safety or that damage licit agricultural crops without the provision
of fair compensation.

H.R. 2829 has passed the House of Representatives and has been referred
to the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which I sit.  On April 6, the
Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Arlen Specter,
introduced a Senate bill (S. 2560) that would reauthorize the ONDCP.  The
Specter bill does not contain the provision in the House-passed bill that
would require a study of mycoherbicide use.

The Chairman of the Judiciary Committee has the discretion to determine
which reauthorization bill to bring to a vote in the committee.  I will
keep your concerns in mind as the committee considers this issue further.

Thank you again for your message.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

RJD/ds

P.S. If you are ever visiting Washington, please feel free to join Senator
Obama and me at our weekly constituent coffee.  When the Senate is in
session, we provide coffee and donuts every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. as we
hear what is on the minds of Illinoisans and respond to your questions.
We would welcome your participation.  Please call my D.C. office for more
details.