ELECTIONS: 29TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT : Waxman Takes Flak on FDA Bill, Economy

Where else but the Westside could an 18-year incumbent congressman--a nationally esteemed authority on health and environmental issues--walk into the heart of his district and get assailed for his stand on dietary supplements and herbal remedies?

Such was the case Tuesday night as Democrat Henry Waxman, running for reelection in the 29th District, debated two of his challengers, Republican Mark Robbins and Independent David Davis.

The encounter touched on well-worn campaign topics, including political reform, health insurance and the economy. But it took on a New Age angle when Robbins went after Waxman for sponsoring legislation that, as drafted, would subject vitamins, herbs and other so-called homeopathic remedies to tougher regulation and enforcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

During the debate and in interviews immediately afterward, Waxman, the powerful chairman of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on health and the environment, contended that he never intended to target such products and that he has shelved the bill for further review. He said he originally drafted the law in response to the scare over artificial breast implants.

“People have misread that legislation,” he said, adding, “We’ve put it all on hold.”

But Robbins described his opponent as “by nature pro-regulation” and countered that it was actually the House Rules Committee, not Waxman, that put the measure, House Resolution 3642, on hold until after the election in response to angry responses from constituents.

“He’s not a dumb man,” Robbins said of Waxman. “If his bill was never intended to influence dietary supplements and vitamins, you can be darned sure it would have been included in the language.”

The bill, if approved, would give the FDA subpoena and recall power over products such as herbs and vitamins if they make unsubstantiated health claims. Defenders of such products say the seven-year FDA approval process, let alone strict enforcement and heavy penalties, is unnecessary because the products themselves aren’t dangerous.

“The whole industry has gone ballistic (in response to the proposal),” said Jarrow L. Rogovin, owner of a local food supplement company, who angrily confronted Waxman following the debate.

During the debate itself, which was held at the Stephen Wise Temple in Bel-Air, Waxman at times seemed more interested in running against George Bush than against either of his opponents. In fact, he is heavily favored to win election in the liberal, strongly Democratic district, which stretches across the Westside from Santa Monica to Los Feliz and over the Santa Monica Mountains into the southern San Fernando Valley.

He spoke of looking forward to working with Bill Clinton, who he predicted would win the presidency next month. “This is going to be a most exciting time--when we finally have the Congress and the President working together,” he said.

But Davis, a former Green Party activist, and Robbins, a self-described progressive Republican who served as a headhunter in the Reagan Administration, hit Waxman hard on several issues, winning frequent and enthusiastic applause from the about 150 people in the audience.

Robbins was particularly well-received when he accused Waxman of not answering a question on what the lawmaker had done to help small businesses. “The fact is, Henry Waxman can’t claim credit for creating one job in 18 years,” Robbins charged.

The two also exchanged verbal blows over the matter of campaign contributions from political action committees or PACs. Waxman acknowledged that “the constant race for money” has damaged the political system, but he repeated his oft-stated contention that there is nothing inherently wrong with accepting contributions from organizations.

Robbins, in sharp contrast, proposed a rigorous series of reform measures, including bans on out-of-district contributions and PAC money.

“I find it incredible that Mr. Waxman accepts PAC money from the very industries he’s supposed to be regulating,” Robbins said.

Robbins also said he supports a limit of three terms for California congressmen. Waxman countered that such a limit would penalize the state in a system that rewards seniority.

The wild card of the evening was Davis, whose rambling monologues contrasted with Waxman’s presence and Robbins’ crisp polish but still contained enough pointed digs at both to keep the crowd chuckling.

He called for a return of New Deal-style work programs and an end to the poisoning of the planet. “Things could be worse, and they will get worse if we do nothing,” he said.

In his closing statement, Davis, who qualified for the ballot by collecting 17,000 signatures, suggested to Waxman that after 18 years in Congress, he might want to think about spending time with his grandchildren.

“I still think I have some life in me,” Waxman responded.

Two other candidates on the ballot, Libertarian Felix Tsvi Rogin and Peace and Freedom candidate Susan C. Davies, did not attend the debate.