Senate Report Card: Richard Burr R-NC

Senator Richard Burr is the junior Republican United States Senator from the state of North Carolina. Burr took office in 2004.

Senator Burr serves on the Veteran's Affairs, Indian Affairs, Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Energy and Natural Resources Committees. He also serves on the Select Committee on Intelligence.

Burr is a strong supporter of President George W. Bush. He is opposed to abortion. He is in favor of the death penalty. He is in favor of a Constitutional Amendment to ban gay marriage.

Senator Burr is the sponsor of the Biodefense and Pandemic Vaccine and Drug Development Act, which will give the Department of Health and Human Services additional authority and resources to partner with the private sector to rapidly develop drugs and vaccines. Opponents to the bill have stated that it would eliminate current regulatory and legal safeguards applied to vaccines. It is also criticized that the bill is being pushed through Congress without giving voters the chance to make their objections known to their elected officials. The Senator believes it is much needed for the "war on terror."

Burr voted in favor of cloture for the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act. He was a supporter of the bipartisan effor at immigration reform put forth by President Bush.Two days after he voted for cloture he voted against cloture to suspend debate and move forth with a vote, the bill was ultimately defeated due to refusal of going to cloture.

Senator Richard Burr introduced the Affordable Biologics for Consumers Act. The bill would establish standards for the approval of biosimilars - biologics that are similar to currently approved biologics. Biologics are products derived from living sources and include vaccines, blood, and gene therapy. Hundreds of such therapies, such as Herceptin and Enbrel, are used by patients throughout the United States today. Currently, there is no clear pathway for the Food and Drug Administration to approve biosimilars. The United States has a robust generics market for drugs, and many individuals are interested in creating a similar market for biologics.

Burr sponsored a bill called, Services to Prevent Veterans Homelessness Act, which became approved by the Veterans Affairs Committee as part of the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Act. His legislation provides supportive services to keep low-income veterans in permanent housing so they do not become homeless. It will increase veterans' access to assistance for housing, physical and mental health services, health insurance, and vocational and financial counseling.

Senator Richard Burr voted in favor of using military force in Iraq. He voted against placing restrictions on troop deployments that would offer longer periods of time between tours of duty. He voted against a troop reduction in Iraq.

Senator Richard Burr is up for reelection in 2011.