According to some sources, today S. 2913, the Senate’s orphan works bill, was hotlined. That means that it might come to a vote at any moment. There are also conflicting rumors that the bill will be held, keeping it from a vote. Since there is a chance that the bill might come to a vote, we are asking you to contact your Senators as soon as possible, to ask them to oppose the current version of the Senate bill unless and until it has been amended to provide the same kind of protections that are incorporated in the current version of the House bill.

Please go to http://www.asmp.org/news/spec2008/model_letter_S2913.php for a sample of the letter. Please go to http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ to find the contact information for your Senator. Please fax or e-mail the letter; do not send a copy through the U.S. mail.

Even if the Senate bill passes in its current form, it would not become law until the House passed a bill with identical language and they are signed by the President. As of now, the House bill has significantly different language, and it is still in Committee.