Sen. asks McConnell to support bipartisan bill to raise smoking age to 21

The main Democratic sponsor of bipartite legislation to increase the minimum age to buy tobacco at age 21 was called by the Senate majority leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell McConnell is considering the end of the month, while disaster relief faces new McConnell "hurdles": Dems has the "Trump Trouble Syndrome" in the middle of the battle of Barr Dems wants IG Judge to investigate Barr PLUS (R-Ky.) Wednesday to co-sponsor the bill instead of presenting his bill.

Sen. Brian SchatzBrian Emanuel SchatzThe director of operations of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg, meets Senators on the protection of privacy Powell told Congress that the Fed was preparing for the "damage" economic climate change The removal of barriers to education is the key to the success of incarcerated people MORE (D-Hawaii) said legislation, backed by many important public health groups, was the best way to protect minors from the harmful effects of tobacco.

"We have all the major tobacco-related tobacco organizations that support this legislation for one simple reason. There are no gaps. There is no exception. There are no things. It's a good law, "said Schatz at a press conference.

"If Chief McConnell wants to join our efforts, I think the best way to do that would be to co-sponsor our bill. We look forward to seeing what he will propose if he proposes something, "said Schatz, adding that he felt the bipartisan bill had the greatest momentum.

The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Todd YoungTodd Christopher YoungThe Morning's Morning – Trump and Barr split after Mueller's testimony in front of a Republican congressional senator calls for a hearing on military intervention in Venezuela Night Defense: Pentagon plans to do sexual harassment a crime | Military sexual assault up 38% | Senate fails to override Trump's veto in Yemen MORE (Bark.), Dick DurbinRichard (Dick) Joseph DurbinGraham: Doing nothing about the price of drugs "unacceptable" Durbin: Barr's testimony was "at least misleading", otherwise "a deception for the American people" Durbin: Barr "must recuse himself" in all Mueller PLUS investigations (D-Ill.) And Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyL "Biden's support will not be easy for Biden. Morning: The House with stiff arms after the Senate debates with Moore tries to preserve the candidacy of the attacks of the "scorched earth". (R-Utah). Senators noted that the bill was not exhaustive, but emphasized that its strength lay in its minimalism.

"This is the most impactful and achievable public policy measure we can take," Young said. "We are seeking to form a broad coalition here without any excuse."

Last month, McConnell announced his intention to introduce a bill by the end of May that would raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old.

McConnell's announcement, which represents a tobacco-producing state, was hailed by industry giant Altria. The company has also approved Schatz's bipartite legislation.

Public health groups have said that any support from the tobacco industry makes them cautious, but they have not taken a position on a potential McConnell bill because it has not been introduced.

Tobacco companies are in the forefront of pushing federal and state Tobacco 21 legislation, primarily to avoid stricter regulations that could have disastrous effects on the industry.

Schatz has expressed concern that the legislation may be complicated by "loophole" provisions such as an exemption for members of the armed forces. But he also warned against any provision that would make it more comprehensive, such as a wording prohibiting certain flavors of tobacco.

McConnell said his measure would include an exemption for members of the military, which the anti-smoking groups opposed.

Young said he did not want to address any hypothetical McConnell's law and said he was confident that his bill would get the required support from the 60 senators needed for its adoption.