For more than a year, two Democratic senators blocked the consideration of a new permanent FDA commissioner until the agency made a decision on the over-the-counter status of a morning-after pill. Now that that issue has been resolved and President Bush has nominated Andrew von Eschenbach to assume the position permanently, two Republican senators are vowing to block the process, reports the New York Times. One, David Vitter of Louisiana, is doing so because he wants the importation of certain prescription drugs to be legalized. The other, Jim DeMint of South Carolina, is doing so because he wants FDA to take steps to remove an abortion drug from the market. The delay was ridiculous then, and it's ridiculous now. The regulation of medical devices and other healthcare products is more likely to succeed with a permanent commissioner ensconced. A permanent commissioner has the clout to make changes and engage in strategic planning as needed. But some senators care more about their pet issues than about the long-term health of the agency. This sort of shortsighted thinking does not serve the country well at all.