[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 173 (Thursday, October 31, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, today is Halloween. This may sound a 
little ``candy corny,'' but this Iowan wants to talk about the scary 
prices of prescription drugs.
  Since January, I have joined with bipartisan forces to drive a stake 
in the heart of ghoulish price-gouging. Senator Wyden and I are working 
to shut down the pranks poisoning the drug supply chain. We need our 
fellow lawmakers to step up and nail the coffin shut on monstrous drug 
price increases.
  One example that can't masquerade as a next-generation drug is the 
500-percent increase for insulin, which helps Americans with diabetes 
regulate blood sugar. This medicine was discovered 100 years ago, about 
the time the first horror movie debuted. There is no rhyme or reason 
for the terrifying price hikes spooking Americans.
  The real horror story this Halloween is what is preventing Congress 
from doing its job. Big Pharma is spending a frightening amount of 
money to kill drug-pricing reforms.
  Let's fix the real injustice haunting the American people, which is 
sticker shock at the pharmacy counter. Every Senator can be a superhero 
for Halloween. All you have to do is join us to dig a grave for batty 
prescription drug prices. Ending Big Pharma's pricing tricks would be a 
real treat for Americans.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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