[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 196 (Monday, December 9, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                S. 2543

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I and my friend Senator Wyden released 
an updated version of our bipartisan Prescription Drug Pricing 
Reduction Act. This bill will now deliver even more savings for seniors 
and Americans with disabilities. When I say ``more,'' it will be more 
than the bill that was voted out of the Senate Committee on Finance on 
a 19-to-9 vote during the last week of July. The bill will also help 
pay for critical health programs. Billions of dollars saved in out-of-
pocket costs are also a result of the bill and billions of dollars 
allocated for healthcare programs that tens of millions of Americans 
rely upon.
  What I just said will be accomplished all without spending a dime 
more of taxpayer dollars. That is because Big Pharma, our 
pharmaceutical industry of the United States, will finally be held 
accountable. Taxpayers shouldn't be put on the hook for unlimited 
subsidies from the Federal Treasury to big companies that make billions 
in profits.
  I don't often quote the Washington Post about legislation I put in, 
but the Washington Post recently wrote that our bill was the ``drug 
pricing bill with the best chances of passing Congress.''
  Over the weekend, President Trump applauded the work my friend 
Senator Wyden and I have done to improve our bipartisan legislation. 
The President was very supportive of it even before we made these 
changes. That is because, in the Congress of the United States today, 
it is the only significant bipartisan legislation that exists to 
address the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs.
  The Senate must demonstrate courage and finally pass this very 
important bill because very few Members of Congress can miss the cry of 
their citizens that drug pricing is too high, and they expect Congress 
to do something about it. This bill answers that cry and should soon 
get a vote.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. 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for the quorum call be rescinded.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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