[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 15677]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION

  (Mr. EMANUEL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, when this House passed the Medicare 
prescription drug benefit, many of us said it was a boon for the drug 
companies.
  The results are in. Drug companies are making billions in extra 
profits, $130 billion in additional profits, all subsidized by the 
taxpayer. This morning's New York Times reads: ``Eventually'' the 
prescription drug bill ``could fuel a political reaction if the drug 
prices continue to rise, but analysts expect that the industry's 
influence in Washington will delay any changes for years.''
  Therein lies the problem. This Congress is too busy doing the bidding 
of the drug companies and the drug companies' business to do the 
people's business.
  On numerous occasions the House and Senate have voted strongly in 
favor of importation of prescription drugs. Importation is a safe and 
effective way to help consumers and taxpayers save money. Just 2 weeks 
ago, the Senate voted to block Customs from seizing shipments of 
prescription drugs; yet the seizures continue. The administration has 
turned the Customs Service over to the drug companies, confiscating 
prescription drugs at a time when they should be securing our borders, 
screening cargo, and stemming the flow of dangerous narcotics. The 
intent of the House and the Senate is clear.
  It is time for a new direction. It is time for a new policy that 
makes sense to the American people.

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