These 13 Democrats joined with the GOP to defeat Bernie Sanders’ efforts to lower prescription drug prices

There is something seriously iffy about the Democrats that voted “nay.”

By
Alexandra Jacobo
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6089
SOURCENationofChange

13 Senate Democrats ruined the chance to have cheaper prescription drugs imported from Canada.

This week Senators Bernie Sanders and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) brought to a vote a proposed amendment to a concurrent budget resolution in an effort to lower the cost of prescription drugs and allow for the importing of cheaper drugs from other countries.

The amendment had the support of 12 Republicans, including Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rand Paul (R-KY), and John McCain. However, because of thirteen Democrats that voted against it, the amendment failed.

Currently, there are several problems with prescription drug prices being allowed to skyrocket. The top ones are that Medicare and Medicaid are prohibited by law from negotiating with drug companies for better prices and the ban on importing less expensive prescription drugs from out of the country.

Sanders even went so far as to quote Donald Trump:

“The power and wealth of the pharmaceutical industry and their 1,300 lobbyists and unlimited sums of money have bought the United States congress. Today, Mr. Trump, a guy I don’t quote very often, he said that pharma gets away with murder, that’s what Trump said, and he’s right.”

According to Jezebel, there is something seriously iffy about the Democrats that voted “nay”:

Between 2010 and 2016, a handful of the Democratic senators who voted “nay” were amongst the top Senate recipients funded by pharmaceutical companies: Sen. Booker received $267,338; Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) received $254,649; Robert Casey (D-PA) received $250,730; Michael Bennet (D-CO) received $222,000.

Here is a list of the 13 Democrats that voted ‘Nay’, along with the year they are up for reelection:

Michael Bennet (D-CO) – 2022

Cory Booker (D-NJ) – 2020

Maria Cantwell (D-WA) – 2018

Thomas R. Carper (D-DE) – 2018

Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA) – 2018

Chris Coons (D-DE) – 2020

Joe Donnelly (D-IN) – 2018

Martin Heinrich (D-NM) – 2018

Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) – 2018

Bob Menendez (D-NJ) – 2018

Patty Murray (D-WA) – 2022

Jon Tester (D-MT) – 2018

Mark Warner (D-VA) – 2020

The full vote tally can be seen here.

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Alexandra Jacobo
Alexandra Jacobo is a dedicated progressive writer, activist, and mother with a deep-rooted passion for social justice and political engagement. Her journey into political activism began in 2011 at Zuccotti Park, where she supported the Occupy movement by distributing blankets to occupiers, marking the start of her earnest commitment to progressive causes. Driven by a desire to educate and inspire, Alexandra focuses her writing on a range of progressive issues, aiming to foster positive change both domestically and internationally. Her work is characterized by a strong commitment to community empowerment and a belief in the power of informed public action. As a mother, Alexandra brings a unique and personal perspective to her activism, understanding the importance of shaping a better world for future generations. Her writing not only highlights the challenges we face but also champions the potential for collective action to create a more equitable and sustainable world.

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