Congress approves biomedical bill in bipartisan burst

Package allocates $6.3 billion to health efforts over decade.

WASHINGTON — With an atypical burst of bipartisanship, the Senate shipped legislation to President Barack Obama on Wednesday lowering hurdles for government drug approvals as the 114th Congress bumped toward the end of a two-year run highlighted by upheaval and stalemate.

A week after the House easily approved the biomedical bill, senators passed it by a similarly overwhelming 94-5 margin. That was testament to a package that allocates $6.3 billion in the course of the next decade to popular efforts like cancer research and battling drug addiction.

“This is a reminder of what we can do when we look out for one another,” Obama said in a written statement that promised his signature. Referring to families that have endured losses to cancer, Alzheimer’s and drug abuse, he added, “Their heartbreak is real, and so we have a responsibility to respond with real solutions. This bill will make a big difference.”

“This is an opportunity we cannot miss, and we’re not going to miss it,” said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate health committee.

Before adjournment, which leaders targeted for later this week, lawmakers also plan to tackle bills financing government agencies into late April, mapping Pentagon programs and planning water projects.

In a chamber where senators can flash barely concealed animosity, they showed their more gracious side with speeches lauding departing colleagues including Sens. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., who is retiring, and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., who was defeated for re-election. The Senate floor was also the stage for accolades to departing Vice President Joe Biden, who served 36 years as a Democratic senator from Delaware.

That camaraderie was also reflected in the biomedical bill, which included a planned $1.8 billion for cancer research. Biden, whose 46-year-old son Beau succumbed to the disease last year, has championed such work.

The bill, which also takes steps to sharpen federal mental health programs, drew praise from scores of pharmaceutical, device and other medical industry associations and from numerous patients’ groups.

It was opposed by consumer organizations and liberals who said the measure’s shortcuts for Food and Drug Administration approvals would endanger consumers and represented a sellout to drug makers.

They also complained that later legislation will be required in order for Congress to provide the funds the bill envisions.

Before adjourning, lawmakers still need to approve governmentwide spending legislation. It includes $4.1 billion in disaster aid for Louisiana and other states, $170 million to help Flint, Mich., rebuild its lead-poisoned water system and other funds for U.S. anti-terrorism operations overseas.