Partisan lines form over Democrats drug price curbs, economic plan
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is warning that Democrats' plans to curb drug prices would insert "socialist price controls" between Americans and the treatments they need as partisan battle lines form over a shrunken economic package that President Joe Biden wants Congress to complete within weeks.
"Bring it on," No. 2 Senate Democratic leader Dick Durbin of Illinois told reporters in response Monday, underscoring his party's hopes that the fight would buttress them in November's congressional elections. "This prescription drug issue is an inflation issue. It's a public health issue. It's a cost to the government issue. And it's something the American people get."
Biden conceded last week he would settle for a far narrower economic plan than he'd sought at the beginning of his presidency. Capitulating to Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Biden said he wanted Democrats to quickly write and pass a measure limiting pharmaceutical prices, extending expiring subsidies for people buying health insurance and modestly reducing federal deficits.
Manchin, one of his party's most conservative members, a fossil fuel champion and an indispensable vote in the 50-50 Senate, announced last week that those were the only elements he was willing to include in the legislation. He cited concerns about inflation that's risen rapidly this year. Manchin's remarks meant Democrats' hopes of including efforts to reverse climate change were at best a long shot this year.
"I haven't walked away from anything," the West Virginian told reporters Monday about monthslong talks over the party's economic push, now seemingly on life support, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. He called inflation his "greatest concern" and added, "I don't know what tomorrow brings."
While Democrats largely seemed ready to accept the pareddown bill and claim an electionseason achievement, Manchin's performance is clearly wearing on many. His objections spiked most of Biden's multitrillion-dollar aspirations to strengthen child care and other social programs and raise taxes on the rich, contributing to criticisms that Democrats have fallen short while controlling the White House and — narrowly — Congress.
"I think Joe should have made his position clear a hell of a long time ago," Durbin said. "We've spent a lot of time, wasted a lot of time on negotiation."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told fellow Democrats in a letter that the Senate's proposed health provisions "are essential, as we must act to reduce the cost of prescription drugs." Said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.: "We have waited a year and a half for 50 votes. It's time to move where we can move."