Why two Republicans going turncoat on H.R. 3 is a big deal
Lev and I were both in the House chamber last Thursday to watch the vote on H.R. 3, but we weren’t fixated on the conversations occurring on the House floor, or even the movements of Wendell Primus, the controversial staffer who concocted the policy, as he roamed the chamber. Instead, we were there to keep eagle eyes on the screens that line the chamber giving onlookers instant updates on how members have voted.
We wanted the scoop on whether any Republicans were going to defy their party and vote for Nancy Pelosi’s signature bill. Two Republicans eventually sided with Democrats: Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.)
Here’s why: Even one Republican switching sides means Democrats can frame their bill as bipartisan, giving it even more momentum in future Congresses. This point wasn’t lost on lobbyists, who were fixated in the hours leading up to the vote on who might become a turncoat and vote with the Democrats.
“We would like, ideally, for the only thing bipartisan about this bill to be its opposition,” one Republican drug industry lobbyist told me.
Curious why a Republican would hand such a big victory to the other party? Herrera Beutler all but told STAT in a statement that she was fed up with the lack of options for delivering lower prices to constituents.
“The bill before the House last week was far from perfect, but it represents the only opportunity I’ve had to advance a significant proposal to the Senate and compel action to lower drug prices,” she said.
We wanted the scoop on whether any Republicans were going to defy their party and vote for Nancy Pelosi’s signature bill. Two Republicans eventually sided with Democrats: Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.)
Here’s why: Even one Republican switching sides means Democrats can frame their bill as bipartisan, giving it even more momentum in future Congresses. This point wasn’t lost on lobbyists, who were fixated in the hours leading up to the vote on who might become a turncoat and vote with the Democrats.
“We would like, ideally, for the only thing bipartisan about this bill to be its opposition,” one Republican drug industry lobbyist told me.
Curious why a Republican would hand such a big victory to the other party? Herrera Beutler all but told STAT in a statement that she was fed up with the lack of options for delivering lower prices to constituents.
“The bill before the House last week was far from perfect, but it represents the only opportunity I’ve had to advance a significant proposal to the Senate and compel action to lower drug prices,” she said.
.png)
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario