| -Caveat Lector-
It would be interesting to see a similar breakdown for the Senate before
they vote on it. - JR
----- Original Message -----
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Sent: Friday, July 25, 2003 3:33 PM
Subject: Money Talks in Drug Reimportation Vote MONEY IN POLITICS ALERT Vol. 7, #21: July 24, 2003 tel: 202-857-0044, fax: 202-857-7809 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED], web: www.opensecrets.org; www.capitaleye.org; www.fecwatch.org MONEY TALKS IN DRUG REIMPORTATION VOTE Last night's House vote on drug reimportation was unusual in that it did not break down along strict party lines, as many votes do. But the vote was anything but unusual in at least one major respect: campaign contributions were a solid indicator of the outcome. The bill, which would ease the way for low-cost prescription drugs sold abroad to be "reimported" to the United States, passed by a vote of 243-186. Eighty-seven Republicans joined 155 Democrats and one Independent to support the bill in what represented a startling rebuke of the pharmaceutical industry, one of the most influential interests in Washington, which lobbied hard to oppose the measure. Campaign contribution figures show that lawmakers who sided with pharmaceutical interests (voting "no" on the bill) raised an average of nearly three times as much from drug firms as those who took the alternate position (voting "yes"). Members who voted against the bill raised an average of $39,813 in individual and PAC contributions from pharmaceutical manufacturers between 1989 and 2002. Members who voted for the bill raised an average of $13,917 from the industry during that time. When contributions in only the 2002 election cycle are considered, the averages are $14,958 to members who voted no, and $4,058 to those who voted yes. The disparity is greater among Democrats than Republicans. Democrats who voted "no" raised an average of $42,671 from drug companies between 1989 and 2002, nearly four times the average raised by Democrats who voted "yes" ($11,125). In the 2002 cycle alone, Democrats who voted "no" raised an average of five times more from drug firms ($13,740) than those who voted "yes" ($2,623). Republicans who voted against the bill raised an average of $38,901 from the drug industry between 1989 and 2002 ($15,347 in the 2002 cycle alone), compared to the $19,051 ($6,662 in the 2002 cycle alone) raised by Republicans who supported it. Supporters of the bill say it would help to lower the cost of prescription drugs that are available at far cheaper prices abroad than they sell for domestically. The measure's opponents argue that reimported drugs could pose safety risks to consumers and hamper the innovation of new drugs. The bill faces an uncertain outcome in the Senate. For charts that break down the funds raised according to members' votes and party affiliation, and a list of individual members, their votes and funds raised from pharmaceutical manufacturers, visit the Web version of this report at the link below. <http://www.capitaleye.org/inside.asp?ID=96> ### To add yourself to or remove yourself from this list, visit <http://www.opensecrets.org/alerts/index.asp> www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om |
