High-Stakes Fight Ratchets Up Over Contentious Drug Pricing Measure
The latest example comes from a video message, obtained by Politico, in which Pfizer's CEO urges employees to speak out against efforts to allow Medicare to more broadly negotiate prescription prices. Meanwhile, that measure continues to tangle up Democrats and the $350-trillion spending bill, prompting a series of meetings with President Joe Biden to try to smooth a path forward.
Politico:
Pfizer CEO Rallies Staff To Fight Democrats’ Drug Price Negotiation
Pfizer's CEO sent a video message to company employees urging them to fight proposed government drug price negotiations and expressing frustration with Congress, which is considering using the projected savings to help pay for a $3.5 trillion social spending package. Albert Bourla said he was "particularly disappointed" that a House Democratic leadership-backed drug pricing plan and similar proposals "will have a little positive impact on patients where it really matters at the pharmacy," according to the three-minute video, a copy of which was obtained by POLITICO. (Owermohle, 9/22)
Also —
The Hill:
Biden Touts 'Progress' During 'Candid' Meetings On $3.5T Plan
President Biden had “productive and candid” meetings on Wednesday with Democratic lawmakers and made "progress" in his push for consensus amid significant infighting within the party over the roughly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package and $3.5 trillion reconciliation package, the White House said in a statement Wednesday night. “The President hosted three productive and candid meetings with congressional Democrats, representing a wide range of views of the caucuses in both Chambers, about the urgent need to deliver for the American middle class through the Build Back Better Act and the bipartisan infrastructure deal,” the White House said. (Gangitano and Carney, 9/22)
CBS News:
Biden Tries To Unite Democrats On Agenda
In a series of meetings Wednesday, President Biden sought to bring Democrats together to pass his ambitious "build back better" agenda contained in two bills, one a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that would rebuild and repair traditional infrastructure in the U.S., and a broad $3.5 trillion measure that will have to pass with only the support of Democrats. Mr. Biden met with three sets of Democrats, but there was little sign of movement after the meetings. House Progressive Caucus chairwoman Pramila Jayapal said after the meeting that "a majority of our 96-member caucus will only vote for the small infrastructure bill after the Build Back Better Act passes." (Hudak, O'Keefe and Killion, 9/22)
Politico:
Biden Cools Democratic Fever Over Domestic Agenda, But Can't Cure It
Democrats returned from an Oval Office sitdown Wednesday with earnest pledges to break the logjam threatening their entire domestic agenda — even as deep cracks remain in their party. “Everybody had a chance to say their piece, and there was a lot of pieces said,” Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said after meeting with President Joe Biden and other centrists for more than 90 minutes. (Ferris, Levine, Caygle and Barron-Lopez, 9/22)
The Hill:
Manchin: Biden Told Moderates To Pitch Price Tag For Reconciliation Bill
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said President Biden urged a group of moderate lawmakers to come up with a top-line number they could support for Democrats' sweeping reconciliation bill. Manchin, a key vote in the Senate, was part of a group of House and Senate moderates who met with Biden on Wednesday afternoon as Democrats try to figure out a way to bridge their divides on the $3.5 trillion package. (Carney, 9/22)
