October 18, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 165 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H8252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE FOR THIS CONGRESS TO GO TO WORK

  (Mr. ALLEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to Speaker 
Pelosi's radical partisan prescription drug pricing plan.
  Let's not forget the last time that Speaker Pelosi brought healthcare 
legislation it was rushed through this House, and it doubled our 
premiums and our deductibles skyrocketed.
  There is no guarantee that H.R. 3 would lower the prices of drugs, 
but rather, it could mandate a one-size-fits-all government takeover of 
healthcare. It could pose a grave threat to innovation, research and 
development, and ultimately patient access to life-changing 
prescriptions.
  The bill could have far-reaching economic consequences that would 
negatively affect jobs, the economy, and trade. The pharmaceutical 
industry employs over 800,000 workers and supports an estimated four 
million jobs in this country. I know this firsthand. Right in my 
district healthcare researchers are transforming patient care and 
creating local jobs at the same time.
  This week the House Committee on Education and Labor marked up this 
legislation, and, unfortunately, my amendment was not adopted. My 
amendment would have prevented innovation and American manufacturing 
from moving out of the United States to China.
  The American people deserve for this Congress to go to work and pass 
legislation that is bipartisan and has a chance to become law to lower 
drug prices.

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