Chuck Schumer: “before I get to discussion of the underlying bill, I would first like to thank Senator Kennedy for his long-time…”

“before I get to discussion of the underlying bill, I would first like to thank Senator Kennedy for his long-time leadership in ensuring access to affordable prescription drugs and especially for the strong fight he and Senators Graham and Miller have led here on the Senate floor for the past two weeks to add a meaningful prescription drug benefit to Medicare. I would also like to thank Senator Kennedy for his leadership in the HELP Committee in bringing Hatch-Waxman abuses to light, and for working with our Leader to move Schumer-McCain to the floor. I also want to thank my colleague Senator McCain, with whom I introduced the GAAP Act--as well our colleagues who introduced the bill in the house, Congressman Sherrod Brown and Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson--for all their hard work in drawing attention to this issue and pushing to get this bill passed this year. When this Hatch-Waxman debate began, the Senate had two choices: First, we could choose not to act, and let loopholes in the law continue to let drug prices skyrocket; or, second, we could pass this bill, close the loopholes, and bring down drug prices for all consumers. Today, as the Senate approaches a vote on the Schumer-McCain bill, the Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act, the choice is clear. Consumers win. PhRMA loses.”