Political Quotes

“this is not a new subject for Members of Congress. This is one we have considered before. I will make my remarks very succinct. I know other Members are waiting to speak. What this does is complete our consideration of GATT. In the GATT agreements, the provisions with regard to exclusive use of drugs was extended. But the GATT provided specifically for exceptions where people have made substantial investments in generic drugs. This goes along with the language in the GATT agreement. It puts us in conformity with what other countries are considering. It allows us to provide the original length of protection that was planned for drugs. Without action on this amendment, what we stand to have is American consumers lose roughly $5 million a day. The impact on U.S. consumers is roughly $5 million. Every day we delay enacting this means a day in which consumers are denied generic drug alternatives, which can save them $5 million a day. We have already delayed to a point where, by the end of this month, U.S. consumers will have lost over $700 million, and the price tag rises dramatically. A bill we had up in committee was put off. It is, thus, imperative that we offer this on this vehicle. It is an enormous savings to American consumers. Mr. President, it is fairness because it gives drug companies the same protection for which they planned on all along. But it does not give them a windfall, or more than what was planned.”