Congresswoman Kuster Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Repeal $500 Million Giveaway to Drug Company

Press Release

Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today announced that she is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation that would save taxpayers $500 million by eliminating a sweetheart deal inserted into the recent fiscal cliff deal in response to urging by Amgen, a private, for-profit company.

"This last-minute taxpayer giveaway tucked into the fiscal cliff deal is exactly what's wrong with Washington," Kuster said. "While Congress was finalizing a plan to avoid a catastrophic default on our country's debt, Amgen quietly worked to include this taxpayer handout in the final bill with virtually no scrutiny. I came to Congress to put an end to these types of deals, and I'm pleased to join members of both parties in cosponsoring legislation to help right this wrong."

The final fiscal cliff deal included a provision that would delay Medicare price controls for two years for a specific class of drugs, including an Amgen product. In recent weeks, questions have been raised about Amgen's role in pushing to include this provision in the final deal.

The bipartisan legislation to repeal this provision, H.R. 413, was introduced by Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) along with Reps. Richard Hanna (R-NY), Jim Cooper (D-TN), and Bruce Braley (D-IA).

Kuster is committed to working with both Republicans and Democrats to reduce the deficit in a balanced, responsible way that will help grow the economy, create jobs and economic opportunity, and protect New Hampshire families.

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