Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after he opposed H.R. 3, a partisan piece of legislation proposed by Speaker Pelosi to lower drug prices at the expense of innovation. During floor consideration of H.R. 3, the House also voted on H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, which was offered by Republicans as a substitute amendment. Cole supported the amendment.
"Republicans and Democrats agree that something must be done about the often-overwhelming price of prescription drugs and life-saving treatments. The good news is that bipartisan solutions already exist to do just that. The bad news is that Democrats failed to advance those policies when given the opportunity on the House floor," said Cole. "Sadly, Democrats chose to pass Speaker Pelosi's radical H.R. 3, which would damage innovation and inhibit the discovery of new cures. While I was proud to support the bipartisan package offered by Republicans with H.R. 19, which includes provisions I have cosponsored and previously supported, I am disappointed that Democrats blocked this better option for the American people."