*Similar releases were sent to: AZ-06, MI-06, MN-01*
AAN, a conservative dark money group funded by Big Pharma, has launched a $4 million ad buy backing House Republicans’ opposition to H.R. 3
H.R. 3 would lower prescription drug prices for everyday Americans
Rep. Rodney Davis, a Big Money 20 member, has taken nearly $212,000 from pharma corporate PACs
The American Action Network (AAN) today launched a $4 million ad campaign attacking the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) and defending House Republicans’ opposition to the bill. H.R. 3 would lift the ban put in place by politicians corrupted by the pharmaceutical industry to lower prescription drug prices for Americans across the country. The ad campaign comes after drug manufacturers scored $76 billion in tax handouts from the 2017 GOP tax bill. In 2018, AAN received $2.5 million from Big Pharma. Over the course of his career, Rep. Rodney Davis has taken nearly $212,000 from pharma corporate PACs.
“It comes as no surprise that Big Pharma is rushing to Rep. Rodney Davis’ defense after he shamelessly voted against a bill that would lower the cost of prescription drugs for everyday Illinoisians. Illinoisians will hold Davis accountable for prioritizing the pharmaceutical industry over their health,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller.
From 1998-2017, the drug industry spent $3.7 billion on lobbying, which is $1 billion more than any other industry. In 2018 alone, the pharmaceutical industry hired nearly 1,470 lobbyists, nearly three lobbyists for every single member of Congress. As their lobbying efforts grew, Big Pharma continued to raise prescription drug prices, increasing the price of 3,400 prescription drugs in the first half of 2019 at an average rate of five times that of inflation.
ECU has conducted extensive polling and research showing that voters across the political spectrum support getting Big Money out of politics. ECU is a traditional political action committee (PAC) with more than four million members, including 6,800 in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. The reform group is entirely grassroots-funded with an average donation of just $14.
For a full list and additional background on the Big Money 20, click here.
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