Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., one of the top Republicans in the Senate, said that it's "unlikely" the Senate will pass legislation to lower drug prices before the end of the year, according to The Hill.
"I think it would be the triumph of hope over experience to think that we could get it done before the end of the year, but there's a lot of interest in doing something on drug pricing," Mr. Thune told reporters Nov. 19.
The government funding package to be passed in December is a possible way for a smaller drug pricing measure to get passed, but Mr. Thune reportedly said even that would be "hard."
Referring to passing drug pricing legislation, Mr. Thune told reporters, "because of all the other stuff that's happening around here and the partisan atmosphere, [the legislation is] getting left on the cutting room floor."
Mr. Thune also mentioned that Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., blocked a drug pricing proposal from Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, from passing by unanimous consent Nov. 13.
The House plans to vote on Nancy Pelosi's drug pricing bill next month, though it is not expected to pass in the Senate.
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