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Booker tries to shake doubts about pharmaceutical ties ahead of 2020 | TheHill

posted onJanuary 14, 2019
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Article snippet: Sen. MORE (D-N.J.) is trying to overcome doubts that he is too close to the pharmaceutical industry ahead of an expected presidential campaign. The progressive criticism of Booker reached a crescendo in early 2017 when he voted against a budget amendment calling for importing drugs from abroad. The line of attack played into broader fears from progressives that Booker is not tough enough on corporations in general, including Wall Street. “Cory Booker And A Bunch Of Democrats Prove Trump Right On Big Pharma,” read a headline in HuffPost. Booker argued at the time that he supports importing drugs but that the measure lacked standards to ensure the drugs being brought into the country are safe. But on Thursday, Booker attempted to show he is tough on drug companies, appearing alongside socialist Sen. MORE (I-Vt.), a potential presidential rival, at a press conference on lowering drug prices. Booker spoke out in strong terms against drug companies and the “outrageous and unjustifiably high cost of prescription drugs.” Some progressives say appearing with Sanders and signing onto drug pricing bills with him was a good step, but they still have doubts about Booker. “It is meaningful that he recognized the error of his ways and has come in support of some important reforms of the pharmaceutical industry,” said Neil Sroka, communications director for the progressive group Democracy for America. “But there’s overriding concern about Cory Booker’s willingness to confront c... Link to the full article to read more

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