The House on Tuesday failed to pass a previously noncontroversial bill meant to allow more treatments for opioid use to go to market in a sign that tensions over the Jan. 6 insurrection still linger more than four months later.
House Democratic leaders had scheduled a vote on the legislation, titled the Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act, under an expedited process for bipartisan measures that requires a two-thirds supermajority for passage.
While the bill previously passed by voice vote last November, on Tuesday night, all but 36 Republicans voted against it.
Rep. Madeleine Dean
Madeleine DeanPennsylvania lawmakers say PPP funds proved valuable despite rocky start The Hill's Morning Report - Biden to country: 'Turning peril into possibility' The Hill's Morning Report - Biden to take stock, revive push for big government MORE (D-Pa.), who introduced the legislation, said Republicans voted against it this time because they weren't named co-sponsors again after voting to challenge the presidential election results on Jan. 6.
"My GOP colleagues just voted against allowing new treatments for opioid use disorder because they weren’t named leaders on the bill. They voted against certifying a fair election after an insurrection because their guy didn’t win. What are they voting for? Their ego?" Dean wrote on Twitter in response to a Politico reporter who first reported on the tensions over the bill.
The previous version of the bill that passed late last year was also introduced by Dean but with GOP Reps. Buddy Carter
Earl (Buddy) Leroy CarterBottom line House Republican calls MLB 'absolutely pathetic' for moving All-Star Game NRCC finance chair: Republicans who voted for Trump impeachment will not be penalized MORE (Ga.) and David McKinley
David Bennett McKinleyThe Memo: Hunter Biden and the politics of addiction OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Native groups hope Haaland's historic confirmation comes with tribal wins | EPA asks court to nix Trump rule limiting GHG regs | Green group asks regulators to block use of utility customers' money for lobbying Lawmakers press federal agencies on scope of SolarWinds attack MORE (W.Va.) as co-sponsors.
The current iteration has only one of the same co-sponsors from last year: Rep. Marc Veasey
Marc Allison VeaseyNew signs of progress emerge on police reform OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Native groups hope Haaland's historic confirmation comes with tribal wins | EPA asks court to nix Trump rule limiting GHG regs | Green group asks regulators to block use of utility customers' money for lobbying Bipartisan lawmakers back carbon capture with new legislation MORE (D-Texas).
Carter voted in favor of the challenges to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's presidential election results, while McKinley did not.
Carter on Tuesday accused Democrats of trying to "bring cancel culture to the House."
"I won’t sit silent as Washington Democrats attempt to bring cancel culture to the House. Tonight they chose partisan political games and their Trump Derangement Syndrome over advancing what should have been bipartisan legislation in a bipartisan way. I refuse to apologize for standing up for my values and I’ll never stop fighting to make sure hardworking Georgians are heard on the floor of the House," Carter said in a statement to The Hill.
Aides to McKinley and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthyTop female GOP senator compares Cheney ousting to 'cancel culture' Kinzinger plotted to oust McCarthy after Jan. 6 attack Romney: Removing Cheney from House leadership will cost GOP election votes MORE (R-Calif.) didn't return requests for comment.
The legislation would amend the Orphan Drug Act, which facilitates development of so-called "orphan drugs" for rare diseases, by requiring all drugs that secure seven years of market exclusivity to prove that there isn't an expectation that the manufacturer will recover the costs of research and development through sales.
"Closing this loophole will ensure that products do not receive an unfair market advantage," Dean said during House floor debate.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
Steny Hamilton HoyerCapitol Police watchdog back in spotlight amid security concerns On The Money: Weekly jobless claims fall to 498K, hitting new post-lockdown low | House to advance appropriations bills in June, July House to consider anti-Asian hate crimes bill, protections for pregnant workers this month MORE (D-Md.) said that he will schedule the bill for a vote again next week, but under rules that need only a simple majority to pass.
“Americans should be outraged that Republicans blocked passage of this bill over a petty, partisan matter,” Hoyer said.
Tuesday's vote is the latest culmination of tensions between Democrats and Republicans over the events of Jan. 6.
Back in February, Rep. Sean Casten
Sean CastenDemocrats don't trust GOP on 1/6 commission: 'These people are dangerous' The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Divided House on full display Newman fundraises off of growing feud with Marjorie Taylor Greene MORE (D-Ill.) forced a roll-call vote on a noncontroversial bill to name a Mississippi post office because it was authored by a Republican who voted to challenge the presidential election results.
