Southeast Missouri Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson says work by Democrats to force a vote on a prescription drug bill she co-sponsors could ultimately doom the bill. Emerson is a Republican and is sponsoring a bill passed by Democrats in the Senate along with another Republican Representative. The bill would make it more difficult for drug companies to block competition on their brand-name drugs, allowing for generics to come on the market more quickly. Drug companies say that would undercut their ability to develop new drugs. House leadership hasn’t favored the measure, prompting Democrats – who are in the minority in the House – to consider using a parlimentary procedure to force a vote. Emerson says the move could backfire, because it likely will scare off Republicans who might otherwise vote for it, but would perceive the move as election year politics.
