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Big Pharma hikes up drug prices every year, most recently on over 800 prescription drugs. But did you know these price hikes are often unjustified? For too long, Big Pharma has profited on the backs of hardworking Americans. Enough is enough.
![]() PRESENTED BY![]() BY JOHN BRESNAHAN, ANNA PALMER AND JAKE SHERMAN THE TOPTimely interview: Jake and Anna will interview Cecilia Rouse, chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, at 10 a.m. Watch online here. Good morning and happy Friday. Today is going to be a very busy day in Washington. 1) The House — which is on the brink of its August recess — is gearing up for possible action today on a five-month extension of the national eviction moratorium. We say “possible” because it’s not at all clear yet that this proposal will pass, or even if it will be voted upon. It seems nearly certain that extension won’t get through the Senate given the Republican opposition. So the House may leave for the August recess without doing anything on an issue that could affect millions of American families. And that’s not sitting right with a lot of Democrats. The House Rules Committee will meet at 8 a.m. to begin the process of setting up a floor vote on extending the moratorium. We’re not sure if the panel will pass a rule — which sets the parameters for legislative debate. And if it does, it’s not certain the rule gets voted on by the House. The outlook is just too fluid right now to predict. House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) is pressing pretty hard on the issue, as are progressives in and out of Congress. "Extending the eviction moratorium is a moral imperative — and one that is simple and necessary, since Congress has already allocated resources that assist both renters and housing providers,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a “Dear Colleague” letter released late Thursday night. Pelosi added that “all we are asking for in the legislation is that the CDC issue an extension of the eviction moratorium to December 31, 2021.” Business groups, however, are lining up against an extension, and they’re putting heavy pressure on lawmakers to stand down. In its own Thursday letter, the National Association of Realtors called for an end “to the unsustainable nationwide federal restrictions on property operations.” Backed by other real-estate and financial services industry organizations, NAR said Congress should focus on “effective deployment” of the nearly $50 billion in rental assistance that’s already been approved. The eviction moratorium — which has been in place since last September — expires on Saturday. The Biden administration wants Congress to act on this issue following a June Supreme Court ruling that limited the CDC’s ability to extend the moratorium unilaterally. But Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.) told us that the Biden administration completely botched this process. Here’s what AOC told us for Punchbowl News PM:
2) The Senate is facing a super important day as well. → First note: The Senate has an 11:30 a.m. vote on the motion to proceed to the bipartisan infrastructure bill. We have no real reason to believe this won’t pass. It’s just another legislative hurdle. → Second note: Here’s the weird thing: There actually isn’t a bipartisan infrastructure bill at this point. We still don’t have legislative text for the agreement. We got some indications the Senate will get it today. But late Thursday, we started hearing that there was trouble with the $65 billion broadband title. This is a portion of the bill worked on by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) had issues, which she raised with leadership and the White House. We were told these issues were resolved. → Third Note: We don’t know what the Senate schedule will be this weekend or over the next few weeks. Without a clear timeline on when voting will begin on the bipartisan infrastructure package, we don’t know when the Senate will finish debate on that proposal. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced the chamber will take up the Democrats’ $3.5 trillion budget resolution once it has completed action on the bipartisan package. So mid-August is looking likely as the starting point for the Senate recess, at least for now. But like we said, all this is just a guesstimate until we see legislative text on the bipartisan infrastructure package. → Fourth Note: Pelosi and Schumer will go to the White House to meet with President Joe Biden about a new voting rights proposal. NYT’s Nick Fandos and Nick Corasaniti scooped this. The Canvass Reminder: Last call to fill out this month’s survey! Here’s a cool incentive: We’re sending free Punchbowl News swag to all who complete the survey by 6 p.m. Don’t miss out on your last chance to have your voice heard before the August recess! PRESENTED BY COMCAST In the next 10 years, Comcast is committing $1 billion to reach 50 million people from low-income families with the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world. We’ll do this by connecting people to low-cost $10 Internet at home, equipping community centers with free WiFi and working with thousands of nonprofit community organizations, city leaders, and business partners to create new opportunities, particularly in media, arts, technology, and entrepreneurship. Learn more. GREAT BREAKING NEWS! Amy Walter is taking over the Cook Political Report The Cook Political Report has long been one of the absolute staples of American political handicapping. Think of them like the referee: they analyze races based on numbers and reality, not press releases or TV ads. Their race ratings are so influential that top lawmakers often lobby them to change race ratings in their party’s favor. They don’t do it, of course, but the effort shows how absolutely crucial they are to the political community — on Capitol Hill and nationally. Their ratings are also a boon to fundraising. So here’s the news: Amy Walter, who has been with the Cook Political report since 1997, is taking over the publication as publisher and editor. Charlie Cook is retiring after 40 years in the business. The publication will be called the “Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.” This is notable for many reasons, not least because Walter is a woman. The publication has been run by a man for its entire history, and the political analysis field is mostly male-dominated. Walter is a pro’s pro, and she’s often on TV or speaking to reporters about what’s happening on the ground in key districts or states. We are massive fans, if you can’t tell. OUTSIDE GAME Priorities USA raised more than $17M in first half of 2021 Priorities USA, a top Democratic super PAC, raised $17.5 million in the first half of 2021 across its three entities, the group announced today. This is far more than it took in during the similar period in 2017, when former President Donald Trump was in his first term. And the organization has more than $20 million cash on hand as well. “As we head toward one of the most important midterm elections of our lifetime, I’m proud that we have attracted the support necessary to continue to safeguard the right to vote, hold Republicans accountable, and advocate for President Biden’s historic agenda,” said Guy Cecil, Priorities USA’s chair, in a statement. Priorities USA raised nearly $260 million during the 2020 election cycle, according to its website. It spent more $150 million-plus on TV and digital ads across multiple platforms. Roughly $69 million of that total was doled out on 230-plus Covid pandemic related ads. With Republicans pushing for new voting restrictions across the country following Trump’s defeat in November, Priorities USA is putting $20 million into initiatives to counter the GOP efforts, the group said last month. FROM THE BATTLEFIELD TO THE CAPITOL They served in combat together. Now they’re both in the House. Back in 2003, Mike Garcia and Jake Ellzey were U.S. Navy pilots flying combat missions over Iraq together. And with Ellzey’s swearing in as the newest member of the House today, they’ll be serving in Congress together. This is something special. It’s also seen far less frequently these days as there are fewer veterans serving in Congress than in the past. In the 1970s, for instance, nearly three-quarters of lawmakers were veterans. Now, it’s fewer than one in five. Garcia’ and Ellzey’s relationship is even rarer. They served in the same fighter squadron on the USS Nimitz for several years, flying F/A 18 Super Hornets as part of VFA-14, the “Tophatters.” Their squadron’s motto: “The oldest and the boldest.” In fact, Garcia was Ellzey’s wing man during combat missions early in the Iraq war, both men said during interviews on Thursday. They remained close friends in the years since, and they encouraged each other to run for Congress. “I was his wing man when we’d go into Iraq,” said Garcia, a Republican who represents California. “We’d fly combat missions over Baghdad together.” Ellzey won the special election this week to replace the late Rep. Ron Wright (R-Texas), who died from Covid-19 in February. “He was the first one I called when Ron — who was a friend of mine — passed,” Ellzey said of Garcia. “He said, ‘You’ve got to get up here.’ He said it in sailor terms. But you get the point.” Ellzey, 51, has been serving in the Texas House of Representatives since January. He ran for Congress in 2018, but was beaten by Ron Wright in a runoff. Following Wright’s death, Ellzey announced his candidacy for the special election. Ellzey defeated Susan Wright, the congressman’s widow, in a runoff, despite her endorsement by former President Donald Trump. Garcia, 45, recalled that he and Ellzey “were basically like brothers on the ship.” Ellzey was the senior pilot, having graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy six year earlier. Garcia eventually flew more than 30 combat missions. Ellzey took part in combat missions over both Iraq and Afghanistan. Garcia said he called Ellzey shortly after Ron Wright’s death and told him he should run. “I just said, ‘Armageddon is on again, and we need guys like you in office. If Armageddon is on, one basically out to be there,’” Garcia recalled, referring to the Covid-19 pandemic. “He said, ‘That’s all I needed to hear,’ and I think he filed a couple days after that. It was very cool to watch it all happen.” Garcia said he believes that one of the reasons for the hyper-partisan atmosphere in Congress right now when compared to the past is the lack of veterans. “We don’t have enough veterans. We don’t have enough people who are wanting to serve for the right reasons,” Garcia said. “A lot of folks who run for office are doing it for self-serving purposes or some other agenda. Veterans, you have a known good patriot with a known good heart and intentions.” IN THE PUNCHBOWL → WSJ’s Mike Bender’s “Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost” is now in its third printing. Their entire hardcover run sold out in the first week. More than 75,000 copies have been sold so far. → What was that big gathering in the Capitol yesterday during the long afternoon vote series? A baby shower for House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik. It was co-ed — Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina was the first to arrive — and Stefanik’s husband, Matt Manda, was there too. Stefanik got advice on everything ranging from diapering to sleep schedules. Manda got advice on how to not pass out during delivery — it’s not easy, Matt. Earlier this week, Stefanik had a shower thrown by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), who was House Republican Conference chair previously and is a role model for the growing Republican women contingent in the House. CMR had a baby while she was in office, as well. MOMENTS 9:10 a.m.: Speaker Nancy Pelosi will swear in Republican Jake Ellzey. 9:45 a.m.: President Joe Biden will receive the daily intelligence briefing. 10 a.m.: Pelosi and House Democrats will hold a news conference on their agenda. … The Problem Solvers and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will hold a news conference on the infrastructure bill. 11:45 a.m.: Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with governors to talk about wildfires. Governors include: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D), Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R), Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R), Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R), California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D). 1:30 p.m.: Karine Jean-Pierre will brief. 4:45 p.m.: Biden will host Cuban Americans at the White House to talk about current events there. 6 p.m.: Biden will leave the White House for Camp David, where he will stay for the weekend. CLIP FILE NYT → “Biden signals support for Democrats’ plan to advance immigration changes unilaterally, via a budget bill,” by Annie Karni → “He Killed Himself After the Jan. 6 Riot. Did He Die in the Line of Duty?” by Shaila Dewan → News Analysis: “How Biden Got the Infrastructure Deal Trump Couldn’t,” by Jim Tankersley → Political Memo: “‘Covid With a Vengeance’ Consumes U.S. Politics,” by Alex Burns: “The American political system has come down with a case of long Covid.” WaPo → “‘The war has changed’: Internal CDC document urges new messaging, warns delta infections likely more severe,” by Yasmeen Abutaleb, Carolyn Y. Johnson, and Joel Achenbach → “Schumer, a leader more liked than feared, faces test of whether he can deliver the ‘big and bold’ agenda he’s promised,” by Mike DeBonis → “U.S. flies 200 Afghan interpreters and family members to Virginia, in first wave of evacuations,” by Alex Horton in Kabul → In Memoriam: “Carl Levin, six-term Michigan senator who garnered bipartisan respect, dies at 87,” by Michael H. Brown WSJ → “U.S. Plans Sanctions Against Iran’s Drones and Guided Missiles,” by Ian Talley in Washington and Benoit Faucon in London → Editorial Board: “A Not So Grand Infrastructure Deal” AP → “Biden push to vaccinate feds forces uncomfortable questions,” by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar → “Japan expands virus emergency after record spikes amid Games,” by Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo PRESENTED BY COMCAST No other provider offers as many affordable Internet options as we do. Our most affordable plan has connected 10 million people from low-income families to high-speed internet for less than $10/month. But Americans need more than an internet connection – they need the right devices and digital skills to make the most of connectivity. That’s why we’re investing $1 billion over the next 10 years to put laptops in people’s hands and provide digital skills training to help low-income families get and stay connected. ![]() Enjoying Punchbowl News AM? ![]() Subscribe 10 friends with your unique link (below) and get a Punchbowl News hat! Your referral link is: Or share via You currently have: 0 referrals
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Presented by Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance
Americans know who to blame for rising drug prices: Big Pharma. A majority of Republicans, Democrats, & Independents all believe Big Pharma’s focus on profits keeps drug prices high. Let’s hold Big Pharma accountable – it’s an issue we’re united on.