CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

DemocratAmendment · S.Amdt. 597· Senate(119-SAMDT-597)

S.Amdt. 597

Rep. Merkley
Age: 70 years
Oregon
Introduced
2/20/2025
Sponsored by
Jeff Merkley
Cosponsors
None
Changes bill
119-SCONRES-7 — An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
  1. Introduced
  2. Pending Consideration

What this amendment would do

Mr. Merkley submitted amendment SA 597 to be proposed to the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2025. The purpose of this amendment is to add a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to reducing federal health program spending for prescription drugs.

The amendment aims to allow the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Budget to revise allocations, aggregates, and other levels, and make adjustments to the pay-as-you-go ledger. This is for legislation relating to reducing health care costs, provided that the legislation does not increase the deficit from fiscal years 2025 through 2034.

  • Establish international reference prices so the United States may purchase prescription drugs at the lowest prices available among similarly developed countries.
  • Require pharmaceutical manufacturers to report annually the amount of taxpayer dollars used to benefit manufacturers' research and development efforts.
  • Use other mechanisms to purchase prescription drugs at lower prices.