During the confirmation hearing for incoming HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Senators took turns lecturing him about vaccines and other drug-related policies. However, honest vaccine and drug policy cannot be realized if Big Pharma is financially manipulating the Congress. Here's what we know so far about Big Pharma's influence over certain Senators:
Democrats
Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $1,953,613
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $0
Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $1,763,425
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $0
Patty Murray (D-WA)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $1,616,081
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $49,000
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $1,224,145
Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $1,207,873
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $21,100
Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $730,106
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $19,000
Ed Markey (D-MA)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $661,442
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $9,000
Mark Warner (D-VA)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $654,210
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $28,000
Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $609,514
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $35,000
Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $604,539
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $17,000
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $575,914
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $2,000
Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NM)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $537,781
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $10,000
Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $467,999
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $0
Andy Kim (D-NJ)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $326,024
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $0
John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $317,713
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $0
Tina Smith (D-MN)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $226,444
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $0
Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $96,643
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $0
Republicans
Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $1,380,138
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $39,600
Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $1,230,679
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $24,000
Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $1,380,138
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $39,600
John Cornyn (R-TX)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $1,133,363
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $30,500
Tim Scott (R-SC)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $1,128,425
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $33,500
Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $1,013,856
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $57,250
Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $938,784
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $47,500
Todd Young (R-IN)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $934,751
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $19,500
Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $914,944
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $23,350
John Barrasso (R-WY)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $908,952
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $40,000
John Thune (R-SD)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $666,492
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $32,500
Susan Collins (R-ME)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $608,797
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $25,600
Steve Daines (R-MT)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $469,268
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $15,000
Markwayne Mullin (R-OK)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $440,498
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $33,000
Ron Johnson (R-WI)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $369,440
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $10,000
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $349,777
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $35,000
Rand Paul (R-KY)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $269,653
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $22,500
James Lankford (R-OK)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $259,570
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $19,500
Jim Banks (R-IN)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $232,210
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $6,750
Roger Marshall (R-KS)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $220,043
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $22,500
Josh Hawley (R-MO)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $130,492
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $-2,600 (returned)
Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $40,680
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $5,000
John Husted (R-OH)*
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $0
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $29,150
Ashley Moody (R-FL)*
Total from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products: $0
Pfizer Inc. PAC: $0
Big Pharma must be kicked out of our government
The industry has made substantial contributions to both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, indicating a strategic approach to ensure influence across the political spectrum. For instance, Senators like Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) have received over $1.3 million each, highlighting the industry's broad reach.
The significant financial contributions from Big Pharma likely play a role in shaping policy decisions and legislative priorities. Senators who receive substantial funding may be more inclined to support policies that favor the industry, such as those related to drug pricing, regulation, and research funding. This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the need for transparency and restriction in political funding.
This research highlights the need for comprehensive campaign finance reform to mitigate the influence of powerful industries on lawmakers. Measures such as stricter disclosure requirements, limits on contributions, and public financing of elections could help reduce the potential for undue influence and ensure that policy decisions are made in the public interest rather than for the benefit of wealthy donors.
Sources include:
WSIMG.com [PDF]
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