Why didn’t Democrats just pass a clean bill to lower insulin costs? (They actually did.)

Ever since Herschel Walker said he would not have voted for the Inflation Reduction Act (which, among other things, will cap insulin copays at $35/month), his supporters have come to his defense blaming Democrats for not just passing a clean bill (that is, a law that addresses just one issue.)

Well, they actually did. In February of 2022, Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia sponsored the Affordable Insulin Now Act. It was co-sponsored by 36 other senators (35 Democrats and Angus King of Maine who is an Independent.)

In the House, Democrats passed the Affordable Insulin Now Act with just 12 Republicans voting with them.

92% of Republicans Voted AGAINST the Affordable Insulin Now Act.

As is common, the law that was passed by both chambers was later attached to a larger law (the Inflation Reduction Act) but Republicans had a chance to vote on a clean bill that helps diabetic patience and all but 12 voted “nay.”

Sources

Congress.gov: Affordable Insulin Now Act