The House approved a bill on Thursday that will cap the cost of the drug at $35 per month for people with private insurance or Medicare. It is part of an election year push from Democrats to address the rising cost of prescription drugs and break off a piece of President Joe Biden's stalled economic agenda.
12 Republicans joined every House Democrat in voting for the act. Five Republicans and one Democrat were not present.
The 12 House Republicans approved the measure.
The measure would cap the out-of-pocket cost of the drug at $35 per month. It would only apply to people who have private health insurance or Medicare prescription drug benefits. It would not limit costs for the uninsured.
The current form of the bill is not likely to be advanced in the Senate. All 50 Senate Democrats would need to join at least 10 Republicans in order to clear the 60-vote threshold.
The measure was a key part of Biden's legislation. The bill was approved by the House but was opposed by Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Manchin wants a smaller bill to limit prescription drug costs.
A bipartisan effort is underway in the Senate to try and strike a deal. The talks are being led by Sen. Susan Collins of Alaska. Schumer wants to put the bill on the floor after Easter.
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