House Tries, Fails To Pass "Right To Try" Measure; Goldwater Institute "Extremely Disappointed"

Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs (R-CD5) was among a group of Republicans trying to pass a "Right To Try" bill through the House today. Though the vote was 259-140, it failed because a 2/3 majority was needed.

The legislation would have permitted terminally ill patients to obtain and take experimental medications that have not yet been approved by the FDA. It passed the Senate by unanimous consent last August.

Here is Biggs speaking passionately about the need for the bill.

32 Democrats voted in favor of the bill, including Arizona's Reps. Tom O'Halleran (CD1) and Kyrsten Sinema (CD9, running for Senate). Per debate, most Democrats opposed the measure for two reasons - that there is an FDA process for experimental approval and that the bill should not have gone through a fast-track suspension of the rules.

The Arizona-based Goldwater Institute has also been a prime driver of the Right To Try legislation. They immediately issued a statement saying they are "extremely disappointed", and asked for support to continue the battle at the state level. (38 states have passed their own Right To Try bills.)

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