On the Amendment S.Amdt. 3598 to H.R. 4577 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001) - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of outpatient prescription drugs under the medicare program.

Constitutional Vote: No

Vote Date: June 22, 2000

Create Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. Senator Chuck Robb (D-VA) introduced this amendment to require the federal government to provide "a universal, comprehensive, dependable prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries." This wealth-draining welfare benefit would cost an estimated $75 billion over the first five years alone.

The Senate rejected the Robb amendment to H.R. 4577 on June 22, 2000 by a vote of 44-53 (Roll Call 144). We have assigned pluses to the nays.