FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 25, 2008

For more information: Nels Ackerson for Congress, 317-733-8468

Ackerson responds to Big Pharma’s record lobbying year

Fourth District Congressional candidate Nels Ackerson responded today to a Center for Public Integrity report that the pharmaceutical industry spent a record $168 million lobbying the federal government last year.

According to campaign finance records, Fourth District Congressman Steve Buyer received more money - almost $100,000 - from Big Pharma and the health products industry than any other group in the 2006 campaign cycle. He has received $38,000 from the industry in this cycle.

“Why do we keep sending someone to Washington who’s more interested in representing the special interests than the people who elected him?” Ackerson asked. “Our Congressman should be standing up for the people of the Fourth District, not the special interests.”

More than 90 percent of Ackerson’s campaign contributions have come from individual donors.

Buyer has supported legislation aimed at preventing the importation of drugs from other countries. Big Pharma opposes the importation of drugs because they are often cheaper than drugs purchased in this country.

Buyer also opposed a proposal last year to require drug companies to negotiate lower prices for the millions of Americans who participate in the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program.

Ackerson said that Buyer has spent too long in Washington doing the bidding of special interests.

“I bring a different approach,” Ackerson said. “For the past 16 years, while my opponent has been in Congress, I’ve been fighting for the little guy, protecting their rights and opportunities, and taking on governments and big corporations when they abuse their power and influence to take advantage of others. Hard-working Hoosiers are looking for that kind of leadership to represent them in Washington, and that’s why I’m running for Congress.”