New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker said he has put a "pause" on fundraising and contributions from pharmaceutical companies after criticism by fellow Democrats, The Hill reported Friday.
"We put a pause on even receiving contributions from pharma companies because it arouses so much criticism, and just stopped taking it," Booker told NPR on Friday.
Booker, who said his was a "Big Pharma state," explained most of his contributions now came from individuals.
"The other thing that we're trying to do which I'm very proud of is just focus on individual contributions from people around the country," Booker said. "I'm proud that the majority of my contributions come from individual contributors, often small-dollar contributors."
Drug companies have contributed $267,338 to Booker over the past six years, according to MapLight.org, and surpasses pharma contributions to any other Democratic senator, the article noted.
In January, Democrats criticized Booker for joining with Republicans to block a vote to lower drug prices, though he maintained he opposed the plan over safety standards.
"Any plan to allow the importation of prescription medications should also include consumer protections that ensure foreign drugs meet American safety standards. I opposed an amendment put forward last night that didn't meet this test," Booker said in defense of his vote.
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