“… Scott Gottlieb, the charismatic FDA commissioner who announced this week he will step down in about a month, was better than any other administration official at selling key Trump administration policies — particularly those related to lowering prescription drug prices — on Capitol Hill, lawmakers and aides in both parties told STAT..”
“… But behind the scenes, he has been constantly fielding lawmakers’ and their staff’s questions, establishing such a strong rapport that he began serving as something of a backchannel for others in the administration hoping to connect with Capitol Hill.”
“Not only would Gottlieb personally call members and staff to follow up on his own priorities, he would also check in about members’ personal concerns. “It wasn’t just window dressing,” the recently departed FDA staffer said. “He was actively working on their issues to keep them happy.”
“Gottlieb also had a penchant for explaining drug pricing policy wholly outside of the FDA’s purview. He’s been a top spokesman, in particular, for the administration’s plan to…” Read the full article here.
Source: With Gottlieb’s resignation, the Trump administration loses its backroom whisperer on Capitol Hill – By Nicholas Florko and Lev Facher, March 6, 2019. STAT.
