In public, lawmakers scold drug distributors. Come campaign season, they accept their cash willingly

WASHINGTON — In this election season, lawmakers are taking on drug distributors with abandon, and many seem to relish the role.

“I just want you to feel shame,” one member of Congress said in May to five executives of major drug wholesalers, which are accused of worsening the opioid crisis by dumping thousands of addictive painkillers into small towns.

“Enough is enough,” said another. “We expect you to do more.”

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