"They can't seem to stop," Senator Pryor said in a telephone interview from Washington.

Senator Pryor said in the interview that his remarks did include "a little local color, a little hyperbole."

Senator Pryor declined at the last minute to offer the measure.

"In the last 10 years, the price of prescription drugs has increased three times as fast as general inflation," Senator Pryor said.

Senator Pryor said negotiating discounts would save the states $100 million to $200 million.

Senator Pryor noted that raises more fundamental questions than those of efficiency.

Senator Pryor then tried to have his amendment considered on the Senate floor as part of the budget bill.

Seeking to broaden support for the bill, Senator Pryor has watered down his original legislation.

The drug companies deny all of Senator Pryor's accusations, saying that patients benefit from their tax-subsidized research.

"I would like to see something that makes us look responsible," said Senator Pryor, his face reflecting exasperation.