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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Speaker Johnson, Whip Emmer, Chairwoman McClain, and Congresswoman Miller-Meeks released a statement after House Republicans passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act:“Today, every House Republican voted to lower health care costs for all Americans. Every House Democrat voted against it. After months of empty ‘affordability’ rhetoric and forcing the longest government shutdown in American history, Democrats once again rejected a valuable, common-sense solution to address the unaffordability they created with their own health insurance law – the Unaffordable Care Act. “House Republicans are taking meaningful action to fix what Democrats broke. For too long, Democrats have forced hardworking American taxpayers to bail out big health insurance companies for hundreds of billions of dollars. Meanwhile, Americans are left paying for increasingly expensive care with fewer choices, lower quality, and worse health outcomes. They broke America’s health care system and with today’s vote, Democrats have abandoned a critical opportunity to fix their own failed law. “The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act puts patients first. It does exactly what its title promises and more: lowers premium costs, expands access to affordable, quality care, gives every American more options and flexibility to choose coverage that is best for their needs, and brings greater transparency to the health care system. It delivers twice the cost reduction of the Democrats’ temporary, COVID-era enhanced subsidies and brings those costs down for ALL Americans – not just some. House Republicans are working to fix what is broken, restore integrity in our nation’s health care system, and lower the cost of health care for every citizen.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) to preview legislation on the House floor this week focused on lowering costs. Leader Scalise highlighted the SPEED Act, which will simplify and streamline the permitting process, and the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, which lowers costs for all Americans, not just those on Obamacare, and provides workers with better health care options.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
On the recent tragedies around the world:“My prayers go out to all those killed in so many different horrible tragedies. Here in America, Brown University, you look at our two army soldiers that were killed, the antisemitic attacks on the other side of the globe. Just reminds you, during this Christmas season, this Hanukkah season, it’s a special time, it’s a time we celebrate, but it’s also a time where evil still lurks here and all around the globe. And we just pray, pray for those who have been murdered, harmed, injured. We pray for those who have evil in their hearts, that God can touch them and hopefully remove that evil so that they don’t go harm innocent people.”On House Republicans lowering costs through permitting reform:“We’ve heard complaints from members all across the country that know that just trying to build things in America, road projects, bridges, pipelines to move energy, anything you’re trying to do, more and more, laws are getting in the way. NEPA is a heavily abused law that delays a lot of the projects that ought to be built. Bruce Westerman and his committee have done incredible work to bring a bipartisan bill that starts to address the abuses here in NEPA so that we can actually build things in America again. You think about the cost savings that would come if it only takes two years instead of 10 years to build a major project. And we all know what’s happening all across America, why so many projects are shelved in many cases or take so long to be built because of the abuses of some of these laws, like NEPA and Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act. All of these laws are being heavily abused. So this is a really important first step, getting the SPEED Act passed to get real meaningful permitting reform.”On providing health care options and lower premiums for all Americans:“Dr. Miller-Meeks talked about her bill, which is such an important step to lower costs in health care for all Americans, 100% of Americans. While Democrats only care about bailing out insurance companies and focusing on less than 10% of Americans that are in the Unaffordable Care Act, we’re focused on lowering premiums for all Americans. And that’s what you’re going to see on the floor this week. You think about Association Health Plans, which have been proven to give people more options to lower costs. The CHOICE [Arrangement] Act, which, while everybody complains, they say, ‘Why, when I watch TV commercials, I see this gecko lizard, and I see the emu, and I see all these other animals out there selling car insurance, they’re selling homeowners’ insurance; why aren’t they selling health insurance?’ That’s because the laws at the federal level prohibit the ability for people to have choices to get people trying to offer them lower cost products for health insurance. Imagine if, for example, with CHOICE [Arrangement] Act, where you can run through a health savings account, the ability where if you get your health insurance through your employer, if you’re able to go find a better plan, if somebody could compete for your business and offer you a lower deductible plan with lower copayments for your families, right now you can’t go buy that product. “We create those options with the bill that we’re bringing to the floor tomorrow, the PBM reform that Dr. Miller-Meeks talked about, where you can actually have lower prescription drug costs, again, for 100% of Americans. This is something that our three committees of jurisdiction have been working on for a long time. And yet, while Democrats only want to bail out insurance companies while premiums go up, we’re focused on having lower premium options, lower cost options for 100% of Americans.“So, another busy week where we’re going to be focused on helping families that are struggling under the weight of all the damage that President Biden did. President Trump is working to lower costs. President Trump wants to see these bills on his desk, and we’re going to work to deliver here in the House.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss Republicans’ efforts to lower costs for all Americans following years of Biden’s economic failures. Leader Scalise highlighted House Republicans’ work to lower premiums and touted affordability wins so far this Congress, including the largest tax cut for working families in history.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full interview. 
Highlights from Leader Scalise’s interview:On House Republicans working to lower premiums for all Americans:“We’ve been working for a long time to lower premiums for all Americans, 100% of families across America. Democrats, as you know, have only been focused on trying to give big bailouts to insurance companies dealing with 7% of Americans. So big difference between the two sides.“What we’re going to be bringing to the House floor tomorrow — on the floor on Wednesday — is the Lower Premiums Act. This is a bill to lower health care premiums for all Americans. It’s going to be focused on things like association health plans, the CHOICE Act, which is a way to use health savings accounts so that employers can work with their employees and give them better options for lower-premium health care plans. We do what’s called cost-sharing reductions. It’s basically a term up here in Washington to lower premiums for everybody in Obamacare. If you want to stay in Obamacare, a lot of people probably don’t. But for those people, there would be a 12% reduction.”On the Senate taking up the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act:“I think Americans, once they see this, are going to call their United States senator, Republican and Democrat, because it will take 60 votes, make no mistake. Call your senator and say, ‘Hey, I want some health care freedom. I want some choices.’ We have PBM reform in this, too. So you get lower prescription drug costs. Another big cost escalator in health care is in this bill. So a lot of options for families to lower costs. We pass it through the House. It still has to go through the Senate.“The President wants to sign this bill. The President’s talked about this a lot. The President wants to see better options and lower premiums for families. He knows that the Affordable Care Act is not affordable. The Democrats created a system that’s incredibly broken. They broke it, we’re going to fix it.”On increasing affordability following years of Bidenflation: “Think about this: for four years under Joe Biden, we saw a dramatic increase, 40-year increase in inflation, meaning things cost more, government was borrowing trillions of dollars, jacking up the cost of everything, and your buying power got lower during the Biden years. And so we’re finally starting to fix it. We’re bringing that down, but it’s taking time. And I know people, they want to see it all happen overnight. We’re seeing good improvement, but not enough yet. We’re still working on it.“Look, next April, when people file their taxes because of the tax bill we passed this year, you’re not going to see it until you file your return, but most families are going to get over $1,000 back in their filing from the IRS because of no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, holding all the income levels the same so that we didn’t get a tax increase. There was going to be a massive tax increase that would have hit. We’re doing a number of things.“We got a big housing bill coming up this week out of committee, and we’re going to actually be focused on lowering the cost of homeownership. You talked about the Federal Reserve. I hope the Federal Reserve keeps lowering interest rates. As we’re reducing the deficit, the deficit up here plays a big role in interest rates back home when people borrow for things like homeownership or credit cards. And so we’re finally getting control over spending. That’s going to lower interest rates, so people can go buy a home. And then we’re bringing these housing bills.“So all of it takes time, but we’re working on all of it at the same time right now. I think early next year, you’re going to start seeing bigger indicators. Trillions of investments already coming into the country from deals President Trump has already cut. Manufacturing, higher wage jobs. You’re seeing it all. The AI revolution is bringing good jobs, too.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United States House of Representatives voted to pass Congresswoman Kim Schrier’s, M.D. (WA-08), bipartisan legislation to improve the quality and nutrition of school lunches by allowing public schools to serve reduced-fat and whole milk. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was unanimously passed by the Senate last month and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. 

“As a pediatrician, I know how important a balanced and nutritious diet is for children’s health and development, and I’m thrilled that my bipartisan bill has passed the House and is heading to the president’s desk,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “Ensuring that our children have access to a healthy diet is fundamental to their physical growth, academic performance, and overall well-being, and can set the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits. Milk is a significant part of many children’s diets and contains essential nutrients that keep them full and healthy. This bill will improve children’s nutrition by allowing schools to provide the types of milk most kids prefer to drink, and I’m eager to see this legislation signed into law.”

“I have worked for a decade to restore whole milk to our school cafeterias, which have been limiting healthy choices for students, but that changes today,” said Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. “Whole milk is an essential building block for a well-rounded and balanced diet, and students should have the option to choose the milk they love. I am proud that my bill, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, passed the House today and now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.”

Whole milk has been prohibited in school lunches for over a decade due to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. That bill changed nutrition standards and mandated that flavored milk be fat-free and traditional milk be, at most, 1% fat. Congresswoman Schrier’s bill would amend the nutrition standards and allow schools to serve flavored and unflavored reduced-fat (2%) and whole milk.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is supported by Darigold, the National Milk Producers Federation, and the International Dairy Foods Association.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual piece of legislation that authorizes defense programs to maintain military readiness and increase national security. The package includes provisions that will raise pay for service members, bolster access to quality healthcare and child care, and authorize millions to build new schools. This year’s legislation finally reclaims Congress’ war power authority, after delegating that responsibility to the president for decades.

“This bipartisan bill makes vital investments to bolster our national security at home and abroad, and support those brave service members who protect our country,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “I’m proud to cast my vote to give our service members a much-deserved pay raise, provide proper oversight of the Trump Administration, and strengthen healthcare and child care access for our military personnel.” 

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 includes these key provisions:

• Provides a 3.8% pay raise for all service members and increases the Family Separation Allowance for deployed service members.
• Makes the most substantive reforms to the defense acquisition process and system in decades.
• Repeals the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq, preventing further involvement in the Middle East without appropriate congressional oversight. 
• Fences funding until the Secretary of Defense provides unedited videos of strikes that have occurred in the Caribbean, as well as copies of related classified Executive Orders. 
• Makes necessary investments to maintain our standing across the globe by strengthening nuclear deterrence, expanding missile defense, and providing critical resources and authorities to counter adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. 
• Authorizes $491 million to build new child care centers, extends the Child Care in Your Home pilot program, and improves the fee assistance program rate cap for eligible community-based child care providers.
• Prevents the Department from reducing healthcare staff and expands travel reimbursement for specialty care.
• Requires an assessment of mental health staffing levels, wait times, and the availability of telehealth services. 
• Authorizes over $206 million to build new Department of Defense Education Activity schools, authorizes $50 million in Impact Aid assistance, and allows Department schools to limit or ban student cell phone use.
• Allows retiring service members to move into civilian defense positions and establishes a transition assistance pilot program for military spouses.
• Authorizes $800 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative over two years and additional funding for the Baltic Security Initiative and Taiwan Security Initiative. 

You can read more about the FY26 NDAA here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

WASHINGTON—Reps. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) and Linda Sánchez (CA-38) led a bipartisan letter from 27 of their colleagues from the Committee on Ways and Means, expressing grave concerns about Canada’s digital trade barriers. The letter was addressed to Canada-US Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Canada’s Ambassador to the United States Kristen Hillman.  
“While we are strong supporters of the bilateral relationship with Canada, discriminatory policies, like the Online Streaming Act, undermine the value of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA),” the lawmakers write. 

Canada’s Online Streaming Act “is actively restricting access, disadvantaging U.S. companies and artists, and undermining the shared commitment to fair competition that is essential as our countries prepare for the USMCA review,” the letter states. 

The Online Streaming Act is a discriminatory tax that requires American streaming companies operating in Canada to contribute part of their revenues to funds that produce local Canadian content. Estimates show that this law could cost American companies up to $7 billion by 2030. 

Read the full letter. Full text below. 

Dear Minister LeBlanc and Ambassador Hillman,

We write to share our deep concerns with Canada’s Online Streaming Act (formerly Bill C-11)
and the subsequent Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
implementing decisions. We urge the Canadian Government to rescind this digital trade barrier
immediately, including by terminating the collection of fees. This is especially important as our
two countries undertake the six-year review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
(USMCA). While we are strong supporters of the bilateral relationship with Canada,
discriminatory policies, like the Online Streaming Act, undermine the value of the United States-
Mexico-Canada Agreement.

As you know, the Online Streaming Act requires foreign streaming services to contribute five
percent of gross revenues to Canadian production funds as a condition of market access. A
forthcoming CRTC decision may extend these obligations further, adding direct spending
requirements tied to what the Canadian government deems to be “Canadian content.” This
constitutes a clearly discriminatory and burdensome levy on cross-border trade that violates the
spirit of the USMCA.

The USMCA was built upon principles of fair and cooperative trade, and decisions that impose
discriminatory regulations on American platforms create a clear distortion in the digital
marketplace. Under this law, Canada is actively restricting access, disadvantaging U.S.
companies and artists, and undermining the shared commitment to fair competition that is
essential as our countries prepare for the USMCA review.

Additionally, streaming services are a vital part of the Canadian economy, but the
implementation of the Online Streaming Act threatens to chill foreign investment. In 2022,
global studios and streaming platforms invested $7.58 billion1 in production in Canada, while
music streaming specifically generated more than $422.7 million in recorded music revenue in
Canada in 20242. Global studios increased their production levels in Canada by 285 percent
between 2011 and 2021, with an average of 97 percent of cast, crew, and production personnel
working on those projects in Canada3. Heavy-handed regulations from the Canadian government
could jeopardize these foreign investments through the Online Streaming Act and CRTC
decisions.

This law not only endangers cross-border investment but also risks undermining confidence in
Canada’s commitment to a fair and open digital marketplace at the precise moment when our
countries should be working to strengthen cooperation ahead of the USMCA review. We
recognize the importance of the U.S.-Canada trade relationship and appreciate Canada’s decision
to rescind its Digital Services Tax Act. This was the right call, and it certainly improves
opportunities for bilateral cooperation. However, the Online Streaming Act poses an equally
significant threat to this relationship. As we begin our work to prepare for the USMCA review
next year, we urge you to rescind the Online Streaming Act to show a true willingness to end
discrimination against American companies and artists.
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

WASHINGTON—Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) voted in favor of the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act (H.R. 6703) and released the following statement:

“The Democrats made empty promises to the American people a decade and a half ago. Their poorly named “Affordable” Care Act has been anything but affordable for my constituents who purchase their health coverage from the marketplace. The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Act will do exactly what it says—reduce premiums for all Americans, not just those on the Obamacare marketplace, and give them more options when choosing their health care,”said Rep. Smucker.

Background:  

The Congressional Budget Office reports the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act will “reduce gross benchmark premiums by 11 percent.”

The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Act, courtesy of Speaker Mike Johnson: 

Lowers Premiums for all Americans

• Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency: Requires PBMs to provide employers with detailed data on prescription drug spending, rebates, spread pricing, and formulary decisions—empowering plans and workers with the transparency they deserve.
• Appropriates Cost Sharing Reduction Payments: Provides necessary funding for CSR payments beginning in 2027, lowering premiums, and stabilizing the individual market while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. Relief would be better directed towards low-income enrollees that need them.

Improves Health Care Options for America’s Workers

• Association Health Plans: Expands access to Association Health Plans by allowing employers—including self-employed workers—to band together across industries to purchase affordable, high-quality coverage.
• Access to Stop-Loss Insurance: Ensures small and mid-sized employers can protect themselves from catastrophic claims by clarifying that stop-loss insurance is not “health insurance coverage.” This would allow small businesses to offer their employees more tailored, affordable care.
• CHOICE Arrangements: Codifies and strengthens 2019 rules allowing employers to offer defined contributions for employees to purchase their own coverage—renamed as CHOICE arrangements—and permits employees to pay premiums pre-tax.

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott, McGarvey Introduce Legislation to Improve Black Lung Benefits Program

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, and Representative Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03), reintroduced the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, legislation that would help miners who have suffered from black lung disease access the workers’ compensation and benefits they are entitled to receive under the federal Black Lung Benefits Program. This legislation significantly reduces barriers, such as complex claims processes and lack of legal representation, that prevent miners and their survivors from accessing benefits.

“Decades ago, Congress established the Black Lung Benefits Act to provide monthly compensation and medical coverage for coal miners who develop black lung disease and are totally disabled. Unfortunately, the Government Accountability Office found that miners often lack the necessary medical and legal resources to develop evidence to prove their claims,”said Ranking Scott. “The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act helps miners and their survivors access legal representation, ensures benefits are not eroded due to inflation, reduces the time for processing claims, and protects taxpayers from taking a hit when a self-insured coal company goes bankrupt and cannot pay black lung claims.”

“After paying for this country’s last energy revolution with their own health and safety, miners shouldn’t have to endure a costly, drawn-out legal process to prove they’ve earned their benefits,”said McGarvey.“Our bill would peg these benefits to inflation and make them easier to access, rather than letting these miners who have sacrificed so much be left further and further behind. I’m grateful for Senators Kaine and Fetterman and Ranking Member Scott’s continued dedication to strengthen black lung benefits, get miners the care they need, and uphold the dignity of financial security that they deserve.”

Many miners have developed coal workers’ pneumoconiosis—commonly referred to as “black lung”—a debilitating and deadly disease caused by the long-term inhalation of coal dust in underground and surface coal mines. In response, Congress passed the Black Lung Benefits Act in 1976 to provide monthly compensation and medical coverage for coal miners who develop black lung disease and are disabled. The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Actmakes necessary updates to ensure Congress is fulfilling its commitment to the nation’s coal miners by:

1. Automatically adjusting coal miners’ benefits for inflation,
2. Helping miners and their survivors secure legal representation by increasing the number of attorneys willing to take on black lung claims,
3. Expanding the assistance provided by black lung clinics,
4. Ensuring miners get assistance from the Department of Labor (DOL) in rebutting medical evidence,
5. Improving access to CT scans to clarify medical eligibility,
6. Requiring the DOL to address potential conflicts of interest with physicians providing medical exams,
7. Accelerating the DOL’s access to employment and earnings verification for miners from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
8. Establishing stringent criteria for mine operators that seek to self-insure,
9. Increasing civil penalties for mine operators that fail to secure benefits, and
10. Expanding the parties that the DOL can hold liable when an operator fails to secure benefits.

The legislation has been endorsed by Appalachia Voices, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, the BlueGreen Alliance, the Sierra Club, and the United Mine Workers of America.

To read the bill text for the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, clickhere.

To read the fact sheet on the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, clickhere.

To read the section-by-section on the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, clickhere.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Warner, Scott Honor Civil Rights Leader Barbara Johns at U.S. Capitol Statue Dedication

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) delivered remarks at the Congressional Statue Dedication Ceremony honoring Barbara Rose Johns, a Prince Edward County civil rights leader whose student-led strike and its subsequent lawsuit became one of five cases combined into Brown v. Board of Education, one of the most consequential Supreme Court decisions in our nation’s history. Her statue will represent Virginia in National Statuary Hall.

“On April 23, 1951, a 16-year-old Barbara Johns led a walkout of students at the Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia, to protest school segregation and the discriminatory education conditions of Black students. Her courage forced this country to reckon with its conscience on a scale much larger than she ever could have imagined,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m proud to unveil Barbara Johns’ statue in the U.S. Capitol where she will represent the Commonwealth of Virginia and be recognized for the vital role she played in ending school segregation.” 

“At the age of 16, Barbara Johns’ refused to accept inequality in our public schools.  Her determination led to the lawsuit Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County, which ultimately became part of the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Her strength and unwavering belief in equality and justice helped change the entire nation for the better.  It is hard to think of a better example of a Virginian to represent the Commonwealth in the United States Capitol,” said Rep. Bobby Scott.

Under federal law, each state is represented by two statues in National Statuary Hall, selected by the state to honor notable individuals from its history. The Johns statue was recommended by Virginia’s Commission for Historical Statues to replace Virginia’s statue of Robert E. Lee in the U.S. Capitol.

Sen. Warner and Rep. Scott are both cosponsors of the Confederate Monument Removal Act, legislation to remove statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. Sen. Warner has spoken publicly about the need to remove public symbols honoring the Confederacy as part of broader efforts to advance racial justice.

As Governor, Sen. Warner helped establish a commission to build a monument on Capitol Square honoring Johns, after his youngest daughter asked why the grounds did not include more diverse representation of famous Virginians. In the Senate, Sen. Warner has led efforts to expand the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Site in Kansas and designate National Park Service (NPS) Affiliated areas, including the Moton Museum which recognizes the central role of the Moton School in Farmville in ending school segregation.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Slams Trump Administration’s Absurd Rationale for Boat Strikes, Votes to Stop Military Action in Venezuela

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting for the adoption of H.Con.Res. 61, directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere; and H.Con.Res. 64, directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress:

“I voted to stop the Trump Administration from continuing its dubiously legal military actions towards Venezuela. These deadly boat strikes began under the guise of stopping illicit drugs from entering the United States. Multiple cabinet officials have claimed that President Trump’s actions have saved hundreds of millions of American lives. These numbers are comically absurd. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 81,000 individuals died in the United States last year from any drug overdose. 

“In addition to the simple-minded exaggerations about numbers, we must also examine if this is even an effective means of curtailing drug use. Any suggestion that these military actions attacking boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific are reducing drug use in the United States is itself an exaggeration. The Congressional Budget Office cannot confirm that this policy is reducing drug use or drug overdoses.

“The research is clear. Evidence-based approaches, like education and rehabilitation treatment, are the most cost-effective strategies in reducing illicit drug use as opposed to spending millions of taxpayer dollars on blowing up random fishing boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. Yet the Trump Administration is aggressively dismantling the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the very federal agency that focuses on mental health and drug addiction treatment. The fact that this strategy lacks any cost-effective justification should end this action. And that is before any consideration of war crimes and murder. Several weeks ago, I sent letters to the Trump Administration asking for documentation and clarity about this interdiction strategy. Not surprisingly, I received no response.

 “And earlier today, Stephen Miller, one of President Trump’s senior advisors, has taken the mask off and revealed that these boat strikes were not really about stopping drugs from entering the United States. Instead, he has clarified their main motivation in the strikes and ramping up of military hostilities is the oil that moves through Venezuela.” 

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