Dear Friend,

Several major legislative developments have occurred in Washington during the past couple of weeks.  Here are a few updates on some of the actions taken by Congress on issues I know are important to many of you.  Thank you for subscribing, and please consider recommending this resource to a friend. 

In the House

Republican Solutions to Prescription Costs

The House recently considered legislation authored by House Democrats to cap insulin costs.  Price controls lead to less innovation and rationing of drugs.  Instead of working in a bipartisan way to address the root causes of high out-of-pocket costs for insulin, Democrats' legislation would mandate Part D plans and private insurers cover selected insulin products at a government-imposed price cap of the lesser of $35/month or 25 percent of the negotiated price.  While it may sound great to put a price cap on insulin, this approach will result in fewer generic insulins and less access to life-saving treatments for Americans. 

Many of the millions of Americans who use insulin products face affordability and access challenges.  There is a better way to lower costs and that's why Republicans have introduced a bipartisan alternative, H.R. 19.  Our legislation would lower all prescription drug costs by incentivizing competition and requiring price transparency, including for insulin, and cap all seniors’ out-of-pocket spending on drugs while ensuring America continues to lead the world in innovation and access to life-saving cures and treatments.  This is a far better approach than using price controls.

Federal Marijuana Legislation

Last week, the House considered the MORE Act.  I voted against this bill because it would result in greater widespread marijuana use and sale in America allowing bad actors and criminal organizations to further exploit the nation’s drug addiction crisis.

Although many believe that marijuana is a non-addictive substance with minimal negative health effects, studies show that marijuana use leads to increased abuse and more often than not, it is a gateway to heroin, cocaine and many other hard drugs.  Witnesses have testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee that marijuana could be a gateway to other hardcore drugs - particularly in adolescents. 

This legislation also fails to ban certain marijuana products that appeal to kids and teenagers and does not prohibit the establishment of marijuana businesses within 1,000 feet of schools, daycares, public parks, or recreational facilities.

As more states legalize marijuana, drugged driving has become an increasing concern.  In Washington State, 44% of drivers involved in fatal crashes between 2008-2016 tested positive for two or more substances — alcohol and THC being the most common combination.  Legalizing marijuana at the federal level would increase the availability and acceptability of its use and endanger our communities even more. It’s also made it that much more difficult for business owners to find reliable workers so desperately needed to grow a business, which harms the economy.

Biden’s SCOTUS Nominee

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has completed confirmation hearings for President Biden's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, and they are expected to hold a vote on her nomination this week.  Under the Constitution, the U.S. House of Representatives has no role in the confirmation of federal judges, or any other nomination made by the Executive branch.  But for the record, I do not support the confirmation of Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court. 

While she is highly knowledgable and experienced, any nominee that refuses to disavow court packing is bad for the Court and the country.  When asked directly on her stance on court packing, Jackson answered, “I hear the arguments on both sides."  Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer spoke out about the dangers of court packing and so should she.  The Supreme Court has operated smoothly with nine justices since 1869, and adding more justices would only open the door to even more justices in the future by both parties.  The net effect would be a super legislature that our Founders never intended.  Additionally, she has a proven record of being soft on child predators.