Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna Introduces Legislation to Codify Trump Executive Order Reducing Drug Prices

Published: Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 1:21 am

Khanna Seeks to Lower Drug Prices by Codifying Trump's Executive Order

In a move aimed at lowering prescription drug costs, Democratic Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) has introduced legislation to formally enact a key element of President Donald Trump's executive order on drug pricing. The order, which sought to ensure Americans don't pay more for drugs than people in other countries, was a central focus of Trump's efforts to address the high cost of pharmaceuticals.

Khanna, in a post on X, emphasized the bipartisan nature of the issue, urging Republicans to support his bill. He highlighted the influence of "Big Pharma," pointing out the $16 billion spent on lobbying efforts, and framed the vote as a choice between the pharmaceutical industry and the American people.

Trump's original executive order, signed on Monday, cited the imbalance where the U.S., with less than 5% of the world's population, funds approximately 75% of global pharmaceutical profits. The order aimed to end what Trump called "global freeloading" by drug manufacturers, who often discount their products in foreign markets while charging significantly higher prices in the U.S. Trump estimated the price reductions could range from 59% to 80%.

This legislative effort comes as Republican Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN) and 16 other House Republicans are also pushing for the codification of Trump's executive orders. This suggests a growing interest in solidifying Trump's policies into law.

BNN's Perspective: While the goal of lowering drug prices is widely supported, the effectiveness of this specific approach remains to be seen. Codifying an executive order can provide more legal stability than an order alone, but the details of the legislation and its potential impact on the pharmaceutical industry will be crucial. The bipartisan nature of the issue is encouraging, but the ultimate success will depend on the willingness of both parties to compromise and prioritize the needs of American consumers.

Keywords: Ro Khanna, drug prices, prescription drugs, Donald Trump, executive order, codify, legislation, Big Pharma, pharmaceutical industry, Andy Ogles, bipartisan, healthcare, cost of drugs, lower drug prices, drug pricing, Congress, House of Representatives, Republican, Democrat.

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