Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First

EXECUTIVE ORDERS

EO 14275 Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement

Directs the simplification of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), ensuring it contains only provisions mandated by statute or essential for efficient, secure, and cost-effective procurement. The initiative, led by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council), aims to return the FAR to its statutory roots, rewritten in plain language, and remove most non-statutory rules.

EO 14274 Restoring Common Sense to Federal Office Space Management

Free agencies to select cost-effective facilities by revoking prior EOs ordering the federal government to prioritize central or historic business areas.

EO 14273 Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First

Lower prescription drug prices by enhancing competition, improving transparency, and ensuring access to affordable medications for American patients.

EO 14272 Ensuring National Security and Economic Resilience Through Section 232 Actions on Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products

Address vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain for critical minerals, which are essential for national security, defense systems, and key economic sectors. It emphasizes the need for resilience in manufacturing and securing domestic supply chains to prevent over-reliance on foreign sources, particularly those that may pose geopolitical risks.

EO 14271 Ensuring Commercial, Cost-Effective Solutions in Federal Contracts

Tackle wasteful expenditures in federal contracting by ensuring that government agencies utilize commercial solutions instead of custom or non-commercial alternatives. The order highlights the need to enforce existing laws that promote the use of the competitive marketplace and innovations from the private sector to enhance the cost-effectiveness of federal services.

EO 14270 Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting To Unleash American Energy

Modernize and streamline regulations affecting energy production in the United States. By introducing a system of zero-based regulatory budgeting, the order seeks to eliminate outdated regulations that constrict innovation and progress in the energy sector. The goal is to shift the regulatory framework from one that stifles development—the so-called “governance-by-regulator” approach—to one that enhances American energy independence and innovation, moving the energy landscape away from outdated practices reminiscent of the 1970s.

EO 14269 Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance

Addresses the decline of the U.S. shipbuilding industry and maritime workforce, which has been weakened due to decades of neglect, leading to a reduction in domestic ship production and increasing reliance on foreign maritime resources, particularly from China.

EO 14268 Reforming Foreign Defense Sales To Improve Speed and Accountability

Reforming the U.S. foreign defense sales process to achieve more rapid and reliable defense cooperation with international partners. This Executive Order is a response to long-standing frustrations regarding the complexity and delays often associated with arms sales in the U.S., which can hinder effective military partnerships and response to global security challenges.

EO 14267 Reducing Anti-Competitive Regulatory Barriers

Seeks to ensure that federal regulations do not create unnecessary barriers for new market entrants or favor established businesses at the expense of competition. The Order emphasizes that Federal regulations should not predetermine economic winners and losers and that regulations that restrict competition, innovation, or entrepreneurship should be identified and eliminated.

EO 14266 Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates To Reflect Trading Partner Retaliation and Alignment

Adjust tariff rates as a response to retaliatory actions by trading partners, particularly the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This order further amends previous orders regarding trade tariffs established during periods of substantial U.S. trade deficits and aims to enhance national security.

EO 14265 Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurring Innovation in the Defense Industrial Base

Modernize the defense acquisition system by emphasizing the need for more efficient procurement processes. The order addresses the challenges faced by the U.S. military due to outdated acquisition methods that hinder the rapid delivery of innovative technologies necessary for maintaining military superiority.

EO 14264 Maintaining Acceptable Water Pressure in Showerheads

Addresses concerns about overregulation in the showerhead industry, which he argues stifles innovation and personal freedom. The order takes specific aim at previous regulatory frameworks that defined “showerhead,” particularly those established during the Obama administration, which mandated specific standards for water flow.

EO 14263 Addressing Risks From Susman Godfrey

Addresses the perceived risks and egregious conduct associated with the law firm Susman Godfrey LLP. The order states that law firms involved in activities detrimental to American interests should not access national secrets or receive federal contracts or taxpayer funds.

EO 14262 Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid

Highlights the growing strain on the U.S. electric grid, driven by technological advancements like AI and data centers, as well as a surge in domestic manufacturing. The order emphasizes that grid reliability is essential for national security and economic stability.

EO 14261 Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Amending Executive Order 14241

Reinvigorate the U.S. coal industry, emphasizing its crucial role in national security, energy independence, and economic prosperity, while amending previous regulations to streamline coal production and boost exports.

EO 14260 Protecting American Energy From State Overreach

Safeguard American energy dominance by minimizing state regulatory overreach that may hinder domestic energy production and impose unnecessary costs on consumers.

EO 14259 Amendment to Reciprocal Tariffs and Updated Duties as Applied to Low-Value Imports From the People’s Republic of China
Addresses adjustments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) influencing low-value imports in retaliation to China’s actions against U.S. trade practices. This amendment follows Executive Order 14257, which declared a national emergency due to persistent trade deficits and aimed to rectify the trade imbalance with reciprocal tariffs.

CONGRESS

H.J.Res.25 
Nullifies the IRS rule titled “Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales,” issued on December 30, 2024. The rule would have required various entities, including decentralized finance (DeFi) brokers, to report specific information about digital asset sales to the IRS.

SCOTUS

Supreme Court Backs Workers in ERISA Case Against Cornell

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Cunningham v. Cornell University, making it easier for workers to sue over mismanaged retirement plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The case involved Cornell employees who alleged the university paid unreasonably high fees to investment firms managing their retirement plans.

The Court held that plaintiffs don’t need to prove from the start that no legal exemptions apply to the allegedly improper transactions — that burden falls on the employer. This decision strengthens employee protections and clears a path for more ERISA claims to move forward in court.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Expand Water Meter Upgrade Contract

The BOCC approved a $6 million increase to its agreement with National Metering Services, raising the total to $26 million. The funds will support expanded installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) across the county, replacing aging water meters to improve billing accuracy.

Volunteer Mental Health Pilot Program

Introduce a volunteer employee prevention-focused pilot program to address mental health challenges through education