President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at slashing prescription drug prices has divided House Democrats, with some cautiously optimistic while others dismissed the move as a bluster. Most lawmakers who spoke with Fox News Digital had not yet read the details, but the reactions were largely split. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the top Democrat on the House Ways & Means Committee, noted the order seemed more bark than bite, calling it another example of an executive order that garners attention with little impact. However, Rep. George Latimer of New York expressed cautious hope, noting that keeping drug costs low is a positive thing. Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., also supported the move, calling it a step in the right direction, while Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, remained skeptical, questioning whether any patient would see a price reduction. House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar dismissed the move as a disingenuous effort by House Republicans and Trump to appear concerned about people’s needs. Meanwhile, Rep. Ro Khanna introduced a House bill to make Trump’s order permanent, codifying the executive action. White House spokesman Kush Desai urged Democrats to work with the administration to build on the President’s effort to lower drug prices.
President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at slashing prescription drug prices has divided House Democrats, with some cautiously optimistic while others dismissed the move as a bluster. Most lawmakers who spoke with Fox News Digital had not yet read the details, but the reactions were largely split. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the top Democrat on the House Ways & Means Committee, noted the order seemed more bark than bite, calling it another example of an executive order that garners attention with little impact. However, Rep. George Latimer of New York expressed cautious hope, noting that keeping drug costs low is a positive thing. Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., also supported the move, calling it a step in the right direction, while Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, remained skeptical, questioning whether any patient would see a price reduction. House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar dismissed the move as a disingenuous effort by House Republicans and Trump to appear concerned about people’s needs. Meanwhile, Rep. Ro Khanna introduced a House bill to make Trump’s order permanent, codifying the executive action. White House spokesman Kush Desai urged Democrats to work with the administration to build on the President’s effort to lower drug prices.
Trump’s executive order directs the Department of Health and Human Services to set price targets for pharmaceutical companies, aiming to align U.S. drug prices with those in other developed nations. The president claimed that some prescription drug prices would be reduced by 50 to 90%, though no specific details about the implementation have been shared. While some Democrats expressed cautious optimism, others, like Rep. Doggett, remained skeptical, arguing that the order needed concrete action to make a real difference. The divided reaction among Democrats highlights the ongoing debates over how to tackle rising healthcare costs. Meanwhile, the White House has pushed back, framing the order as a critical step toward addressing a long-standing issue that has drawn criticism from both parties.
Rep. Ro Khanna’s introduction of a House bill to make Trump’s order permanent underscores the potential for legislative action to address the issue. Khanna emphasized that his legislation would codify the executive action, ensuring that Americans do not pay more for drugs than people in other countries. This move reflects a broader effort to address the complexities of prescription drug pricing and the role of government in regulating healthcare costs. As the debate continues, the division within the Democratic party highlights the challenges of finding common ground on a topic that affects millions of Americans.