In a time of constant political division, the soaring cost of prescription drugs remains a unifying concern for Americans across party lines. From families struggling to afford life-saving medications to seniors rationing pills to stretch their budgets, the burden of high drug prices impacts so many U.S. citizens. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to tackle this crisis by ensuring Americans pay no more than what people overseas pay for the same drugs is an important step that demands bipartisan backing. This isn’t about politics—it’s about fairness and delivering relief to millions who’ve been priced out of the care they need.
The plan’s potential to ease financial strain makes it a rare opportunity for lawmakers to bridge the partisan gap. Republicans, who have long championed market-driven solutions, can rally behind an initiative that curbs Big Pharma’s unchecked pricing power. Democrats, with their focus on healthcare access, can see this as a chance to advance equity in a system that too often leaves the vulnerable behind. By working together, Congress can turn this executive order into lasting law, proving that Washington can still put people over profits.
For too long, the pharmaceutical industry’s influence has stalled progress, with billions spent on lobbying to protect sky-high prices. Codifying Trump’s order would send a clear message: no industry is too powerful to dodge accountability when it comes to the public’s health. This is a fight where everyone—Republican, Democrat, or Independent—can be on the same side.
A Congressman’s Call to Action on Drug Prices
In a surprising twist in today’s polarized climate, Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, is extending an olive branch to his Republican colleagues. Known for his sharp critiques of President Trump’s policies on tariffs and immigration, Khanna is now championing a cause that aligns with the president’s latest executive order—one aimed at slashing prescription drug costs. On Wednesday, Khanna introduced legislation to enshrine Trump’s order into law, a move he hopes will spark a bipartisan effort to ease the financial burden on American families.
“President Trump’s executive order says that Americans should pay the least price. We should not pay any more than people are paying in countries overseas. Then, it gives the Cabinet secretaries the ability to go after Big Pharma companies that are price-gouging. Now, he tried something similar in his previous administration. Big Pharma sued him, it got tied up in courts, nothing happened. That’s why we need Congress to act. I have introduced something that codifies President Trump’s language, and I’m hoping we get a Republican co-sponsor,” Khanna said to Fox News Digital during an interview.
Khanna’s push comes at a time when Democrats are grappling with their party’s direction after electoral setbacks in 2024. While some Democrats have doubled down on opposing the Trump administration, Khanna takes a different approach. He’s unbothered by the idea of Trump claiming a victory if it means real relief for Americans. “If Donald Trump says that’s something that’s good for the American people, I’m not going to oppose it just for political points,” he said. This pragmatic stance sets him apart in a political landscape often paralyzed by partisanship.
A Vision Beyond Party Lines
A rising star in the Democratic Party and a potential 2028 presidential contender, Khanna has spent the year sharing his vision for a fairer America. His willingness to work with Trump on drug prices echoes a similar move by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who faced criticism from some Democrats for engaging with the administration to deliver results for her state. Khanna, however, is clear about his priorities. “If Donald Trump has a good idea that’s going to help the American people, we should work with him. If we have a philosophical disagreement, we shouldn’t. But the barometer for me, the test case is, is this helping people? Is this something that I think is going to help this country? Where I have philosophical disagreements, I speak up. But when I think that it is good legislation, I am willing to support him. And I don’t care, like some people, if he gets a political win. So much of politics is, ‘Oh, we don’t want to give the other side a political win.’ For all I care, he can have a great political win if the American public gets lower drug prices,” he stated to Fox News Digital.
In a House floor speech that gained traction online, Khanna called on Republicans to join him in this fight. “Are you on the side of the people, or are you on the side of the $16 billion in Big Pharma lobbyist money that was spent last year? My legislation, there’s no trick to it. It is President Trump’s idea, President Trump’s executive order, President Trump’s language into law. Every Republican should support this, and every Democrat should,” he declared.
Building on a Shared Goal
Khanna’s support for lowering drug costs isn’t new. Before Trump’s order, he partnered with Sen. Bernie Sanders on similar legislation, driven by the same frustration that Americans pay far more for medications than people in other countries. “I just don’t understand why any Republican wouldn’t support this. It’s President Trump’s executive order, and every American agrees that prescription drug price costs are too much, that it’s so unfair that Americans are stuck with all these high bills when other countries are paying pennies on the dollar for their drugs. It’s time that Americans be treated fairly,” the congressman said. His alignment with Trump’s plan reflects a shared recognition that the current system is unsustainable.
As a key supporter of President Joe Biden’s 2024 campaign, Khanna also offered candid reflections on the Democratic Party’s missteps. Speaking on The Story with Martha MacCallum, he admitted that Biden’s decision to run was a mistake. “I do think it’s important that, given what has come out, that we take accountability,” he said. “Obviously, he should not have run. We should be clear to say that. Obviously, there should have been an open primary. And, I don’t think that’s very difficult that Democrats should just be straight up that he should not have run, now that we have all the facts. There should have been an open primary. I think to move on and move forward, it’s important to take accountability and be straight-forward with the American people.”
Khanna acknowledged that he, like many, lacked full insight into Biden’s health during the campaign. “We should be honest as a party that we made a mistake,” he said. Yet, his focus remains forward-looking, centered on policies like drug price reform that can unite lawmakers and deliver tangible benefits. By championing Trump’s executive order, Khanna is proving that good ideas can spread across party lines—and that the fight for affordable medicine is one worth fighting together for.
Do you agree with Khanna that bipartisan efforts should be made to codify Trump’s executive order on lowering drug prices? As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
