During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump presented a wide-ranging agenda to Congress. He urged lawmakers in multiple meetings to focus on several priorities, including drug pricing, border security, crime, and housing policy.
“Trump Rx” Aims to Lower Drug Prices
As part of the “Trump Rx” initiative, President Trump is pushing for Congress to adopt a “most-favored-nation” drug pricing policy. This policy would link U.S. prescription drug prices to the lowest prices paid in other developed nations. Earlier this month, the administration introduced the TrumpRx website, intended to help Americans find certain brand-name drugs and access lower negotiated prices. This platform is a result of a collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies and features many high-cost medications available at discounted rates for conditions like diabetes, asthma, and HIV.
Trump acknowledged that it might be challenging to reverse this policy but urged lawmakers to “just codify it.”
Permanent Ban on Wall Street Home Purchases
Highlighting a situation involving a Houston mother who successfully outbid an investment firm for homes, Trump called for Congress to make permanent an executive order that prohibits large, Wall Street-backed firms from buying single-family homes in bulk. He emphasized that homes should be for individuals, not corporations.
“Insider Trading Prevention Act” Advocacy
The President outlined his plans regarding retirement policies while promising to safeguard Social Security and Medicare. He urged Congress to swiftly pass the “Insider Trading Act,” which would prevent members from trading individual stocks and require public notification before sales.
This bill is seen as a positive development, with supporters believing it can boost American trust in Congress.
Proposal of “Dalila Law”
In the wake of a tragic incident where a girl was injured by an illegal immigrant truck driver, Trump requested Congress introduce “Dalila’s Law.” This law would prevent states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to individuals illegally residing in the country.
He shared the heartbreaking story of Dalila Coleman, who suffered grave injuries in a 2024 accident caused by an undocumented driver.
Restoration of Border Security Funding
Trump accused Democrats of cutting funds for the Department of Homeland Security, which is currently under a partial shutdown due to funding disagreements. He urged for the immediate reinstatement of border security funding, highlighting its importance for protecting Americans from various threats.
Ending Sanctuary Cities
Trump also pressed lawmakers to abolish the sanctuary city policy, advocating for significant repercussions for officials who hinder the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants.
Tougher Penalties for Repeat Offenders
He concluded his legislative requests by asking Congress to adopt stricter laws for repeat offenders. Trump referenced the tragic case of Irina Zalutka, a young Ukrainian refugee murdered by a repeat offender who had been previously released. He mentioned the horror of the event, emphasizing it as a call to action.
