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A RETROSPECTIVE

by Congressman Francis Rooney

s we approach a new year and my Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),
final year of having the honor of where the same drugs are often cheaper than they are in the
A representing Southwest Florida in United States. This would establish a global price ceiling and protect
Congress, it is important to take a moment American citizens from overpaying for the same drugs. I have also
to reflect on what we have accomplished in introduced the bipartisan FAIR Drug Pricing Act, which would
2019 and look ahead to 2020. require drug companies to give notice and justification for raising
Since coming to Congress, and why I the price of a drug more than 10% at one time.
ran in the first place, my primary focus has Finally, I have been determined in my pursuit of fiscal
been on developing a sustainable bipartisan responsibility in Washington. I have consistently criticized the
commitment to Everglades restoration and excessive, irresponsible spending promoted by both parties, which
water quality. Right after the election, I began immediately to work has taken our national debt to a stratospheric $22.6 trillion. Since
on getting the funds appropriated to complete repairs of the elected, I have consistently voted against legislation like this.
Herbert Hoover Dike and to expedite completion of the Even worse than their excessive and irresponsible spending, many
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects, of these bills contained subsidies – billions for sugar, ethanol, cotton
especially the EAA Reservoir. I have also led the fight to diagnose and other commodities whose pricing should be determined by the
the cause of, and pioneer solutions to, the Harmful Algal Blooms market and not be artificially propped up by government. Just this
(HABs) that devastated our community in 2018. year alone, I voted against three reckless bills that saddle future
In my first 30 days in office I wrote a letter to President Trump generations with insurmountable debt. The uncomfortable reality is that
asking him to fulfill his campaign commitment to fund Everglades debt matters and unless we get spending under control, sometime in
Restoration and CERP projects. This letter was co-signed by all the future it is inevitable that our standard of living in America and
27 members, Democrat and Republican, of our Florida delegation. stature in the world will suffer.
This was the first time that our delegation had come together to The American people want and deserve a government that works.
unanimously support the Everglades and Okeechobee Watershed. Each of the above-mentioned areas are critical to Southwest Florida
Subsequently we have been successful in getting $1.5 billion (more than and to our nation. It is up to us to get results.
the previous 8 years combined) to complete repairs to the Dike many
years ahead of schedule and commence construction of the
EAA Reservoir, which will permit more water to be sent south of Francis Rooney is the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 19th congressional
Lake Okeechobee instead of being released into the district. He is the Vice-Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
Caloosahatchee River. and serves on the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
In May, I convened a meeting of experts from state and federal He previously served as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See under
agencies to address HABs. This discussion has led to pilot programs President George W. Bush from 2005 to 2008.
to study the causes of these outbreaks on Lake Okeechobee and
the Caloosahatchee River. It is my hope that we have set a new CONTACT OUR OFFICES
standard for funding from Washington to fix our water and on
federal response to HABs, and that our next representative will Lee County Office
continue the fight for our waters. 1039 S.E. 9th Place • Suite 308
Another area of bipartisan success was House passage of a bill Cape Coral, FL 33990
I sponsored to enact a permanent ban on offshore drilling in the Phone: 239.599.6033
Eastern Gulf of Mexico. From Florida 26 of 27 congress members
supported our efforts. The existing moratorium expires in 2022 and Collier County Office
needs to be made permanent. It is critical for the future of Florida 3299 Tamiami Trail East • Suite 105
and our tourism-based economy that offshore drilling in the Naples, FL 34112
Eastern Gulf be stopped for good. I am hopeful that the Senate Phone: 239.252.6225
will follow suit and pass this legislation in 2020.
I am also reaching across the aisle on prescription drug pricing. Washington, DC Office
Together with Peter Welch (D-VT), I introduced the 120 Cannon House Office Building
Drug Price Transparency Act to have the Department of Health and Washington, DC 20515
Human Services study linking Medicare Part B and D drug prices to Phone: 202.225.2536
the average price of these drugs in the countries which comprise the
14 Life in Naples | January 2020