Eli Lilly CEO details the billions they’re investing in America, Tom Emmer’s latest big donation, and more!

In this edition, Eli Lilly’s CEO talks investments in America, Whip Emmer tells more about his half-million NRCC donation, Heard on the Hill, and more!

March 4, 2025

Let’s ride.

1. Interview: Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks embraces America's "golden era" by investing billions at home, discusses MAHA, and more

2. Heard on the Hill

3. EXCLUSIVE: Whip Tom Emmer announces $500k NRCC donation: GOP is not taking “our foot off the gas”

4. K-STREET, 10,000 FEET: President Donald Trump retains 50 percent favorable ratings, has strong backing to reduce costs by taking on the “strongest lobby in the world”: poll

5. OPINIONATED: Rep. Gabe Evans on the dangerous consequences of sanctuary cities for Colorado and Tiffany Smiley about what President Trump can brag about in tonight’s joint address to Congress

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Interview: Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks embraces America's "golden era" by investing billions at home, discusses MAHA, and more

by Matthew Foldi

THE LOWDOWN:

• Pharma giant Eli Lilly and Company CEO Dave Ricks said the company is “more than doubling” its previous $23 billion of investments in America.

• Beyond pouring tens of billions of dollars directly into America, Ricks said that his company’s “main priority is to keep our discovery engine rolling, make important medicines, and get them produced at scale.”

• While many in the pharmaceutical industry were unfamiliar with Trump before his first term, Ricks said the industry is having “very good” conversations with Trump and with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., this time.

• In order to combat America’s obesity epidemic, Ricks called for an “all of the above strategy,” adding that “to us, it's one of the most important things we could do.”

Eli Lilly and Company, the American pharmaceutical giant, is ready for what both its CEO and President Donald Trump, have called the “golden” era of American innovation. Fresh off of announcing the “largest rollout of a production plan for our industry in history,” Lilly’s CEO Dave Ricks spoke with the Washington Reporter about his conversations with the Trump administration, the importance of both securing our border and in competing with China, and what the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement looks like.

Ricks joined up with senior Trump administration officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and top Senate Republicans like Sen. Todd Young (R., Ind.) to announce that Lilly is “more than doubling” its previous $23 billion of investments in America, as first covered by the Reporter.

“Importantly, [we’re] building four new sites to be determined locations in the U.S.,” he said. “This is the largest single company action ever taken, and will, in total, be $50 billion in nine new factories.”

Beyond pouring tens of billions of dollars directly into America, Ricks said that his company’s “main priority is to keep our discovery engine rolling, make important medicines, and get them produced at scale.” Ricks added that another priority is “the renewal of the tax program that was put in place in 2017.”

“You may have noticed that last week that we had a big announcement on production — we need that corporate tax rate to be competitive with Europe and other jurisdictions to lure that investment back home,” Ricks said.

When it comes to Ricks’s industry specifically, he noted that he is “really looking at PBM reform and seeing if we can take down list prices in the U.S. and have a more rational system for consumers, but also for everyone else in the middle of the equation.

“Right now, there's just too much opaque pricing and profit taking,” he added.

HEARD ON THE HILL

• STATE OF OUR UNION: President Donald Trump will give his first joint address to Congress of his second term tonight; the Washington Reporter will be interviewing House Republicans from the media row set up by Rep. Lisa McClain (R., Mich.) and will have a special edition with their thoughts on the state of our union later today.

• IN THE HOT SEAT: Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D., Mich.) is delivering the Democrats’ response to President Trump’s speech tonight. She is under fire for “promot[ing a] staffer who boosted Farrakhan.”

• WALZ 2028: Rep. Tom Emmer (R., Minn), the House GOP Whip, told the Reporter that he hopes that his home state governor, Tim Walz, runs for president in 2028. “I think this is great, what a broken party,” he said of Walz. Emmer added that his lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, is “absolutely” a Minneapolis liberal, whereas Walz just plays the part. Flanagan is running for the state’s now-open Senate seat.

• ALWAYS LOW PRICES: Walmart shares had their most calamitous day in three years, tumbling 6.5 percent. Walmart has long been able to offer lower prices than smaller competitors because of its reliance on Chinese products and its massive market share gives it over suppliers. Walmart has previously come under fire from Republicans for promoting DEI practices and selling LGBT products in their store.

• “NORTHERN VIRGINIA IS SAFE”: Kristi Noem, the new Secretary of Homeland Security, brought President Donald Trump’s message of border security to the outskirts of Washington, D.C., with a “successful operation [that got] criminal aliens and gang members off our streets.”

• PEACE POTUS: Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.) nominated President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize.

• ETHICS PROBLEM: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D., R.I.) was hit with an ethics complaint from the watchdog group Foundation for Accountability & Civic Trust (FACT), which alleged that he “directly voted for legislation that recently led to $6.9 million of taxpayer funds being paid to an organization for which his wife works and receives an income from.”

• NO ROGUE RULINGS: A top Republican staffer told the Reporter the No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) needs to pass to give President Trump more leeway in fixing the government. “We need to increase pressure on the Senate to get this passed. Nothing will unblock Trump and DOGE and the empowered Cabinet more than this bill, literally nothing.”

• TAX CUTS AND YOU: Senate Republicans are meeting today to discuss reconciliation, led by Senator Crapo. One of the most pressing issues to resolve is whether others make the Trump tax cuts permanent, which is favored by a majority of the caucus.

EXCLUSIVE: Whip Tom Emmer announces $500k NRCC donation: GOP is not taking “our foot off the gas”

by the Washington Reporter

THE LOWDOWN:

• The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is getting an early-game boost from one of its most prominent members: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R., Minn.);

• The money donated by Emmer could prove to be a useful capital jab early on in what will likely be a fiery midterm election cycle;

• The House Majority Whip told the Reporter that he is “proud to be a part of our House Republican team.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is getting an early-game boost from one of its most prominent members: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R., Minn.).

Emmer announced at Tuesday’s House Republican Conference meeting that he is giving $500,000 from his re-election account to the NRCC as the GOP looks ahead to maintaining control of the House of Representatives after retaining it in the 2024 election.

After the announcement, the House Majority Whip told the Washington Reporter in an exclusive quote that he is “proud to be a part of our House Republican team” and that the House GOP intends to keep up the break-neck momentum going into 2026.

“We’re not going to take our foot off the gas as we work to deliver on our America First agenda and ensure President Trump has a strong House majority for his full term,” he added.

Emmer’s announcement comes as the House GOP looks to retain control of the lower chamber come January 2027, with the potential to make gains as well.

Currently, the House GOP is sitting at a three-seat majority with two vacancies, per the House Press Gallery tally.

One of those vacancies is due to then-Rep. Michael Waltz (R., Fla.) ascending to the role of National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump. The other House vacancy also comes from the Sunshine State with the departure of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.) prior to the start of the 119th Congress.

The money donated by Emmer could prove to be a useful capital jab early on in what will likely be a fiery midterm election cycle.

However, as fiery as the midterm elections may be, the GOP is in a good starting position with a trifecta in the federal government.

President Trump’s historic 2024 victory and his legendary quickness in enacting his agenda, combined with the gushing neck stump of the Democratic Party’s headless body, will likely prove to be a fruitful union come 2026.

K-STREET, 10,000 FEET

President Donald Trump retains 50 percent favorable ratings, has strong backing to reduce costs by taking on the “strongest lobby in the world”: poll

by Matthew Foldi

THE LOWDOWN:

• Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT), a national advocacy group, just launched, but has already committed to spend $10 million in 2025 to go after trial lawyers and what they argue are the predatory practices of these so-called “billboard attorneys” that can raise prices for families.

• Despite endless attacks in the media and from Democrats in Congress, PACT’s polling finds that Trump’s favorables remain strong, with 50 percent of respondents in GS Strategy Group’s poll of 1,000 likely voters from across the nation saying they view him favorably, compared with 45 percent who find him unfavorable.

• PACT plans to share its latest polling results with both the White House and with members of Congress, it told the Reporter — and it has already found a willing partner with Gov. Brian Kemp (R., Ga.), who recently told the Ruthless Podcast that taking on tort reform is a top priority for him at home in Georgia.

President Donald Trump made lowering prices for consumers a fixture of his historic 2024 campaign, and a new advocacy group is arguing that trial lawyers are a stumbling block for his agenda.

Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT), a national advocacy group, just launched, but has already committed to spend $10 million in 2025 to go after trial lawyers and what PACT argues are the predatory practices of these so-called “billboard attorneys” that can raise prices for families.

Trump knows the trial lawyer lobby is a tough foe; he called the “lawyer lobby” the “strongest lobby in the world,” but PACT’s new polling, obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter, suggests that Trump will have backing from broad swathes of the American people should he take them on.

Despite endless attacks in the media and from Democrats in Congress, PACT’s polling finds that Trump’s favorables remain strong, with 50 percent of respondents in GS Strategy Group’s poll of 1,000 likely voters from across the nation saying they view him favorably, compared with 45 percent who find him unfavorable.

PACT’s polling also shows that significant majorities of Americans are concerned about the costs of basic goods, and 86 percent of respondents have seen their cost of living go up within the past year. However, there are popular reforms that Trump could back, which PACT argues will lower costs.

“President Trump campaigned on lowering costs for Americans, and he can get it done by curbing lawsuit abuse,” Lauren Zelt, the executive director of PACT, said. “President Trump has called out the lawyer lobby as the ‘strongest lobby in the world’ — he’s right, and has a great opportunity to fix that. Voters across America believe their cost of living has gone up over the last 12 months, and federal reforms curbing lawsuit abuse are a great first step to deliver on this promise.”

70 percent of voters agree that lawsuit abuse contributes to higher costs, and PACT found that 83 percent of respondents support increased transparency on hidden fees paid to billboard attorneys, 77 percent support legal reforms to lower auto insurance rates, 75 percent want the fee arrangements between medical providers and attorneys to be disclosed, and 67 percent support capping attorney fees.

“President Trump has the opportunity to deliver on his campaign promise of lowering the cost of living on American families by ending lawsuit abuse in the U.S.,” the GS Strategy Group wrote in its polling memo. “In particular, American voters want Congress to act to eliminate the $4,200 hidden tax all American families pay as a result of frivolous lawsuits. Americans of all political stripes and across demographics support reforming our legal system to drive down the cost of goods and services in the U.S.”

PACT plans to share its latest polling results with both the White House and with members of Congress, it told the Reporter — and it has already found a willing partner with Gov. Brian Kemp (R., Ga.), who recently told the Ruthless Podcast that taking on tort reform is a top priority for him at home in Georgia.

OPINIONATED

Op-Ed: Rep. Gabe Evans: Coloradans are paying the price for sanctuary city policies backed by Mayor Mike Johnston and Governor Jared Polis

by Rep. Gabe Evans

This week, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is set to testify on Capitol Hill about the ongoing migrant crisis in Colorado’s capital city. But in the days leading up to his appearance, he’s been trying to distance himself from the very crisis he previously proudly supported. Johnston now insists that Denver and the state of Colorado are not sanctuary jurisdictions.

For nearly a decade, Colorado Democrats have proudly introduced and passed policies that place illegal immigrants above the law-abiding citizens of Colorado. Sanctuary cities, states, and counties are defined as jurisdictions that obstruct immigration enforcement. As a former cop in the Denver area, I’ve worked within these limitations and can say from first-hand experience: Denver and Colorado are absolutely sanctuary jurisdictions for illegal gangs like Tren de Aragua.

But don’t just take my word for it, let’s look at what Colorado Democrats have said and done to make our beautiful state a place for dangerous illegal criminals to hide out.

Ignoring federal immigration law:

Democrats don’t believe Colorado law enforcement should cooperate with federal immigration authorities. As our Democratic Governor Jared Polis put it, “what’s important to recognize is that your local police are your local sheriff’s department. Your local police are not arms of the federal government. We don’t want them being commandeered instead of going after crime, enforcing federal immigration statutes.”

Officers take an oath of honor to protect the public and serve the community, but limiting their cooperation with federal authorities means dangerous criminals who are illegally present are allowed to stay in our communities instead of being handed over to ICE. Polis isn’t the only one who opposes local law enforcement helping their federal counterparts.

Democratic State Senator Sonya Joaquez Lewis has been outspoken on the topic, saying that “Colorado law enforcement shouldn’t automatically detain someone just for their migration status.” Joaquez Lewis has also shared her opposition to detaining immigrants at all, stating that “as we know, the detention dehumanizes individuals detained [...] this really reinforces the need to keep Coloradans out of detention with their families.”

With statements like that, it’s no wonder why Colorado has become the “USA headquarters” for the criminal illegal immigrant gang, Tren de Aragua. Consequently, the gang’s drug of choice, tusi, otherwise known as “pink cocaine,” is beginning to show up more and more within the state, adding to the ongoing overdose crisis.

Encouraging resistance to ICE:

Mayor Johnston himself suggested that, rather than allowing ICE to do its job, Denver residents and “Highland moms” should physically stand in the way of immigration enforcement, saying, that “more than us having DPD stationed at the county line to keep [ICE] out, you would have 50,000 Denverites there.”

When local leaders promote lawlessness, it is any wonder Colorado is the third most dangerous state?

Providing taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants:

Illegal immigrants in Colorado don’t just get a free pass, they get free housing, driver’s licenses and state-funded health care. Jon Ewing from Denver Human Services proudly declared that the city is actively working with landlords to house illegal immigrants, stating that “we’re going to have some newcomers who are going to need housing.” When will the state prioritize our homeless veterans and Coloradans who need housing and health care?

Meanwhile, Governor Polis has signed multiple laws making it easier for illegal immigrants to access public benefits. HB 22-1289 provides free health care, no matter a person’s immigration status, all on the taxpayer’s dime.

Op-Ed: Tiffany Smiley: President Trump has a lot to brag about in his address tonight

by Tiffany Smiley

Over the first month of President Donald Trump’s second term in office, Americans have witnessed substantial policy wins and clear directives aimed at helping Make America Great Again. Tonight, we will hear the president address a joint session of Congress for the first time in his second term, and he has a lot to discuss.

While Democrats scream and cry about a “constitutional crisis,” the fact is that President Trump’s administration has had one of the most impactful and successful starts in U.S. history.

The Trump administration has spent the first five weeks correcting the actions of the Biden administration over the last four years, and expanding on the successes of his first term as president. From arresting criminal illegal immigrants and securing our southern border, to signing the monumental Keeping Men Out Of Women’s Sports Executive Order, President Trump is enacting necessary measures and putting America back on top, brick by brick.

President Trump’s joint address will be an important opportunity for him to speak directly to the American people about the successes over his first few weeks in office. One early highlight of the second Trump administration is the effort to maximize efficiency and productivity through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Led by Elon Musk, DOGE is cleaning up government waste and bureaucracy that has wasted billions of dollars and thousands of hours of manpower. Take the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), for example. Instead of fulfilling its mission to help the most vulnerable, our taxpayer dollars were used to promote DEI in Serbia and promote transgender operas in Columbia.

Additionally, President Trump issued an order dismantling the Federal Executive Institute, which was designed to train bureaucrats in leadership. As a way to ensure that these massive cuts stay in place, DOGE ensures that agencies hire just one new employee for every four departing employees. As part of the administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce, around 75,000 federal employees have taken a buyout offer and will be cut off from all federal control access, in addition to the over 12,000 federal employees who have been fired.

In all, DOGE has saved Americans a reported $48.3 billion. Remember, it’s not just about saving the American taxpayer money — the American people are thrilled that we are no longer funding radical pet projects. As a mom of three boys, I know that parents want nothing more than to give our children a better life than we had ourselves.