Profile in Courage: Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyoming)

The national debt is soaring to scary new heights. There’s now more than $36 trillion on the national credit card. Annual interest payments on the debt are approaching $1 trillion — nearing the size of giant entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare — and are set to skyrocket over the next ten years. Unfortunately, the current crop of politicians doesn’t seem up to the task of dealing with this colossal issue. They would be wise to heed the advice of former lawmakers such as Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyoming), who sadly recently passed away. The late great Senator devoted his career to bringing fiscal accountability back to Washington, D.C. and sounding the alarm on a reckless spending culture. Simpson’s goal was never to seek the media spotlight; he just wanted an efficient and responsible government. For being a flicker of light in a dark and derelict culture of deficit spending, Sen. Simpson is absolutely a Profile in Courage. Simpson was born into a family primed for public
service. His father, Milward Simpson, served as both the governor of Wyoming and a U.S. Senator, and was a stalwart advocate for abolishing racial segregation in Wyoming. Alan followed his father’s footsteps into state politics, serving as majority whip, majority floor leader, and speaker pro tempore during his 13 years in the Wyoming House of Representatives. In 1978, he successfully took a shot at a U.S. Senate seat, decisively defeating former Natrona County Prosecuting Attorney Raymond B. Whitaker.

Simpson’s career in the Senate spanned the Reagan Revolution and the 1990s “Contract with America.” Simpson was not only a key supporter of President Reagan’s tax reform initiatives, but also pushed the envelope on reforms to make the sprawling bureaucracy small and honest. For example, Simpson introduced legislation (S. 1769) in the 100th Congress to establish an office of Inspector General (IG) in the opaque Nuclear Regulatory Commission and pushed the IG of the General Services Administration to audit real estate deals. These pushes for accountability and transparency weren’t exactly photo-op material, but they showed Sen. Simpson’s constituents that their elected leadership cared about them. Sen. Simpson wasn’t afraid to put his country and constituents before the letter next to his name. When then-President Bill Clinton announced his intention to trim the size of the federal workforce, Sen. Simpson obliged by offering legislation empowering agencies to offer buyouts to employees.
Despite these accomplishments, Sen. Simpson’s legacy was cemented after the end of his lawmaking days. In 2010, then-President Barack Obama appointed Simpson as co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, alongside former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. The bipartisan commission, often referred to as the Simpson-Bowles Commission, was tasked with tackling the nation’s soaring debt. Simpson and Bowles put their heads together and came up with a comprehensive plan to reduce the deficit by an astounding $4 trillion over the next ten years. Political resistance was predictably fierce, and politicos were not pleased that Simpson called Social Security "a milk cow with 310 million [udders].” Slowing down Social Security benefit growth and raising the program’s retirement age was a brave proposal from Simpson and Bowles, even if rejected by the left’s policy apparatus. The bipartisan duo also suggested reducing Medicare and Medicaid provider
payments, limiting farm subsidies, scaling back higher education subsidies, and even cutting Pentagon waste.

Lawmakers rejected the commission’s proposals, and trillion-dollar deficits ultimately won the day. But, Simpson and Bowles showed that compromise is possible on the biggest problem of the day. If the Department of Government Efficiency, Republicans, and Democrats have the heart to come together and (finally) tackle the deficit, they could start by dusting off the old Simpson-Bowles recommendations. Sen. Simpson was far from perfect. He had a misguided focus on “campaign finance reform” that would make it difficult for true outsiders to have a shot in politics and outlaw anonymous advocacy. He was also far too quick to dismiss earmark reform. But, the late lawmaker deserves plenty of praise for fighting for spending reform and accountability when it wasn’t “cool” to do it. For trying his very best to keep Washington honest and look out for taxpayers, Alan Simpson was a Profile in Courage.


A Somber 20-Year Anniversary

The World Health Organization marked an anniversary in late February: “Celebrating 20 years” of its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) treaty. As the first-ever global health treaty, the FCTC, to which 183 countries are parties, promised a revolution in tackling the harms of smoking. Yet, two decades on, the WHO, which guides implementation of the FCTC, bears substantial responsibility for vast numbers of people continuing to smoke. Despite grand ambitions, the treaty has failed to achieve its stated goals and, in many respects, has done more harm than good. Since its implementation in 2005, the FCTC’s track record has been abysmal. Smoking prevalence, as a percentage of the world’s population, has declined—but not nearly as fast as it should have done. The absolute numbers are flat, at best, with the WHO reporting 1.3 billion tobacco users worldwide.
Small wonder that a press release from one of the WHO’s regional offices, its title crediting the FCTC with “saving millions of lives,” instead touts the number of people now living under tobacco control policies as its main metric of success.

Studies published in esteemed journals such as the British Medical Journal and the Lancet have criticized the treaty for its lack of impact, particularly in lower-income countries, where smoking rates remain stubbornly high. Central to the FCTC’s failure is its departure from its original mission. The treaty was meant to reduce the “consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.” Its text even acknowledges, in theory, that harm reduction has a role to play. However, instead of focusing on reducing smoking-related harms, the WHO and its associated bodies have prioritized targeting nicotine, which is not the direct cause of major smoking-related harms. This has detracted from efforts to address the real issue, and reflects WHO policies now more rooted in dogma than in evidence-based public health.

This blinkered approach is exemplified by the way it has wielded Article 5.3 of the treaty. The provision was initially intended as a conflict-of-interest safeguard to prevent undue tobacco-industry influence. However, it has since been used as a justification for stifling debate, barring critical stakeholders—including harm reduction advocates, independent researchers, and consumers—from discussions on tobacco control. The WHO’s FCTC Secretariat has exploited Article 5.3 to shut out voices that challenge its preferred narrative.
Experts with even the most tenuous, second-hand relationships with nicotine industry funding—or with no such relationships at all—are shunned, regardless of the validity of their evidence or experiences. The WHO’s FCTC Secretariat, along with various member states and allied NGOs like the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control, have exploited Article 5.3 to shut out any voices that challenge their preferred narrative. As a result, the treaty’s decision-making processes have become increasingly secretive. Conferences of the Parties (COP) meetings, where global tobacco control policies are discussed, are held behind closed doors. The public and media are routinely denied access, ensuring that discussions happen without scrutiny. This lack of transparency contradicts fundamental principles of good governance and raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of the policies being pursued.

By far the most damaging failure of the FCTC has been its outright rejection of innovative harm reduction strategies. Despite mounting evidence that safer nicotine products help people quit smoking, the WHO remains entrenched in its opposition. Millions of people who smoke have been denied or dissuaded from options that could save their lives.

A 2016 report from the WHO actually acknowledged the potential of non-combustible nicotine products in reducing smoking rates. Yet, instead of embracing this opportunity, the agency has doubled down on its hostility. Instead of endorsing safer nicotine alternatives—such as vapes, nicotine pouches, and heat-not-burn technology—the WHO has continued to wage an ideological war against them. As a result, hundreds of millions of people who smoke, and who are unable or unwilling to quit nicotine, have been denied or dissuaded from options that could save their lives. The WHO’s anti-health stance reached a nadir in June 2024 when it posted that vapes are “designed to kill.” This statement is not just false; it is dangerously irresponsible. Decades of research have shown that vaping is exponentially less harmful than smoking, and many millions of people worldwide credit vapes with helping them quit combustible tobacco for good. The WHO’s rhetoric actively discourages people from making the switch,
leaving them at greater risk of disease and death.

As the FCTC marks its 20th anniversary, the messaging continues to reveal a deep-rooted unwillingness to adapt. In its celebratory statements, the WHO speaks of “addressing the challenges brought by new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products” rather than seizing the clear opportunity they represent. The result is a global tobacco control strategy that is outdated, ineffective and counterproductive. The world needs a new approach—one that is fit for the next 20 years and beyond. The FCTC (as it stands) has proven inadequate. Instead of continuing on this failing path, global health authorities must recognize the potential of harm reduction and modernize their strategies accordingly. Countries that have done so have seen some extraordinary results. The WHO should take note and follow suit. As people who use nicotine—and the global taxpayers who ultimately fund the WHO—reflect on 20 years of the FCTC, they should know that its legacy is one of missed opportunities and distorted priorities.
To dramatically reduce the global burden of smoking-related disease, the WHO must abandon its ideological opposition to harm reduction and embrace policies that reflect the realities of modern science. Until then, there is little worth celebrating.

BLOGS:

Monday: It’s About Time: DOGE Teams up with Postal Service ([link removed])

Tuesday: TPA Signs Coalition Letter Urging FCC to Dismiss 60 Minutes Complaint ([link removed])

Wednesday: Taxpayer Watchdog Praises Congressional Efforts to Rein In Unaccountable Agency ([link removed])

Thursday: March State Bill of the Month– Texas S.B. 1592 ([link removed])

Friday: Profile in Courage: Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyoming) ([link removed])



Media:

March 21, 2025: The New York Sun (New York, N.Y.) mentioned TPA in their article, "Pro-Trump Groups Urge FCC To Drop CBS Kamala Harris Probe Warning the ‘Future of Conservative Media’ Is at Stake."

March 21, 2025: KNBS-FM (St. Louis, Missouri) interviewed me for their segment about wasteful government spending.

March 21, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) quoted me in their piece on Maryland's state debt and new gaming council commissioners.

March 21, 2025: Broadband Breakfast ran TPA's op-ed, "Texas Tells NTIA to Loosen BEAD Barriers to Deployment."

March 21, 2025: NewsMax mentioned TPA in their article, "Conservative Groups Urge FCC to End Harris Interview Probe."

March 21, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) quoted me in their article, "Maryland debates costly wildlife crossings as budget concerns loom."

March 21, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) quoted me in their segment on Maryland's spending on roads and bridges.

March 21, 2025: The American Spectator ran TPA's op-ed, "Postal Service-run Census Would be a Costly Mistake."

March 22, 2025: The Blaze ran TPA's op-ed, "The Postal Service is bleeding cash, but the DOGE can stop the hemorrhaging."

March 22, 2025: WJLA (Arlington, Va.) quoted me in their article, "Maryland debates costly wildlife crossings as budget concerns loom."

March 22, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) quoted in their segment on Maryland's finances.

March 23, 2025: Florida Daily (Fleming Island, Florida) ran my op-ed, "In an Obscure Power Grab, a Parting Policy from Biden Robs Prescriptions from Patients."

March 26, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me about the extra costs and importance of rebuilding the Key Bridge in Baltimore for the sake of Maryland's economy.

March 24, 2025: Media Confidential mentioned TPA in their article, "Conservative Groups Want FCC To Drop CBS Probe."

March 24, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me for their segment on Maryland's deficit.

March 24, 2025: KNBS-FM (St. Louis, Missouri) mentioned me and TPA in their piece on Congress and CR struggles.

March 24, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me on Maryland's deficit issues and new potential transportation spending.

March 24, 2025: Filter published TPA's op-ed, "After 20 Years of Its Tobacco Treaty, the WHO Has Little to Celebrate."

March 24, 2025: The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Md.) quoted me in their article, "Maryland debates costly wildlife crossings as budget concerns loom."

March 24, 2025: States News Service mentioned TPA in their article, "Lee Introduces the Saving Privacy Act for 119th Congress."

March 24, 2025: CPA Practice Advisor mentioned TPA in their article, "An Idea That Never Quite Disappears: Taxing Wealth."

March 24, 2025: MSNBC mentioned TPA in their article, "Some conservative groups think Trump's FCC chairman is going too far."

March 24, 2025: Yahoo!News quoted me in their article, "Federal agency that gave $6 million to Md. Museums, libraries fights Trump's cuts."

March 25, 2025: Inside Sources ran TPA's op-ed, "New York's Low-Cost Broadband Law May Harm Future Connectivity."

March 25, 2025: Floridian Press (Florida) quoted me in their article, "Trump Administration Needs to Shut Down Biden's IRS Pass-Through Compliance Unit for Good."

March 25, 2025: The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Md.) quoted me in their article, "Agency that gave $6M to Md. Museums, libraries fights cuts."

March 25, 2025: MarketScreener mentioned TPA in their article, "CBS urges FCC to quickly reject complaint over '60 Minutes' Harris interview."

March 25, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me to discuss phantom spending cuts in Maryland.

March 25, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) quoted me in their article, "Maryland's budget wors spark comparisons with thrifty neighbors Pennsylvania and Virginia."

March 25, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) quoted me in their segment on Maryland's budget.

March 26, 2025: InsideSources ran TPA's op-ed, "The EPIC Act Can Protect Consumers."

March 26, 2025: KNRS Radio (Salt Lake City, Utah) interviewed TPA's Ross Marchand on the state of the U.S. Postal Service.

March 26, 2025: Issues & Insights ran TPA’s op-ed, "President Trump's Promising Push To Deregulate Plastics."

March 27, 2025: RealClear Markets ran TPA's op-ed, "End of An Error at the Federal Trade Commission."

March 27, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) quoted me in their article, "Waste Watch: Has Maryland been as efficient as Gov. Wes Moore claims it has?"

March 27, 2025: WBOB-AM (Jacksonville, Fla.) interviewed me about tax reform and DOGE.

March 27, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me for their segment about spending cuts in Maryland.

Have a great weekend!

Best,

David Williams
President
Taxpayers Protection Alliance
1101 14th Street, NW
Suite 500
Washington, D.C. xxxxxx

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