Profile in Courage: Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.)
 
In a hyper-partisan climate marred by endless taxes and regulations, it takes real guts to call out bank-breaking policies pushed by one’s own side. Fortunately, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) has repeatedly shown that he’s willing to speak out plainly — and bravely — against policies that burden American families and endanger the global free trade system. His outspoken criticism of tariffs as re-packaged taxes has given political cover to other sensible Republicans. Sadly, many others in his party are eager to wish away the many costs of protectionism. For standing up for taxpayers and consumers and pushing back against policies that rob Americans blind, Rep. Bacon is undeniably a Profile in Courage. Bacon’s life story is a testament to perseverance and service. Raised on his family’s farm in Illinois, Bacon learned first-hand the value of a hard day’s work. He worked his way through school, ultimately graduating from Northern Illinois University and embarking on a 29-year career in the U.S. Air Force. Rising to the rank of brigadier general, Bacon served with distinction in Iraq — as part of his four deployments to the Middle East. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his brave and exemplary work. His military career gave him a deep appreciation for sacrifice, discipline, and public duty — values that continue to guide his work in Congress. Since his election to represent Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District in 2016, Bacon hasn’t been afraid to take bold positions that challenge his party’s orthodoxy. Most recently and notably, he’s called out tariffs for what they really are: taxes on American families and businesses. This simple truth has unfortunately been lost on President Trump, who called tariffs “the most beautiful word” in the dictionary and cratered the stock market in a quest to blanket the world in import taxes. 
 
Many Republicans have embraced tariffs as a negotiating tactic, revenue source, moral imperative, or a confusing combination of these. However, Rep. Bacon has consistently highlighted the absurdity of the current “tariff first, ask questions later” approach. He rightly notes, “We’re charging countries tariffs now that had zero tariffs against us. Like Israel, for example. And we’re just going after Canada, who has been complying with the trade agreement that we have with them.” While the White House bizarrely claims that “[t]ariffs are a tax cut for the American people,” Bacon and a few other brave GOP hold-outs recognize that tariffs are taxes by any other name.  According to an analysis by the Yale Budget Lab, households would have to pay $3,800 per year in higher costs if all of President Trump’s proposed tariffs went into effect. It’s little wonder that the administration is trying to backtrack any way that it can. But, Rep. Bacon is not waiting for President Trump to see the light. Along with Reps. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), and Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Rep. Bacon introduced the “Trade Review Act of 2025” to establish a Congressional review process for new or increased tariffs proposed by the President.
 
Nonetheless, Rep. Bacon’s time in Congress reflects a commitment to decency, pragmatism, and protecting everyday Americans from Washington’s overreach. He has proven willing to buck party trends, especially when those trends threaten to saddle families with higher costs. That kind of independence and integrity is increasingly rare. For standing tall against tariffs, calling out economic gimmicks, and living out his values with consistency and humility, Don Bacon is most certainly a Profile in Courage.
 
 
On World IP Day, Empower Musicians and Healthcare Heroes
 
World Intellectual Property (IP) Day is the perfect time to celebrate human achievement and the rise of IP rights globally. The 2025 celebration on April 26 was themed “IP and music: Feel the beat of IP” and emphasizes the unique role that copyright protections play in creating lyrics and unique sounds. Without the modern and extensive body of copyright law, classic songs may never have existed and cherished films may never have been made. IP is more than just a bundle of laws, court cases and international agreements. These pivotal protections allow artists to follow their passions and continue to create.
From the start of the nation, IP rights have proven critical in fostering. Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the Constitution reads, “(The Congress shall have Power …) To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.”   IP protection in the medical and life science fields can be a matter of life or death. Intellectual property rights were essential in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine that saved countless lives in the United States and globally. 
 
Thanks to the power of IP, Pfizer and BioNTech developed and manufactured a COVID-19 vaccine in record time. Pfizer has a company initiative called IP Principles for Advancing Cures and Therapies, which lays out 10 founding principles focusing on the importance of IP related to the development of future cures. In part, it reads, “our success in inventing, developing and delivering medicines and vaccines to help patients live longer and healthier lives depends upon the continued adoption, effective functioning of, and support for the IP system. Its responsible use promotes scientific and technological progress for people, for healthcare systems and for society as a whole.” Unfortunately, the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare drug price “negotiation” provisions are a major threat to these laudable principles. The IRA allows Medicare to negotiate prices on specific drugs. However, given the significant clout and buying power of Medicare, the program’s suggested prices are far more than suggestions. “Negotiations” are little more than back-door price controls.
 
These harmful controls will almost certainly affect patent litigation and lead to far fewer companies developing lifesaving cures. Sure, drug manufacturers may still have IP rights on paper. However, without the ability to recoup the cost to bring these medications to market, rights are little more than a technicality. There is an invisible graveyard of patients who have never received a lifesaving cure due to the deadly duo of price controls and limited IP protections.
 
The human cost of the IRA is challenging to calculate and may be indeterminable. However, many companies have reacted similarly, retreating from research and development.  In November 2022, Eli Lilly halted the development of a $40 million cancer drug, and the IRA was a reason it shuttered the medication. A November–December 2022 survey from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America indicated that 78 percent of its member companies expect to cancel some of their early stage development projects, and 63 percent expect to shift R&D investment focus away from small molecules. According to the USC report, this isn’t only an American problem. These unfortunate trends mirrored decreased investment in drug innovation in Europe. Patients pay the ultimate price when IP rights are not protected and when innovation is delayed or stopped. IP rights had a role in the creation of everything from the latest music hit to the newest awe-inspiring superhero on the silver screen. These protections have also given patients hope that their ailment is one discovery away from treatability. This World IP Day, policymakers would be wise to keep that in mind.

BLOGS:

Monday: 20 Years Later, WHO’s Tobacco Control Framework Draws Criticism, Not Celebration

Tuesday: The World Health Organization Has Failed the World on Tobacco Harm Reduction

Wednesday: April Federal Bill of the Month – H.R. 2918 – Family Business Legacy Act of 2025 and State Bill of the Month – April 2025: Missouri H.B. 116

Thursday: Profile in Courage: Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) 

Friday: TPA Demands Action: Stop IRS Overreach and Restore Taxpayer Protections

Media:
 
April 17, 2025: News and Sentinel (Parkersburg, W.V.) quoted TPA in their article, “AP sources: Trump administration plans to end the IRS Direct File program for free tax filing.”

April 17, 2025: The Post and Courier (Charleston, S.C.) and 10 other outlets quoted me in their article, “Trump administration plans to end free tax-filing service, AP sources say.”

April 17, 2025: SN1CLA/Spectrum News LA (Los Angeles, Calif.) mentioned TPA in their segment on the end of IRS’s Direct File program.

April 17, 2025: International Business Times quoted TPA in their article, “Trump Admin Plans To Shut Down Free IRS Direct File Tax Program: Report.”

April 17, 2025: Outside the Beltway quoted TPA in their article, “Trump Kills Free Tax Filing Program.”

April 17, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me for their segment on public transportation projects.

April 17, 2025: Regional Media News and 9 other outlets quoted me in their article, “Small businesses, banks: Texas GOP following failed Illinois swipe fee policy.”

April 17, 2025: Michigan Live (Detroit, Mich.) and 8 other outlets quoted me in their article, “Trump planning to end free tax filing service that started under Biden.” 

April 17, 2025: Jefferson City News Tribune (Jefferson City, Mo.) quoted me in their article, “Trump administration plans to end IRS Direct File program for free filing.”

April 17, 2025: FOX 5 New York (New York, N.Y.) quoted me in their article, “Report: Trump to end IRS Direct File program for free tax filing.”

April 17, 2025: The Accountant Online (United Kingdom) mentioned TPA in their article, “Trump administration plans to scrap IRS Direct File programme.”

April 17, 2025: I Heart Radio and 85 other outlets quoted me in their article, “IRS To Eliminate Free Direct Tax Filing Program: Report.” 

April 17, 2025: Yahoo!Finance and 6 other outlets quoted me in their article, “Trump administration plans to scrap IRS Direct File program.”

April 17, 2025: The New York Post (New York, N.Y.) and 4 other outlets mentioned TPA in their article, “Trump administration plans to end IRS free tax filing program: sources.”

April 17, 2025: Wonderwall.com mentioned TPA in their article, “Trump to Pull Plug on Free Tax Filing Program.”

April 18, 2025: MSN News mentioned TPA in their article, “IRS Direct File Program Faces Shutdown Under Trump Administration.” 

April 18, 2025: Thomson Reuters Tax & Accounting mentioned TPA in their article, “Pushback Against Trump Plan to End IRS Direct File.”

April 18, 2025: RealClearMarkets ran TPA’s op-ed, “This Tax Day, Congress Should Avoid Tax Gimmicks.”

April 18, 2025: WBFF FOX45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) quoted me in their article, “Maryland's government efficiency initiative faces scrutiny as progress seems stalled.”

April 19, 2025: WZTA Radio (West Palm Beach, Fla.) mentioned TPA while talking about free markets.

April 19, 2025: KWEL-AM Radio (Odessa, Texas) interviewed TPA Research Director David McGarry about trade wars.

April 19, 2025: The Daily Star (Hammond, La.) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Tax hikes loom; Congress must act to save the TCJA.”

April 20, 2025: Impact News Service (India) mentioned TPA in their article, “Steube Introduces Family Business Legacy Act.”

April 20, 2025: The Lone Star Standard (Texas) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Texas’s Age Verification Proposal is Unconstitutional and Will Harm Texan Families.”

April 21, 2025: The Daily Reporter (Columbus, Ohio) quoted TPA in their article, “Trump to end IRS Direct File program.”

April 21, 2025: WBFF Fox45 Baltimore (Baltimore, MD) quoted TPA in their article, “Waste Watch: Hiring up, enrollment down in Baltimore City Public School System.”

April 21, 2025: WBFF Fox45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me for their segment on school finances in Baltimore and Maryland.

April 21, 2025: The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Md.) ran TPA’s op-ed, “The data doesn’t support a crackdown on sports betting.”

April 21, 2025: Golf Week mentioned TPA in their article, “’60 Minutes’ producer Bill Owens steps down amid FCC investigation of CBS.”

April 22, 2025: RealClearMarkets ran TPA’s op-ed, “Don’t Forget Europe’s Regulatory War on US Tech.”

April 22, 2025: The Well News ran TPA’s op-ed, “The USPS Can’t Stamp Out Its Problems With Higher Prices.”

April 22, 2025: 55 WKRC Radio (Cincinnati, Ohio) interviewed me for their segment on federal fiscal responsibility.

April 22, 2025: Climate Science Policy Watch mentioned TPA in their article, “Groups Urge Senate to Overhaul of Outdated Contractor Whistleblower Law.”

April 22, 2025: Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) and 5 other outlets quoted me in their article, “Trump will reportedly shut off IRS Direct File.”

April 22, 2025: The Independent (United Kingdom) and 8 other outlets mentioned TPA in their article, “This could be the last year you filed your taxes for free.”

April 22, 2025: CBS News mentioned TPA in their article, “Direct File, which save taxpayers money, may be shut down. Here's why.”

April 22, 2025: MassLive (Springfield, Mass.) quoted me in their article, “Mass. Sen. Warren, 175 Congressional Dems call on Trump not to shutter free tax-filing service.”

April 22, 2025: The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Md.) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Let the free market decide whether wind power is viable.”

April 22, 2025: Colorado Springs Gazette (Colorado Springs, Col.) and 11 other outlets mentioned TPA in their article, “CBS '60 Minutes' top producer Owens to step down, cites editorial concerns.”

April 22, 2025: CBS Detroit (Southfield, Mich.) mentioned TPA in their article, “The IRS free tax-filing program Direct File saved users $160 each. Now it may come to an end.”

April 23, 2025: Flow mentioned TPA in their article, “Silicon Valley’s Human Shields Gerald Sim / Florida Atlantic University.”

April 23, 2025: Issues & Insights ran TPA’s op-ed, “FOIA Under Attack: Government Keeping Way Too Many Secrets.”

April 23, 2025: Inside Sources ran TPA’s op-ed, “On World IP Day, Empower Musicians and Healthcare Heroes.”

April 24, 2025: Capital Gazette (Annapolis, Md.) and 2 other outlets quoted me in their article, “Education Dept. collection of student loans in default worries Maryland grads, appeases others.”

April 26, 2025: KFTK FM Fox News Radio (St. Louis, Mo.) mentioned TPA in their segment on IRS Direct File.

April 26, 2025: Florida Daily (Fleming Island, FL) ran TPA’s op-ed, “New Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Marijuana Rescheduling.” 

April 27, 2025: WBFF Fox45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me for their segment on the cleanliness of Baltimore.

April 28, 2025: WBFF Fox45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) mentioned me in their article, “The long-term impact of Mayor Brandon Scott's support in reducing property taxes.”

April 28, 2025: WBFF Fox45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me for their segment on property taxes in Baltimore.

April 28, 2025: The Associated Press and 85 other outlets ran TPA’s press release, “20 Years Later, WHO’s Tobacco Control Framework Draws Criticism, Not Celebration.”

April 28, 2025: WUSA9 (Washington, D.C.) mentioned TPA in their article, “Not everyone cheers proposed Commanders return to RFK Stadium.”

April 28, 2025: Tax Notes International mentioned TPA in their article, “Repeal Chemical Excise Tax, Advocacy Groups Say.”

April 28, 2025: WBFF Fox45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) quoted TPA in their segment on property taxes in Maryland.

April 29, 2025: AdnKronos (Italy) and 11 other outlets mentioned TPA in their article, “Fumo, esperti: "Puntare su riduzione del danno, non su proibizioni". 

April 29, 2025: Washington Examiner (Washington, D.C.) and 3 other outlets mentioned TPA in their article, “Pence’s advocacy group slams Trump tariffs and calls on Congress to ‘reclaim’ legislative authority.”

April 29, 2025: WBFF Fox45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) quoted me in their segment on taxes in Maryland.

April 29, 2025: The Missouri Times (Jefferson City, Mo.) mentioned TPA in their article, “Conservative Organizations Voice Support for HB 544.”

April 29, 2025: Tobacco Reporter mentioned TPA in their article, “FCTC Deserves Criticism, Not Celebration, Says TPA.”

April 30, 2025: States News Service mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

April 30, 2025: States News Service mentioned TPA in their story, “WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD ENFORCEMENT ACT CRITICAL TO PROSECUTING CRIMINALS, RECOUPING TAX DOLLARS, PROTECTING SMALL BUSINESSES.”

April 30, 2025: USTimesGazette.com mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

April 30, 2025: State of the Union News mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

April 30, 2025: The America Watch mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

April 30, 2025: EIN Presswire mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

April 30, 2025: SmallBusinessNewsToday.com mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

April 30, 2025: YellowHammer News (Alabama) quoted TPA in their story, “Alabama lawmakers on verge of passing pro-health tobacco tax structure.”

April 30, 2025: States News Service mentioned TPA in their article, “STEUBE INTRODUCES FAMILY BUSINESS LEGACY ACT.”

May 1, 2025: Targeted News Service mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

May 1, 2025: American Times Reporter mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

May 1, 2025: US Fed News mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

May 1, 2025: American Business Times mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

May 1, 2025: American News Observer.com mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

May 1, 2025: 50StatesToday.com mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

May 1, 2025: NorthAmericaToday.com mentioned TPA in their story, “Markup Wrap Up: Committee Advances Budget Legislation to Implement President Trump's Agenda, Save Taxpayers Billions.”

May 1, 2025:  WBFF Fox45 Baltimore (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me about Trump’s first 100 days.

May 1, 2025:  I appeared WBOB Radio (Jacksonville, Fa.) to talk about tariffs and the economy.
 

Have a great weekend!



Best,

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