Articles Published 15th April 2025
Ensuring National Security and Economic Resilience Through Section 232 Actions on Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products
President Trump's order initiates a Section 232 investigation into the national security risks posed by the United States' reliance on foreign sources for processed critical minerals and their derivative products.
The investigation will assess supply chain vulnerabilities, market distortions caused by foreign producers, and the impact on the domestic manufacturing and defense industrial bases.
Recommendations may include tariffs, import restrictions, and measures to incentivize domestic production to bolster national security and economic resilience.
Restoring Common Sense to Federal Office Space Management
This presidential order revokes Executive Orders 12072 and 13006, which previously mandated that federal agencies prioritize central business districts when selecting office space.
The rationale is that these previous orders hampered cost-effectiveness and efficient government operations.
The new order aims to restore common sense to federal office space management by allowing agencies to choose cost-effective facilities, thereby improving taxpayer value and prioritizing mission success.
The Administrator of General Services is tasked with updating related regulations to reflect this change.
Ensuring National Security and Economic Resilience Through Section 232 Actions on Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products
President Trump issued an executive order initiating a Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of US dependence on foreign sources for processed critical minerals and their derivative products.
The order emphasizes the importance of these materials for both national defense and economic security, citing vulnerabilities in global supply chains and the potential for market manipulation by foreign producers.
The investigation will assess the impact of imports on national security and recommend actions, including the possibility of tariffs and other import restrictions, to mitigate risks and strengthen domestic production.
Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First
President Trump's executive order aims to significantly lower prescription drug prices for Americans.
The order criticizes the Inflation Reduction Act for insufficient savings and negative impacts on seniors' healthcare coverage.
To address this, the order directs various federal agencies to take actions like reforming Medicare drug price negotiations, stabilizing Part D premiums, and better controlling middleman prescription drug markups.
It also seeks to increase competition by accelerating generic drug approvals and streamlining drug importation.
This executive order aims to reform the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to create a more efficient and effective government procurement system.
The order addresses the FAR's excessive length and complexity, which negatively impact efficiency and cost, citing reports from the Senate and expert panels.
It mandates a review and amendment of the FAR within 180 days, focusing on retaining only essential provisions.
Further, the order requires agencies to align their supplemental regulations and promotes the use of expedited acquisition methods while implementing a four-year regulatory sunset provision to ensure ongoing review of regulations.
Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits
This presidential memorandum tackles the issue of illegal aliens obtaining Social Security Act benefits.
It directs several agencies, including the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, to implement measures to ensure only eligible individuals receive benefits.
Key actions include promulgating guidance to prevent improper payments, strengthening fraud prosecution efforts via Special Assistant United States Attorneys, and improving data management to identify deceased beneficiaries.
The memorandum emphasizes compliance with applicable law and the importance of preventing fraud, waste, and abuse.
Updating Permitting Technology for the 21st Century
This Presidential memorandum addresses inefficiencies in the environmental permitting process for infrastructure projects.
It mandates the modernization of technology used for environmental review and permitting, setting deadlines for the creation of a comprehensive action plan, a dedicated innovation center, and the adoption of new data and technology standards across involved agencies.
The goal is to accelerate project approval times while maintaining review quality and transparency.