Sheehy Introduces the Use Sovereignty to Reduce Rx Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 5, 2025 Sheehy Introduces the Use Sovereignty to Reduce Rx Actce U.S. SENATE – Senator Tim Sheehy today introduced the Use Sovereignty to Reduce Rx Act (USTRx Act) , a bill to combat unfair, foreign pharmaceutical price controls that force the American people to shoulder the cost of developing lifesaving drugs while other countries reap the benefits. “America leads the world in developing lifesaving medicines, but for too long, foreign governments have gamed the system with price controls that force hardworking Americans to pick up the tab for these drugs. That’s not free trade – it’s freeloading. The USTRx Act will hold trading partners accountable, protect American innovation, and put our patients and taxpayers first,” said Senator Sheehy. The United States has subsidized foreign drug prices through the export of pills and biologics fully funded by U.S. research. Foreign countries have then imposed strict price control regimes that transfer the bulk of the cost of research and development to American consumers. A recent Special 301 report from USTR confirmed several foreign governments, including Germany and Japan, continue to use unfair policies to suppress pharmaceutical prices below fair market value and arbitrarily limit access to these lifesaving products. On June 18, 2026, USTR opened a Section 301 Investigation against Germany to determine whether persistent underpayment for innovative pharmaceutical products by Germany is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce. The USTRx Act establishes a Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), increases oversight of foreign drug pricing policies, and equips the United States with tools to hold countries accountable for suppressing the value of American pharmaceutical innovation. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) joined Senator Sheehy in introducing the bill. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Jody Arrington (R-Texas). Background: The USTRx Act directs the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to: Establish the position of Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator at USTR. The position would identify foreign price controls on drugs innovated in the U.S. Compile and release an annual report to Congress on the policies and practices of high-income countries relating to the trade of pharmaceutical products Submit to the Committee on Ways and Means in the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance in the Senate a plan to respond to the policies and practices of high-income countries, which may include initiating an investigation under title III of the Trade Act of 1974 Read the full text of the bill HERE . ### Contact: Tate Mitchell , Martha Mills