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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Victoria's Voice Foundation Marks National Naloxone Awareness Day on June 6 with Special Event on Capitol Hill
Annual Awareness Day Focusing Attention on the Drug Crisis and Importance of Lifesaving Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications was Launched by Victoria's Voice with Support from a Bipartisan Congressional Resolution Over 140 Iconic Buildings and Landmarks Nationwide to Shine Purple in Recognition of Awareness Day WASHINGTON, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Victoria's Voice Foundation marked National Naloxone Awareness Day on June 6 with a special event on Capitol Hill, bringing together families affected by the opioid crisis, advocates, lawmakers, law enforcement and other first responders. The awareness day is a vital time to heighten awareness of the risks of opioid overdoses and the urgency of expanding access to and the use of lifesaving overdose reversal medicines. It was launched in 2023 by Victoria's Voice Foundation with support from a bipartisan congressional resolution recognizing the awareness day annually. Naloxone, commonly sold over the counter under the brand name NARCAN® Nasal Spray, is a critical tool in preventing fatal opioid overdoses – and is credited with helping drive the recent 27% decline in U.S. drug overdose deaths. Naloxone nasal spray helps restore normal breathing in a person experiencing an opioid overdose. It is safe, easy to administer and non-addictive – and designed for use by bystanders and first responders alike. This is crucial because nearly 40% of fatal overdoses occur in the presence of someone else, according to the CDC. "We must continue to expand naloxone awareness, access and use so we can save as many lives as possible from opioid overdose," said Jackie Siegel, who co-founded Victoria's Voice with her late husband, David, after losing their daughter, Victoria, 18, to an accidental drug overdose on June 6, 2015. On the day she died, Victoria had a pulse when first responders arrived and found her unresponsive, but they were not equipped with naloxone, and Victoria became another statistic. Jackie added: "I am deeply grateful to the members of the U.S. Senate who introduced a bipartisan resolution declaring June 6 as National Naloxone Awareness Day – and to all those on the front lines of the crisis. While today is especially bittersweet as we mark 10 years since Victoria's passing, I find comfort and strength in knowing that her legacy is that because of her death, many more people will live." Victoria's Voice is dedicated to drug awareness and prevention and saving lives from overdose. Since its founding, Victoria's Voice has positively impacted over 1.5 million children and parents through its education programs. Additionally, David Siegel was at the forefront of the efforts to increase naloxone access and use – especially among law enforcement in Florida and nationwide – and inform about its lifesaving power. The 2025 federal resolution was introduced by U.S. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jim Justice (R-WV), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), James Lankford (R-OK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Angus King (I-ME) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA). Speakers at yesterday's resolution ceremony in the Hart Senate Office Building included Jackie Siegel, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), and Seminole County (FL) Sheriff Dennis Lemma, a statewide and national leader on responding to and preventing overdoses, and a Victoria's Voice board member. Other speakers included Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fl), Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), Virginia First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin, and Sir Edwards, Mayor-President of Baton Rouge (LA). "It is a privilege to join Victoria's Voice Foundation in recognizing National Naloxone Day and honor the life of Victoria, a young life lost to the devastating opioid epidemic. It is every parent's worst nightmare to lose their child, and it is remarkable to see how the Siegel family has turned their grief into a mission to educate others about the dangers of the opioid crisis so other families don't experience this same heartbreak," said Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL). Scott added: "This year was also the first Naloxone Awareness Day since the passing of my friend and Victoria's Voice founder, David Seigel. Ann and I were honored to donate a portion of my Senate salary to Victoria's Voice to support its cause and pay tribute to David's incredible work and legacy. I am proud to work with the foundation to raise awareness on the crisis and life-saving tool of Naloxone, which is critical in our fight to stop loss of life from opioids." "In every state, there are families, friends, and neighbors who are grieving the loss of a loved one to overdose. Naloxone can save lives but only if we get this lifesaving medication in people's hands. We need people to have access to naloxone, be able to afford it, and know how to use it," said Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). "I'm proud to join my colleagues in recognizing June 6 as Naloxone Awareness Day. This is an essential step in spreading awareness and giving communities the tools they need to save lives in the face of the opioid epidemic." National Naloxone Awareness Day is proudly sponsored by Emergent BioSolutions, the makers of NARCAN® Nasal Spray. "On National Naloxone Awareness Day, we have the opportunity to reinforce opioid emergency preparedness and make sure stakeholders across all sectors – from government officials to business leaders and local organizations – feel equipped with the tools they need to be ready to rescue not only today, but every day," stated Paul Williams, senior vice president, head of products business, global government & public affairs at Emergent. "We're proud of the work Victoria's Voice Foundation is doing year-round and we're honored to use this key moment in time to raise awareness and keep our communities safe together." In support of National Naloxone Awareness Day, over 140 iconic buildings, landmarks, bridges, monuments, parks, museums, city halls, downtown hubs and skylines nationwide will glow purple. From Niagara Falls, Baltimore's City Hall Dome, and the Kia Center in Victoria's Voice's Orlando hometown, to the Louisiana State Capitol, Chicago's 875 North Michigan Avenue and the Hawaii Convention Center, lights will be illuminated purple in a powerful display of awareness, unity and hope. Additionally, proclamations were issued by counties, cities and states including Orange County (FL), Baltimore, Kansas City, and the State of Illinois. For more information about National Naloxone Awareness Day, visit About Victoria's Voice Foundation David and Jackie Siegel established Victoria's Voice Foundation after losing their 18-year-old daughter to an accidental drug overdose on June 6, 2015. Victoria's Voice is dedicated to providing support and resources to families affected by substance use. Since its founding, Victoria's Voice has positively impacted over 1.5 million parents and children through its education programs. For more information, visit or @victoriasvoicefoundation. #VictoriasVoiceFoundation #GetGiveSave. About NARCAN® Nasal SprayNARCAN® Naloxone HC1 Nasal Spray 4 mg is the first FDA-approved, over-the-counter (OTC) 4 mg naloxone product for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. NARCAN® Nasal Spray is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Repeat dosing may be necessary. Use as directed. View original content: SOURCE Victoria's Voice Foundation Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Newsweek
16-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
GOP Rep: Trump Tariffs Will Save Social Security
For too long, America has watched as factories shut their doors, jobs moved overseas, and foreign competitors flooded our markets with cheap goods while our workers paid the price. But now, we have a historic opportunity to reverse course and finally put American workers first—and it starts with President Donald Trump's bold tariff policy. The very critics who pushed to ship our jobs overseas will say tariffs raise prices or cause short-term pain. But here's the truth they won't tell you: the long-term cost of doing nothing is far greater. We've lost millions of jobs to China, we've hollowed out our industrial base, and we've become dangerously reliant on foreign supply chains—a fact that became shockingly obvious during the COVID pandemic. For decades, other countries have produced goods America should produce for itself, but the dependence stops now. President Trump understands that, when used wisely, tariffs can level the playing field, protect American industries from unfair competition, incentivize U.S. manufacturing, and ultimately strengthen our national security. His tariff plan made it clear to the rest of the world that America is open for business. In a few short months, he is already bringing billions of dollars in new investments back to America. Manufacturing plants are restarting. Auto manufacturers are reinvesting. But President Trump's plan isn't just protecting American manufacturing; it's also safeguarding critical programs for our most vulnerable. For more than 80 years, Social Security has provided America's seniors and retirees with an important financial safety net. However, as our aging population continues to grow, the federal government will experience additional strains to provide this essential benefit, risking its future. If we're serious about securing the future of programs like Social Security and Medicare for generations to come, we need to start where the money comes from—jobs. WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 12: U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) reacts to the families sharing stories about their loved ones during a roundtable discussion with the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the Rayburn House Office... WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 12: U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) reacts to the families sharing stories about their loved ones during a roundtable discussion with the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on February 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. MoreManufacturing offers some of the best-paying jobs in America. These jobs support families, build communities, and contribute heavily to payroll taxes—the very taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare. Every time a factory reopens or expands, it creates a ripple effect: more people working means more people paying into Social Security, strengthening the program for our retirees, veterans, and those with disabilities. One of my top priorities in Congress has always been to protect Medicare and Social Security for today's seniors and for future generations. When the federal government created these programs, it made a commitment to America's seniors, and it's a commitment that must be upheld. The surest and most immediate way to strengthen these programs isn't by raising more taxes on the American people—it's by getting more Americans into the workforce, paying into the system. Rebuilding our industrial base isn't just an economic policy, therefore; it's a retirement security policy. Each job we bring back to the U.S. is a direct investment in the solvency of Social Security and the dignity of our aging population. Every Democrat crying with fake outrage about Social Security should be first in line to support President Trump's tariff plan. The math is simple—as more Americans get back to work, higher employment equals higher payroll tax receipts which Medicare and Social Security depend on. That means fewer threats of insolvency and more stability for those who've paid into the system their entire lives. Tariffs are not the problem. They are part of the solution. If we want a future where Social Security is solvent, American factories are humming, and good-paying jobs are within reach for every family, we need to double down on policies that put America first. Let's rebuild American manufacturing. Let's bring the jobs home. And let's protect Social Security for generations to come. Brian Mast, a Republican, is the U.S. representative for Florida's 21st Congressional District. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
New York Post
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
House axes vote on Israel boycott bill: ‘Bowed to extreme-right forces'
Republican House leaders axed a planned vote on Monday for a bill intended to protect Israel from boycotts, amid a backlash from some conservatives over free speech concerns. Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz compared the provisions in the legislation to the 10th biblical plague of Egypt: the death of the firstborn. Advertisement 'If this bill becomes law, how many Israeli products do I need in my home to avoid fines or prison?' Gaetz asked. 'If I leave an Israeli-made product outside my home, is it the 2025 version of lamb's blood that keeps my family safe?' The bipartisan bill, titled the International Governmental Organizations Anti-Boycott Act, would extend existing anti-boycott legislation that bars Americans from complying with bans imposed by foreign countries to also forbid compliance with boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations, like the United Nations. Former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks during a rally organized by conservative activists in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., April 27, 2025. REUTERS The legislation doesn't mention Israel explicitly, but the Jewish state has long been the target of international boycott efforts. Advertisement Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) were among Republicans to speak out against the bill. 'Americans have the right to boycott, and penalizing this risks free speech,' Luna wrote. 'I reject and vehemently condemn antisemitism, but I cannot violate the First Amendment.' A spokesman for Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), a co-sponsor of the bill, slammed the Republican leadership for caving to Greene, who speculated in 2018 that the Rothschilds might have caused wildfires in California by 'beaming the sun's energy back to earth.' Advertisement 'It's beyond outrageous and offensive that House leadership bowed to extreme-right forces and pulled this commonsense, bipartisan bill that makes antisemitic and hate-driven boycotts illegal,' Tony Wen, Gottheimer's communications director, told JNS. 'Who was behind this effort?' Wen said. 'None other than a member of Congress, who once claimed that Jews have space lasers, and another who refused to condemn Hamas. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie should be ashamed of themselves.' The bill's sponsor, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), defended the legislation on the grounds that the underlying anti-boycott act was signed into law by U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018. Lawler also criticized Greene for backing international governmental organizations. 'This is simply holding the United Nations accountable,' Lawler wrote. 'Was President Trump virtue signaling when he signed the original bill? And when did you become a defender of the United Nations?' Advertisement U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer delivers remarks at a press conference announcing new actions to support air safety for passengers and families at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on February 21, 2025. KYLE MAZZA/Shutterstock On Friday, the office of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) released a schedule of votes for Monday that included the bill, but the updated House schedule on Monday morning did not include it. (JNS sought comment from Scalise and Lawler.) Legal challenges arguing that similar state-level anti-boycott legislation violates the First Amendment have a poor record in court. In 2023, the Fifth, Eighth and 11th Circuit Courts of Appeals each upheld state laws designed to counter the anti-Israel boycott, divestment and sanctions movement in separate cases. The Supreme Court has declined to consider appeals to those rulings.
Forbes
09-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Game Changer Student Loan Bill Would Slash Interest Rates To 2%
A new bipartisan proposal in Congress aims to slash interest rates on federal student loans to just 2%, a dramatic drop from the 6% to 9% rates that most borrowers have today. The bill – officially titled the Affordable Loans for Students Act – was introduced in March 2025 by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) alongside Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL). This Republican-led effort to cap student loan interest rates at 2% marks a rare moment of bipartisanship on an issue often known for partisan divides. If enacted, the legislation would retroactively adjust interest rates on existing federal student loans to 2% and automatically refinance borrowers' loans to the new rate without requiring them to opt in. 'This is a game-changer for millions of Americans looking to build a better future without the weight of overwhelming student loan debt holding them back," said Lawler in a press release. "By adjusting the rate to 2% and doing this retroactively, we're giving borrowers the flexibility they need to pay off their debt without unnecessary obstacles, like the outrageous additional cost post-graduation that is now synonymous with quality education.' At a time of great uncertainty about federal student loans and student loan forgiveness, the bill may also point to potential solutions that could gain support across the political spectrum. While the bill would be a game-changer, its odds of passing are still quite uncertain. Under the Affordable Loans for Students Act, all federal student loans, including undergraduate, graduate, PLUS, and federal consolidation loans, would carry a 2% interest rate. Notably, this cap isn't just for new loans – it also applies retroactively to existing loan balances. That means current borrowers would see their interest rates on federal loans automatically lowered to 2%, significantly reducing future interest accrual. The Department of Education is authorized to automatically refinance and modify loans so borrowers don't have to navigate any paperwork to get the lower rate. Even borrowers with older federal loans not held by the Department could benefit: the bill allows those loans to be consolidated into Direct loans to access the 2% rate. Borrowers with multiple loans could consolidate them if needed to streamline the rate adjustment. In short, the legislation takes a comprehensive approach to ensure every federal student loan is capped at 2% interest, aiming to make student loan repayment more manageable for all borrowers. The bill's sponsors emphasize that this move could substantially cut costs for borrowers. For example, a borrower with $30,000 in federal student loans at a 6.5% interest rate today might pay around $345 per month on a standard 10-year plan, totaling roughly $41,000 paid over the life of the loan. If the interest rate were lowered to 2%, that monthly payment could drop to about $275-280, with a total repaid of around $33,000 – saving roughly $8,000 in interest over time. Those savings stay in borrowers' pockets, effectively making higher education debt less costly in the long run. 'High interest rates add years, sometimes even decades, to the time it takes for student loans to be paid off," said Luna. "This is unacceptable - the federal government should not be putting strain on its students and young graduates for profit. This legislation caps and ends excessive interest rates, expanding access to college degrees and making American workers even more competitive in the modern workforce,' she added. Lowering interest is a way to help graduates pay down their principal faster instead of watching balances swell with interest each year. This push to cap student loan interest rates at 2% comes amid a heated debate over how to address the nation's $1.6 trillion student debt load. In contrast to high-profile efforts at student loan forgiveness—which have largely been championed by Democrats and met opposition from Republicans—lowering interest rates has emerged as a potential middle-ground solution. The fact that this initiative is bipartisan could be a key part of its political appeal. Lawler, the bill's author, is a first-term Republican known for crossing the aisle (the press release for the bill notes that he is considered one of the most bipartisan members of Congress). Teaming up with Moskowitz, a Democrat, and Luna, a conservative Republican, potentially signals an attempt to build a coalition that spans the political spectrum on the issue of student loan interest. This could improve the bill's odds in the GOP-controlled House of Representatives, as it aligns with Republican interests and attracts some Democratic support. Indeed, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and other education groups applauded the act's introduction. NASFAA called it an "equitable approach that would help ease the burden of student loan debt on current and future borrowers" However, the bill's prospects remain uncertain. It's unclear how the broader Republican leadership or fiscally conservative members of Congress will view the proposal. On the one hand, reducing interest on student loans is attractive because it offers relief without canceling obligations. Indeed, similar ideas have been floated before: for instance, as a senator, Marco Rubio proposed replacing student loan interest with a one-time upfront fee, and other GOP-backed plans have sought to curb interest accrual and capitalization. However, slashing interest to 2% across the board would entail a cost to the federal government in the form of forgone interest income. That cost might need to be covered by taxpayers or by cutting spending elsewhere, which could give fiscal hawks pause. It's also worth noting that introducing the bill in 2025 is a reintroduction; Lawler unveiled a similar plan in late 2024 with a 1% interest cap. Adjusting the target rate to 2% and bringing a Democrat on board this time may be an attempt to make it more politically palatable. If enacted, the 2% interest cap could be a game-changer for student loan borrowers, fundamentally altering the cost calculus of repaying federal loans. The change would be felt almost immediately through slower interest accumulation for current borrowers and lower monthly payments. Many borrowers who have been in repayment for years might finally see their loan balances decrease more quickly instead of barely denting the principal. This is especially relevant for those on income-driven repayment plans or those who paused payments – under higher rates, interest can balloon during periods of non-payment, but at 2%, the growth would be far more contained. As Karen McCarthy of NASFAA noted, lowering rates to 2% "puts forth an equitable approach" to ease the debt burden and is "an important step in promoting access to affordable postsecondary education."
Fox News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna: It Is Disingenuous For Speaker Johnson To Behave The Way He Did
(AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File) Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) spoke to Brian Kilmeade about the bipartisan bill she co-sponsored that would allow mothers in congress to vote remotely for 12 weeks after giving birth. Luna called out Speaker of the House Mike Johnson for attaching her petition to allow new moms to vote by proxy to the Save Act, which resulted in congress shutting down for the rest of the week. Luna says they wanted to force them to kill her legislation or paint her and supporters as anti-election integrity for not being able to allow a vote on the Save Act. Luna pointed out that Speaker Johnson could have allowed her legislation go to the floor separate from the Save Act and not have to shut down congress. Luna believes it is disingenuous for the Speaker to behave the way he did and confuse the American people. Luna said, 'Thank God for platforms like X that were able to community note the Speaker because they even said you didn't have to send people home.' Luna pushed back on the slippery slope argument that her bill would lead to others in congress to vote by proxy for several other reasons. Luna says the problem with the if's and hypotheticals is they are being made by the same people who voted by proxy during Covid. Luna points to republicans having the slimmest of majorities in US history and they can't afford to lose votes on important legislation. Luna said that to put this in perspective, there have only been 13 women in U.S. history to ever give birth while serving and specifically right now, they have a pregnant legislator who is a Republican. Listen here:
