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PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: New legislation was introduced in both the House and Senate to allow charging fentanyl dealers with felony murder if their distribution results in death.
👥 Who’s Involved: The bill was introduced by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX).
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📍 Where & When: The bill was unveiled on Tuesday, marking National Fentanyl Awareness Day, and will proceed to committees for markup and consideration in both chambers.
💬 Key Quote: “If you sell the drug and take an innocent life, justice will be delivered,” said Representative Tony Gonzales.
⚠️ Impact: The legislation aims to increase penalties for fentanyl dealers, with the crisis having claimed approximately 280,000 American lives since 2021.
IN FULL:
New legislation seeks to hold fentanyl dealers accountable for the dangerous drug they peddle by allowing them to be charged with felony murder if their distribution results in death. Introduced simultaneously in the House and Senate, the proposed law aims to increase the severity of punishment for those involved in fentanyl trafficking. Under existing U.S. law, such offenses currently carry a minimum 20-year prison sentence but are not prosecuted as murder cases.
The bill, titled the Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act, is being sponsored by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX). This legislative measure coincides with National Fentanyl Awareness Day and now heads to committees in both chambers for further consideration before moving to the House and Senate floors.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), fentanyl has resulted in the deaths of about 280,000 Americans since 2021. The rising fentanyl crisis has been linked to increased illicit drug trafficking across U.S. borders. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reports that around 64,000 pounds of fentanyl, which is enough to lethally dose billions of people, have been confiscated at the southern border.
“If you sell the drug and take an innocent life, justice will be delivered,” Rep. Gonzales said regarding the sentencing changes made by the legislation.
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Walmart has announced new programs, including “Grow with US” and the 2025 Open Call, to expand support for American-made products and American small businesses, as President Donald J. Trump pursues a policy of supporting American producers through tariffs on foreign goods.
👥 Who’s Involved: Walmart U.S., led by President and CEO John Furner and CFO John David Rainey, alongside U.S. small businesses and entrepreneurs.
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📍 Where & When: Announced on April 29, 2025, with Open Call events starting May 1 in Orlando, Florida, and the main event on October 7-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas.
💬 Key Quote: John Furner stated, “We’ve seen firsthand how investing in small businesses results in better assortment, better meeting the needs of our customer base, and supporting jobs and growth in communities.”
⚠️ Impact: Walmart’s initiatives showcase the success of Trump’s tariffs in encouraging domestic production, fostering job growth and economic resilience.
IN FULL:
Walmart is supporting American-made products with the launch of new programs aimed at supporting American small businesses, underscoring the success of President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies. On April 29, 2025, the retail giant shared its plans to expand initiatives like the “Grow with US” program and the 2025 Open Call, designed to help American entrepreneurs thrive. This strategic shift highlights how Trump’s tariffs are driving companies to prioritize domestic production, protecting both businesses and consumers from global trade disruptions.
The “Grow with US” program offers a four-step framework to provide U.S. small businesses with training, mentorship, and resources to grow alongside Walmart. John Furner, Walmart U.S. president and CEO, emphasized the benefits, stating, “We’ve seen firsthand how investing in small businesses results in better assortment, better meeting the needs of our customer base, and supporting jobs and growth in communities.” Furner also noted that over 60 percent of Walmart’s U.S. suppliers last year were small businesses, with the company anticipating thousands more will utilize its free resources in the coming years.
CFO John David Rainey recently revealed that more than two-thirds of products in Walmart U.S. stores are already domestically sourced, adding, “The third that we import comes from all over the world, but China and Mexico are the most significant.” Trump’s tariffs, including a 10 percent duty on imports and much higher rates on Chinese goods, are likely to incentivize a further shift in favor of American products, bolstering economic independence.
The 2025 Open Call, with applications opening June 24, will allow U.S.-based small and medium-sized businesses to pitch shelf-ready products directly to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants. The main event, set for October 7-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas, follows several Road to Open Call events during Small Business Month in May, starting with Orlando on May 1, followed by Kansas City on May 9, Baltimore on May 13, and Austin on May 21, with additional events in Columbus on June 18 and Atlanta on June 24. Furner highlighted that participants at these pop-up events could “potentially score a fast pass to our main event in Bentonville,” offering a direct path to getting products on Walmart’s shelves.
Tech companies including Nvidia and IBM have already announced major investments in the U.S. since President Trump implemented his tariff policy, suggesting that, despite market grumblings, his overall strategy is working.
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