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Tom Howell Jr.

Tom Howell Jr.

Tom Howell Jr. covers politics and the White House for The Washington Times. He can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Tom Howell Jr.

This April 6, 2016, file photo shows the Pfizer logo appearing on a screen above its trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) ** FILE **

Donald Trump lashes out at drug company for price hikes

President Trump, who recently predicted "voluntary, massive drops" in drug costs, accused a leading pharmaceutical company Monday of jacking up prices "for no reason" and taking advantage of American consumers. Published July 9, 2018

FILE - In this April 18, 2018, file photo, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts speaks at the legislature in Lincoln, Neb. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling making it easier to collect online sales taxes could yield billions of dollars for state and local governments _ if they decide to keep it. Rather than spend the windfall on schools, prisons or other government services, some Republican governors and lawmakers are proposing to give it away in the form of additional tax cuts to residents. Ricketts, who is on the November ballot, wants it to go toward local property tax relief. (Gwyneth Roberts/Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File)

In Nebraska, Medicaid expansion will be on ballot in 2018 midterm vote

A Nebraska coalition said Thursday it submitted more than enough signatures to get Medicaid expansion on the ballot in November, making it the latest Republican-led state to seek ways around governors and legislators who oppose the key plank of Obamacare. Published July 5, 2018

Then-Nebraska state Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln speaks in favor of Medicaid expansion during debate in the Legislative Chamber in Lincoln, Neb., Wednesday, April 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) ** FILE **

Nebraska coalition submits Medicaid-expansion petitions

A Nebraska coalition said Thursday it submitted more than enough signatures to get Medicaid expansion on the ballot in November, making it the latest GOP-led state to seek a way around governors and legislators who oppose Obamacare. Published July 5, 2018

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks at the National Sheriffs' Association convention in New Orleans, Monday, June 18, 2018, in this file photo. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) **FILE**

DOJ announces biggest health-fraud takedown ‘in history’

Federal agents carried out the biggest health care fraud takedown "in history" on Thursday, the Department of Justice said, charging more than 600 people across the country with bilking taxpayers for $2 billion through fake medical claims and prescriptions for unneeded opioids. Published June 28, 2018

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on 'Policy Response to Russian Interference in the 2016 U.S. Elections' on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, June 20, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Susan Collins to Jeff Sessions: ‘Reconsider’ stance on Obamacare suit

Sen. Susan Collins implored Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday to reconsider his hands-off approach to a lawsuit that seeks to gut Obamacare, saying nearly half of her state suffers from a pre-existing medical condition and would be at risk if the challenge strikes protections within the 2010 law. Published June 27, 2018

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma speaks to reporters Thursday, March 29, 2018, during a visit to the Center for Medical Interoperability in Nashville. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

Senate panel: CMS must detail its Medicaid anti-fraud campaign

A Senate panel scrutinizing Medicaid overpayments says the administration's push to audit states more closely is good news but that it needs to hear more from Seema Verma, who oversees the program but did not testify alongside government watchdogs on Wednesday. Published June 27, 2018

HHS IG: Medicare drug spending rose despite fewer prescriptions

Medicare recipients used fewer brand-name drugs but the program still saw its drug costs rise, according to a federal report Monday that says skyrocketing prices set by manufacturers are taking a toll on taxpayers and seniors. Published June 26, 2018

In this Thursday, May 3, 2018, photo, U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu, D-California, poses for a picture in the Venice community of Los Angeles. Members of the Asian-American community are running for federal office from all corners of the country, dozens of them as Democratic candidates deliberately playing up their Asian roots in opposition to a president they say demonizes the immigrants that make America great. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Ted Lieu plays tape of crying children from House floor

Rep. Ted Lieu of California violated House rules Friday by playing a recording of crying children who were separated from their parents at the border, ignoring a presiding officer who implored him to stop. Published June 22, 2018

This Feb. 19, 2013, file photo shows OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vt. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

House passes sweeping opioids bill

The House passed a massive opioid bill Friday to expand treatment options, block the flow of deadly fentanyl into the U.S. and reduce the number of addictive pills in circulation -- an unusual display of bipartisanship in a bitter election year, even as Democrats grumbled that GOP leaders still aren't doing enough. Published June 22, 2018

"Democrats have taken a walk on this thing," said House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican. (Associated Press)

House Republicans cancel immigration votes

Staring at a certain defeat, House Republicans canceled votes on their immigration compromise Thursday -- an embarrassing setback for leaders who'd thought they'd finally been able to wrangle some unanimity on an issue that's bedeviled them for years. Published June 21, 2018

Shoes and a teddy bear, brought by a group of U.S. mayors, are piled up outside a holding facility for immigrant children in Tornillo, Texas, near the Mexican border, Thursday, June 21, 2018. Mayors from more than a dozen U.S. cities including New York and Los Angeles gathered near the holding facility to call for the immediate reunification of immigrant children with their families. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Separated children may develop ‘toxic stress,’ say health experts

Children separated from their parents at the U.S. border can suffer from "toxic stress" that leads to brain damage and problems later in life, mental health experts said Thursday, warning of depression and anger, learning disorders and the inability to accept love. Published June 21, 2018