Welcome to FreedomWorks Foundation’s second regulatory review of 2019! Our Regulatory Action Center proudly updates you with our favorite tidbits from the swamp. We want to smash barriers between bureaucracy and the American people by delivering regulatory news straight to FreedomWorks activists. Check back in two weeks for the next edition.

It’s no secret that Republicans have a difficult time doing what they said, but that doesn’t stop them from pretending they’re trying. True conservatives have been trying to end crony subsidies for years and the Farm Bill, H.R. 2, was supposed to be their chance to end wasteful programs that have been draining the economy since the New Deal era.

It goes without saying that at FreedomWorks Foundation (FWF), we keep our eye on cronyism rearing its ugly head in the regulatory process. But another type of cronyism is bouncing around Washington these days, and it flies under cover of anti-trust protections against monopolies.

Once in a long while, Congress finds a bipartisan fix for dire issues like prescription drug prices. The CREATES Act is such a solution that would remedy price-hiking loopholes abused by big pharmaceutical companies.

Last month, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) voted unanimously against Boeing in a trade case it brought against its rival, Bombardier. Boeing had argued that Bombardier had illegally harmed their business by offering Delta Airlines a series of jets at a low rate. This claim was dubious, and was a clear attempt to try and eliminate their competition. The ITC’s decision is a victory for trade and anti-cronyism.

Competition is the hallmark of our economy. It promotes freedom of choice, innovation, and will lead to better products and prices for consumers. Not only that, but it is a key driver of job growth for Americans.

From a so-called “economic miracle” to a human rights disaster, Venezuela has followed in the footsteps of literally every single socialist or communist country ever with its country in complete collapse. Crime is on the rise, the people are starving, protests are going all throughout the country, and unconfirmed rumors are coming out that President Nicolas Maduro is considering leaving.

On behalf of our activist community, I urge you to contact your representative and urge him or her to cosponsor the Export-Import Bank Termination Act, H.R. 3114, sponsored by Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.). Several other House conservatives have cosponsored the bill, including Reps. Dave Brat (R-Va.), Michael Burgess (R-Texas), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.). The bill would abolish the Export-Import Bank, a relic of the New Deal and the face of cronyism.

The growth of America’s government may soon be outpaced by growth of the average waistline new indicators reveal. Rates of obesity have been increasing over the past several decades, but are now reaching some incredible levels. Currently it's estimated that well over one-third of adults are classified as obese and nearly two-thirds are classified as overweight. Perhaps more distressing is the recent discovery that one in six children are suffering from obesity.