Tariffs Hurt the Heartland, the nationwide, non-partisan campaign against tariffs, announced on Nov. 1 that former Republican Congressman Dr. Charles Boustany will join the campaign as a spokesman. Congressman Boustany is a trade expert with over a decade of experience working across party lines on trade policies in Congress, including on the House Ways and Means Committee. Dr. Boustany adds a powerful voice to the Tariffs Hurt the Heartland campaign that is holding town hall meetings on the tariff impact in communities across the country and airing ads across 11 states in the Midwest that describe the impact of tariff increases on consumers. The campaign has also launched an interactive map tracking the tariff impact on American employers.
“Every day that these tariffs remain in place the pain grows for American businesses, farmers and families,” Dr. Boustany said. “That’s why I’m looking forward to joining the Tariffs Hurt the Heartland campaign, which is telling the stories of the Americans who are paying these taxes through higher prices, deferred investments and lost opportunity. I believe that if we amplify the voices of these Americans we can reach policymakers on the Hill and in the White House.”
Congressman Boustany served Louisiana for 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served Louisiana’s 7th district from 2005-2013 and the 3rd district from 2013-2017. During his time in Congress, Dr. Boustany served on the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees trade policy. As a member of the committee, Dr. Boustany established himself as a leader on trade policy. Boustany was a co-founder of the Friends of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Caucus. Dr. Boustany also authored trade enforcement language that created the tools for more effective trade enforcement in an effort to stop abusive practices. In the private sector, Dr. Boustany served as the President and CEO of his own private practice of medicine in the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.
“You learn quickly in Congress that real change begins outside of the beltway, with the people whose lives are being impacted,” Dr. Boustany said. “That’s why this campaign is engaging at the grassroots level with town-hall style events that feature real Americans. I’m going to work to echo their concerns back here in D.C. to ensure that their voices are being heard in the halls of power.
“America needs a clear strategy for how and when this trade war comes to an end,” Dr. Boustany added. “Instead of doubling-down on tariffs that have not worked, it is time for meaningful negotiations to take place. In the months ahead, we urge the administration to use forums like the G-20 to engage trading partners in discussions on how we can hold trading partners accountable without hurting American families.”
