The Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) officially introduced a new rule this week to end the Biden administration’s paper straw mandate across the executive branch. While the change is undoubtedly a minor one compared to Trump’s other more far-reaching policies, it nonetheless demonstrates the President’s commitment to fulfill all of his campaign promises and target woke excess in whatever form it may take.
Trump famously (and hilariously) mocked the paper straw mandate during his 2024 campaign – just one of many such cases in which he poked fun at liberal virtue signaling that made life needlessly more inconvenient. This new ruling will likely see the federal government once again adopt plastic straws as the standard.
OMB introduced the new rule with a 60-day window to allow for public comments ending September 19. OMB explains in the ruling that paper straws are more expensive, provide less utility, and pose greater health risks than plastic straws. If the proposed rule is finalized, straws purchased by the government must “have the strength and durability of plastic straws.”
New York Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney also introduced legislation in the House last week that would prohibit the federal government from enacting plastic straw bans in the future. She praised President Trump for fulfilling his promise to end federal bans of plastic straws and explained the importance of her own bill in a post on X.
“Soggy paper straws are more than just annoying; they’re a symbol of the Left’s radical climate agenda,” Tenney said. “The Better Straws Act bans federally mandated paper straws & puts consumers back in charge. [Trump] & I are working to restore common sense!”
In July 2024, Joe Biden’s administration announced plans to phase out federal procurement of single-use plastics, including plastic straws, by 2027 and from all federal operations by 2035. Trump signed an executive order on February 10 to end the forced procurement and use of paper straws originally enacted by Biden.
Trump explained in his executive order that paper straws “use chemicals that may carry risks to human health, are more expensive to produce than plastic straws, and often force users to use multiple straws.” He added that paper straws are often individually wrapped, undermining the argument that they are environmentally friendly.
The intent of Trump’s executive order was to direct the federal government to “stop purchasing paper straws and ensure they are no longer provided within Federal buildings.” OMB’s proposed ruling is the administration now carrying out the president’s executive order.
OMB senior advisor Dr. Kevin Rhodes told The Federalist that the plastic straw ban had even impacted Veterans’ Affairs (VA) facilities.
“I was in the service for 25 years as a military member, and now as a veteran…you have an expectation that your straw works,” he explained. “We’re asking folks to go out and do arduous things and put their life on the line, and then they come home and as veterans and receive service. Don’t you think at the most fundamental, basic level, [when] they go to take a sip of their drink, their damn straw works?”
He added that the Trump administration’s return to plastic straws is part of the United States returning to what works. “We’re getting back to basics. Straws that work, an economy that works, a country that works,” Rhodes said.
Alan Jamison is the pen name of a political writer with extensive experience writing for several notable politicians and news outlets.
Amazing the ridiculous and petty antics of the previous administration. I am surprised that Biden did not put out an executive order to get rid of underwear and make all citizens wear diapers.
It might seem like a small thing, but to use “climate change” as an excuse to make our lives miserable is exactly what the DCP has been doing. I believe in taking care of the planet, but the climate has been changing since the beginning of time. Besides, I like plastic straws. They hold up better than paper straws. I have no doubt that the elites in the Democratic Party would mandate paper straws for the “rabble,” but would have no problem sipping their martinis with their stash of plastic straws. Thanks, President Trump!
ANOTHER piece of sanity and common sense back in America thanks to the best, and actual, President of my lifetime.
Rome was burning while emperor was fiddling with the straws, is this normal?
YES!!!! More COMMON SENSE AND MAGA!!!! Dump ESG, climate crisis and DEI!!!!
No more paper bags in stores, only plastic….but they do charge us for them…..Yet they wanted us not to use plastic straws. Just goes to show you how ignorant certain people are.
I support this administration, but I wish they would focus on more important things like the economy, making criminals accountable and the fake media being prosecuted when they create stories that unnecessarily incriminate people. Let’s see some handcuffs on those that defrauded the government and those that looked the other way!
The left has this incredible knack for demonizing anything and anyone. Here in California, democrats banned straws and have actually made food servers their straw police. No one actually gets one unless it’s specifically requested, but wait, they’ve also banned plastic bags, not all of them just the free ones. It appears there’s no end to their idiotic leadership, produce bags, the thin ones also verboten and replaced with compostable ones, you know the ones that disintegrate and tear while actually being used. Government’s goal is to make life a constant hassle. For ordinary people, it’s the small things that matter, but a big deal for politicians and bureaucrats to impose their will.
Paper straws are the epitome of stupidity. That whole straw thing was made up by a 14 year old kid.
Its the little things in life!!!!
The cost of implementing the nonsense climate virtue signals outweighed any imagined benefit. Thank you Mr. President.
This is a sign of the lack of brains in the previous “president” who really was never the President. This prior rule was the top of the list that defined stupidity among Democrats.
Maybe they will all move to Antarctica for summer vacation.
Now if only he would end the ban on incandescent bulbs and encourage manufacturers to beef up production. Since moving into a house with nothing but LEDs, my migraines have not only intensified but they have become much more chronic. I had to special order incandescent bulbs and will have to replace two ceiling fans and multiple disc lights.
LEDs are bad for several reasons.
Environmental Impact: LEDs contain small amounts of hazardous materials like lead or arsenic, requiring proper recycling. Manufacturing also involves energy-intensive processes.
Compatibility Issues: Some LEDs don’t work well with older fixtures, timers, or smart home systems, leading to flickering or inconsistent performance.
Increased Migraines: People who are prone to migraine experience worse and more chronic migraines because of the intense brightness and flicker.
Blue Light Concerns: Prolonged exposure to blue-heavy LED light, especially at night, may disrupt sleep by suppressing melatonin production.
Retinal Damage: Blue light can potentially harm the retina, particularly with high-intensity or prolonged exposure. This is because blue light has shorter wavelengths and higher energy, which can cause photochemical damage to retinal cells over time.
If the environmentalists don’t want to use a plastic straw they can carry their own reusable straw everywhere they go. Imagine a whole line of designer straws and carry pouches. Perhaps an over the shoulder man purse just for those items all woke leftists need to complete their virtue signaling agenda. Maybe the man purse could be renamed a “virtue bag.”
If only this could be the Last Straw for the Democrats before they dissolve their unwanted party!
Lots of people think this is a big joke, but you do not have to be a rocket scientist to read about the amount of micro plastic that is building in our oceans & realize that plastic use should be minimized. Plastic was not around until the 1940s and just look around how much is in use today……….plus carcinogens present in drinking water comes from something. Keep fiddling while Rome burns !
Looks like another distraction this week to keep our minds off the major news items of the day.