Weekly Column: Republican Agenda Means Prosperity, Strength For America

With the passage of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, Congress is fulfilling our promise to prevent the biggest tax hike in history, deliver additional tax relief to hardworking families and finally take steps to get our fiscal house in order.  We are also securing America’s borders, strengthening our national defense and unleashing our energy potential.

The core of the legislation provides significant tax relief to Idaho’s families, workers and businesses still recovering from years of record-high inflation.  The bill not only prevents the largest tax increase in U.S. history, but also makes the successful 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent and delivers additional tax relief to everyday Americans.

Despite false narratives about “tax cuts for billionaires,” this legislation provides new tax relief that overwhelmingly benefits low- and middle-class families and workers.  Through policies like a standard deduction boost, tax benefits for child care affordability, and delivering on the President’s agenda on no taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime and tax relief for seniors, low- and middle-income Americans are the biggest winners under this bill.  The Council of Economic Advisers predicts the legislation will increase take home pay for an average Idaho family by over $7,000.

It also achieves the most significant spending reductions in history.  Contrary to the politics of fear that Democrats employ, it strengthens and improves spending programs, like Medicaid, by targeting waste, fraud and abuse.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, the legislation reduces federal spending by over $1.5 trillion and will reduce the deficit by $400 billion over ten years.  That is before taking into account the dynamic pro-growth elements of the bill, which the Council of Economic Advisers estimates will increase federal revenues by more than $4 trillion when combined with other elements of President Trump’s economic agenda.  That is nearly $4.5 trillion in deficit reduction.

This landmark legislation will also make America safer and stronger by making historic investments in border security, rebuilding our military and restoring energy dominance.

After four years of chaos at the border, the bill provides significant funding for immigration agencies, states, and police and law enforcement officers.  While border crossings have plummeted under President Trump’s leadership, these entities need support to shore up our border and improve our immigration system for generations to come. 

It also invests in the Golden Dome and other critical defense capabilities the U.S. needs to accomplish President Trump’s philosophy of peace through strength.  Recent events in the Middle East reminded us we live in a dangerous world, and we must ensure the U.S. military remains unparalleled in its capabilities to deter aggression and put America first.  

The legislation marks a return to U.S. energy dominance, ending the Biden Green New Deal and promoting an all-of-the-above energy strategy.  It makes investments in reliable and affordable domestic energy sources, including nuclear energy and critical technologies, rather than subsidizing China.  Instead of penalizing fossil fuels in favor of expensive, unreliable energy sources, it supports consistent energy sources that will lead to lower bills for consumers and power American growth.   

This landmark law fulfills President Trump and Congress’s promises to the American people.  In addition to historic mandatory spending reductions, deficit reduction and tax relief, it allows hardworking Idahoans to keep more of their money while investing in our border, modernizing our military and restoring American energy dominance.  These are the policies the American people voted for, and they will make our country safer, stronger and more prosperous.  I’d call that a win for Idahoans and all Americans.

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