Republican lawmakers are gearing up for a bold 100-day agenda under President Donald Trump’s leadership, with the GOP holding a majority in Congress. Their top priority is renewing the $4 trillion in tax cuts that are set to expire, a policy achievement from Trump’s first term that has the potential to define his return to the White House and shape the future of the nation’s economy.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) emphasized the urgency of being ready from Day 1, following strategy sessions with fellow Republicans. The GOP’s focus on renewing these tax cuts will reignite the debate over America’s fiscal priorities, government size, and the growing income disparity, all set against the backdrop of federal deficits nearing $2 trillion annually.
During Trump’s first term, the landmark tax reform was one of his key successes. Although Republicans initially failed to repeal and replace Obamacare, they pivoted quickly to pass a sweeping tax cut bill in 2017, which slashed corporate taxes, lowered individual tax rates, and provided incentives for businesses. While high-income earners saw the most significant benefits, many Americans across the income spectrum experienced tax relief, with lower-income households receiving smaller cuts.
In preparation for Trump’s second term, Republicans are discussing ways to extend and enhance these tax cuts, including preserving tax brackets, the standard deduction, and the favorable treatment for pass-through entities like small businesses. Trump also has his own proposals, such as reducing the corporate tax rate further from 21% to 15% and eliminating individual taxes on tips and overtime.
Some critics argue that the tax cuts contributed to rising income inequality, but conservative voices, including Avik Roy, president of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, reject this claim. Roy points out that tax reforms helped Americans at all income levels, and other factors—such as low interest rates from the Federal Reserve—have played a larger role in wealth distribution.
Despite concerns about the price tag of extending these tax cuts, with estimates suggesting an additional $4 trillion in deficits over the next decade, Republicans are adamant that the economic growth generated by the tax cuts will offset these costs. Some even argue that renewing the tax cuts should not be seen as a new expenditure but as an extension of existing policy.
In addition to tax reform, the GOP is expected to pursue spending reductions, particularly in social welfare programs like food stamps and health care. One key target is the health care subsidies introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which Democrats extended through 2025 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Republicans are also aiming to roll back green energy tax breaks, a hallmark of Biden’s agenda.
Despite their slim majority, Republicans are determined to push through these changes using the budget reconciliation process, which allows legislation to pass with a simple majority in the Senate, bypassing the need for a 60-vote threshold to overcome a filibuster. This approach mirrors the tactics Democrats used to pass major policies like Obamacare and the Inflation Reduction Act.
As the new Congress convenes, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has promised a “breakneck” pace for the first 100 days, vowing to fix the nation’s economic challenges with a strong conservative agenda. Though obstacles remain—particularly with Democratic opposition—Republicans are committed to delivering on the promises they made to voters, with tax cuts and fiscal reform at the forefront of their efforts.