> At a Glance
> – $150B Pentagon boost and $170B immigration bill reshaped defense and enforcement.
> – Tax cuts from 2017 made permanent, projected to save $4.5T over a decade.
> – Record 22 regulations repealed via Congressional Review Act, surpassing all prior years.
> Why it matters: These moves set the federal agenda for defense, immigration, taxes, and regulation, affecting every American.
In 2025, the Republican-controlled Congress enacted landmark legislation that will shape the nation’s budget, tax policy, defense spending, immigration enforcement, and regulatory landscape. The year also saw a 43-day shutdown and intense intra-party battles.
1. Permanent Tax Cuts
Congress extended the 2017 tax cuts, a top priority for the GOP, and signed the bill on July 4. The law is projected to reduce taxes by $4.5 trillion over ten years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Critics say the benefits favor high earners.
- Tax deduction for tipped workers
- Deduction for seniors
- “Trump Accounts” for newborns
President Trump said:
> “America’s winning, winning, winning like never before,”
President Trump added:
> “We have officially made the Trump tax cuts permanent.”
2. Massive Spending for Defense and Immigration
The bill includes a $150 B boost for the Pentagon and more than $170 B for immigration enforcement, giving the military its first budget over $1 trillion. It also cuts $1 trillion from Medicaid and reduces clean-energy funding.
- Pentagon: $150B
- Immigration enforcement: $170B
- Medicaid cuts: $1T
- Clean energy cuts: significant reductions
3. Record Regulatory Repeals
Using the Congressional Review Act, Republicans fast-tracked 22 CRA resolutions, more than the 20 rules repealed in all previous years combined. The measures are exempt from the Senate filibuster, limiting Democrats’ ability to block them.
| 2025 CRA Resolutions | Previous Total |
|---|---|
| 22 | 20 |
- Exempt from 60-vote filibuster
- Includes consumer protection, education, energy, cybersecurity rules
4. Senate Power Moves
In September, Republicans invoked the nuclear option to confirm executive-branch nominees en bloc, approving 48 in that month and 97 before adjournment. They also set a new budget baseline to give party-line tax cuts a $0 price tag and ignored parliamentarian guidance on CRA limits.
- En bloc confirmation of 48 nominees in September
- 97 additional nominees confirmed before adjournment
- New budget baseline for $3.4 trillion tax cuts
- 60-vote threshold remains for most other bills
Key Takeaways
- Congress made 2017 tax cuts permanent, saving $4.5 T over a decade.
- A $150 B Pentagon boost and $170 B immigration bill reshaped defense and enforcement.
- 22 regulations were repealed, surpassing all prior years, limiting Democratic influence.
These actions cement a new policy direction that will influence federal spending, tax burdens, and regulatory oversight for years to come.
