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Menu Close Home Giving Centers Nolan Center for Justice Center for Legislative Accountability Center for Combating Human Trafficking Center for Regulatory Freedom Coalition Against Socialized Medicine Get Involved About Home Giving M E N U Home Giving North Dakota The Center for Legislative Accountability (CLA), an initiative of the CPAC Foundation, works to promote government transparency while carrying on the over 50-year mission of holding lawmakers accountable through the publishing of their voting records. View the Report → CPAC in DC 2025 February 19-22, 2025 Explore Tickets → CPAC Ratings CPAC is home to the original Conservative Ratings and the GOLD STANDARD onkeeping your elected leaders accountable. View Now → Explore Archives North Dakota Legislature Records before 2023 Go to Legacy System → 2023 Congressional Ratings Explore how your member of Congress voted in 2023! Learn More → Bill Title Sub-Title Vote Description STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → R A T I N G S Conservative Excellence View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → All Lawmakers Search → View More For records prior to 2023 please visit the legacy system. Go to the Legacy System → STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → Explore CPAC Foundation's Centers More → Center For Combatting Human Trafficking Explore Now → Center for Regulatory Freedom Explore More → Center for Legislative Accountability Explore More → Nolan Center for Justice Explore More → Center for Corporate Accountability Explore More → Learn More → Explore Circle Membership, Planned Giving, and Sponsorship Give All Bills Search → View More For records prior to 2023 please visit the legacy system. Go to the Legacy System → STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → Internship Launch your career in the conservative movement. Apply Now → Gilbert and Aileen Chuck Legal Fellowship A Program for Law Students Seeking Careers in Public Policy. Apply Now → Submit Your Resume Email us a copy of your resume to CPAC@conservative.org Email → Vendors/Suppliers Email CPAC@Conservative.org Email → Careers Apply Now Make your mark by working in the conservative movement. Explore More → Conservatism in your Inbox Sign-up Now → Email Alerts Conservative Achievement View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → Leading Leftists View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → R A T I N G S Search . . . Lawmaker Search Bill Search Congress States Archives Home Scorecards View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → CLOSE SEARCH

Menu Close Home Giving Centers Nolan Center for Justice Center for Legislative Accountability Center for Combating Human Trafficking Center for Regulatory Freedom Coalition Against Socialized Medicine Get Involved About Home Giving M E N U Home Giving Michigan The Center for Legislative Accountability (CLA), an initiative of the CPAC Foundation, works to promote government transparency while carrying on the over 50-year mission of holding lawmakers accountable through the publishing of their voting records. View the Report → CPAC in DC 2025 February 19-22, 2025 Explore Tickets → CPAC Ratings CPAC is home to the original Conservative Ratings and the GOLD STANDARD onkeeping your elected leaders accountable. View Now → Explore Archives Michigan Legislature Records before 2023 Go to Legacy System → 2023 Congressional Ratings Explore how your member of Congress voted in 2023! Learn More → Bill Title Sub-Title Vote Description STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → R A T I N G S Conservative Excellence View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → All Lawmakers Search → View More For records prior to 2023 please visit the legacy system. Go to the Legacy System → STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → Explore CPAC Foundation's Centers More → Center For Combatting Human Trafficking Explore Now → Center for Regulatory Freedom Explore More → Center for Legislative Accountability Explore More → Nolan Center for Justice Explore More → Center for Corporate Accountability Explore More → Learn More → Explore Circle Membership, Planned Giving, and Sponsorship Give All Bills Search → View More For records prior to 2023 please visit the legacy system. Go to the Legacy System → STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → Internship Launch your career in the conservative movement. Apply Now → Gilbert and Aileen Chuck Legal Fellowship A Program for Law Students Seeking Careers in Public Policy. Apply Now → Submit Your Resume Email us a copy of your resume to CPAC@conservative.org Email → Vendors/Suppliers Email CPAC@Conservative.org Email → Careers Apply Now Make your mark by working in the conservative movement. Explore More → Conservatism in your Inbox Sign-up Now → Email Alerts Conservative Achievement View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → Leading Leftists View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → R A T I N G S Search . . . Lawmaker Search Bill Search Congress States Archives Home Scorecards View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → CLOSE SEARCH

Menu Close Home Giving Centers Nolan Center for Justice Center for Legislative Accountability Center for Combating Human Trafficking Center for Regulatory Freedom Coalition Against Socialized Medicine Get Involved About Home Giving Centers Get Involved About M E N U Home Giving Centers Get Involved About Maine The Center for Legislative Accountability (CLA), an initiative of the CPAC Foundation, works to promote government transparency while carrying on the over 50-year mission of holding lawmakers accountable through the publishing of their voting records. View the Report → CPAC in DC 2025 February 19-22, 2025 Explore Tickets → CPAC Ratings CPAC is home to the original Conservative Ratings and the GOLD STANDARD onkeeping your elected leaders accountable. View Now → Explore Archives Maine Legislature Records before 2023 Go to Legacy System → 2023 Congressional Ratings Explore how your member of Congress voted in 2023! Learn More → Bill Title Sub-Title Vote Description STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → R A T I N G S Conservative Excellence View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → All Lawmakers Search → View More For records prior to 2023 please visit the legacy system. Go to the Legacy System → STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → Explore CPAC Foundation's Centers More → Center For Combatting Human Trafficking Explore Now → Center for Regulatory Freedom Explore More → Center for Legislative Accountability Explore More → Nolan Center for Justice Explore More → Center for Corporate Accountability Explore More → Learn More → Explore Circle Membership, Planned Giving, and Sponsorship Give All Bills Search → View More For records prior to 2023 please visit the legacy system. Go to the Legacy System → STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → Internship Launch your career in the conservative movement. Apply Now → Gilbert and Aileen Chuck Legal Fellowship A Program for Law Students Seeking Careers in Public Policy. Apply Now → Submit Your Resume Email us a copy of your resume to CPAC@conservative.org Email → Vendors/Suppliers Email CPAC@Conservative.org Email → Careers Apply Now Make your mark by working in the conservative movement. Explore More → Conservatism in your Inbox Sign-up Now → Email Alerts Conservative Achievement View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → Leading Leftists View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → R A T I N G S Search . . . Lawmaker Search Bill Search Congress States Archives Home Scorecards View More STREAM NOW on CPAC+ → CLOSE SEARCH

For conservatives across America, few issues are more pressing in 2025 than the need to extend and make permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), a panel discussion titled Keeping More of What You Earn: Trump’s Tax Cuts for America  addressed this critical issue. Moderated by Scottie Nell Hughes, the panel featured insights from Andrew Langer , Director of the Center for Regulatory Freedom at CPAC; Pete Sepp , President of the National Taxpayers Union; and Sandra Asuncion , Government Affairs Director at the American Principles Project. The discussion underscored the necessity of extending the TCJA before its key provisions expire on December 31, 2025 , and the risks of negotiating away essential tax relief measures in the reconciliation process. Why the TCJA Matters for American Families and Businesses Sandra Asuncion opened the discussion by highlighting how the TCJA significantly benefited working families. She pointed out that the child tax credit doubled from $1,000 to $2,000 , standard deductions increased, and tax rates were cut across the board—providing the average American an additional $1,400 in take-home income  annually. She emphasized that a failure to extend these provisions would lead to a significant financial burden on millions of Americans , particularly those already struggling with inflation and rising costs of living. Andrew Langer focused on the business impact of the TCJA , explaining that the reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%  led to increased business investment, job creation, and wage growth. He noted that many small businesses took advantage of the 20% pass-through deduction , allowing entrepreneurs to reinvest in their businesses and their employees. If Congress fails to act, these businesses will face higher tax burdens, stifling innovation and economic growth. Pete Sepp detailed why the TCJA was temporary, explaining that it was passed under budget reconciliation rules , meaning key provisions had to expire after ten years unless extended. He warned that if the tax cuts are not renewed, individual tax rates will revert to their pre-2017 levels , leading to a massive tax hike for middle-class Americans. The Economic Risks of Letting the TCJA Expire The panelists all agreed that failing to extend the TCJA would be economically disastrous : For individuals:  Every tax bracket would increase, leaving families with less disposable income and increasing their financial strain. For businesses:  Corporate tax rate hikes and the loss of small business deductions would result in reduced hiring, layoffs, and higher prices for consumers. For the economy:  A recent National Association of Manufacturers study  found that failing to extend the TCJA would cost the U.S. economy $1 trillion in lost GDP and 5.9 million fewer jobs. Sandra Asuncion warned that while many Americans do not realize the tax cuts are set to expire , they will feel the impact in early 2026  when they file their tax returns. She called on conservatives to raise awareness and pressure lawmakers to act. The Role of Budget Reconciliation in Extending the TCJA Andrew Langer and Pete Sepp addressed the political strategy  for extending the tax cuts, specifically through budget reconciliation . Since Republicans control both chambers of Congress, reconciliation would allow them to extend the TCJA with a simple majority vote, avoiding a Democratic filibuster . However, both panelists warned that some lawmakers may seek to compromise by rolling back key provisions  to gain bipartisan support. Dangerous concessions could include: Raising the corporate tax rate above 21% , hurting American businesses and workers. Weakening or eliminating the small business 20% deduction , increasing taxes on millions of entrepreneurs. Rolling back the R&D tax credit , harming U.S. innovation and global competitiveness. Reducing the scope of the Child Tax Credit , taking thousands of dollars away from families. The panel strongly advised against these compromises, arguing that Republicans should not negotiate away tax relief that has fueled economic growth . Debunking the Myth: Did the TCJA Increase the Deficit? A common criticism of the TCJA is that it increased the deficit. However, Pete Sepp refuted this claim, stating that federal revenues actually increased after the passage of the TCJA . He emphasized that the real issue is out-of-control government spending—not tax cuts. In 2024, the federal government collected over $5 trillion in revenue , yet Congress continued to spend at record levels, with a budget exceeding $7 trillion . Sepp argued that rather than raising taxes, lawmakers should focus on cutting unnecessary government spending and prioritizing fiscal responsibility. What Conservatives Can Do to Protect the TCJA The panel concluded with a call to action , urging conservatives to mobilize support for the TCJA’s extension. Pete Sepp emphasized that lawmakers need to hear from their constituents now , before negotiations are finalized. He encouraged attendees to: Call and email their representatives  to demand tax certainty. Spread awareness  about the impending tax hikes. Support advocacy groups  fighting to keep the TCJA in place. Sandra Asuncion stressed that 94% of Americans are unaware  that the TCJA will expire soon, but 100% will feel the impact if nothing is done. She urged conservative activists to educate their communities and hold Congress accountable . Conclusion: The Time to Act is Now The 2025 CPAC tax panel made it clear: Congress must extend and make permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to prevent a devastating tax increase on American families and businesses . The panelists provided compelling evidence that the TCJA has fueled economic growth, increased wages, and strengthened small businesses. However, they also warned that the fight is far from over—conservatives must push back against compromises that would water down the effectiveness of the tax cuts . With millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in economic activity at stake, Republicans must prioritize tax relief and economic certainty . The future of the U.S. economy depends on it.

For decades, conservatives have focused on spending cuts, tax reform, and budgetary discipline as the primary levers to rein in the federal deficit and drive economic growth. However, one of the most significant, yet frequently overlooked, factors affecting both federal spending and economic performance is regulation . Regulations don’t just impose compliance costs on businesses; they also have profound fiscal consequences for government spending, procurement, and revenue collection . During a recent episode of my Federal Newswire Lunch Hour podcast , AFPI's Matthew Jensen and I discussed the fiscal burden of regulatory overreach  and how deregulation can be a powerful tool for deficit reduction. More importantly, we explored how Congressional reconciliation  presents a unique opportunity to roll back costly regulations while achieving spending reductions. The Fiscal Cost of Overregulation When people talk about regulations, they often focus on how they increase compliance costs for businesses, slow job growth, and hinder innovation . What’s often ignored is the fact that federal regulations impose direct costs on government spending . Agencies must enforce and oversee  these rules, which means hiring more bureaucrats, developing new reporting systems, and allocating resources to compliance and enforcement efforts. The Biden administration’s unprecedented regulatory expansion  has compounded these costs, driving federal outlays even higher. During our conversation, Jensen agreed with the CPAC Center for Regulatory Freedom's assessment that federal regulatory costs have doubled from $2.25 trillion to over $4 trillion annually  under the Biden administration. That’s a massive drain on the economy, and a significant portion of this burden falls on the federal budget itself . Regulatory requirements drive up the cost of government procurement, inflate entitlement expenditures, and reduce economic activity that would otherwise generate tax revenue. Regulation and the Federal Deficit At a time when federal spending continues to outpace revenues , cutting unnecessary regulations can provide a much-needed fiscal boost. Currently, the federal government collects around $5 trillion annually in revenue  but spends over $7 trillion , creating a $2 trillion deficit  that will only grow larger if spending isn’t brought under control. Eliminating costly and redundant regulations can have two immediate effects : Reduce direct government spending  – Fewer regulations mean fewer bureaucrats needed to enforce them, lower procurement costs, and streamlined government operations. Boost revenue through economic growth  – Cutting excessive regulations spurs job creation, innovation, and investment, leading to higher tax revenues without raising rates. Using the Reconciliation Process to Achieve Regulatory Reform A major takeaway from our discussion was how budget reconciliation  can serve as a vehicle for meaningful regulatory reform . Reconciliation is a powerful legislative tool  that allows Congress to pass budget-related measures with a simple majority vote , bypassing the filibuster in the Senate. Traditionally, reconciliation has been used to address tax and spending policies , but as there is a strong case for including regulatory rollbacks in future reconciliation bills . Here’s why: Regulations impose direct fiscal costs  by increasing government spending—making them budgetary in nature . The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)  should be tasked with evaluating the fiscal impact of regulations , providing data that supports their inclusion in reconciliation efforts. Deregulation stimulates economic growth , which directly affects federal revenues—a clear budgetary consideration. The Opportunity for a Pro-Growth, Pro-Taxpayer Agenda With President Trump back in the White House and a Republican-controlled Congress, there is an unprecedented opportunity  to use reconciliation to not only extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)  but also pursue aggressive deregulation . Trump’s second term has been framed around cutting red tape, reducing regulatory burdens, and unleashing economic potential . The same reconciliation bill that extends tax cuts can and should include provisions to eliminate wasteful regulations . Key Deregulatory Priorities for Congress Eliminating Outdated and Costly Regulations  – Many regulations currently on the books were upheld under the old Chevron deference standard , which allowed federal agencies broad discretion  in interpreting laws. Now that Chevron is being reconsidered by the courts, it is time for Congress to revisit and repeal regulations that lack a strong statutory foundation . Reducing Regulatory Dark Matter  – Trump’s first term took significant steps toward limiting the impact of so-called “regulatory dark matter” —guidance documents, memos, and informal agency rules that have the force of law but bypass Congressional oversight. Congress should codify Trump’s reforms into law  to permanently restrain bureaucratic overreach. Streamlining Environmental Permitting  – Major infrastructure projects have been stalled due to excessive environmental regulations. Congress should use reconciliation to overhaul the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)  and related statutes that create unnecessary delays and increase costs. Aligning Regulatory Cuts with Fiscal Goals  – Congress should mandate that OMB include cost-benefit analyses of regulations in budget reports . This would make it easier to identify and repeal rules that drive up federal spending . Research from AFPI and the Case for Action An incredibly important and helpful development in the push for regulatory reform is the fiscal modeling work  being done at AFPI’s Center for American Prosperity . Matthew Jensen and his colleagues have developed new methodologies to quantify the exact fiscal impact of regulations , making it easier for lawmakers to justify including deregulation in reconciliation packages. This research has already provided compelling evidence  that cutting excessive regulations could shrink the deficit by hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade —all without raising taxes or cutting essential services. Deregulation is not just about reducing bureaucracy , but also about reducing government waste and improving budgetary efficiency . A Path Forward As Congress prepares its next reconciliation package , conservatives must ensure that regulatory reform is front and center . Eliminating wasteful regulations is one of the most effective ways to reduce federal spending, shrink the deficit, and grow the economy —all while restoring individual liberty  and reducing government interference in the private sector . The Biden administration left us with an unprecedented regulatory state , one that has doubled in cost and is dragging down economic productivity. Now is the time to reverse course . By using the reconciliation process to pair tax relief with targeted deregulation , conservatives can deliver real results  for American families, businesses, and taxpayers. Conservative scholars have provided the research and framework  necessary to make this happen. Now, it’s up to Congressional leaders to seize this opportunity  and enshrine pro-growth, pro-taxpayer policies into law . If they do, they won’t just be cutting taxes or balancing the budget—they’ll be restoring America’s economic freedom  for generations to come.

You don’t have to experience CPAC just once a year at the annual conference. With CPAC Circle Memberships, you will be part of the CPAC experience all year-round, 365 days a year.   Circle Members are integral supporters of CPAC’s work to defend freedom and your constitutional rights. They become part of the CPAC family and stay the most up-to-date on our efforts to combat communism and globalism around the world. Circle members have the opportunity to participate in special events, such as, the annual CPAC summit, movie premieres, like last year’s God’s Not Dead and Average Joe premieres, and more.   As a Circle Member, you not only contribute to the fight for freedom but you also gain a whole, supportive community who is right there in the fight with you. It’s good to know you’re not alone!   Explore the options for Circle Memberships today at CPAC.org/circle .