In 2016 I sojourned through the both Party Platforms as re-election data gathering. Today we are almost one year through the new Republican administration with a Republican majority in both the House and Senate. What did Republicans say they wanted to do and what got accomplished?
This is the second in my series. I bolded those area that progressed in the direction the Party Platform intended. [tweetthis]Will the intended consequences be realized?[/tweetthis] I think it’s too soon to tell, and in some cases, I don’t know if there will be a direct link. For example, 20 EPA regulatory actions were reversed in 2017. It’s unclear whether that had, or will have, and impact on responsible home ownership.
If you want a refresher, search this site for “State of the Union.” If you want a review of what I did pre-election, search for “Party Platform.”
The Republicans’ plan for jobs and the economy:
| We will | By | So that | Status |
| Not divide people into winners and losers | Eliminating as many special interest provisions and loopholes as possible and curb corporate welfare | We don’t penalize thrift and discourage investment. | No laws or resolutions passed during 2017.
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| Level the international playing field | Lowering the corporate tax rate to be on a par with, or below the rates of other industrial nations | America is competitive. | Corporate tax for 2018 is 21%, one of the lowest in the developed world. (click here for my source) |
| Level the international playing field | Switching to a territorial system of taxation | Profits earned and taxed abroad may be repatriated for job-creating investments. | No laws or resolutions passed during 2017. (Here is a link that describes what this is) |
| Prevent foreign governments from limiting American access to their markets while stealing our designs, patents, brands, know-how, and technology. | Broadening our trade agreements with countries which share our values and commitment to fairness | The interests of the U.S. workers are advanced. | No new trade agreements (Source USTR.gov) |
| Avoid future taxpayer housing market bailouts | Scaling back the role of government in the housing market | Homeowners and lenders are responsible. | No laws passed. Senate Resolution to declare September 2017 & 2018 as “National Month for Renters.” |
| Advance responsible homeownership | End government mandates to satisfy lending quotas to specific groups | We end discrimination in the mortgage industry. | Current FHA, USDA, and VA loan programs remain intact. |
| Advance responsible homeownership | Reviewing federal environmental regulations | We make it easier and less costly for Americans to rent, buy, or sell homes. | 20 EPA deregulatory actions completed in 2017, 47 more are underway. (Source: EPA.gov) |
| Eliminate Federal funds for ferries, bike-share, sidewalks, recreational trails, landscaping | Remove the Highway Trust Fund programs | We end the current administration’s efforts to get people out of their cars. | The TAP program is funded through 2020 (Federal Highway Administration) |
| Eliminate Federal funds for Amtrak | Allow private ventures to provide passenger service to the northeast corridor and high-speed intercity rail across the country | American taxpayers don’t subsidize public transportation | Public transportation funding remains flat. (Source, Federal Highway Administration.) |
| Create a partnership with individuals and industries for investment and innovation | Simplifying the tax code, reduce corporate rates, transition to a territorial system, and create incentives for investment and innovation. | We have a business climate that rewards risk and promotes innovation. | Corporate tax for 2018 is 21%, one of the lowest in the developed world. (click here for my source)
No laws or resolutions passed during 2017. (Here is a link that describes territorial system) |
| Create new jobs, give access to new markets, open opportunities to underserved populations, and expand consumer choices. | Paving the way for broadband deployment and completion on the internet and for internet services.
Encouraging the sharing economy and on-demand platforms |
We are competitive in an open market | FCC reversed the Net Neutrality requirements adopted in 2015;
$6.5 billion over the next 10 years allocated to bring 4-G networks primarily to rural areas. (To find out more about FCC initiative click here.)
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| Improve the Electric Grid | Expediting siting processes and the thoughtful expansion of the grid | Our aging grid is replaced in seven to ten years. | The current strategic plan covers 2014-2018.
For more information including mission and budget got to https://www.ferc.gov/about/about.asp |
| Reduce the occupational licensing laws | Overturning the Dodd-Frank law | Millions of entrepreneurial careers open. | No laws enacted.
Ted Cruz introduced a bill (S.340) to repeal the “Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection” or Dodd-Frank on February 14, 2017. GovTrack.com projects a 3% chance of success. For details click here. |
| Annually audit the Federal Reserve’s activities | Advancing legislation already approved by the House | The Federal Reserve’s role is carried out in a more transparent manner. | No laws enacted.
Rand Paul introduced S.16 and Thomas Massie introduced H.R. 24 on 3/28/17 Paul’s bill has a 5% chance of success, while Massie’s has a 34% chance. Source: GovTrack.us |
| Bring labor laws into the 21st century | Supporting the States to enact Right-to-work laws. | We protect economic liberty of the modern workforce. | No laws enacted.
Rand Paul introduce S.545 on 3/17/18 and Steve King introduced H.R. 785 on 2/1/17. Chances of success are 6% and 16%, respectively. Source: GovTrack.us |
| Limit non-cash benefits of the federal workforce | Reviewing the unionization of the federal workforce for the effects on cost, quality, and performance of the civil service. | We align iFederal compensation and benefits with most American employees and expedite firing of bad workers, tax cheats, and scammers. | Federal employees received at 1.9% pay raise in January 2018, slightly lower than 2.1% by Obama and lower than the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act in January, which proposes a 3.2% increase.
Military employees received a 2.1% increase. (For my source, click here.) |
| Reduce the Federal Dept | Imposing caps on future dept, accelerate the repayment of the trillions now owed. | Our economy is strong. | No laws enacted.
Virginia Foxx introduced H.R. 3719, Spending Safeguard Act on September 9, 2018. Chance of success is 4%. Source: GovTrack.us |
Is that good news or bad news? What do YOU think?
