Let Your Voice be Heard by Congress; 5 Minute Survey
President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress on March 4; the first such speech of a presidency is not considered a “State of the Union” address, though it shares the same format and function.
At an hour and 40 minutes, it surpassed President Bill Clinton’s record for the longest joint address in modern times. Trump delivered a firm and combative speech that highlighted a mix of past and recent accomplishments, campaign promises and forward-looking policy plans.
He directly addressed Democratic lawmakers on several occasions, and Rep. Al Green (D-TX) was escorted from the House chamber shortly into the address after disrupting Trump’s remarks in protest.
Trump repeatedly touted his administration’s rapid rate of action and efforts to streamline the federal government since his inauguration, including via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He reiterated his focus on revitalizing the economy and cracking down on illegal immigration, echoing themes from his 2024 campaign.
Trump also doubled down on his plans to use tariffs to revitalize the industrial base, stating that his administration will not hesitate to issue retaliatory tariffs. He saved foreign policy discussion for the end of his speech, briefly restating his priority to end the war in Ukraine. Throughout the speech, Trump introduced invited guests with a nexus to his policy proposals on immigration, law enforcement and childhood cancer research, among other areas.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), a freshman who served three terms in the U.S. House, delivered the Democratic response to Trump’s address. Her 10-minute speech attempted to strike a more unifying note, but she also highlighted the anticipated increased costs associated with tariffs and the Trump administration’s reversal of many foreign policy norms.
Trump’s speech coincided with the imposition of previously paused tariffs on Mexico and Canada and the rollout of higher tariffs on China. It also comes amid the high-profile debate around budget reconciliation legislation; House and Senate Republican leadership are aiming to settle on a single, unified resolution to advance a variety of Republican policy priorities. Congress is also heading toward a potential government shutdown on March 14, and the Trump-endorsed continuing resolution (CR) will need Democratic votes to advance.
As is typical with presidential addresses to Congress, the policies outlined in the speech combine a mix of completed, achievable and idealistic goals. The key takeaways from the speech are linked below. Please contact a member of the Brownstein policy team for additional information on any specific topic(s).
READ MORE
About Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is a unique law firm. Walk into any of our offices and you’ll immediately recognize a different type of energy. Complacency doesn’t have a place here. Flexibility and inspiration do. Our culture and enthusiasm allow our attorneys, policy consultants and legal staff to stay ahead of our clients’ needs and provide them with the resources they require to meet their business objectives.
We hope you've enjoyed this article. While you're here, we have a small favor to ask...
As we prepare for what promises to be a pivotal year for America, we're asking you to consider becoming a member.
The need for fact-based reporting of issues important to multi generational businesses and protecting a lifetime of savings has never been greater. Now more than ever, multi generational businesses and family businesses are under fire. That's why Family Enterprise USA is passionately working to increase the awareness of issues important to generationally-owned family businesses built on hard work, while continuing to strengthen our presence on Capitol Hill. The issues we fight for or against with Congress in Washington DC include high income tax rates, possible elimination of valuation discounts, increase in capital gains tax, enactment of a wealth tax, and the continued burden of the gift tax, estate tax and generation skipping tax.
Family Enterprise USA promotes generationally owned family business creation, growth, viability, and sustainability by advocating for family businesses and their lifetime of savings with Congress in Washington DC. Since 2007, Family Enterprise USA has represented and celebrated all sizes, professions and industries of family-owned enterprises and multi-generational employers. It is a bi-partisan 501.c3 organization. Family foundations can donate.
#incometax #taxseason #federaltaxpolicy #taxation #EstateTax #Deathtax #wealthtax #taxLegislation #CongressionalCaucus #CapitalGainsTax #incometaxrates #incometaxseason #taxrefund #taxreturn #incometaxreturn #gifttax #Generationskippingtax #InheritanceTax #repealestatetax #FamilyBusiness #promotefamilybusinesses #familyowned #supportlocalbusiness #womeninbusiness #AdvocatingForFamilyBusinesses #Generationallyowned #Multigenerationalbusiness @FamilyEnterpriseUSA @PolicyAndTaxationGroup @DitchTheEstateTax #FamilyEnterpriseUSA #PolicyAndTaxationGroup #DitchTheEstateTax