### Republicans Outline Ambitious 100-Day Agenda with Trump's Return

Sweeping to power with President-elect Donald Trump in the White House and a GOP congressional majority, Republicans are gearing up for an ambitious first 100 days. The party's agenda features a broad array of policy goals, including tax cuts, reductions to safety net programs, and significant changes to health care and green energy initiatives from the Biden administration.

At the top of the agenda is a plan to renew $4 trillion in expiring GOP tax cuts, a pivotal achievement from Trump's first term that could define his return to the White House. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., emphasized the importance of preparation. "What we're focused on right now is being ready, Day 1," he declared after a strategic meeting with GOP colleagues.

The idea of extending the tax cuts has reignited debates over America's priorities, income inequality, and the proper scope of government, particularly against the backdrop of growing federal deficits. During Trump's first term, the tax cuts disproportionately benefited higher-income households, with the top 1 percent seeing substantial reductions compared to the more modest savings for lower-income earners, according to the Tax Policy Center. This disparity continues to be a focal point for critics like Lindsay Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative.

To ensure Trump's tax cuts remain, Republicans have been gathering privately over the past few months to refine their proposals. The plan includes maintaining various tax brackets and standardized deductions while also preserving the current rates for pass-through entities. Despite the staggering cost of extending these provisions—estimated at $4 trillion over a decade by the Congressional Budget Office—some Republicans believe the cuts will pay for themselves through economic growth.

Amidst discussions on tax policy, Trump aims to lower the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15% and eliminate individual taxes on tips and overtime pay. Not all agree that tax cuts contribute significantly to the nation’s income inequality. Avik Roy, president of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, attributes the inequality more to factors like the Federal Reserve's low interest rates than to tax policy.

Lawmakers typically look to balance policy changes with revenue increases or spending cuts. However, many Republicans argue that extending existing laws, rather than creating new ones, doesn’t necessitate offsetting costs. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, incoming chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, dismissed the idea that tax cuts exacerbate deficits, distinguishing taxes from spending in fiscal policy discussions.

The new Congress will also consider spending cuts, notably to food stamps and health care programs that conservatives have long targeted. A certain cut is expected in the COVID-19-era health insurance subsidy provided under the Affordable Care Act, extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act, which also introduced green energy incentives Republicans seek to overturn.

Responding to GOP claims of a sweeping mandate, House Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York pointed out the narrow Republican majority gained in the November election. To advance their agenda, Republicans plan to use the budget reconciliation process, allowing them to pass legislation along party lines without the risk of a Senate filibuster.