**Republicans Chart Ambitious Agenda as Trump Prepares for Second Term**

WASHINGTON (AP) – As President-elect Donald Trump eyes his return to the White House, Republicans are gearing up for a bold 100-day plan to realize their policy goals. Key elements of their agenda include renewing substantial tax cuts predominantly benefiting high-income individuals, rolling back Biden-era green energy initiatives, implementing mass deportations, and making significant cuts to government jobs, food stamps, and other safety net programs.

A priority item for the Republicans is the renewal of approximately $4 trillion in expiring tax cuts, a hallmark of Trump's first term. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., emphasizing preparedness, stated, "What we're focused on right now is being ready, Day 1," after recent strategy discussions with GOP lawmakers.

These plans are resurrecting deep-rooted debates around America's economic priorities and the role of government, amid soaring federal deficits approaching $2 trillion annually. Questions loom over whether Trump and his Republican allies can achieve desired outcomes now that they’ve secured control of Congress and the White House.

Reflecting on similar efforts in 2017, Lindsay Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, noted that Trump's initial term was significantly influenced by the tax cuts passed by a Republican Congress. Initially failing to repeal Democratic President Barack Obama's health care law, the GOP swiftly pivoted to pass the multi-trillion-dollar tax package by the end of the year.

These tax cuts heavily favored wealthier households, with the top 1 percent—those earning nearly $1 million or more—receiving an average reduction of about $60,000 in income tax. In contrast, lower-income individuals saw only minimal benefits, according to analyses by the Tax Policy Center and other groups. Some taxpayers found their tax burden remained roughly the same.

Owens highlighted the broader implications of these economic policies, stating, "The big economic story in the U.S. is soaring income equality. And that is actually, interestingly, a tax story."

In anticipation of Trump's return, GOP members of Congress have engaged in months of private meetings and consultations with the president-elect to refine proposals aimed at extending and enhancing the existing tax breaks set to expire in 2025. The upcoming legislative session is poised to test the effectiveness and public support for the Republican Party's ambitious policy agenda.