Since returning to the White House, President Donald J. Trump has made real progress on many of his campaign promises. Securing the border is a promise kept. The restoration of American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere is a promise kept. The fight to root out our waste, fraud and abuse still has a way to go, but much progress has been made, and public awareness of the issue is increased. These are all promises which are not highlighted when the media criticizes the Trump Administration record.
Also, Congress has made some progress in keeping campaign promises to the American people. According to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), the extension of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act stopped a $4.3 trillion tax hike on the American taxpayer. This includes protecting American households earning less than $400,000 from a $2.6 trillion increase. Tax relief for those who work overtime and accept tips was a victory. There were also provisions helping small businesses, such as, making permanent the small business deduction, full expensing of research and development, and full expensing of new factory improvements. These are all accomplishments that Republicans can remind voters going into the midterm elections.
The midterm elections will be contested, and the results will be close, and Congress looks like the control of the House, and maybe the Senate, are in danger of switching from the Republican to Democratic Party. It is time for Republicans to engage the voters who supported them in 2024 and returned Donald Trump to the White House. One way is to complete a few more promises which will make a significant impact on voters’ lives.
An issue - perhaps the biggest issue - facing voters is inflation. One way to lessen the burden of inflation is to wind down the Iran war resulting in lower gas prices – prices that inflate the cost of all goods subject to transportation costs. Another potential way to address inflation would be a federal gas tax holiday getting Americans through the fall with a decrease of $0.18 per gallon on gas and $0.24 per gallon on diesel fuel. Also, considering some tariff relief on groceries would be a boost for American families struggling with weekly food costs. If Congress and the White House can show some progress to tackle inflation, that would go a long way to preserving a Republican majority in November.
Additionally, there are second tier issues just below inflation that may be a tie breaker in a close race. For instance, data centers emerged as an issue in campaigns and Republicans need to show they understand concerns while embracing the technological advances improving the lives of everyday Americans. Also, the growing national debt hit home with our collective federal debt breaching $40 trillion with $2 trillion coming this fiscal year. Debt is one cause of the prices people pay, because the government holds control over the money supply and when the government borrows a new $2 trillion to pay off government expenses, that act deflates the value of the dollar. Those are just a few.
Another example of an issue that is below the radar are issues which touch on freedom, which is driving younger voters. Flock cameras are coming under attack, because many perceive them to be a violation of the right to privacy. Americans treasure freedom and any politicians who are thought to be blind to the potential implications of government oversteps on privacy.
A critical piece of President Trump’s 2024 coalition was the vaping voter, a group he unlocked after promising to save the industry during his campaign. It is important to note that over 300,000 independent retailers, distributors, and manufacturers of vaping products across key swing districts came together to support a candidate for President who shared their values. Completing that promise would show commitment to these small businesses and young voters.
Focusing on the vaping issue shows how to move indecisive voters at a time when every vote counts. A recent survey found that over 70% of respondents want the current rules for vapor products repealed and replaced with clear scientific standards. The same poll found that two-thirds of voters (67%) agree that FDA regulations should reflect adult consumer demand for flavored vaping products while maintaining protections to prevent youth access. This administration has already taken some encouraging steps, such as May’s enforcement guidelines and the approval of the first flavored products. But more must be done.
President Trump and Republicans in Congress have made progress on promises kept, yet they need to do a better job at highlighting these accomplishments while moving forward on incomplete ones. Furthermore, Republicans can talk about the hot button issues of flock cameras, data centers and inflation in a way that will show compassion and an understanding of Americans' concerns about these issues. There still is time if Republicans have the will to address the issues of apprehension to American voters.
