Politics with Shawn Episode One: 2025
by Kimia LaShawn Holmes
Introduction
Welcome to Politics with Shawn (PWS). Here you will find a breakdown of American Politics organized by the branches of the government to ensure a thorough breakdown and an organized layout. I’m Kimia, also known as a Kimia LaShawn. Founder and operator of the The Studio by Shawn, self-appointed family genealogist with 17 generations found and verified behind me. This is my country and being an informed voter, and active community member are two characteristics of mine that encourage me to chronicle the politics my fellow Americans and myself are beholden to. *Genealogy focused discussion will happen under another project; this is solely focused on American politics. Again, welcome to PWS.
Politics with Shawn
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PWS
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Politics with Shawn 〰️ PWS 〰️
The Executive Branch
Interestingly enough the final cabinet meeting of 2025 took place December 2, 2025. This is when the President and the media is given a briefing of the accomplishments of the Cabinet members and their respective departments up until that point. So this meeting is especially significant as it is the closeout meeting of President Trump’s first year as the 47th. Now let’s introduce the executive branch.
Name | Date took office
President Donald John Trump | January 20, 2025
Vice President James David Vance | January 20, 2025
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth | January 25, 2025
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick | February 21, 2025
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy | January 28, 2025
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins | February 5, 2025
Trade Representative Jamieson Greer | February 27, 2025
Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought | February 7, 2025
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner | February 5, 2025
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins | February 13, 2025
Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent | January 28, 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi | February 5, 2025
Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer | March 11, 2025
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright | February 4, 2025
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem | January 25, 2025
Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler | February 20, 2025
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard | February 12, 2025
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Lee Zeldin | January 29, 2025
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon | March 3, 2025
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. | February 13, 2025
Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum | February 1, 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio | January 21, 2025
To the American people, this is your executive branch. In another installment of PWS I will give the constitutional breakdown of their roles and responsibilities. Until then, please get familiar with your Cabinet members.
President Trump opens the meeting and these are the notes I gathered:
$18T in investments in America have been negotiated
More Americans are working | What is America’s population growth?
What is ‘affordability’ in capitalistic terms?
What is ‘inflation’ and ‘deflation’ in capitalistic terms?
Instituted ‘Favored Nations’ to lower pharmaceutical prices.
Big Beautiful Bill Tax Cuts
Refunds to the American people out of tariff revenue
Dividend structure
Commented that future income taxing wont be needed with the amount of tariff revenue being generated
0 illegal entries during the past 6 months
Settled 8 wars and the 9th (Russia/Ukraine) still being negotiated
Department of Defense returned to name of Department of War
1 of the 2 National Guard members that were shot in D.C. has died
They were both from the West Virginia
Mentioned Governor Landry asked for help in New Orleans, LA
Dept of War:
Department is returning to merit based focus
Considering mission focused investments
Golden Dome
F47
and more
Strikes narco terrorist has only just begun and the decision made by the leaders concerning these strikes are supported
American lives are believed to be at risk due to the cargo being carried by sea, air, and land
Dept of Commerce:
“Global Change of Trade” has been a result of the decisions and policies implemented by this administration
UK deal = they pay 10% and we pay nothing
EU deal = they open their borders to us and we charge them 15% resulting in $100B a year
Japan and Korea deal = $750B in cash to build in the us and all three nations will split the cashflow
Focus on building ships
Reshore Auto deal also known as 25% tariff on auto industry or build in the US
Semiconductor progress is $300B committed to the US will rise to $700B in 60 days
Pharmaceutical progress is $250B invested in the US and the reduction of prices
Deal to give the US 10% of Intel Corp has generated $40B in 3 months
Dept of Transportation:
Aviation is transitioning from copper to fiber and about ⅓ of the way done
Also transitioning from analog to digital
Projected to be completed before the end of Pres. Trump’s term
Needs $20B from Congress for 2nd phase
Found States giving CDLs to foreigners
Revoking these licenses
Shutting down sham schools that are issuing the training and licenses
Penn Station being renovated
Attaining brand new Air Traffic Control system
Set to renovate Dulles Airport
Dept of Veterans Affairs:
Addressed and reduced backlog timeframe
C&P exams will remove the need to see another physician when records reflect issue
30k employees accepted the early retirement
President Trump added that the VA has received the highest approval ratings it has seen thus far
Trade Representative:
Noted that tariffs have provided actual reciprocal trade
Office of Management and Budget:
Deregulation was 30 to 1 and now 40 to 1
Federal acquisition regulations are reduced by 25%
500 pages
27k mandates
$40B in savings
Shorten time for departments to make a purchase and will have better vendors
Dept of Housing and Urban Development:
Dedicated to making public housing safe again
Taskforce with the objective of removing crime and illegals
Working with DHS to check citizenship of residents in public housing
Taken authority over Atlantic City Housing
Supported 100M Americans become homeowners
560K are first time homeowners
Moving HUD headquarters from Washington D.C. to Alexandria, VA
Dept of Agriculture:
2026 focus is bringing back the ‘Golden Age’ to rural areas
Advocated for the private property rights for farmers
halting the lose of land to imminent domain
800k have graduated from the SNAP program
Requested SNAP recipient data from all 50 states to root out fraud
29 states complied and 21 have refused
Intend to stop sending federal funding to any states that refuse to send in data
China has made a very large order of soybeans
Dept of Treasury:
Capital expenditures are up 15%
Jobs are expected to follow this trend
Retroactive tax cuts
2026 refunds expected to be larger
Bonds have 4% growth (best year since 2020)
Dept of Justice:
7k arrests in Washington D.C. since activation of National Guard
Shooter of the West VA National Guard servicemembers will be held accountable
100% increase in arrest of violent criminals
Over 445M fentanyl pills and 4,200 kilos of fentanyl powder have been seized
31k illegal guns seized
19k from trafficking cases
575 lawsuits against the DOJ
24 supreme court wins or a 92% success rate
DEI funding is being challenged and ended
DOJ filing of lawsuits is happening as well
Countless cases from Biden administration are being dropped
Dept of Labor:
2M jobs created for native-born Americans
250k new apprenticeship programs established
$86M in AI infrastructure investments
DOL AI hub being created
Working to help bring down corporate healthcare pricing for employers
Rescinded disallowance of crypto and alternative assets for retirement accounts
With rescinding DEI requirements, compliance costs have been reduced for businesses
Dept of Energy:
Gas prices going down
Political leaders are said to be responsible for the the gas prices that are still high and rising
Texas and California were mentioned as examples
Stop the closing of coal powered plants
Trump-aligned energy policies in combination of an increase of energy demands will result in maintained or lower energy prices for the American people
Dept of Homeland Security:
2M illegals have left the US already
Hired the 10,000th ICE agent and will on the job within the 5 days (of this article)
Expect the State and Local political leaders to reflect the administration
Small Business Administration:
36M small businesses awarded $100B
$52B of that has gone to small business investment companies
National Intelligence:
Declassified over half a million documents
Reform within the Intelligence community
Going after domestic threats and empowered by the President to do so
Environmental Protection Agency:
Memorandum Of Understanding with Mexico to end raw sewage crisis on southern border
Significantly reduced the Agency’s workforce
Massive backlogs have been eliminated
Closed Biden EPA museum
Saved over $30B with the ending of the Green New ‘Scam’
Dept of Education:
Focus to return education back to the States is still a primary focus
30% of 12th, 8th, and 4th graders are able to read at proficiency levels
Wheel Up and Perkins Programs
Reintroducing the science of reading back into schools
Dept of Health and Human Services:
Menopause black box warnings for HRT were removed
E.U. is raising their pharmaceutical prices to counterbalance the lowering of the US prices
Convened tech companies to impress on them the need to improve the sharing of healthcare records digitally
Revocation of nursing home rule that was hurting rural and tribal communities
Dept of Interior:
Need to develop available resources
500M acres of service
700M acres of subservice
3B acres of offshore
National Parks
10 free days a year
$100 surcharge for non-residents
The Legislative Branch
The concept of "political theatre" has liberated me from the necessity of choosing sides between colleagues in Congress and the House of Representatives. At its essence, the legislative branch exists to introduce, discuss, and enact laws. While the executive and judicial branches can and do exert influence, This section is focused on the legislative.
To navigate the distractions of political theatre effectively, I will focus solely on laws that have been passed Not introduced, not blocked, not promised, passed and enacted.
What are the American people held accountable for? Laws. It is imperative that the American public understands the laws themselves, rather than becoming preoccupied with the fluctuations of political theatre, in my humble opinion.
As of today, the 119th Congress have passed 46 laws in 2025. They are as follows:
PL 119-1 | Laken Riley Act
Mandatory detention of specific non-citizens that have been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admitted to: burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault on a law enforcement officer, and any crime resulting in death or bodily harm
State AGs can sue Federal officials for failure to not detain, release or grant bond, grant visas, or improper use of humanitarian parole with ability to show harm exceeding $100
Federal courts must expedite these cases
Amends Nationality Act to give States automatic standing to sue, injunctive relief, and ability to challenge parole, detention, and visa-related decisions
Expansive exceptions for injunctive relief
EPA prohibited from implementing or enforcing methane waste charge
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Offshore oil, gas, and wind developers don’t have to adhere to the 2024 rule f submitting archaeological reports
Rule was estimated to add $5.9M in costs over 20 years
Action using the Congressional Review Act
PL 119-4 | Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act
Blocked IRS rule requiring brokers to report digital asset sales
Nullified Dept of Energy rule concerning gas-fired water heaters
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullify Dept of Energy rule concerning efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and freezers
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullify Dept of Energy concerning appliance standards: certification requirements, labeling requirements, and enforcement provisions for certain consumer products and commercial equipment
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullify Dept of Energy rule concerning energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers.
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullify Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection rule concerning large financial institutions concerning overdraft fee structures
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullify Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection rule defining larger participants and operators of digital payment systems
Action using the Congressional Review Act
PL 119-12 | Take It Down Act
Amends the Communication Act to criminalize:
Posting real intimate images without consent
Posting AI-generated sexual deepfakes or digital forgeries
Penalties:
(for adult victims) up to 2 years in prison for posting
(for minor victims) up to 3 years in prison for posting
(for victims of blackmail or extortion) up to 2 years for threats of posting real images and 18-30 months for threats of posting digital deepfakes
Mandatory forfeiture of proceeds and materials
Mandatory restitution to victims
Platform responsibilities:
Create clear takedown process
Accept takedown requests that include:
Signature
Link or location of image
Statement that posting was not consensual
Contact information
48 hours (after proper request submitted) to remove content and identical images
Provide clear notice on platform explaining this process
Federal Trade Commission steps towards platforms:
Investigation(s)
Fine(s)
Actions against nonprofits
Nullified the National Park Service rule that would’ve disallowed off-road vehicles and street-legal ATVs on portions of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullified Environmental Protection Agency rule that targeted emissions of organic HAPs and metal HAPs and required facilities to use control devices to meet new standards.
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullified Environmental Protection Agency rule mandating manufacturers who sell 500 vehicles annually in California to sell more, in percentage, zero-emission vehicles and near-zero-emission vehicle annually from 2024 to 2035
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullified Environmental Protection Agency rule that required an increasing percentage of ZEVs being sold in California and a stricter emissions standard for non-ZEVs sold in California
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullified Environmental Protection Agency rule that granted California a waiver for its Omnibus Low Nitrogen Oxide regulation
The regulation mandated a reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions in new heavy-duty engines
Imposed compliance requirements on manufacturers for vehicles sold within California
Required longer useful life and warranty periods for emission control systems
Action using the Congressional Review Act
PL 119-18 | Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act
Amends the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996
Reauthorizes the Dept of Defense (War) to sell excess and viable aircrafts and parts to private entities that contract with the government for wildfire suppression purposes
Sales timeframes are October 1, 2025 to October 1, 2035
Acceptable uses for transferred aircrafts now include delivery of water
Purchased aircrafts are now permitted to leave the US without advance approval
Nullify Office of Comptroller of the Currency’s rule to remove expedited and streamlined process and approval for bank mergers
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullified Environmental Protection Agency rule that would have formalized the requirement that major sources of hazardous air pollutants must remain subject to strict standards
Industrial facilities have the restored ability to reclassify as “area sources” provided they reduce their emissions below “major source” thresholds
Action using the Congressional Review Act
PL 119-21 | One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Title I - Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Subtitle A - Nutrition
Aiming to reduce federal spending by approx. $186B over 10 years
Expands work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, age ceiling goes from 55 to 64 and removes certain exemptions for veterans and the unhoused
Freezes Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) at 2022 levels which eliminates future inflation adjustments that impact SNAP benefit amounts
Cost-sharing model for states with error rates above 6% and federal share is reduced from 50% to 25%
Modifies SNAP eligibility requirements for non-citizens
Subtitle B - Forestry
Rescinds unobligated funds from prior legislation for forestry related programs
Subtitle C - Commodities
Modify “effective reference price” for commodities to impact program payments to farmers
Allows addition of 30M new base acres which allows more crop row producers access to Title 1 programs
Updates Dairy Margin Programs and modernize federal sugar policy
Subtitle D - Disaster Assistance Programs
Improves standing livestock disaster programs ensuring federally protected species are fully covered in event of losses
Increased assistance for forage losses during drought
Subtitle E - Corp Insurance
Increase premium subsidies and additional support for beginning farmers and ranchers
Increase in coverage levels and lowers threshold to trigger payments for certain losses
Establish pilot program for index-based insurance for contract poultry growers and covers extreme weather and other risks
Subtitle F - Additional Investments in Rural America
Rescinds unobligated funds from Inflation Reduction Act for conservation programs (ACEP, EQIP, CSP, RCPP) but provides permanent baseline funding for these programs with a 54% total increase by 2031
Mandatory $125M a year funding for Agriculture Research Facilities Act
Funds a supplemental agricultural trade promotion program to promote US commodities in foreign markets
Title II - Committee on Armed Services
$24.4B in funding for “integrated air and missile defense”
Significant funding to shipbuilding industrial base with specific amounts for:
US production of turbine generators
US additive manufacturing for wire production and machining capacity
Next-generation shipbuilding techniques
US-made steel plate
Machining capacity for naval propellers
Additional $1B for Defense Production Act of 1950 activities
Quality of Life for Military Personnel
Supplemental payments of BAH
Increased funding for tuition and child care assistance
Readiness and Modernization
Improve readiness of DOD (War)
Enhance capabilities of the US Indo-Pacific Command
Improve air superiority and nuclear forces
Improve DOD (War) border support and counter-drug missions
$10M to the DOD IG for oversight of funding provided within this title (Title II)
Authorize specific military construction projects
Title III - Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Reduced authorized amount of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) funding cap from 12% to 6.5% of the Federal Reserve’s 2009 operating expenses
Rescind unobligated balances from Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP)
Terminated Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Reserve Fund and transferred the remaining balances to the Treasury General Fund
Additional $1B for Defense Production Act of 1950 activities
Title IV - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Facilitates the auction of certain electromagnetic spectrum for commercial use, authorizing proceeds that contribute to the bill’s revenue estimates
Reforms and funding mechanisms related to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) spectrum management activities
Rescind approx. $12.5B in unobligated funds previously appropriated for the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022
Imposes new limitations on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) funding mechanisms
Implementation of new consumer protection rules regarding data brokers and how consumer data is handled and sold
Title V - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Subtitle A - Oil and Gas Leasing
Requires the Secretary of Interior to immediately resume quarterly onshore oil and gas lease sales in compliance with Mineral Leasing Act
Mandates two oil and gas lease sales each year through 2040 in the Gulf of America region and one annual sale in the Cook Inlet, Alaska through 2032
Secretary of Interior is required to ensure that the leasing process is conducted in a timely manner and that lands available for leasing are offered within 18 months of an expression of interest
Provisions related to royalties on extracted methane
Subtitle B - Mining
Restores coal leasing that were previously paused or restricted
Provision to provide a road to access to the Ambler Mining District in Alaska
Subtitle C - Lands
Mandates the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to increase timber sales and long-term contracting
New fees for renewable energy projects located on Federal lands
Provides funding for the establishment and maintenance of the National Garden of American Heroes
Subtitle D - Energy
Repealing or modifying certain energy-related tax incentives that were established in prior legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act
Subtitle E - Water
$1B available and not subject to matching or cost-sharing through September 30, 2034 for construction and associated activities to:
Restore or increase capacity or use of existing water conveyance facilities built by the Bureau of Reclamation
Increase the capacity of existing Bureau of Reclamation surface water storage facilities
Contracts and agreements are not to be be treated as new or amended contracts to streamline implementation
Title VI - Committee on Environment and Public Works
Repeal of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Rescinds unobligated funding for the following programs:
Rebates and grants for purchasing or installing equipment to reduce pollution at ports
Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Low Carbon Transportation Materials Grants Program
Recission of Air Pollution Funds
Eliminate Methane Reduction Program
Repeal Clean Construction Program
National Environmental Policy Act process modified by allowing project proponents to pay for the preparation of environmental assessments or impact statements to expedite process
Title VII - Finance
Subtitle A - Tax
Chapter 1 - Providing Permanent Tax Relief for Middle-Class Families and Workers
Permanent reduced tax rates at 10% to 37%
Permanent extends increased standard deduction amounts for all filers
Termination of personal exemptions and deduction of $6,000 for individuals aged 65 and older for tax years 2025 through 2028
Child tax credit $2,200 with up to $1,700 of that amount being refundable
Extends 20% pass-through deduction for qualified business income for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corps
Extends doubled federal estate and gift tax exclusion amounts
Extends exemptions of Alternative Minimum Tax and raises the income thresholds
Maintain mortgage interest deduction limitation
Limits personal casualty loss deduction for losses incurred during federally declared disaster areas
Terminate deductions of miscellaneous itemized deductions that exceed 2% of adjusted gross income
Terminates deduction for moving expenses and the exclusion from income for employer-provided moving expense reimbursements
Clarifies the limitation of deducting wagering losses applies to all deductions incurred in wagering activity
Enhanced provisions related to ABLE accounts
Extends the exclusion of certain student loan forgiveness amounts from gross income if the discharge is due to borrower’s death or total permanent disability
Temporarily increases the cap on State and Local Taxes (SLAT) deductions up to $40,000 for married coupples filing jointly
Chapter 2 - Delivering on Presidential Priorities to Provide New Middle-Class Tax Relief
Up to $25,000 deduction annually for tips
Up to $12,500 for single filers and $25,000 for married filing jointly deduction
Up to $10,000 annually in interest paid on loans to purchase new, US-assembled vehicles
Trump Accounts
Chapter 3 - Establishing Certainty and Competitiveness for American Job Creators
Subchapter A - Permanent U.S. Business Tax Reform and Boosting Domestic Investment
Permanently restores 100% bonus depreciation the following:
qualified new or used tangible property with a 20 year or less recovery period
qualified real estate improvement property
certain computer software placed into service after January 19, 2025
Permanently restores expensing of domestic research and experimental costs paid or incurred in tax years beginning after December 31, 2024
Extends existing employer tax credit for paid family and medical leave
Exceptions from limitation on deduction for business meals
Increased dollar limitations for expensing for certain depreciable business assets
Special depreciation allowance for qualified production property
Enhancement of advanced manufacturing investment credit
Spaceports are treated like airports under exempt facility bond
Subchapter B - Permanent America-First International Tax Reforms
Part I - Foreign Tax Credit
Modifications to how companies calculate their foreign tax credit limitation related to Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (renamed to the NET CFC Tested Income)
Modifications to increase the percentage of foreign taxes paid that US corps can credit against their US tax NCTI from 80% to 90%
Restore pre-2017 tax law rule allowing US manufacturers to treat up 50% of the taxable income from selling US-produced inventory through a foreign office as foreign-source income
Part II - Foreign-Derived Deduction Eligible Income and Net CFC Tested Income
Tax years beginning after December 31, 2025 have a set tax rate of 14% for both NCTI and Foreign-Derived Deduction Eligible Income
Amends process for determining a corporation’s deduction eligible income
Deemed intangible income or CFC calculation has been modified
Part III - Base Erosion Minimum Tax
Increased tax rate from 10% in 2025 to 10.5% starting in 2026
Applies to large corporations with average annual gross receipts of at least $500M that make significant BEAT payments
Part IV - Business Interest Limitation
Establishes a clear priority of business interest limitation with interest capitalization provisions
Defined adjusted taxable income for business interest limitation
EBITDA-like calculation restored for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024
Excludes foreign income
Part V - Other International Tax Reforms
Permanently extends look-through rule for controlled foreign corps under IRC section 954(c)(6)
Repeal one-month deferral election to determine specified foreign corporation’s taxable year with IRS guidance available
Restores limitation on attribution of stock ownership with restriction of the treatment of a US subsidiary owning stock held by foreign parent company
Modification to pro rata share rules
Removal of last-day ownership rule for tax years starting after December 31, 2025
Chapter 4 - Investing in American Families, Communities, and Small Business
Subchapter A - Permanent Investments in Families and Children
Tax brackets and credits will adjust for inflation
Maximum adoption tax credit increased
Community-support credit expanded
Subchapter B - Permanent Investments in Students and Reforms to Tax Exempt Institutions
Encourages private capital investments
Expands tax credits for small business investments
Tax incentives for employer-provided training
Focus on manufacturing, logistics, and trades
Supports apprenticeship and reskilling programs
Credit for local infrastructure improvements prioritizing rural and low-income communities
Allows public-private partnerships
Expanded tax relief for businesses recovering from natural disasters
Subchapter C - Permanent Investments in Community Development
Creates Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZs), provides tax incentives for investors targeting counties with persistent poverty or population loss
Establishes credit for businesses operating in ROZs including startup formation and expansion
Tax incentives for rural housing development and community facilities
Supports apprenticeships and technical training in manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics
Incentives for broadband deployment, and water, energy, and transportation upgrades
Establish reporting requirements for ROZ investment funds
Subchapter D - Permanent Investments in Small Business and Rural America
Enhanced tax incentives to give small businesses access to more capital
Tax credit for modernization investments and productivity improvements
Reduction in compliance burdens for small businesses by directing Dept of Treasury to issue streamlined guidance
Incentives for local sourcing, reshoring, and domestic production
Chapter 5 - Ending Green New Deal Spending, Promoting America-First Energy, and Other Reforms
Subchapter A - Termination of Green New Deal Subsidies
Repeal renewable-energy production subsides
Termination of EV subsidies
Ends credits for energy-efficiency home upgrades
Cancelled climate-related grant programs
Pulls back unspent funds for Green New Deal initiatives
Multi-year contracts and loan guarantees with developers are terminated
Subchapter B - Enhancement of America-First Energy Policy
Federal lands and offshore reopened for exploration and drilling
Accelerated approval for pipelines, refineries, LNG terminals and transmission lines
Tax benefits/regulatory relief for US oil, gas, and coal producers
Restrictions on foreign energy dependence
Rollback of emissions-based regulatory barriers
Subchapter C - Other Reforms
Reduced administrative burdens across multiple agencies
Eliminates outdated legacy energy programs
Aligns agency budgets with new policy direction
Chapter 6 - Enhancing Deduction and Income Tax Credit Guardrails, and Other Reforms
Tightens income-verification for refundable credits adding documentation standards
Narrows eligibility and adds anti-abuse provisions for business deductions
IRS authority expanded for refund delays when fraud indicators are present
Increases penalties for improper filing of refundable credit claims
Due diligence requirements for paid preparers, and expanded penalties for negligence
Stacking of overlapping credits is prevented and ordering rules are clarified
IRS issue new guardrail implementations
Subtitle B - Health
Chapter 1 - Medicaid
Subchapter A - Reducing Fraud and Improving Enrollment Process
Requires states to use enhanced system to confirm identity and citizenship verification
Mandatory periodic eligibility redeterminations
Applicants must provide more robust proof of eligibility
Oversight to audit and penalize states with high improper payment rates and systemic failures to verify eligibility
Subchapter B - Preventing Wasteful Spending
Limits federal matching funds on non-medical administrative spending
States must justify certain high-cost services to receive federal matching
Federal funding ends for programs deemed ineffective or redundant
Subchapter C - Stopping Abusive Financing Practices
Limits provider tax schemes to draw down more federal dollars
Prevents states from using intergovernmental transfers to inflate their share of Medicaid financing
Oversight to review and disallow abusive financing structures
States must disclose all non-federal funding sources used to claim federal match
Subchapter D - Increasing Personal Accountability
Community engagement requirements to promote self-sufficiency
Coverage suspension for those who do not meet engagement requirements
States may offer reduced premiums or enhanced benefits to incentivize compliance
Subchapter E - Expanding Access to Care
Identifies the Rural Health Transformation Program
States encouraged to expand provider networks in underserved areas
Flexibility for states to pilot innovative care models while reducing costs
Chapter 2 - Medicare
Subchapter A - Strengthening Eligibility Requirements
Coverage restricted to US citizens, lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and migrants from the Compacts of Free Association who are lawfully residing in the US
Within 18 months of the enactment of this law ineligible individuals must be identified and disenrolled
Subchapter B - Improving Services for Seniors
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will see a temporary payment increase to stabilize provider participation and ensure seniors maintain access to physicians
Medicare drug price negotiation clarifies which orphan drugs qualify for exclusion
Protects incentives for rare-disease drug development
Chapter 3 - Health Tax
Subchapter A - Improving Eligibility Criteria
IRS and HHS data matching to ensure accurate eligibility determinations
Subchapter B - Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
Mandatory disclosures for entities receiving health-related tax benefits
New penalties for misrepresentation tied to health credits or deductions
Subchapter C - Enhancing Choice for Patients
HSA/FSAs rules increase flexibility and allowable uses
Credits for alternative care models
Incentives for insurers to offer more customizable, consumer-directed coverage options
Chapter 4 - Protecting Rural Hospitals and Providers
Temporary and long-term financial support for rural hospitals
Updates to Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement adjustments
Incentives for clinicians to practice in underserved areas
Funding for telehealth capacity, emergency services, and facility upgrades
Subtitle C - Increase in Debt Limit
Federal borrowing cap increased to ensure continued govt operations
Subtitle D - Unemployment
Strengthened verification, reporting, support for rapid reemployment and adjustments to benefit amounts during economic stress
Title VIII - Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Subtitle A - Exemption of Certain Assets
Expand asset exemptions and protection for low-income families to maintain eligibility for education or training programs
Subtitle B - Loan Limits
Borrowing ceilings adjusted to reflect current education costs
Subtitle C - Loan Repayment
Modernized repayment plans
Relief for public service, rural service, or high-need professions
Streamlined consolidation process
Guardrails against predatory servicing or misinformation
Subtitle D - Pell Grants
Increased maximum award amounts for inflation or cost-of-attendance changes
Eligibility categories expanded
Continuous enrollment or accelerated programs
Subtitle E - Accountability
Completion. employment outcomes, or financial responsibility are tied to institutional accountability metrics
Public reporting of program performance and costs
Subtitle F - Regulatory Relief
Streamlined reporting requirements
Flexibility for program administration
Subtitle G - Garden of Refugee Resettlement
Creation of a designated resettlement program
Housing, education, employment, or community integration for newly arrived refugees
Subtitle H - Office of Refugee Resettlement
Updated Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) authority to coordinate federal, state, and local partners to ensure program integrity
Title IX - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Subtitle A - Homeland Security Provisions
Modernization of DHS operational authorities
Federal capabilities enhanced to protect critical infrastructure and govt networks
Investments in screening technology, personnel, and intelligence integration
Data exchange between DHS, DOJ, DOD, and state partners
Mandates periodic assessments of homeland security programs
Allows DHS to test new technologies or operational models
Subtitle B - Governmental Affairs Provisions
IG enhanced oversight mechanisms
Streamlines administrative processes, procurement, or workforce systems
Transparency and accountability requirements
Title X - Committee on the Judiciary
Subtitle A - Immigration and Law Enforcement Matters
Part I - Immigration Fees
Adjust application, petition, and adjudication fees to reflect operational costs
Fee waivers and exemptions to protect vulnerable populations by maintaining eligibility
Public reporting on fee-setting methodologies
Part II - Immigration and Law Enforcement Fund
Technology upgrades, hiring, detention operations, and case-processing improvements
Supports courts, operations and backlogs
Oversight and reporting
Subtitle B - Judiciary Matters
Administrative modernization to technology, case management systems, and rules
Judicial resource adjustments
Subtitle C - Radiation Exposure Compensation Matters
Clarifies covered populations affected by nuclear testing or uranium work
Adjusts award levels to reflect inflation
Streamlined claims process
PL 119-22 | Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act
Ensure distribution or benefits from a settlement trust do not disqualify eligible Alaska Natives or their descendants who are aged, blind, or disabled from receiving benefits from other programs
Applies for a five-year period starting from date of the Act’s enactment
PL 119-23 | Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025
Allows lands previously held in trust for municipal corps to revert to the Village corps
PL 119-24 | Apex Area Technical Corrections Act
Expand the scope and clarify participants, “Apex Industrial Park Owners Association” and “City of North Las Vegas” for a specific land transfer in Nevada, a process authorized by the original 1989 Act
PL 119-25 | Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act
Name change from “Historic Site” to “Historical Park”
Mandates Secretary of Interior to conduct study for potential park expansion of maritime history, coastal defenses, and military history
Submit finding within three years
PL 119-26 | Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act
Permanently schedule all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act
PL 119-27 | Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act
Permitted issuers given specific rules and specified as subsidiaries of insured banks, federal-qualified nonbanks, or state-qualified nonbanks
1:1 framework using US currency or other highly liquid, government backed assets
Prohibit interest paid on stablecoin holdings
Issuers required to publicly disclose reserve and redemption policies
PL 119-28 | Rescissions Act of 2025
Approx. $7.9B in foreign assistance funds and $1.1B in funding for CPB of unobligated funds are cancelled
Funds for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, nutrition, and maternal and child health programs are protected
PL 119-29 | Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act
IRS authorized to postpone federal tax deadlines for taxpayers affected by qualified state-declared disasters, even when FEMA declaration hasn’t been made
Automatic extension for certain tax acts to 120 days for federally declared disaster areas
Qualified state-declared disasters defined broadly
PL 119-30 | Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act
Rename the State of Texas’s Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in honor Jocelyn Nungaray
The 12 year old was murdered in Houston, Texas in June 2024
PL 119-31 | VA Home Loan Program Reform Act
VA authorized to pay portion of missed mortgage payments to avoid foreclosure
VA obtains secured interest in property
Missed payments added to end of loan to allow veteran to resume original payments
VA required to prescribe loss mitigation procedures to prevent foreclosure
Secretary of VA directed to develop strategy to ensure veterans receive real estate or broker representation
Increase authorized appropriations for comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans through fiscal year 2030
PL 119-32 | ACES Act of 2025
Secretary of VA required to enter an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study:
Prevalence and mortality from various cancers among those who served as active duty aircrew members
Identify exposure among various chemicals, compounds, agents, and other phenomena
Review existing scientific literature to establish associations between identified exposures and the incidence or prevalence of cancers
PL 119-33 | Protecting Regular Order for Veterans Act of 2025
Secretary of VA required to brief congressional committees in-person regarding the VA’s budget
VA prohibited from providing “critical skill incentives” to senior executives at the VA’s central office without specific approvals
Establishes Veterans Experience Office within the VA and outlines the functions of the office, reporting requirements, and mandates a review by the Comptroller General of the US
PL 119-34 | Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act
Amendment of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018
Secretary of Commerce must submit end-use checks and license applications for items controlled in Act in annual reports to congressional committee
Applicant’s name, description of the item, end-user, location, and decision regarding the license application must be provided
Certain sensitive information within reports is exempt from public disclosure
Named community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey the Leonard G. ‘Bud’ Lomell, VA Clinic
PL 119-36 | Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act
Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) by:
Adding specific restrictions on furnishing consumer reports related to potential residential mortgage loans unless:
Transaction is a firm offer of credit or insurance
Documentation from 3rd party certifying consumer’s consent
Existing relationship between 3rd party and consumer
Will take effect March 4, 2026
PL 119-37 | Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Ending the longest federal shutdown in history by providing funding for most federal departments and agencies through January 30, 2026
Full FY appropriations for Military Construction and the VA, Dept of Agriculture, and the Legislative Branch
Full retroactive pay to all federal workers who were furloughed during shutdown
Bars new reductions-in-force, mass layoffs, and reversed those initiated during the lapse in appropriations
PL 119-38 | Epstein Files Transparency Act
Mandates Department of Justice to release all documents and records relating to Jeffrey Epstein
Decisions to classify any covered information made after July 1, 2025 must be published to Federal Register and submitted to Congress
Attorney General has 15 days of the required release to submit report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees
Listing all categories of records released or withheld
Summaries of redactions made
List of all government officials and politically exposed persons named in released materials
PL 119-39 | Internal Revenue Service Math and Taxpayer Help Act
Notices required to detail specific mathematical or clerical errors in comprehensive, plain language
Itemized computation of any adjustments made to the return are required from the IRS
Notice must clearly state taxpayer’s 60-day window to request abatement in bold, large font next to taxpayer’s address
Pilot program established when sending math-error notices via certified or registered mail to convey sense of urgency and ensure receipt
PL 119-40 | Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025
Amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act changes when interest is earned on obligations in federal aid to wildlife restoration from 2026 to 2033
PL 119-41 | Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act
Transportation Security Administration must consult with nationally recognized maternal health organizations to ensure adherence to hygenic standards when handling breast milk, baby formula, and associated cooling accessories
PL 119-42 | Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025
Increase in dollar amounts for disability compensation
Increase in dollar amounts for dependency and indemnity compensation for eligible survivors
Secretary of VA is required to publish these adjusted rates in the Federal Register
PL 119-43 | Medal of Honor Act
Amends title 38 of the US Code mandating an increase for living persons pension whose names are on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor Roll
PL 119-44 | SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025
Reduces risk and improves surveillance
Improves access to high-quality care
Strengthens recovery ecosystems
Improves program administration
PL 119-45 | Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act
Amends the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 to ensure up-to-date reviews and reports on the State Department’s engagement with Taiwan
Request Secretary of Interior to authorize unique and one-time arrangements for displays on the National Mall and the Washington Monument beginning on December 31, 2025 and ending January 5, 2025
Nullify Bureau of Land Management rule relating to ‘National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision’ that was issued April 25, 2022
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullify Bureau of Land Management rule relating to ‘Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment’ that was issued November 20, 2024
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullify Bureau of Land Management rule relating to ‘North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan’ that was issued January 14, 2025
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullify Bureau of Land Management rule relating to ‘Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan’ that was issued November 12, 2024
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullify Bureau of Land Management rule relating to ‘Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan’ that was issued November 20, 2024
Action using the Congressional Review Act
Nullify Bureau of Land Management rule relating to ‘Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision’ that was issued December 9, 2024
Action using the Congressional Review Act
PL 119-53 | Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act
PL 119-54 | Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2025
PL 119-55 | Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2025
PL 119-56 | Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025
PL 119-57 | Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025
PL 119-58 | Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025
PL 119-59 | Oscar J. Upham Post Office
PL 119-60 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
PL 119-61 | Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
All Public Laws from the 119th are available here.
The Judicial Branch
The United States Supreme Court is under a different calendar than the rest of the US. Decisions are organized from Oct-Oct. For example, 2025 only has 3 decisions from the Supreme Court because 2025 doesn’t end until Oct 2026. Links to all 2024 decisions will be here.
1st decision of 2025: Pitts v. Mississippi
Jeffrey Clyde Pitts argued that Mississippi ignored the requirements of making a case-specific finding to refuse him his 6th amendment right to face-to-face confrontation with the witness
Mississippi has a statue that mandates child witnesses be given a physical screen so that they not see the defendant to avoid traumatizing the child
Child-witness protections require:
a hearing
evidence about this particular child
a judicial finding that they would suffer trauma impairing testimony
2nd decision of 2025: Clark v. Sweeney
Jeremiah Sweeney was granted a new trial by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals based on a claim he never petitioned for
Juror 4 independently visited the crime scene and was dismissed by the judge and parties but Sweeney’s lawyer did not request the judge to question all jurors to ensure they weren’t influence by the misconduct which is the only claim Sweeney included in petition
The Supreme Court reversed the 4th Circuit’s decision
Courts cannot:
invent new claims
rewrite the case
reshape legal arguments the parties never made
3rd decision of 2025: Doe v. Dynamic Physical Therapy, LLC
Doe experienced chronic pain stemming from HIV and was denied aqua therapy treatment from Dynamic Physical Therapy. Doe claims this violates the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Louisiana Civil Rights Act for Persons with Disabilities.
A Louisiana statue (LHEPA) immunizes healthcare providers from civil liability, and the Louisiana Court of Appeal blocked Doe’s federal discrimination claims.
The Supreme Court’s decision is that state law cannot prevent a plaintiff from pursuing federal discrimination claims. The case was remanded back to the lower courts to allow Doe to pursue his federal disability claims on their merits.
Politics with Shawn
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Final thoughts
The American government has been very busy in 2025. President Trump’s 1st year of his 2nd term is coming to a close and all branches have been hard at work. Starting with the Executive branch, the big bill was a major highlight of them coming together to make this administrations mark on the country. I haven’t done the research, but I’d be surprised if there was even one law passed during the Biden administration that has remained unscathed. In passing I’ve heard people say the administration after this one will undo most of the things done now and part of me can see a reality where that is true while the louder part of me says there are three more years of damage to be done, how will they know where to begin. Also, as you hear the reports of what the Cabinet is focused on, it almost feels as if the purpose is to seduce even the opponents. This leads me to the Legislative, where we see both parties in a more theatric way. My purpose of this missive is to focus on what the American people are actually being impacted by, not the political theatre we enjoy. The theatre gives a wind that makes us citizens believe these are one sides of different coins, legacy opponents unable to find common ground and yet. I find that many laws have been passed, including the laws that have received so much disagreement. Even laws I’ve heard nothing of. The Cabinet let it known that deregulation was not only a focus but an accomplishment, the Legislator was the proof. Many of the laws passed were recissions of rules by way of Congressional Review. Meaning the committee decided otherwise. Granted the changes within Congress may give an explanation to these advancements but again, that’s why the theatre can feel a bit blinding. Work is being done, aloud and in secret. The Big Bill is exactly that, huge. With a title for every committee, billions in funds being reallocated, rescinded and earmarked. This bill is another example of the future administration may not know where to start. Many of the subtitles and subchapters hold language that is seductive to every taxpayer, employer, and small business. The concerns that have been televised by the media are true, every single one however, there is more. This tax year coming and the next will let us all know what we’ve truly gotten ourselves into and for the sake of us all, I hope it’s more positive than negative. Also, Mr. President, I appreciate the reshoring effort, but who is getting a loan on a brand-new car in this economy? To the Supreme Court’s decisions, at this moment we’re at three and I highly suggest everyone take the time to get familiar with the cases and the precedents that are being set. One case in particular allowed a person to fight back against discrimination not only from a business but also from their state, letting it be known that lower courts still must uphold federal law regardless of their state’s statues. Another case has a similar revelation and though I’m sad for the minor involved in the case, the attorneys that can protect that child should have the information they need from the Court’s decision to properly have the child shielded for the trauma they originally anticipated.
I write this the day after Christmas knowing it is a lot of information to consume and my system isn’t completely fine-tuned but my mission is clear and for those that are able to process the information and extract what they need, I wish you well research and clarity of mind and thought. Until next time, this is Politics with Shawn.
