Akin Gump has issued an alert on administration and congressional activity since President Trump’s inauguration. The report highlights key regulatory and legislative developments across a range of policy areas. This document also previews the policy agenda for the coming year and concludes with a political update and analysis of the 2018 congressional elections.
Trump Administration: 2017 Recap and 2018 Outlook
On January 20, 2017, businessman Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States following a contentious and unconventional 2016 presidential election. Republicans also successfully maintained control of both the House and the Senate. Prior to 2017, the GOP had unified control of the legislative and executive branches for only six and a half of the past 64 years. Republican legislators, in close concert with the Trump administration, immediately set about using this historically rare opportunity to push forward long-held policy goals.
The Trump White House and congressional Republicans claimed several victories throughout the year, from passing the largest tax reform bill in more than 30 years to rolling back Obama-era regulations and successfully confirming a host of judicial nominees, including Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court and a first-year, recordbreaking 12 appellate court judges. Republicans also experienced a series of setbacks, despite having control of Congress and the administration. Most notably, the GOP failed in its long-term goal of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). President Trump generated numerous controversies over 2017, through his statements and social media posts. All of these developments occurred as scrutiny intensified on Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election, culminating in the naming of former Federal Bureau of Investigations Director Robert Mueller to lead a special investigation.
As we approach the first anniversary of President Trump's inauguration, this report summarizes administration and congressional activity over the past year, highlighting key regulatory and legislative developments across a range of policy areas. Further, this document previews the policy agenda for the coming year and concludes with a political update and analysis of the 2018 congressional midterm elections.
To view the Report in full click here
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