During his time in office, former President Trump put his signature on a variety of bills, each one a stroke of his legislative brush that painted the country’s policy canvas. Notably, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was a significant move, slicing taxes and aiming to bolster economic growth. It sparked a fiery debate, with some praising it for putting more money back in people’s wallets and others criticizing it for benefiting the wealthy disproportionately.
Another key piece of legislation was the First Step Act, which sought to mend the criminal justice system, reduce repeat offenses, and adjust sentences that many agreed were too harsh. This law found common ground across party lines, with Trump remarking on its importance for giving people a second shot at contributing to society.
Healthcare saw the introduction of the Right to Try Act, allowing patients with serious illnesses to try out treatments still in the trial phase. Trump reflected the urgency of those struggling when he endorsed the act, emphasizing the importance of expanding treatment options.
Trump said, “We’re giving new hope to patients who desperately need it.”
Other significant bills included the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, addressing the urgent opioid crisis, and the Farm Bill, which covered a broad range of issues from agricultural subsidies to nutrition assistance programs.
List of Bills Trump Signed into Law:
- Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017): This sweeping tax reform lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and made significant adjustments to individual tax rates and deductions.
- First Step Act (2018): A bipartisan bill that reformed sentencing laws to reduce recidivism and decrease the federal prison population while also improving prison conditions.
- Right to Try Act (2018): This law allows terminally ill patients to try experimental treatments not yet approved by the FDA.
- SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (2018): Aimed at combating the opioid crisis, this legislation included provisions for treatment, prevention, and recovery.
- John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019: This act authorized funding for defense spending and included provisions for pay raises for service members.
- Farm Bill (2018): Officially known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, it provided funding for various agricultural and nutritional programs.
- Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (2018): This act rolled back some of the regulations put in place by the Dodd-Frank Act following the 2008 financial crisis.
- VA MISSION Act (2018): This law reformed the Department of Veterans Affairs, improving healthcare options for veterans.
- America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018: Funded water infrastructure projects across the country, including provisions for drinking water infrastructure, water storage, and treatment.
- Music Modernization Act (2018): Updated copyright laws related to music streaming to ensure fair payment to songwriters and artists.
- The Great American Outdoors Act (2020): This act provided permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and addressed the maintenance backlog within national parks and public lands.
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (2020): In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this economic stimulus bill provided relief to individuals, businesses, and hospitals, including direct payments to Americans.
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act (2020): Another part of the federal government’s response to the pandemic, this law included provisions for paid sick leave, insurance coverage of coronavirus testing, and increased funding for food security programs.
- United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (2020): This act implemented the USMCA, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and aimed to promote fair trade and economic growth among the three countries.
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act (2018): Established the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to enhance national defenses against cyber threats.
- Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (2019): This law made certain acts of animal cruelty a federal felony, expanding on the 2010 Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act.
- Save Our Seas Act (2018): Aimed at addressing the marine debris crisis, this act promoted international action to reduce marine pollution and supported cleanup projects.
- BUILD Act (2018): The Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act reformed and strengthened the U.S. government’s development finance capabilities by creating the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.
- Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act (2019): This act extended disability benefits covering medical conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure to those who served in the territorial seas of Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
- Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act (2018): This legislation aimed to increase transparency in drug pricing by banning “gag clauses” in pharmacy contracts that prevented pharmacists from informing customers when paying out-of-pocket would be cheaper than using insurance.
- National Quantum Initiative Act (2018): This act aimed to accelerate quantum research and development for the United States’ economic and national security.
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act (2017): Transferred certain property in Alaska to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
- Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) (2018): This act aimed to combat sex trafficking by reducing the immunity previously granted to website operators for content posted by users, specifically targeting sites that facilitate sex workers.
- Ashanti Alert Act (2018): Created a national alert system for missing or endangered adults between the ages of 18 and 64.
- Small Business 7(a) Lending Oversight Reform Act (2018): Enhanced the Small Business Administration’s oversight over its 7(a) loan program to ensure its efficiency and integrity.
These are just a few of the bills that were signed into law, reflecting a range of policy areas from economic reform to healthcare and defense. Each piece of legislation carries with it the stories of the individuals and communities they impact, and as the political winds shift with the upcoming election, the legacy of these laws continues to be a point of discussion and debate.
These laws span a wide array of issues, reflecting the diverse challenges and priorities faced by the United States during President Trump’s administration. Each piece of legislation has its own story, with implications that ripple through society and the economy, shaping the nation’s course.
As the next election cycle approaches, the impact of these laws remains a hot topic, with their influence undeniably woven into the fabric of current American policy and debate.