If you’ve been scrolling through your feed lately, you’ve probably seen a hundred different headlines about what’s happening in D.C. It’s a lot. Honestly, keeping track of the specific bills and "megabills" floating through Congress right now feels like a full-time job. We are currently in the thick of 2026, and the legislative machine is running at full throttle.
People keep asking: what laws is trump trying to pass to actually cement his "America First" agenda? It’s not just one thing. It is a mix of massive tax overhauls, aggressive energy deregulation, and a total pivot in how the border is managed.
The "One Big Beautiful Bill" and Your Taxes
The centerpiece of the current legislative push is something often referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Catchy name, right? Essentially, this is the 2026 version of Budget Reconciliation. The goal here is simple but massive: making the 2017 tax cuts permanent.
A lot of those provisions from years ago were set to expire, which would have meant a "tax cliff" for millions. By pushing this through, the administration is trying to lock in lower corporate rates and individual brackets indefinitely. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for everyone. Critics, including those at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), point out that while the wealthy see big gains, the expiration of certain health care tax credits might actually raise the effective tax rate for the bottom 40% of earners.
- Corporate Rates: Staying at that 21% mark or potentially moving lower for domestic manufacturers.
- Small Business Deductions: Extension of the 20% pass-through deduction.
- The SALT Cap: A major sticking point for people in high-tax states like New York or California.
Energy Dominance via the SPEED and PERMIT Acts
If there is one thing this administration loves, it’s the word "unleash." They want to unleash American energy. To do that, they are trying to pass a trio of bills designed to hack through the red tape of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
👉 See also: Why Trump's West Point Speech Still Matters Years Later
The SPEED Act (H.R. 4776) and the PERMIT Act (H.R. 3898) are the heavy hitters here. Basically, these laws would set hard deadlines on how long an environmental review can take. No more ten-year waits for a pipeline. If the government doesn't make a decision in time, the project essentially gets a green light.
Then there’s the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act. It sounds boring, but it’s a big deal for natural gas. It gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) more power to push projects through even if other agencies are dragging their feet.
The Laken Riley Act and Border Enforcement
On the immigration front, the focus has shifted from just executive orders to permanent statutory changes. The Laken Riley Act is a key piece of the puzzle. This law would require the federal government to detain any undocumented immigrant who has been arrested for crimes like shoplifting or burglary.
It’s a massive expansion of mandatory detention. In the past, someone might be released while waiting for a court date. Under this law, that’s over.
✨ Don't miss: Johnny Somali AI Deepfake: What Really Happened in South Korea
What Else is on the Table?
Beyond the big headlines, there are dozens of smaller, targeted bills.
- The Working Families Tax Cut: Often bundled with the OBBBA, aiming to increase the child tax credit.
- Farm Bill 2.0: A desperate push to get this passed before the 2026 midterms to shore up support in the Heartland.
- The SAVE Act: Aimed at requiring proof of citizenship for federal elections, though this faces heavy resistance in the Senate.
Why 2026 Matters So Much
The clock is ticking. You've got the 2026 midterm elections coming up in November. Historically, the party in power loses seats during the midterms. This means the administration is trying to jam as much through as possible before they potentially lose their majority in the House or Senate.
We are seeing a lot of "Appropriations" talk. Just recently, the House passed H.R. 7006, which is a giant funding package. It cuts IRS enforcement funding (to the tune of billions) and redirects it toward things like "taxpayer services" and border security. It’s a clear signal of where the priorities lie: less auditing, more patrolling.
"The regulatory agenda that punished American energy and drove up costs is being dismantled, rule by rule," says Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak. This sentiment is the driving force behind the current legislative flurry.
🔗 Read more: Sweden School Shooting 2025: What Really Happened at Campus Risbergska
What This Means for You
It’s easy to get lost in the jargon of "reconciliation" and "cloture." But for the average person, the answer to what laws is trump trying to pass boils down to three things: your paycheck, your energy bill, and the border.
If the OBBBA passes in its full form, you might see a consistent tax rate, but you might also lose some subsidies for your health insurance. If the energy bills pass, we might see a surge in domestic oil and gas production, which could lower prices at the pump, though global markets are always a wild card.
Actionable Steps to Stay Informed:
- Track the OBBBA Progress: Keep an eye on the Senate Finance Committee. This is where the real horse-trading happens.
- Check Your Health Credits: If you get insurance through the ACA exchange, talk to your broker about how the lapse in "enhanced subsidies" might affect your 2027 premiums.
- Monitor the Midterm Calendar: Legislative action usually grinds to a halt by August of an election year. If it hasn't passed by then, it probably won't happen this cycle.
The 2026 legislative landscape is a high-stakes game of chicken between a focused executive branch and a deeply divided Congress. Whether these bills become the law of the land or die in committee will define the back half of this term.
Next Steps:
- Review the specific tax bracket changes in the OBBBA to see how they impact your income level.
- Follow the progress of the SPEED Act if you live in a region with pending infrastructure or energy projects.