The following article by Glenn Kessler was posted on the Washington Post website January 30, 2018:
At his first address to a joint session of Congress last winter, President Trump promised sweeping change. Here’s what he accomplished. (Meg Kelly/The Washington Post)
Every president announces a slew of initiatives in a State of the Union address. Although President Trump’s first address to Congress in 2017 was not officially a State of the Union message, here, in order of delivery, is a summary of the key proposals, pledges or priorities he announced in February 2017 — and what happened to them.
Given Republican control of the White House, Senate and House, one might expect Trump to have a better track record on legislation. President Barack Obama did reasonably well in fulfilling his legislative priorities until Republicans won back control of Congress.
Trump: “We have undertaken a historic effort to massively reduce job-crushing regulations, creating a deregulation task force inside of every government agency.”
Trump: “We’re going to stop the regulations that threaten the future and livelihood of our great coal miners.”
Trump: “We have cleared the way for the construction of the Keystone and Dakota Access pipelines — thereby creating tens of thousands of jobs.”
Trump: “We will stop the drugs from pouring into our country and poisoning our youth, and we will expand treatment for those who have become so badly addicted.”
Trump: “We will soon begin the construction of a great, great wall along our southern border.”
Trump: “My administration has been working on improved vetting procedures, and we will shortly take new steps to keep our nation safe and to keep out those out who will do us harm.”
Trump: “I directed the Department of Defense to develop a plan to demolish and destroy ISIS — a network of lawless savages that have slaughtered Muslims and Christians, and men, and women, and children of all faiths and all beliefs.”
Trump: “We have chosen Judge Neil M. Gorsuch, a man of incredible skill and deep devotion to the law. . . . I am asking the Senate to swiftly approve his nomination.”
Trump: “My economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone.”
Trump: “We will provide massive tax relief for the middle class.”
Trump: “We must create a level playing field for American companies and our workers.”
Trump: “I am going to bring back millions of jobs.”
Trump: “Protecting our workers also means reforming our system of legal immigration. . . . Switching away from this current system of lower-skilled immigration, and instead adopting a merit-based system, we will have so many more benefits.”
Trump: “To launch our national rebuilding, I will be asking Congress to approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion investment in infrastructure of the United States — financed through both public and private capital — creating millions of new jobs.”
Trump: “I am also calling on this Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs and, at the same time, provide better health care.”
Trump: “The time has come to give Americans the freedom to purchase health insurance across state lines, which will create a truly competitive national marketplace that will bring costs way down and provide far better care.”
Trump: “My administration wants to work with members of both parties to make child care accessible and affordable, to help ensure new parents that they have paid family leave.”
Trump: “I am calling upon members of both parties to pass an education bill that funds school choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of African American and Latino children.”
Trump: “I am sending Congress a budget that rebuilds the military, eliminates the defense sequester and calls for one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history.”
View the post here.