Trump’s energy-and-economy bill promises to slash taxes, boost jobs, and end Biden’s climate spending—but critics warn of grid risks and political roadblocks.
At a Glance
- Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” has passed the House and now moves to the Senate
- The bill repeals Biden-era methane taxes, expands oil/gas leasing, and ends green energy subsidies
- Some families could gain over $13,000 in take-home pay from permanent tax cuts and tip/overtime exemptions
- Over 7 million jobs and a 5.2% GDP increase are projected over four years
- The legislation mandates major permitting reform and new fossil fuel infrastructure buildouts
Putting American Energy First Again
Donald Trump’s flagship energy package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” cleared the House of Representatives this week, marking a dramatic pivot away from Biden-era environmental policy. The bill aims to repeal methane penalties, unlock drilling on federal lands, and roll back clean energy subsidies passed under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Watch a report: Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” targets green spending.
Trump’s allies describe it as a blueprint for restoring U.S. energy dominance, reducing inflation, and curbing foreign energy dependence. “This legislation takes decisive steps,” said industry leader Anne Bradbury, “toward unlocking oil and gas development and alleviating regulatory pain points that have stymied American energy.”
The bill mandates both offshore and onshore leasing over the next decade, streamlining infrastructure permits for pipelines, refineries, and export terminals long stalled by environmental review requirements.
Undoing Biden’s Climate Legacy
Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act was pitched as an economic tool but, as the president later admitted, was “the most significant action on clean energy and climate change in U.S. history.” Initially estimated at $369 billion, new forecasts peg the long-term cost of these green subsidies as high as $1.8 trillion.
Trump’s bill would effectively zero out those incentives, redirecting federal support toward fossil fuel infrastructure and lifting permitting barriers. Critics argue this approach threatens long-term grid resilience and global climate goals—but supporters say it prioritizes reliability and affordability.
“It’s like locking your refrigerator and then wondering why you’re hungry,” said one energy policy advisor and former energy sector lobbyist, referencing the Biden administration’s restrictions on domestic drilling while appealing to OPEC for supply relief.
Tax Cuts and Job Growth
Beyond energy, the bill delivers sweeping tax reforms, making permanent the 2017 Trump tax cuts and expanding deductions for families, workers, and small businesses. House Republicans claim the average family could see over $13,000 in increased take-home pay, with wage gains topping $11,000, though higher-income households and individuals would see more extraordinary cuts.
New provisions would eliminate taxes on overtime, tips, and auto loan interest, while doubling the estate tax exemption for family farms. “This is real relief for real people,” said Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith. “Seven million jobs will be secured through made-in-America incentives.”
The package also removes IRS funding hikes enacted under Biden, instead focusing on simplification and small-business-friendly audits.
Energy Security Is National Security
At the heart of the bill is a belief that robust fossil fuel production is not just an economic asset, but a national security imperative. Trump summarized his goal as one to “achieve energy dominance by improving permitting, production, and distribution of American energy.”
With the bill now heading to the Senate, Democrats have pledged fierce resistance—highlighting environmental consequences, budgetary impacts, and emissions targets under international climate agreements. But with inflation still biting and energy prices rising, the GOP is betting that voters will prioritize power and paychecks over emissions pledges.
