It’s more than just tariffs. American families and businesses face burdens from regulations that hamper competition, innovation, and growth while keeping prices high. According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s 2025 report, federal regulations cost the average household over $16,000 each year.
So, how do we tackle this issue? It seems like action from leaders across all levels of government is essential for effective deregulation. However, at this moment, only certain administrative agencies are pushing for deregulation, along with some congressional votes aimed at overturning specific Biden-era regulations.
A new executive order from former President Trump introduces the idea of expiration dates, or “sunset” provisions, for certain regulations. This means that elected representatives will need to consider the necessity of these regulations over time to avoid accumulating outdated rules. If there’s no sunset clause, those regulations can remain indefinitely unless Congress decides to remove them, which is often a slow process due to the need for consensus and effort. This is part of why federal regulations have ballooned to an extensive 188,000 pages.
Another executive order from Trump instructs agencies to assess the legality of regulations based on recent Supreme Court rulings that challenge decisions made by unelected officials. This kind of self-assessment could provide significant regulatory relief if paired with Trump’s earlier directive to eliminate ten regulations for every new one introduced. Together, these initiatives could help to slow the influx of new regulations while reducing the stock of existing ones.
Yet, it’s crucial for those seeking regulatory reform to learn from the past. Executive orders can be fleeting; for example, President Biden rolled back Trump’s deregulation efforts in 2021, and then Trump reinstated some measures this past January. While Trump’s sunset initiative may bring short-term leverage, sustainable change requires legislative action, like Senator Joni Ernst’s Scrub Act, which includes sunset provisions.
The Scrub Act, like other proposed bills, offers more effective solutions than just relying on agency decisions. It suggests creating an external committee dedicated to identifying outdated or harmful regulations for Congress to permanently repeal. This model proved effective in the 1990s when unnecessary military bases were closed after the Cold War, leading to significant taxpayer savings. If a similar approach can work for defense, why not for regulatory measures?
Trump’s executive orders span various aspects of regulation, from cost-benefit analyses to curbs on anti-competitive practices. These principles still apply: for reforms to endure, Congress must participate. If Trump’s ongoing trade conflicts persist, there’s a risk that the current Republican majority could weaken, complicating reform efforts.
The Department of Government Efficiency lacks the legislative teeth necessary for meaningful deregulation and is more focused on agency personnel. Without Congress stepping up, we may see situations where, as pointed out by Justin Kaleise from the Archbridge Institute, if Trump can cut spending without legislative approval, future presidents might also bypass Congress in increasing government spending.
Additionally, the judicial system needs to become more engaged with regulations. If an administrative body enacts unconstitutional rules or those not sanctioned by law, it’s the court’s responsibility to overturn such actions when the appropriate cases arise. The judiciary plays a vital role in maintaining constitutional checks and balances. Recent court decisions have made it easier to address critical issues, but real tests are yet to come.
Regardless of Trump’s missteps, his administration has a unique chance to address the issue of overregulation. However, the success of these efforts also depends on collaboration with other branches of government. The urgency is palpable—federal regulatory costs amount to around $2 trillion annually. Last year alone saw over 3,000 new regulations added, with another 3,500 in the pipeline according to the latest unified agenda. The volume of federal regulations continues to grow, which is certainly a concerning trend.
While efforts to manage overregulation are commendable, it’s clear that the task cannot rest solely with one individual.
