Idahoans are raised on a basic truth: “Hard work pays off.”
But lately, that work is paying for less. Every grocery store run, fill-up at the pump, trip to the pharmacy, and utility bill makes it harder for Idaho families to get ahead. The root cause of this economic crisis isn’t a mystery; it can be traced back to Washington, D.C.
My Republican colleagues and I are committed to fixing this. In 2026, my focus is clear: lower everyday costs, protect family budgets, and create an economy where Idahoans’ hard work pays off.
Last year, Republicans delivered the largest-ever tax cut for working Idahoans. We eliminated taxes on tips and overtime, expanded the child tax credit, made the small business tax deduction permanent, and provided $6,000 in tax relief for seniors receiving Social Security. These reforms will save the average Idahoan $3,517 in federal taxes this year.
But tax relief means nothing if inflation eats away the savings. President Trump inherited an economic mess from Democrats who spent trillions of dollars we didn’t have, triggering the 40-year high inflation we’re still recovering from today.
To ensure Idahoans can keep more of what they earn, the federal government must learn to live within its means and stop going into debt.
That is why I introduced the Zero-Based Budget Act. It’s a simple concept: federal agencies must justify every single dollar they request. If they can’t prove the need, they don’t get it. When the government stops treating taxpayer dollars like a no-limit credit card, we reduce deficits, combat inflation, and lower costs.
We need the same discipline when it comes to repealing federal regulations. Under the Biden administration, Democrats enacted rules that taxed farmers, ranchers, and small business owners, wrapped projects in red tape, and tried to trade reliable, made-in-America energy for insecure sources like wind.
I’ve introduced a series of bills to combat this overregulation by requiring federal agencies to eliminate the outdated, costly, and inefficient red tape that drives up prices for consumers and producers. My legislation would make every bureaucrat stronghold start at zero and defend any rule they want to keep.
My Republican colleagues and I are also advancing reforms to hold Washington accountable for the policies that stifle our economy. Just recently, President Trump took action to bring down prescription drug prices in the U.S., which will provide real savings for Idaho families, seniors, and those in rural communities.
Lowering energy costs is one of the most important ways we can put more money back into family budgets. The price of fuel affects everything—from heating homes during Idaho winters to producing food, building homes, and running a business.
President Trump proved in his first term that streamlining regulations to expand domestic energy production works. Gas prices fell, small businesses thrived, and our nation became more secure. To build on this success, I introduced the Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy Act, to remove the bureaucratic obstruction standing in the way of more reliable U.S. power.
Cutting red tape is only one part of Republicans’ plan. We are also prioritizing proven sources of American-made energy by expanding oil and natural gas permits and accelerating nuclear, mining, hydropower, and geothermal. Earlier this year, I joined my colleagues in bringing forward the Supporting Made in America Energy Act to increase oil and gas development and the Northwest Energy Security Act to protect Idaho’s federal hydropower system.
These reforms won’t just lower prices; they’ll create jobs, shore up supply chains, and leave future generations a stronger, more secure nation.
The road ahead won’t be easy, but we’re Americans: We persevere, and we win because hard work pays off—and no one works harder than the people of Idaho.
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