In The News

Trump’s regulation reversal: Revitalizing transportation and infrastructure

By: Eric Burlison - March 26, 2025

When President Joe Biden ascended to the Oval Office in 2021, the left’s radical progressive ideology took center stage, infecting policy at every level. Traditional markers of success GDP growth, innovation, and development were eclipsed by lofty liberal goals like net-zero carbon emission and ’equity.’ As the country reeled from the impact of increased energy costs, debilitating environmental restrictions, and crippling inflation, the Biden administration marched on, prepared to subject Americans to another four years of backward policymaking.

But with President Donald Trump’s decisive electoral victory, America is back. By reversing Biden-era woke regulatory initiatives, President Trump is cutting the red tape, revitalizing American infrastructure and transportation networks, ultimately restoring confidence in America’s economic future.

Contrary to their benign titles, the most far-reaching policies passed under the Biden administration were wholesale attempts at remaking American infrastructure to meet the illusive demands of progressive ideology.

The Inflation Reduction Act, while marketed as a bill to reduce inflation, was little more than a Trojan horse for leftist climate initiatives with a $1.2 trillion price tag. Additionally, the so-called Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act spent billions of dollars to subsidize electric-vehicle infrastructure, ultimately distorting the free market.

Not only did these climate measures fail to lower inflation or pass savings to taxpayers, they picked the winners and losers of the energy sector, ultimately diminishing consumer choice.

While billions in subsidies flowed to renewable energy companies, oil and gas producers were hampered with methane emission fees that raised costs across the board. Manufacturers, like automakers, burdened with higher production costs, were forced to cut jobs. The trucking and freight industries, already struggling with high fuel costs, faced new emission standards that made it more expensive to operate diesel-powered fleets.

The Biden administration laid waste to America’s energy infrastructure. Energy costs rose by 39%, gasoline prices grew by 48%, and electricity by 29%. In total, the regulatory oppression of the Biden administration is estimated to have cost $2 trillion, in addition to untold costs in lost investment.

Trump’s second term and the systematic reversal of Biden’s regulatory minefield couldn’t have come any sooner.

Within hours of entering office, Trump rescinded 78 of Joe Biden’s executive orders, undoing several Biden-era climate regulations and freezing funds to fruitless progressive pet projects. After less than a month in office, Trump also appointed a dedicated team to lead the agencies previously responsible for some of the Biden administration’s most detrimental anti-growth policies.

Lee Zeldin at the EPA recently announced his initiative to prioritize permitting reform that will undo onerous climate impact reporting that has crippled American infrastructure. Secretary Doug Burgum pledged to renew oil leases and resume gas production. Sean Duffy, at the Department of Transportation, announced a rescission of a wasteful Biden-era climate rule that required states to track and reduce vehicle emissions on highways.

A clear message is being sent to the world: America is once again open for business. Businesses and stakeholders can move forward with confidence knowing that reliable energy, a streamlined permitting process, and a pro-growth regulatory environment is here to stay.

With the House set to vote on a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill this Congress, Republicans in the House must ensure the Trump administration’s sweeping reforms are codified into law.

My Republican colleagues and I on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will be working to ensure that federal dollars allocated to America’s hard infrastructure exclusively prioritize safety, efficiency, and reliability.

With a renewed focus on policy that reduces regulation and cuts waste, like my UNPLUG EVs Act, Congress can finally give states the support they need to finish projects that directly benefit our constituents. A top priority of mine in Missouri’s 7th district, for instance, has been I-44: a key commercial trucking corridor in need of expansion and improvements to safety.

With a revitalized transportation and infrastructure sector free of the oppressive climate regulations that defined the Biden years, the stage is set for America’s next chapter. By focusing on the core needs of Americans, Republicans will not only undo the damage of the previous administration but also lay the foundation to support America’s new golden age.

Rep. Eric Burlison has represented Missouri’s 7th congressional district since 2022. He serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Oversight and Accountability Committees.