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.”
There is no simple way to measure a reduction in regulations, and the Trump administration frequently exaggerates its progress. But the president certainly has peeled back or halted many regulations.
Trump: “We’re going to stop the regulations that threaten the future and livelihood of our great coal miners.”
Trump did roll back a regulation, the Stream Protection Rule, which coal miners feared would lead to a reduction in jobs. But there has been little growth in coal jobs — 1 percent — since Trump took office, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Trump: “We have cleared the way for the construction of the Keystone and Dakota Access pipelines — thereby creating tens of thousands of jobs.”
The Dakota Access pipeline was built, but the Keystone XL pipeline project has been stalled because Nebraska did not approve its preferred route through the state.
The company has not said whether the project is financially feasible. The number of jobs involved in the project is frequently overstated.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.”
The data are mixed on the amount of drugs coming through the borders. The amount of marijuana seized at the border continues to decline, falling 31 percent from fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2017. But the amount of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine seized has soared in the past year, by 70 percent, 70 percent and 25 percent, respectively.
Trump: “We will soon begin the construction of a great, great wall along our southern border.”
Trump has been unable to secure congressional approval to build the wall and appears to have made no progress in making Mexico pay for it. He hopes to win funding as part of an immigration deal.
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.”
After defeats in the courts, Trump in September issued a third, watered-down version of his travel ban, indefinitely limiting entry into the United States from seven countries. It went into effect but will be reviewed by the Supreme Court.
Trump:…
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