Photo: Cody Scanlan ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
WASHINGTON DC, July 4, 2025 ~ President Trump has officially signed the FEHB Protection Act of 2025 into law, enacting one of the most sweeping legislative packages in recent memory. The new law spans nearly every major policy area—taxes, defense, agriculture, energy, healthcare, and more—marking a significant shift in federal priorities heading into the 2026 midterms.
Republicans are touting the law as a victory for working Americans, citing permanent middle-class tax cuts, expanded energy production, and a bolstered military as key wins. Democrats, meanwhile, argue the law slashes climate funding, tightens social safety net programs, and favors corporations over communities. With the ink barely dry, the FEHB Act is already shaping up to be a defining issue in the next election cycle.
VIDEO:
July 3, 2025 ~ President Donald Trump spoke at the “Salute to America” celebration at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. President Trump used the event to mark the kickoff of the America250 festivities, a yearlong celebration leading up to the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.
(CONTINUED) Here’s a summary of what’s inside the FEHB Protection Act of 2025:
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry:
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Food Assistance: Changes to food stamp rules, including work requirements and who qualifies.
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Forestry and Farm Support: Cuts unused forestry funds, updates how farmers get price guarantees for crops, and provides extra help for those hit by natural disasters.
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Crop Insurance: More support for new farmers and a new insurance option for poultry producers.
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Rural Development: New funding for farming research, clean energy, and small-town infrastructure.
Armed Services:
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Military Spending: Big investments in housing, ships, weapons, and cybersecurity.
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Nuclear Defense: More money to modernize and expand the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
Energy and Natural Resources:
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Oil and Gas: Opens more land and water for drilling, reversing some climate-era restrictions.
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Coal and Mining: Restarts coal leasing and temporarily lowers royalty fees.
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Renewable Energy: Adds new fees for wind and solar projects on federal land and shares revenue with states.
Environment and Public Works:
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Climate Cuts: Cancels funding for many environmental and climate programs.
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Infrastructure: Funds for the Kennedy Center and faster environmental reviews for construction projects.
Finance and Tax Reform:
- Tax Cuts: Keeps Trump-era tax breaks, raises the standard deduction, and boosts the child tax credit.
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New Write-Offs: Lets workers deduct tips, overtime, and car loan interest.
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Trump Accounts: Creates new savings accounts for kids with tax benefits.
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Business Taxes: Expands tax breaks for U.S. manufacturers and changes international tax rules.
Health and Education:
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Medicaid and Medicare: Tightens rules on who qualifies and adds work requirements.
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Student Loans: Limits: graduate loans, ends some forgiveness programs, and changes Pell Grant rules.
Homeland Security and Judiciary:
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Border Security: More money for the wall, detention centers, and border tech.
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Immigration Fees: Raises costs for visas, asylum, and work permits.
Radiation Compensation: Expands benefits for people harmed by nuclear testing.
Funding Highlights:
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NASA: $9.9 billion for Moon and Mars missions.
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Defense: Hundreds of billions for military upgrades and readiness.
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Agriculture: Billions for disaster relief, insurance, and rural development.
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Tax Cuts: Permanent breaks aimed at middle-income earners.
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