2025 will be an exciting year for federal employees. Excitement does not always translate into an enjoyable experience, but changes are likely coming to agencies.
President-elect Trump has made a number of proposals that his new administration will be working to get implemented into concrete action. Many of these proposals will require legislation. With a narrow majority in both Houses of Congress and the White House, there is a greater likelihood that at least some of these proposals will become law.
Changes in House Rules
The process in the House has already started even before his inauguration on January 20th.
In the House of Representatives, one of the first orders of business is always electing a new Speaker. That has recently been accomplished. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was recently reelected as the House Speaker. The House also voted 215 to 209 to adopt new rules to govern the lower chamber for the next two years.
House rules create the committees and the power structure for party leaders.
Although the proposed rules were similar to those for the 118th Congress, there are changes. One major difference is the procedure for removing the Speaker.
Previously, any single member of Congress could bring up a resolution to remove the Speaker. Now, nine Republicans have to co-sponsor such for consideration. This strengthens the hand of the Speaker significantly and also undermines the ability of a majority of the House of Representatives to change who is serving as Speaker.
While some or even all of these bills may pass in the House, the same rules do not apply in the Senate. It will be more difficult for any of these bills to be passed by both Houses of Congress.
The Senate will be passing a resolution that places new Senators on committees and designates who will be the chairs of committees with the Republicans now in control of the Senate. One of the topics that will gather immediate attention after January 20th will be voting (and hearings) to confirm the new president’s nominees to direct federal agencies.
Federal Agencies Likely Targeted for Change or Downsizing
Changes will be quickly proposed with a new Congress and a new president. Donald Trump has mentioned agencies he would like to see reduced in size, reorganized, or eliminated.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will be working on proposals to reduce government spending and changes to create a more efficient government. Reducing the massive federal deficit is a major driving force behind this effort.
While this is certainly not a comprehensive list of federal agencies likely to be impacted, based on proposals from his first term in office and comments made during the presidential campaign, some agencies are likely to be significantly impacted.
1. Department of Education
- Proposal: Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump repeatedly suggested reducing the size and role of the Department of Education. His administration proposed budget cuts to the agency, aiming to shift responsibilities to states and local governments.
- Reason: Trump and supporters have argued education policy should be locally controlled.
2. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Proposal: Trump has proposed strict immigration policies, a major reversal from the Biden administration. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 suggests placing much of DHS’s responsibilities under direct White House control to align the agency more closely with the president’s agenda. There are discussions about potentially dismantling or significantly restructuring DHS.
- Reason: Trump has promised mass deportations to remove up to 11.7 million undocumented immigrants. This would involve leveraging resources from DHS, including potentially using the National Guard and military forces. The rationale is to secure the borders and enforce immigration laws.
3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Proposal: Trump proposed drastic cuts to the EPA’s budget and staff during his time in office. He also targeted the agency’s regulatory authority, particularly with regard to climate change, air quality, and water regulation.
- Reason: Trump believes EPA policies are a burden on businesses and the economy. He suggested many EPA functions could be handled by the states.
4. Department of Commerce
- Proposal: In 2020, Trump proposed significant budget cuts to the Commerce Department seeking to reduce its size and influence by cutting funding for some economic development programs.
- Reason: The proposal was part of a broader initiative to reduce the size and cost of the federal government and focusing on core government functions.
5. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Proposal: Trump’s 2020 budget proposal suggested cutting the HUD budget, including eliminating some community development block grants and affordable housing programs.
- Reason: Trump proposed reducing this agency’s budget to streamline government functions and prioritize other spending.
6. Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
- Proposal: The Trump administration proposed eliminating the Corporation for National and Community Service in its budget proposals. AmeriCorps was targeted for its funding of national service programs.
- Reason: Trump argued funding for volunteer programs and public service initiatives should be handled privately or by the states.
7. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
- Proposal: Trump’s administration proposed eliminating both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities in its budget.
- Reason: The administration argued these programs were unnecessary federal expenditures and that arts funding should come from private sector or local sources.
8. Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
- Proposal: Trump’s budget also proposed defunding the Legal Services Corporation. It provides federal funding for civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.
- Reason: The administration viewed this as welfare for lawyers and suggested that legal assistance should be available through private means or state programs.
9. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Proposal: Trump proposed reducing the SBA’s budget and scaling back programs, including loan guarantees and economic development programs.
- Reason: The goal was to streamline government functions and reduce what was seen as unnecessary or overlapping federal services.
10. Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- Proposal: Trump proposed significant changes for BLM. His administration sought to downsize and shift some BLM functions out of Washington, D.C., to reduce federal control over public lands.
- Reason: Trump favored reducing the federal role in land management and increasing state-level involvement, particularly in resource extraction and development.
11. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Proposal: Trump has advocated reducing FDA’s regulatory oversight, particularly concerning drug approval processes and food labeling regulations.
- Reason: Trump and some of his supporters argued that reducing FDA regulations would speed up innovation and reduce costs in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
