ICYMI: Times Union: “Congressman Yakym Reflects On 1st Year Of President Trump’s 2nd Term”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In case you missed it, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) shared an op-ed in the Times Union reflecting on President Trump's first year back in office.

Read the op-ed here and below:

One year in, the difference is real. After a weak economy and a country in decline under President Biden, America is back on track under President Trump and House Republicans with lower costs, bigger paychecks, and safer communities.

The border is finally secure. Nearly 20 million illegal immigrants entered under Biden's open-border policies. President Trump reversed those policies on day one, delivering eight straight months with no releases at the border. At the same time, drug cartels are being taken on directly, stopping deadly drugs before they reach our streets and making communities safer.

The economy is moving again. Inflation, which hit a 40-year high under Biden, is now down to 2.7%. Mortgage rates are easing, housing construction is recovering as red tape is cut, and gas prices are at a four-year low, with prices under $3 in Indiana because we are unleashing American energy.

The centerpiece of this progress is the Working Families Tax Cuts, which delivered the largest spending cut in American history and the biggest tax cut ever for hardworking Hoosiers. Seniors, workers, and families are now seeing bigger deductions, lower rates and no tax on tips, overtime or auto loan interest. The Child Tax Credit and immediate expensing is permanently restored, paid leave credits are permanent, and childcare access has grown. Families are keeping more of what they earn, businesses are hiring, and this is shaping up to be the largest tax refund season in years.

Veterans are finally seeing real progress. The backlog of veterans waiting for VA benefits is down 60% after growing by 24% under the Biden administration, and the VA processed a record three million disability claims last fiscal year. Access to care is expanding, with 25 new VA health care clinics opened across the country, and I'm continuing to work with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to bring a much needed VA clinic to Warsaw soon so Hoosier veterans can get the care they deserve close to home.

Common sense is back in Washington. House Republicans have passed legislation to protect women's and girls' sports, strengthen parental rights, stop federal funding for gender ideology in schools, defend the unborn, block ESG and DEI mandates and protect Second Amendment freedoms.

Congress is also cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse by recovering billions of taxpayer dollars and strengthening oversight. I have introduced two bills to stop improper government payments and ensure federal grants go to programs that actually work, because your hard-earned money should go to what works, not what wastes.

The first year proved what is possible with strong leadership. As we head into 2026, the goal is clear: lower costs, bigger paychecks and make America stronger and safer. I'm ready to keep working to deliver for hardworking Hoosiers.

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