Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Delivers Emergency Price Relief for American Families to Defeat the Cost-of-Living Crisis
January 22, 2025
Action Summary
- Emergency Price Relief: President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum on January 22, 2025, to deliver emergency relief and address the cost-of-living crisis affecting American families.
- Reversing Biden Policies: The memorandum directs all Federal agencies to eliminate regulatory burdens and constraints imposed by the Biden Administration that have contributed to rising costs.
- Housing and Healthcare Reform: Initiatives include drastically lowering housing costs, expanding housing supply, and eliminating unnecessary administrative and rent-seeking practices that drive up healthcare and home appliance prices.
- Employment Opportunities: Measures aim to create new jobs and bring discouraged workers back into the labor force to boost American prosperity.
- Energy and Transportation Costs: Criticism of Biden’s policies for increasing energy and transportation costs, with specific references to significant rises in gasoline, home energy, electricity, and gas bill costs.
- Regulatory Impact: Claims highlight that the Biden Administration’s policies imposed almost $50,000 in extra costs per household compared to nearly $11,000 in savings during Trump’s first term, with additional cost pressures on new home construction and energy pricing.
- Climate Policy Concerns: The memorandum criticizes “climate” policies that are viewed as harmful by increasing the costs of food and fuel and forcing companies to shift from gas-powered vehicles to subsidize electric vehicles.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Order’s focus on reducing regulatory burdens and costs could lead to significant changes in federal funding and policy priorities. This may impact research funding and partnerships that Vanderbilt University currently relies on, particularly in areas related to energy, housing, and healthcare.
- Efforts to lower the cost of housing and expand supply could affect the local real estate market, potentially influencing housing options and costs for students and staff at Vanderbilt University.
- The emphasis on eliminating climate policies and promoting energy affordability may conflict with Vanderbilt’s sustainability initiatives and commitments to reducing its carbon footprint. This could necessitate a reevaluation of the university’s environmental strategies and partnerships.
- Changes in healthcare cost structures and administrative expenses could impact the university’s healthcare benefits and services, affecting both employees and students.
- The potential increase in employment opportunities and efforts to draw discouraged workers into the labor force may influence the job market for graduates, affecting career services and employment outcomes for Vanderbilt students.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering may need to adjust its research focus and funding strategies in response to changes in energy policies and regulatory environments.
- The Owen Graduate School of Management could see shifts in curriculum and research opportunities related to economic policy, regulatory impacts, and market dynamics.
- Vanderbilt’s Sustainability and Environmental Management Office may need to reassess its initiatives and partnerships in light of changes to federal climate policies.
- The Department of Economics might experience increased demand for expertise in analyzing the impacts of regulatory changes on the economy and consumer behavior.
Financial Impact
- Changes in federal regulatory policies could alter the landscape of research funding, potentially affecting grants and contracts that Vanderbilt University relies on for various programs.
- The focus on reducing costs in housing and healthcare may influence the university’s operational expenses and financial planning, particularly in areas related to employee benefits and student services.
- Vanderbilt may need to explore new funding opportunities and partnerships to align with the administration’s priorities, particularly in sectors like energy and infrastructure.
- Potential shifts in the job market and economic conditions could impact tuition revenue and financial aid strategies, as students and families navigate changing financial circumstances.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Real Estate and Facilities Department should explore opportunities to expand housing supply on or near campus. By understanding and leveraging any federal initiatives aimed at reducing housing costs, the university can potentially increase affordable housing options for students and staff.
- The Vanderbilt University Medical Center should assess the impact of potential changes in healthcare regulations aimed at reducing administrative expenses. This could involve streamlining processes to align with new federal guidelines, thereby reducing costs and improving patient care.
- Vanderbilt’s Energy and Environmental Management Office should evaluate the implications of changes in energy policies, particularly those affecting fuel and utility costs. By adopting more efficient energy practices and technologies, the university can mitigate rising costs and enhance sustainability efforts.
- The Career Center should focus on creating employment opportunities for students by aligning with federal initiatives aimed at increasing workforce participation. This could involve partnerships with industries benefiting from deregulation and economic growth.
Opportunities
- The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to engage in research and development of cost-effective home appliances. By collaborating with industry partners, the school can contribute to innovations that align with federal efforts to reduce appliance costs.
- Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on reducing energy costs by investing in renewable energy projects and infrastructure. This aligns with the university’s sustainability goals and can provide long-term cost savings.
- The emphasis on eliminating counterproductive climate policies offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Environmental Science Department to conduct research on alternative, cost-effective environmental solutions. This research can position the university as a leader in sustainable practices.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order suggests major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s housing, healthcare, and energy management strategies.)
Timeline for Implementation
N/A – The memorandum does not specify any deadlines or timeline directives for implementation.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- All Federal Agencies: This memorandum directs every Federal agency to revise current regulatory practices to reduce costs for American families, thus impacting agencies across the entire government.
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Tasked with lowering housing costs and expanding housing supply.
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Expected to review administrative expenses and practices that drive up healthcare costs.
- Department of Energy: Likely involved in addressing policies affecting energy prices and the transition from gas-powered vehicles.
- Department of Labor: Charged with promoting employment opportunities, including drawing discouraged workers into the labor force.
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Will play a role in untangling and streamlining regulatory burdens across various agencies.
Relevance Score: 5 (The directive applies across the entire government, impacting all Federal agencies.)
Responsible Officials
- Heads of Federal Agencies – Charged with implementing the Presidential Memorandum’s directives by revising regulations and policies across sectors such as housing, healthcare, employment, home appliances, and energy.
Relevance Score: 4 (Impacts agency heads tasked with significant policy and regulatory reforms.)