On February 24, President Trump delivered his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. The president laid out a bright vision for the future, made possible in no small part by what he and Republicans in Congress accomplished this past year. In just one year, we’ve made progress toward a safer, stronger, and more prosperous America. And as the American people heard from the president, we’re just getting started.

Our work began with putting more money in Americans’ pockets, which we did with the Working Families Tax Cuts. Thanks to Republicans’ landmark bill, hardworking South Dakotans can benefit from permanently lower tax rates, a bigger standard deduction, and a bigger child tax credit – all of which are permanent. Then there’s no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and a bonus deduction for senior citizens living on a fixed income. All told, this tax relief means bigger refunds this tax season and lower tax bills in the years ahead.

Republicans didn’t stop with tax relief though. This landmark legislation also repealed the Biden-era natural gas tax and took steps to unleash American energy production and ensure that Americans have a reliable energy supply. And we included measures to modernize the farm safety net for farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and around the country.

In another piece of legislation, we prioritized measures that make prescriptions less expensive by increasing the transparency of pharmacy benefit managers and ensuring they pass savings on to patients at the pharmacy counter. And in the coming days, the Senate will act on another bill to make the dream of homeownership more affordable and accessible for everyday Americans.

In addition to addressing affordability, Republicans have also made significant strides toward strengthening American security. That started with securing the southern border, and the Working Families Tax Cuts included funding to ensure those gains can be maintained for the long term. It also made a major investment in rebuilding our military, ensuring America’s men and women in uniform have what they need to counter today’s threats and tomorrow’s.

Americans went through a lot under President Biden: from a historic inflation crisis to the worst border crisis on record. On top of that, hardworking people were facing the prospect of a massive tax hike in 2026 – a tax hike that never came because Republicans acted to prevent it.

When it comes to tackling affordability and making America safer and stronger, Republicans don’t just talk, we act. We’re putting more money in Americans’ pockets and working hard to make life affordable for American families.