The Trump administration on Friday released a 2026 regulatory plan that envisions eliminating more than 700 rules across federal agencies, part of a broader deregulatory drive the White House says will save Americans about $1.5 trillion over the next several years. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), part of the Office of Management and Budget, published the unified regulatory agenda showing 702 deregulatory actions for 2026, up from 482 in 2025. The administration framed the plan as a blueprint to accelerate economic growth, expand job creation, and improve affordability for households.
OIRA officials highlighted that the plan’s centerpiece is a substantial slate of cost savings. They cited a record $211.8 billion in savings in Fiscal Year 2025 and projected savings of $1.5 trillion for Fiscal Year 2026, underscoring a policy stance that prioritizes reducing regulatory burdens as a lever for growth. White House aides stressed that the plan is about aligning rules with a pro-growth agenda while safeguarding essential safeguards.
Among the specific considerations, the Environmental Protection Agency signaled a review of Biden-era pollution standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles and discussions about carbon pollution standards for fossil-fueled power plants. The Department of Agriculture said it would propose a new rule for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to tighten retailer requirements aimed at deterring fraud and abuse, with revisions to work requirements for able-bodied adults and updates to the eligible-food definitions to reflect nutrition goals. Modernization of food safety inspections is also on the table, including eliminating outdated procedures.
In national security matters, the administration said it would include a framework for safely spreading U.S. artificial intelligence technology abroad, with the Commerce Department’s BIS moving to ease export controls on certain drones and to adjust copper-related provisions within the national security tariff regime. The package also hints at broader regulatory reforms intended to support domestic industries while addressing lingering concerns on costs and compliance for businesses.
The White House framed the plan as a continuing effort to modernize federal regulation in a way that reduces red tape while keeping safeguards in place. Officials described the agenda as dynamic, noting that the proposals will undergo interagency review and additional comment before taking effect. The plan’s release coincides with a broader push to emphasize economic openness and investment-friendly policy across government agencies, signaling a shift toward a rules-light approach to regulatory oversight while preserving essential protections.
