Rep. Drew Ferguson: “This administration must pursue the key policy changes to make the American economy the strongest, the most secure and most affordable of any country in the world.”
Former U.S. Representative Drew Ferguson (R-GA), advisory board member for the Coalition for an Affordable and Secure Economy (CASE) for America, today published an op-ed in RealClearMarkets, advocating for the extension of the Trump-era Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and small business deregulation to combat inflation and drive economic growth. He argued for tariffs to be used strategically and making a pro-growth economic vision the top priority.
Ferguson, who retired from Congress in 2024, previously served in U.S. House leadership and on the Committee on Ways and Means, collaborating closely with President Trump on policies to stimulate the economy and reduce taxes.
In his op-ed, Ferguson stressed that extending the TCJA and implementing policies to cut back on small business regulations would not only boost economic activity but also put more money back into the pockets of American consumers, offering a more sustainable and stable solution than broad-based tariffs, which lead to higher costs and strain household budgets.
The op-ed from Ferguson can be read in full below:
RealClearMarkets: Trump Should Choose Growth With a Wise Policy Mix
By former Congressman Drew Ferguson, advisory board member, CASE for America
Americans delivered a clear mandate in the 2024 elections, urging the incoming administration to swiftly combat inflation and implement bold, pro-growth policies to revitalize the United States economy.
Even though inflation has begun to moderate, Americans are still very concerned about the high cost of everyday goods. The voters put the onus on the previous administration for paycheck-eating inflation and voted for change last November.
Today, voters are still concerned with the cost of living and consumers routinely express anxiety over their ability to afford groceries and other daily household items, such as toys, apparel and electronics. Moreover, our small and medium-sized businesses, which account for 97 percent of American exports, need certainty to allow them to plan and invest.
We can empower both families and employers by advancing pro-growth and light touch regulatory policies, which in turn help our economy grow and lower the cost of goods.
This administration must pursue the key policy changes to make the American economy the strongest, the most secure and most affordable of any country in the world.
President Trump is right to focus on three main areas to unleash prosperity and opportunities for Americans.
It starts with the extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). A tax code that invests in growth in America will benefit all families and infuse household budgets with much needed resources. Extending the TCJA has support among Trump voters and nearly half of swing voters. These tax cuts are more than sufficient to promote manufacturing and investment at home and strengthen U.S. supply chains.
If Congress acts quickly to renew the TCJA, the American people will keep more of their hard-earned dollars, boosting purchasing power. American families will stand to benefit the most.
Secondly, the President and his team should continue to remove burdensome regulations from businesses – particularly smaller ones – that make little sense and only serve to drive up costs for the consumer. Small business optimism soared following the November election, but confidence is dwindling amid ongoing uncertainty.
Thirdly, for an economy to work well, we must understand that policy matters.
For example, on the education front, our system must align with businesses to train and produce a pipeline of highly prepared workers to compete in the global economy.
On the trade front, when tariffs are applied, they should serve as an economic tool that the U.S. uses strategically and with caution due to the consumer and business impact.
If America is going to compete with our chief geopolitical adversary and decrease our dependence on China, we must be united in emphasizing the need to boost U.S. production of critical goods and reduce dependence on foreign imports; yet it cannot be counterproductive injecting uncertainty, hurting U.S. employers and increasing costs on the everyday goods families rely on.
The President and his team are right to closely look at our global competitors and leveling the playing field with smart trade policy that eliminates competitive disadvantages for American workers and families.
With the cost of everyday household goods becoming increasingly unaffordable, the American people are surely watching. The Trump Administration and leaders on Capitol Hill must make a pro-growth economic vision its top priority.
The best formula will be to lower the cost of everyday items starting with the tax code and regulatory environment.
Ferguson’s op-ed can be accessed via RealClearMarkets here.