Washington's conventional measure of progress often centers on new programs, new regulations, and new federal offices. But House Republicans, led by Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, are making the case that the most significant work of the 119th Congress was undoing that kind of expansion. In an op-ed, McClain argues that the GOP majority used the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn 23 federal rules—more than any previous Congress—and turned a once-obscure oversight tool into a powerful brake on executive authority.
The CRA allows Congress to disapprove of recently finalized agency rules, and Republicans wielded it aggressively. According to McClain, the 23 rescissions represent "the most in history" and more than all prior Congresses combined. This push to roll back red tape aligns with a broader GOP strategy to reduce the federal footprint, a theme that resonates with voters who have grown skeptical of government, as reflected in polling that shows public confidence in Washington at historic lows.
Beyond regulatory relief, the GOP majority made permanent the 2017 tax cuts, which were set to expire. They also enacted new tax breaks for tips and overtime, expanded relief for seniors, and restored incentives for domestic investment. McClain asserts that Americans have already claimed over $82 billion in individual tax relief, and the changes are projected to return $4.6 trillion to families and businesses over the coming decade—while cutting projected federal spending by roughly $1.1 trillion.
The op-ed also highlights border security as a core achievement. McClain credits Republicans with reversing Democratic policies that she says "dismantled" the border, claiming that not a single illegal immigrant has been released into the country in 16 months. This hardline stance is part of a broader platform emphasizing order and rule of law, which the GOP argues is essential for a free society.
McClain frames the Republican agenda as a philosophical shift: instead of expanding government's reach, the focus has been on expanding individual freedom. "None of these policies determines what Americans must do with their lives," she writes. "They expand what Americans are free to do for themselves." This approach, she argues, contrasts with a "government by permission slip" where Washington decides which industries grow, which products people buy, and which energy sources are acceptable.
The political stakes are high, as the GOP faces midterm headwinds and internal divisions. The party's deregulatory push, particularly on artificial intelligence, has drawn backlash from some voters, and the broader fiscal picture remains contentious. Yet McClain insists the 119th Congress's legacy is about changing the country's direction, not just passing bills.
She concludes by emphasizing that the foundation laid by this Congress—tax certainty, regulatory relief, a secure border, American energy, and lower crime—is what enables future prosperity. "The government does not know what your life should look like," she writes. "Neither do I, and that's precisely the point—you do."
