Biden may be out of the White House, but he isn’t out from under the microscope. Now his entire legacy is at stake.
Because a disturbing investigation revealed Biden’s biggest mistake as president.
Federal Regulations Under Biden Hit Record $2.15 Trillion, Burdening Households
The Biden administration’s regulatory surge has imposed a staggering $16,016 “hidden tax” on American households, a new high that President Donald Trump has vowed to slash, according to the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s (CEI) latest report.
The 2024 edition of CEI’s “Ten Thousand Commandments,” a comprehensive analysis of federal regulations, reveals that the cost of regulations in Biden’s final year alone reached $2.15 trillion, setting a record for regulatory expenses.
The 146-page report, shared with Secrets, noted that this figure is likely an undercount due to the challenge of tracking all new and existing regulations.
It highlighted the economic toll on families, stating that regulatory-driven price increases surpass the costs of “healthcare, food, transportation, entertainment, apparel, services, and savings. Only the costs of housing, which stand at $25,436 annually, exceed regulation.”
Trump’s Deregulation Push Gains Momentum
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., CEI’s regulations expert and Fred L. Smith fellow, emphasized Trump’s commitment to reversing this trend, as seen in his first term.
“The Biden era of ‘whole of government’ cross-sectoral regulation in net zero, equity and coercive justice schemes, the so-called ‘care economy,’ is over,” Crews said.
“Trump after just two months, in stark contrast to Biden, is defunding progressive advocacy sources within the federal government and deflating certain agencies in addition to promising larger spending cuts that we certainly hope materialize.”
Biden’s aggressive regulatory agenda, driven by executive orders and agency actions, aimed to reshape the economy, with moves like phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles and gas stoves.
The administration also set a record for the volume of regulatory pages published in the Federal Register, reflecting its transformative ambitions. However, Trump has already begun dismantling parts of this legacy, lifting restrictions on auto manufacturing and even regulations limiting water flow in shower-heads.
Call for Congressional Oversight
The report emphasizes the overall economic impact of unchecked regulations, which Crews likened to overspending.
“Off-budget or not, these regulatory costs drag down the economy, much as overspending can. Just as consumers shoulder much of the corporate income tax and tariff burden, regulatory compliance costs and mandates borne by businesses percolate through the economy and materialize as higher prices, lost jobs, and lower output,” the report said.
CEI has long advocated for deregulation, urging Congress to reclaim its oversight role and implement reforms to curb the regulatory state.
With Trump’s tariff policies potentially driving up prices, Crews stressed that reining in federal agencies is critical to easing the economic strain on consumers and businesses alike.
