In a detailed webinar, Venable professionals discussed the regulatory and legislative changes anticipated under the second Trump administration. The panel, led by partner Ron Jacobs, explored challenges and opportunities in key areas such as energy policy, environmental regulations, and transportation infrastructure. Senior policy advisor John Drzewicki highlighted the narrow Republican majority in Congress and its implications for passing legislation, especially through the reconciliation process. "With a one-vote margin, achieving consensus will be like getting 217 people to agree on dinner," Drzewicki noted, emphasizing the complexities ahead.
Partner Kyle Scherer outlined the administration's focus on energy independence and deregulatory efforts, citing potential revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and a renewed push for domestic energy production. Drawing from his experience with the Council on Environmental Quality, Scherer noted the administration's likely intent to streamline permitting processes across federal agencies. He cautioned, however, that evolving legal frameworks and interagency coordination could present hurdles. "Permitting reform will be critical in advancing infrastructure and energy projects," he said.
Partner Ariel Wolf turned to transportation priorities, predicting a shift back to traditional projects such as highways and bridges. He highlighted potential rollbacks of Biden-era commitments to electrification and environmental justice initiatives, while also acknowledging the importance of innovation in autonomous vehicles and advanced air mobility. Wolf stressed the impact of upcoming legislative milestones, particularly the Surface Transportation Reauthorization, due in 2026. The webinar concluded with a call for stakeholders to stay informed and adapt strategically to the evolving policy landscape.
To learn more about upcoming webinars, or watch past recordings, from our series, Transition Outlook: What to Expect from the Second Trump Administration, click here. The weekly webinar series runs through March 2025.