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Trump touts deregulation work

President Trump talked up his deregulation efforts Thursday at the White House, saying his administration has surpassed goals of eliminating former administrations' regulations. 

Earlier in the year, the president ordered that for every new regulation introduced, two must be eliminated. But Mr. Trump said that goal has been exceeded. For every new regulation introduced, agencies have eliminated 22, he said. 

The president said red tape has come to a screeching halt. Within the first 11 months in office, more than 1,500 planned regulations were withdrawn or, he said. The White House claims agencies have saved $8.1 billion in lifetime net regulatory cost savings, or $570 million a year. 

Mr. Trump also said "beautiful" clean coal is coming back, as are autoworkers' jobs, because of those efforts. 

The president also expressed confidence in the ultimate passage of the GOP tax plan, even as Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, is reportedly a "no" unless the bill is more generous with the child tax credit. The bill is currently being worked out by House and Senate negotiators, who have reached a tentative deal.

"I think that Senator Rubio will be there, for sure," Mr. Trump said. 

"It'll be the greatest Christmas present that many people have ever received," the president also said of the tax plan. "It'll be something special."

U.S. President Donald Trump cuts a red tape while speaking about deregulation at the White House in Washington
President Donald Trump cuts a symbolic red tape while speaking about deregulation at the White House, December 14, 2017. Kevin Lamarque / REUTERS
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