Husted Calls Trump’s Tax Plan “Working Family Lifeline” in State of the Union Speech

By Theodore Bunker | Wednesday, 25 February 2026 12:44 PM EST

Senator Jon Husted, R-Ohio, stated Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s economic message in his State of the Union address underscored clear differences between Republicans and Democrats on taxes.

Trump delivered the annual address Tuesday night before a joint session of Congress, focusing heavily on the economy, tax policy, domestic energy production, and trade while highlighting military service members, victims of crime, and first responders as lawmakers from both parties filled the House chamber.

Husted said in an interview the following morning that the speech “showed the difference about how Democrats really wanted higher taxes. And Republicans have cut taxes for working families.” The senator detailed specific provisions he claims benefit workers and retirees: “Cutting taxes on tips, eliminating taxes on overtime, Social Security, giving people a $2,200 per child tax credit helps working families,” he said. “It makes life more affordable for them.”

Husted described the contrast observed in the House chamber during the speech: “If you were in the chamber, you saw Republicans cheering tax cuts for working families. And the Democrats clearly had scorn for them, wanting taxes to go up on working families.”

He argued that Republican tax legislation prevented a significant tax increase for Ohio families: “If we hadn’t passed the working family tax cut plan, taxes would have gone up on the average Ohio family by $3,500,” Husted said. “Instead, they will get around $5,000 in tax benefits.”

Husted outlined three ways to improve affordability: helping people earn more through the Made in America strategy; bringing manufacturing back and allowing workers to keep more of their earnings; and cutting prices for necessities. “Gasoline is down,” he noted. “And the president outlined an agenda last night to continue supplying energy for supply and demand, which will drive down electricity prices.”

Husted contrasted the Republican approach with Democrats: “This is the working family agenda that is in opposition to what the Democrats want to do—jack up taxes and prices on working families.”

Additionally, Husted praised Trump’s decision to moderate criticism of the Supreme Court after a recent ruling against his trade tariffs. “I thought it was a smart decision,” he said. “When we disagree, we’re a nation that respects the rule of law. The Supreme Court ruled, and he chose to work with trading partners instead of fighting.”

Husted emphasized the need for predictability in trade policy: “If we can get good trade deals done over the next 150 days, it will unleash more investment in American business and create more jobs.”