Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said on Newsmax on Thursday that Republicans must enter the new year focused on advancing President Donald Trump's agenda.
He argued that voters delivered a narrow House majority to carry out the president's nationwide mandate rather than preserve long-standing congressional priorities.
The congressman said House Republicans should use the coming year to translate Trump's campaign promises and executive actions into law, emphasizing border security, economic recovery, and accountability in Washington.
Burchett made the comments Thursday afternoon during an interview with Kilmeny Duchardt on "American Agenda," as Congress wrapped up its final votes of the year following Trump's prime-time address from the White House.
Asked what Republicans hope to accomplish in the new year, Burchett said the focus should remain squarely on the president's platform.
"Clearly doing what the president ran on and not what Congress ran on. We had about a three-person majority for good reason. President Trump ran nationwide. And he really just kicked butt across the board," he said.
"So I think we better start getting his executive orders into law and doing what the people sent us to do: fix this economy, keep the borders strong, start locking up bad people."
Burchett's remarks came after Trump highlighted progress on inflation, border enforcement and military support during his Wednesday address, while pledging additional tax relief and economic growth in the year ahead.
The Tennessee Republican also brushed aside frustration over bipartisan healthcare proposals that could force vulnerable Republicans to vote on a multiyear extension when lawmakers return.
"Yeah, it doesn't bother me one bit. We need to fix it. America knows it," Burchett said. "I was probably a little more frustrated with junior high school, but that's a different story than I am with Congress.
"But it's pretty clear the maturity level is, as my wife says, Congress is junior high school kids with a big checkbook."
When asked about his personal priorities for the new year, Burchett pointed to legislation he has recently filed and expressed support for the president's tariff agenda, arguing that revenue should directly benefit taxpayers rather than be distributed broadly.
"I've got a couple of bills. I've got this new one I just filed, which is going to be huge. I hope the president is pushing the tariff initiative, of course," he said.
"And I want the tariff money to flow back towards people that are paying taxes so it reduces their actual tax burden. And the people who pay into the system will see some benefit from tariffs.
"Everybody wants to just give everybody a check. And that's what we did during COVID. People that aren't working, they don't need a check. They need to get out and get a job."
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Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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