Trump's big bill: How bad is it and what comes next?

Despite significant damage to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by the GOP's "Big Beautiful Bill," key clean energy tax credits largely survived, defying baseline expectations.

Jane Flegal highlights that while the bill is a "terrible piece of legislation," notable portions of climate policy under the IRA remain intact even after Republicans secured an electoral trifecta, which many thought would lead to full repeal.

Jesse Jenkins points out the retention of the long-term technology-neutral tax credit for clean electricity through 2033, now excluding wind and solar, and the extension of wind and solar credits for projects commencing construction by the end of the year.

The bipartisan embrace of these tax credits marks a surprising shift where long-term support for clean energy technologies persists amid intense partisanship, with new challenges like foreign content requirements emerging.

This moment signals that strategic, investment-led climate policies can create economic stakes for businesses that survive political upheavals better than expected.

• The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was the most ambitious climate legislation globally at its time.
• Approximately 80% of its emissions reductions came from a few key tech-neutral tax credits.

• Despite political shifts, many chunks of the IRA remained intact after Republicans secured an electoral trifecta.
• The preservation of these credits under new leadership was unexpected and notable in climate politics history.