Trump Tells Congress to “Confirm” Deregulatory Orders on Water and Straws in 2026 Push
President Donald Trump’s outline of his 2026 congressional priorities took an unexpected turn Tuesday when, in an interview with NewsNation host Katie Pavlich, he veered into comments about water flow and straws rather than laying out a traditional legislative agenda. Trump said he wants Congress to “confirm” many of his executive orders into law, including ones deregulating household water pressure and loosening restrictions on paper straws — items critics call trivial for a midterm agenda.
Trump faces a critical midterm year where Republican control of the House and Senate could be on the line. Instead of focusing on broad policy goals such as the economy or immigration, his response centered on regulatory rollbacks that he described as “common sense and good.”
According to The New Republic, Trump said roughly 35–40% of his executive orders have already been codified into law and expressed a desire to get the rest passed by Congress as statutory measures.
That framing has raised questions about whether GOP lawmakers will rally around codifying deregulatory orders as legislative priorities this election year. With control of Congress at stake, lawmakers may have to balance Trump’s wish list against broader voter concerns.
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“Straws don’t have to be paper anymore — they don’t have to melt in your mouth,” Trump said when describing one executive order he wants confirmed by lawmakers.
Why it matters: Midterm elections historically hinge on issues that directly affect voters’ pocketbooks and public safety, and Trump’s remarks may signal a messaging mismatch for GOP legislative ambitions. His focus on niche regulatory rollbacks could complicate efforts to unify a broader agenda with congressional Republicans.
What happens next: Trump’s team is expected to follow up with GOP leaders on codifying select executive orders, and lawmakers will likely decide this week which measures to prioritize in the early 2026 session. Congressional calendars and member statements will reveal whether Trump’s focus aligns with caucus strategy.
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