Unveiled Secrets: 7 Lesser-Known Provisions Hidden within Trump's Comprehensive Policy Legislation
The recently proposed 2025 tax and spending package, often referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill," has garnered attention for its new provisions, some of which are not directly related to tax reform. Here's a breakdown of some lesser-known aspects of the bill:
## Space Shuttle Discovery Relocation
The space shuttle Discovery, decommissioned in 2011, is set for a move from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum annex in Northern Virginia to the Johnson Space Center in Houston. However, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) did not address this relocation. The 2025 package includes language for the move, but specific funding details are not provided in the main summaries.
## Commercial Space Flight Fees
The 2017 TCJA did not alter fees or regulations for commercial space flight. The 2025 bill does not appear to introduce changes to commercial space flight fees, although more detailed legislative text would be needed to confirm any changes.
## Poker Industry Impact
Neither the 2017 TCJA nor the 2025 bill contains provisions specifically affecting the poker industry.
## Kennedy Center Renovations
The Kennedy Center was not targeted for renovations or funding in the 2017 TCJA, and there is no evidence it is included in the 2025 bill.
## Gun Silencer Fees
The 2017 TCJA did not include changes to gun silencer fees or regulations. The 2025 bill eliminates a $200 fee for gun owners when purchasing silencers and short-barrel rifles, and also removes registration and ownership requirements for these items.
## Tax Break for Whaling Captains
Neither the 2017 TCJA nor the 2025 bill includes a tax break for whaling captains.
## Car Buyers’ Loan Deduction
The 2017 TCJA did not introduce a specific tax deduction for car loan interest. The 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill" does, offering a deduction for auto loan interest as a new provision, along with tax exemptions for overtime pay and tips, and a new savings vehicle called "Trump Accounts."
In addition to these provisions, the bill also has implications for the poker industry, as it limits the deductibility of losses to 90% when calculating taxes on winnings. This could result in gamblers owing taxes on more of their winnings than they actually made, as shown in the example of winning $100,000 but owing taxes on $28,000.
Other notable provisions include:
- Increasing the tax deduction for whaling-related expenses from $10,000 to $50,000. - Offering a tax deduction of up to $10,000 for interest paid on auto loans for American-made cars purchased between 2025 and 2028. - Eliminating the tax credit for electric vehicles, worth up to $7,500, earlier than originally scheduled. - Implementing launch and reentry fees for commercial space flight companies like SpaceX, phased in over eight years. - Remaking the Kennedy Center's board with political allies.
As always, it's essential to consult official sources for the most accurate information on legislative provisions.
In contrast to the tax and spending package of 2025, neither sports nor politics seem to be directly connected with its lesser-known aspects. While the space shuttle Discovery's relocation and commercial space flight fees are addressed in the bill, there are no provisions concerning sports or changes in regulations for political activities. On the other hand, the 2025 bill introduces a tax deduction for auto loan interest, a new provision that could be perceived as related to car buyers, but there's no related provision that connects it to sports or politics.
