Name: The One Trillion Dollar Question: Defense Spending in 2025 by Brownstein Podcast Series
Duration: 26 min 13 s
Description: In his first year back in office, President Trump committed over $1 trillion to defense spending. With global tensions rising—from Europe to the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific—the U.S. is relying on its defense industry to stay ahead. Brownstein’s Defense Team breaks down the delayed NDAA, the recently concluded reconciliation fight and the kickoff of FY2026 appropriations talks.

More than 100 days into the Trump administration, the spotlight has primarily focused on executive actions. Meanwhile, Congress continues to investigate matters tied to the president’s policy agenda, and issues prioritized by House and Senate committee chairs. Our team revisits the oversight predictions they made after the 2024 elections and examines the risks industries face after the beginning of the 119th Congress.

100 Days: Congressional Oversight

House Republicans are crafting a reconciliation bill to advance President Trump’s legislative agenda, including tax cuts. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a key achievement of President Biden, has faced criticism, particularly regarding its green energy tax credits. In this episode of our continuing tax podcast series, our team discusses the future of clean energy tax provisions in congressional negotiations. 

Nervous Energy: IRA Tax Credits Under Threat in Reconciliation

When the dust settles, the results of the 2025 Colorado Legislative session will impact the real estate industry. Listen in as Brownstein’s Andi Stader, Sarah Mercer, Abby Kirkbride and Claire Havelda discuss what passed and what the possible short- and long-term impacts will be.

Colorado Real Estate Legislative Wrap-Up

Before heading into the Memorial Day recess, House Republicans met their self-imposed deadline by narrowly passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Now, the reconciliation package moves to the Senate, where it faces criticism from both fiscal conservatives and moderates. Our tax team breaks down the 10 most likely changes that could emerge as the Senate takes up the bill—changes that would only need GOP votes to pass.

Top 10 Tax Changes the Senate Will Make to the One Big Beautiful House Bill

Landowners looking to sell have a long list of questions to answer before a deal is final. What is the main motivation to sell? What is the risk tolerance? What market factors might impact the final sale? Tune in as Brownstein’s Greg Vallin, a member of the firm’s Master Planned Communities team, sits down with Pete Thompson of the Thompson Group to discuss answers to these questions and other considerations for landowners before selling.

Considerations for Colorado Landowners Before Going to Market

In his first year back in office, President Trump committed over $1 trillion to defense spending. With global tensions rising—from Europe to the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific—the U.S. is relying on its defense industry to stay ahead. Brownstein’s Defense Team breaks down the delayed NDAA, the recently concluded reconciliation fight and the kickoff of FY2026 appropriations talks.

The One Trillion Dollar Question: Defense Spending in 2025

One of the biggest obstacles for Colorado’s master-planned community developers is municipal approvals. The timing, uncertainty and communication issues that arise during the entitlement process can plague a project before it’s ever built. Listen in as Brownstein’s Carolynne White and Greg Vallin discuss the entitlement process and the role of home-rule, how developers can navigate the most common hurdles and risks involved with realistic project timelines and financial sustainability. 

How to Overcome Entitlement Obstacles in Colorado

For navigating the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act and avoiding costly missteps, early legal guidance can make all the difference. In this episode, Brownstein’s Corey Zurbuch and Greg Vallin break down what developers need to know about HOA formation, common pitfalls and smarter alternatives that could save time—and headaches—down the road.

From Dirt to Declarations: Why Colorado Developers Should Engage Association Counsel Early in the Process

Recent reports that the Senate Banking Committee has a new draft of digital asset market structure legislation ahead of a potential markup this month is just the latest sign of Washington’s bipartisan momentum to make the United States the “crypto capital of the world,” as President Trump pledged during the campaign. This progress builds on a wave of landmark executive orders and regulatory policy changes that are unleashing decentralized finance. Two members of Brownstein’s financial services team discuss the risks and opportunities facing industry leaders amidst this fast-evolving crypto policy landscape. Matt Grinney served as a senior advisor in the first Trump administration, and Rob Robillard is a capital markets strategist who worked for one of Congress's most outspoken crypto skeptics, Rep. Brad Sherman of California.

Policy Meets the Blockchain: Crypto Under the Trump Administration

There are important practical considerations for development projects with severed mineral interests. Tune in as Brownstein’s Amy Diaz and Greg Vallin talk to attorney Jennifer Blum, founder of Blum Law and Title, to understand the complex legal history and modern-day headaches of “split estates,” and learn how developers can avoid pitfalls that slow down project timelines and ruin budgets.

The One Trillion Dollar Question: Defense Spending in 2025

Brownstein Podcast Series

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