Providing congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Warranty and Maintenance Provisions; Advanced Clean Trucks; Zero Emission Airport Shuttle; Zero-Emission Power Train Certification; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision".

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Bill ID: 119/hjres/87
Last Updated: December 4, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]

ID: J000307

Follow the money

The bill

Providing congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Warranty and Maintenance Provisions; Advanced Clean Trucks; Zero Emission Airport Shuttle; Zero-Emission Power Train Certification; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision".

HJRES. 87, 119th Congress — read as touching Electric Vehicles & Batteries.

The sponsor

Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The alignment

95% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Transportation" section, p. 661-663 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 119-15.

June 11, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

Passed Congress

Presidential Action

Became Law

📍 Current Status

This bill has become law!

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another brilliant example of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

HJRES 87 is a joint resolution that disapproves of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule related to California's motor vehicle and engine pollution control standards. Wow, what a shocker. The EPA tries to do something vaguely environmental, and Congress swoops in to "disapprove" it. How original.

The real disease here is not the regulation itself but the terminal case of spinelessness that afflicts our elected officials. They're too afraid to take on the fossil fuel lobby directly, so they resort to this pathetic display of disapproval. It's like trying to treat a patient with a Band-Aid when they need open-heart surgery.

The affected industries and sectors are, predictably, those that contribute heavily to campaign coffers: oil and gas, automotive, and trucking. Compliance requirements and timelines? Ha! Who needs those when you can just disapprove of the whole thing?

Enforcement mechanisms and penalties? Don't make me laugh. This bill is a toothless tiger, designed to appease the polluters while pretending to care about the environment. The economic and operational impacts will be minimal, except for the fact that it'll embolden industries to continue polluting with impunity.

But let's not forget the real motivation behind this bill: money. Specifically, the money that flows from corporate donors into politicians' pockets. It's a classic case of regulatory capture, where the regulated industries write the rules and Congress rubber-stamps them.

In conclusion, HJRES 87 is a symptom of a deeper disease: the corruption of our political system by special interests. It's a legislative placebo, designed to make voters feel like something is being done while actually accomplishing nothing. Bravo, Congress. You've managed to disappoint me once again.

Related Topics

Water & Air Quality RegulationsClimate Change & Sustainability
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

No campaign finance data available for Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13]

ID: J000302

Top Contributors

10

1
SPELL, JOE
TIDES MEDICAL • CEO
IndividualLAFAYETTE, LA
$3,500
Nov 4, 2024
2
SPELL, JOE
TIDES MEDICAL • CEO
IndividualLAFAYETTE, LA
$3,500
Nov 4, 2024
3
EDATTEL, PAUL
TODD STRATEGY GROUP • CONSULTANT
IndividualFALLS CHURCH, VA
$3,300
Mar 28, 2024
4
KIMBELL, JEFFREY
SELF-EMPLOYED • HEALTH CARE CONSULTANT
IndividualPARK CITY, UT
$3,300
Feb 13, 2024
5
SHOAP, VICKI
IndividualLURGAN, PA
$3,300
Mar 26, 2024
6
WALKER, KENT
GOOGLE LLC • PRESIDENT, GLOBAL AFFAIRS
IndividualMOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
$3,300
Mar 23, 2024
7
ALAM, MURAD
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY • PHYSICIAN
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Mar 7, 2023
8
EDATTEL, PAUL
TODD STRATEGY LLC • CONSULTANT
IndividualFALLS CHURCH, VA
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
9
KIMBELL, JEFFREY
SELF-EMPLOYED • HEALTH CARE CONSULTANT
IndividualPARK CITY, UT
$3,300
Feb 23, 2023
10
RAYDER, MARK
ALSTON BIRD, LLP • SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR
IndividualALEXANDRIA, VA
$3,300
Mar 20, 2023

Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

ID: F000469

Top Contributors

10

1
ROBU, ELI
AJ GENERAL CONTRACTORS • CONSTRUCTION
IndividualWORLEY, ID
$3,300
Aug 4, 2024
2
SCOTT, JB
SELF EMPLOYED • REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
IndividualBOISE, ID
$3,300
Apr 16, 2024
3
VANDERSLOOT, FRANK
MELALEUCA • CEO
IndividualIDAHO FALLS, ID
$3,300
May 1, 2024
4
TURLINGTON, SCOTT
TAMARACK RESORT • HOSPITALITY
IndividualTAMARACK, ID
$3,300
Apr 20, 2024
5
VANDERSLOOT, BELINDA
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualIDAHO FALLS, ID
$3,300
May 1, 2024
6
BENNETT, BRETT
BENNETT LUMBER • PRESIDENT
IndividualMOSCOW, ID
$3,300
Oct 28, 2023
7
WILLIAMS, LARRY
TREE TOP RANCHES • OWNER
IndividualBOISE, ID
$3,300
Feb 13, 2024
8
CENTERS, JAKE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualMERIDIAN, ID
$3,300
Feb 15, 2024
9
ROOPE, CALEB
THE PACIFIC COMPANIES • CEO
IndividualEAGLE, ID
$3,300
Mar 4, 2024
10
ROOPE, CALEB
THE PACIFIC COMPANIES • CEO
IndividualEAGLE, ID
$3,300
Mar 4, 2024

Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]

ID: O000019

Top Contributors

10

1
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
2
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Nov 11, 2024
3
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Mar 31, 2024
4
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Jun 6, 2023
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Jun 20, 2023
6
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Jun 6, 2023
7
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Apr 14, 2023
8
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
9
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Sep 16, 2024
10
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS
OrganizationPLACERVILLE, CA
$2,000
Oct 24, 2023

Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3]

ID: K000401

Top Contributors

10

1
WINRED
COMARLINGTON, VA
$30
Oct 24, 2024
2
WINRED
COMARLINGTON, VA
$10
Oct 29, 2024
3
BENNETT WEST ROSEVILLE LLC
NOT INCORPORATED
OrganizationORANGEVALE, CA
$3,000
Oct 21, 2024
4
NICHOLSON & OLSON, CPAS
UNINCORPORATED PARTNERSHIP
OrganizationROSEVILLE, CA
$750
Jun 28, 2023
5
NASH, JILL
N/A • NOT EMPLOYOED
IndividualLINCOLN, CA
$6,600
Jul 22, 2024
6
ROWE, SUSAN
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualBAKERSFIELD, CA
$6,600
May 20, 2024
7
BURKE, TIM
QUEST TECHNOLOGY • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualORANGEVALE, CA
$6,600
Oct 10, 2024
8
SMYTH, CHARLES
IndividualGRANITE BAY, CA
$6,600
Nov 3, 2024
9
FRANCK, KASI
SELF • DENTIST
IndividualROCKLIN, CA
$6,600
Dec 28, 2023
10
BRADLEY, KATHERINE
CITYBRIDGE FOUNDATION • BOARD CHAIR
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$5,000
Sep 11, 2024

Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]

ID: L000578

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
2
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
3
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
OrganizationCASS LAKE, MN
$2,000
Nov 4, 2024
4
VANN BROTHERS
UNINCORPORATED • PARTNERSHIP
OrganizationWILLIAMS, CA
$1,500
Jun 27, 2023
5
ONEIDA NATION
OrganizationONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Oct 31, 2024
6
SANTA ROSA RANCHERIA, .
SOVEREIGN NATION • INDIAN TRIBE
IndividualLEMORE, CA
$6,600
May 6, 2024
7
NECHAY, JULIA
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualROSEVILLE, CA
$5,000
Oct 26, 2024
8
OSAGE NATION, .
SOVEREIGN NATION • INDIAN TRIBE
IndividualPAWHUSKA, OK
$3,300
Oct 8, 2024
9
MCLAUGHLIN, RANDY
OLD DURHAM WOOD • ORCHARD TEMOVAL
IndividualDURHAM, CA
$3,300
Oct 13, 2024
10
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA, .
SOVEREIGN NATION • INDIAN TRIBE
IndividualDURANT, OK
$3,300
Oct 16, 2024

Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-9]

ID: M001136

Top Contributors

10

1
A & ALL WASTE LLC
OrganizationOAKLAND TWP, MI
$1,000
Oct 21, 2024
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Dec 31, 2023
3
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$1,000
Apr 20, 2023
4
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$1,000
Apr 20, 2023
5
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,000
Sep 11, 2023
6
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Sep 30, 2023
7
BANKE, BARBARA R.
IndividualGEYSERVILLE, CA
$6,600
Nov 16, 2023
8
SAMONA, MAZIN
WILD BILL'S TOBACCO • CEO
IndividualTROY, MI
$6,600
Sep 15, 2023
9
ALKHAFAJI, AMMAR
W INVESTORS GROUP • PRINCIPAL
IndividualSOUTHFIELD, MI
$6,600
Jul 24, 2023
10
YALDO, RUDI
PEARL TRADING LLC • CEO
IndividualBLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
$6,600
Jul 21, 2023

Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]

ID: B000668

Top Contributors

10

1
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF SILETZ INDIANS
OrganizationSILETZ, OR
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
2
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
3
SAN PABLO LYTTON BAND OF POM INDIANS
OrganizationSAN PABLO, CA
$3,300
Apr 9, 2024
4
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF SILETZ INDIANS
OrganizationSILETZ, OR
$3,300
Aug 1, 2023
5
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION
OrganizationNESPELEM, WA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
6
THE TULALIP TRIBES OF WASHINGTON
PARTNERSHIP
OrganizationMARYSVILLE, WA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
7
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF SILETZ INDIANS
OrganizationSILETZ, OR
$3,300
Sep 3, 2024
8
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION
OrganizationNESPELEM, WA
$3,300
Sep 26, 2024
9
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Sep 26, 2024
10
THE TULALIP TRIBES OF WASHINGTON
OrganizationTULALIP, WA
$3,300
Aug 19, 2024

Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6]

ID: P000609

Top Contributors

10

1
NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY ASSOC PC
OrganizationVESTAVIA HILLS, AL
$3,000
Mar 4, 2024
2
RMS LLC
OrganizationBIRMINGHAM, AL
$1,000
Jun 5, 2024
3
JDM PUBLIC STRATEGIES LLC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jun 15, 2023
4
HEART OF DIXIE OBLIGATION PAC
OrganizationGADSDEN, AL
$10
Mar 4, 2024
5
ARD, GARRY
ARD CONTRACTING • PRESIDENT
IndividualMOUNTAIN BRK, AL
$13,200
Jun 28, 2023
6
BROOKS, RICHARD A.
EXPRESS OIL CHANGE LLC • CEO
IndividualBIRMINGHAM, AL
$13,200
Jun 6, 2023
7
ELCAN, DANIEL G. MR.
ELCAN AND ASSOCIATES INC. • REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
IndividualMOBILE, AL
$13,200
Apr 11, 2023
8
SIDDLE, GLENN C.
NEWCASTLE CONSTRUCTION • CEO
IndividualINDIAN SPRINGS, AL
$13,200
May 23, 2023
9
WHITE-SPUNNER, JOHN
WHITE-SPUNNER CONSTRUCTION • EXECUTIVE
IndividualDAPHNE, AL
$13,200
Apr 11, 2023
10
ARD, GARRY
ARD CONTRACTING • PRESIDENT
IndividualMOUNTAIN BRK, AL
$13,200
Jun 28, 2023

Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5]

ID: L000566

Top Contributors

10

1
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
OrganizationRICHMOND, VA
$1,000
Mar 5, 2024
2
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
OrganizationRICHMOND, VA
$1,000
Sep 18, 2023
3
WATKINS & EAGER PLLC
OrganizationJACKSON, MS
$1,000
Jun 25, 2024
4
SENECA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
OrganizationTIFFIN, OH
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
5
BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC
OrganizationARLINGTON, VA
$500
Mar 31, 2024
6
CRAWFORD COUNTY CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION
OrganizationMARYSVILLE, OH
$500
Mar 15, 2024
7
BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC
OrganizationARLINGTON, VA
$500
Jun 18, 2023
8
MURPHY, JAMES
INVENERGY LLC • PRESIDENT
IndividualBARRINGTON, IL
$3,300
Oct 20, 2024
9
TAYLOR, KENNETH
OHIO CAT • PRESIDENT/OWNER
IndividualROCKY RIVER, OH
$3,300
Nov 2, 2024
10
ERGEN, CANDY MRS.
DISH NETWORK • SR ADVISOR
IndividualENGLEWOOD, CO
$3,300
Dec 25, 2023

Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1]

ID: F000474

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
2
DEMOCRACY ENGINE, LLC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$1,919
Jun 24, 2024
3
SUGAR CREEK REALTY
OrganizationSAINT LOUIS, MO
$1,500
Oct 1, 2024
4
DEMOCRACY ENGINE, LLC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$959
May 28, 2024
5
LAMA COMMUNITY TRUST
OrganizationSAN CRISTOBAL, NM
$833
Jun 26, 2024
6
RADCLIFFE GILBERTSON & BRADY
OrganizationLINCOLN, NE
$500
Oct 20, 2024
7
CASSLING, MICHAEL
CASSLING • CEO
IndividualOMAHA, NE
$13,200
Mar 13, 2023
8
BRADFORD VI, DANA
C3 BRANDS • CEO
IndividualOMAHA, NE
$6,600
Mar 28, 2023
9
HAWKINS JR, FRED
HAWKINS CONSTRUCTION • CONSTRUCTION
IndividualOMAHA, NE
$6,600
May 11, 2024
10
DUGGER, CATHERINE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualOMAHA, NE
$6,600
Oct 21, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 18 nodes and 15 connections

Total contributions: $41,740

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped, 1 harmed.

  • The joint resolution disapproves an EPA rule that includes Advanced Clean Trucks and Zero-Emission Power Train Certification, which are regulatory measures supporting electric and zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles; disapproval removes these standards, harming the EV industry.

  • +Automotive (Legacy)confidence 0.85

    Disapproval of the EPA rule removes stringent emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, reducing regulatory costs for traditional internal-combustion engine manufacturers, thus benefiting the legacy automotive industry.

  • The rule's Advanced Clean Trucks and Zero Emission Airport Shuttle provisions would have imposed new requirements on freight and trucking operations; disapproval relieves these burdens, benefiting surface transportation carriers.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. James, John [R-MI-10])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent — they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

  • from 23 contributions
    • NICHOLSON, DANIEL E MR$1,495
    • NICHOLSON, DANIEL E.$800
    • WILSON, LONNY$500
    • GUTHRIE, PHILIP L.$405
    • THOMSON, CHARLES C.$400
  • from 2 contributions
    • JOHNSTON, JOHN A.$500

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Department of Transportation

Very Strong
Vector: 65%
Pages: 661-663AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"HJRES 87 directly seeks to nullify an EPA rule that would allow California to set its own motor vehicle emissions standards, which aligns with Project 2025's objective to revoke California's special waiver and assert federal (DOT) preemption over state fuel economy and emissions regulations."

Key themes:California waiver revocationfederal preemption of state emissions standardsDOT authority over fuel economyopposition to EPA-led state standardsheavy-duty vehicle emissions regulation

— 628 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise translate into a loss of auto industry jobs for American workers: It will also mean a significant increase in traffic deaths and injuries. As fewer new cars are purchased, the price of used cars will rise, and more Americans will be left driving older cars, which traffic statistics show are much less safe than newer vehicles. NHTSA itself has acknowledged that the Biden Administration’s fuel economy standards will generate hundreds of additional fatalities and thousands of additional injuries on U.S. highways. Because older cars also produce more harmful air pollution, the aging of America’s fleet will also have negative consequences for air quality. In addition, the Biden Administration’s efforts to accelerate EV sales by reg- ulatory fiat work against the national security interests of the United States in contravention of Congress’s goals under EPCA. Increasing the production of EVs will make the U.S. more dependent on China and other foreign countries that control the supply and processing of rare earth minerals that are needed for EV batteries. And the faster deployment of EVs will put a major strain on America’s vulnerable power grid, requiring large investments in critical infrastructure and a big boost in the nation’s electricity production, including from gas-fired and oil- fired power plants. In exchange for all of these harmful effects—on traffic safety, consumer choice, American jobs, the nation’s air quality, and U.S. national security—the Biden fuel economy regulations are predicted to have no meaningful effect on global tem- perature trends over the long term.8 The next Administration must return the federal fuel economy program to the limits established by Congress. The standards issued by NHTSA must be reset at reasonable levels that are technologically feasible for ICE automobiles and con- sistent with an increase in domestic auto production and healthy growth in the sale of safer and more affordable new vehicles. To achieve these goals, the next Administration should: l Reduce proposed fuel economy levels. The Administration should consider returning to the minimum average fuel economy levels specified by Congress for model year 2020 vehicles: levels aimed at achieving a fleet-wide average of 35 miles per gallon. Consideration should be given to maintaining the standards at those levels for the near term in order to promote the objectives laid out by Congress. l Ensure that DOT again exercises priority in the setting of fuel economy standards. Any EPA limits on carbon dioxide emissions, even if authorized under the Clean Air Act, must support and work in harmony with DOT standards and must not override them or usurp DOT’s regulatory role under EPCA. For example, EPA could regulate air conditioning systems and leave engine standards to DOT. — 629 — Department of Transportation l Revoke the special waiver granted to California by the Biden Administration. California has no valid basis under the Clean Air Act to claim an extraordinary or unique air quality impact from carbon dioxide emissions, and EPCA is clear that under no circumstances may a state agency regulate fuel economy in place of DOT. The federal government should therefore exercise its preemptive authority over CARB and take all steps necessary to invalidate any inconsistent fuel economy requirements imposed by CARB, including its ban on sales of internal combustion engines. FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has jurisdiction over the inter- state highway system, which is vital for the transportation of goods and people throughout the country. The FHWA, in conjunction with state DOTs, works to ensure the quality and safety of highways and bridges. However, over the course of decades, presidential Administrations and Con- gress have caused the FHWA to go beyond its original mission. The variety of infrastructure projects now eligible for funding through the FHWA include fer- ryboat terminals, hiking trails, bicycle lanes, and local sidewalks. In many cases, such projects should be the sole responsibility of local or state governments, not dependent on FHWA funding. For local projects, federal involvement adds red tape and bureaucratic delays rather than value. The Biden Administration has broadened the FHWA’s scope by emphasizing the priorities of progressive activists instead of pursuing practical goals. These policies include a focus on “equity,” a nebulous concept that in practice means awarding grants to favored identity groups, as well as imposing obligations on states concern- ing carbon dioxide emissions from highway traffic—areas not encompassed within FHWA’s statutory authorities. Furthermore, the Biden Administration’s embrace of the “Vision Zero” approach to safety often means actively seeking congestion for automobiles to reduce speeds. Finally, the Administration has sought to use a “guidance memo” to impose policies not enacted by Congress, most notably to make it harder for growing states to expand highway capacity. Instead, the next Administration should: l Seek to refocus the FHWA on maintaining and improving the highway system. l Remove or reform rules and regulations that hamper state governments. l Reduce the amount of federal involvement in local infrastructure decisions.

Department of Transportation

Very Strong
Vector: 65%
Pages: 661-663AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"HJRES 87 directly seeks to nullify the EPA rule that would have allowed California to set its own motor vehicle emission standards, which aligns with Project 2025's objective to revoke California's Clean Air Act waiver and preempt state fuel economy regulations."

Key themes:California waiverstate emissions standardsfederal preemptionfuel economy regulationclean truck standards

— 629 — Department of Transportation l Revoke the special waiver granted to California by the Biden Administration. California has no valid basis under the Clean Air Act to claim an extraordinary or unique air quality impact from carbon dioxide emissions, and EPCA is clear that under no circumstances may a state agency regulate fuel economy in place of DOT. The federal government should therefore exercise its preemptive authority over CARB and take all steps necessary to invalidate any inconsistent fuel economy requirements imposed by CARB, including its ban on sales of internal combustion engines. FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has jurisdiction over the inter- state highway system, which is vital for the transportation of goods and people throughout the country. The FHWA, in conjunction with state DOTs, works to ensure the quality and safety of highways and bridges. However, over the course of decades, presidential Administrations and Con- gress have caused the FHWA to go beyond its original mission. The variety of infrastructure projects now eligible for funding through the FHWA include fer- ryboat terminals, hiking trails, bicycle lanes, and local sidewalks. In many cases, such projects should be the sole responsibility of local or state governments, not dependent on FHWA funding. For local projects, federal involvement adds red tape and bureaucratic delays rather than value. The Biden Administration has broadened the FHWA’s scope by emphasizing the priorities of progressive activists instead of pursuing practical goals. These policies include a focus on “equity,” a nebulous concept that in practice means awarding grants to favored identity groups, as well as imposing obligations on states concern- ing carbon dioxide emissions from highway traffic—areas not encompassed within FHWA’s statutory authorities. Furthermore, the Biden Administration’s embrace of the “Vision Zero” approach to safety often means actively seeking congestion for automobiles to reduce speeds. Finally, the Administration has sought to use a “guidance memo” to impose policies not enacted by Congress, most notably to make it harder for growing states to expand highway capacity. Instead, the next Administration should: l Seek to refocus the FHWA on maintaining and improving the highway system. l Remove or reform rules and regulations that hamper state governments. l Reduce the amount of federal involvement in local infrastructure decisions. — 630 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise AVIATION Americans value the ability to travel safely and inexpensively by air. In the United States, the private sector has developed the world’s safest, most effective passenger and cargo air transport networks. Current policies threaten to undo that legacy and to strangle the development of new technologies such as drones and “advanced air mobility,” including small aircraft to serve as air taxis or to conduct quiet vertical flights. Starting in the 1970s, deregulation and increased competition turned air travel from a luxury to an affordable travel option enjoyed by most Americans. The United States has four major airlines, each with roughly 20 percent of the domestic market. They compete with each other over the vast majority of routes. Several smaller carriers provide additional competition and other options for travelers. The current Administration’s policies are self-contradictory. In order to pla- cate specific labor groups, the Biden Administration not only opposes the growth of the major airlines, which would reduce the price of air travel, but also opposes measures—such as low-fare foreign competition and joint ventures of smaller U.S. carriers—that would increase competition. Another problematic area is aviation consumer protection. Congress has autho- rized DOT to prohibit specific “unfair and deceptive practices” in the airline industry after undertaking a hearing process—authority exercised by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection within the General Counsel’s Office. Beginning with the Obama Administration, this authority has been used to justify broad new regulations—in the name of achieving “fair” competition—that would impose burdensome disclosure mandates and other costly requirements without a sufficient process for gathering supporting evidence. The Trump Administration reformed the process for issuing such “unfair and deceptive practices” rules,9 but the Biden Administration promptly reversed those reforms.10 A new Administration should restore them. In general, the next Administration should focus its efforts on making air travel more affordable and abundant, increasing safety, increasing competition to benefit the flying public, and removing obstacles to the rapid deployment of emerging aviation technologies that hold the promise of improved safety, compe- tition, opportunity, and growth. To achieve a more level playing field and increase options for the traveling public, the next Administration should: l Publicly indicate that a new Administration would support joint- venture efforts by smaller carriers (for example, Jet Blue and Spirit) to achieve scale necessary to reduce costs and compete more effectively with the larger carriers. l Review foreign ownership and control limitations and, if necessary, work with Congress to change existing statutes. Worldwide investors

Environmental Protection Agency

Strong
Vector: 71%
Pages: 458-460AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"HJRES 87 directly supports Project 2025's objective to limit California's ability to set greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles by nullifying an EPA rule that would have allowed California to enforce stricter clean truck and zero-emission shuttle standards, aligning with the policy goal of restricting California's waiver to traditional pollutants only."

Key themes:California waiver limitationsGHG emissions standardsstate-federal regulatory authorityclean truck regulationsEPA rulemaking authority

— 425 — Environmental Protection Agency are statutorily required, and remove any regulatory differences between attainment and maintenance that are not explicitly required by law. l Streamline the process for state and local governments to demonstrate that their federally funded highway projects will not interfere with NAAQS attainment. l Adopt policies to prevent abuse of EPA’s CAA “error correction” authority.20 EPA historically has used this to coerce states into adopting its favored policies on pain of imposition of a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP). l Limit EPA’s reliance on CAA § 30121 general rulemaking authority to ensure that it is not abused to issue regulations for which EPA lacks substantive authority elsewhere in the statute. l If possible, return the standard-setting role to Congress. Climate Change l Remove the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) for any source category that is not currently being regulated. The overall reporting program imposes significant burdens on small businesses and companies that are not being regulated. This is either a pointless burden or a sword-of- Damocles threat of future regulation, neither of which is appropriate. l Establish a system, with an appropriate deadline, to update the 2009 endangerment finding. l Establish a significant emissions rate (SER) for greenhouse gasses (GHGs). Regulating Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act22 l Repeal Biden Administration implementing regulations for the AIM Act that are unnecessarily stringent and costly. l Refrain from granting petitions from opportunistic manufacturers to add new restrictions that further skew the market toward costlier refrigerants and equipment. — 426 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise l Conduct realistic cost assessments that reflect actual consumer experiences instead of the current unrealistic ones claiming that the program is virtually cost-free. Mobile Source Regulation by the Office of Transportation and Air Quality l Establish GHG car standards under Department of Transportation (DOT) leadership that properly consider cost, choice, safety, and national security. l Review the existing “ramp rate” for car standards to ensure that it is actually achievable. l Include life cycle emissions of electric vehicles and consider all of their environmental impacts. l Restore the position that California’s waiver applies only to California- specific issues like ground-level ozone, not global climate issues. l Ensure that other states can adopt California’s standards only for traditional/criteria pollutants, not greenhouse gases. l Stop the use of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to increase standards on airplanes. l Reconsider the Cleaner Trucks Initiative to balance the goal of driving down emissions without creating significant costs or complex burdens on the industry. Air Permitting Reforms for New Source Review (Pre-Construction Per- mits) and Title V (Operating Permits) l Develop reforms to ensure that when a facility improves efficiency within its production process, new permitting requirements are not triggered. l Restore the Trump EPA position on Once-In, Always-In (that major sources can convert to area sources when affiliated emissions standards are met). l Revisit permitting and enforcement assumptions that sources will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; this artificially inflates a source’s potential to emit (PTE), which can result in more stringent permit terms.

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About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

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