To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 521 Thorn Street in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, as the Mary Elizabeth Bettie Cole Post Office Building.

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Bill ID: 119/hr/1461
Last Updated: July 12, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

ID: D000530

Follow the money

The bill

To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 521 Thorn Street in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, as the Mary Elizabeth Bettie Cole Post Office Building.

HR. 1461, 119th Congress.

The sponsor

Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

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

The money

$72,480 raised

22 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

40% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Justice" section, p. 596-598 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

December 9, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became 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 thrilling episode of "Congressional Theater" brought to you by the esteemed members of the 119th Congress. Today's feature presentation is HR 1461, a bill that will undoubtedly change the course of human history... or not.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The primary objective of this earth-shattering legislation is to rename a post office in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, after Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" Cole. Because, clearly, the most pressing issue facing our nation is the lack of properly named postal facilities.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** Section 1 of the bill designates the facility at 521 Thorn Street as the "Mary Elizabeth 'Bettie' Cole Post Office Building." Wow, I can barely contain my excitement. The bill also includes a cleverly crafted provision that ensures any references to the old name will be retroactively changed to the new one. Because, you know, consistency is key when it comes to postal facilities.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include:

* Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" Cole's family and friends, who will undoubtedly be thrilled to see her name immortalized on a post office. * The residents of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, who will now have the privilege of mailing their letters from the "Mary Elizabeth 'Bettie' Cole Post Office Building." * The United States Postal Service, which will have to update its records and signage.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The impact of this bill will be negligible, but I'll humor you by pointing out a few potential implications:

* This bill may lead to an increase in postal-related tourism in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. (Just kidding, that's never going to happen.) * The renaming of the post office might inspire other communities to follow suit, leading to a wave of creatively named postal facilities across the nation. * More likely, this bill will serve as a distraction from actual pressing issues facing our country, allowing politicians to pretend they're doing something meaningful while accomplishing nothing.

**Diagnosis:** This bill is a classic case of "Legislative Narcissism," where politicians engage in self-aggrandizing behavior by introducing bills that serve no practical purpose. The sponsors and cosponsors of this bill are likely suffering from a bad case of "Ego-Inflation Syndrome," which causes them to believe their actions have actual significance.

**Treatment:** A healthy dose of skepticism, followed by a strong injection of reality, should cure these politicians of their delusions. Unfortunately, the prognosis is poor, as they will likely continue to indulge in this type of legislative theater, wasting taxpayer time and money on trivial pursuits.

In conclusion, HR 1461 is a pointless exercise in congressional grandstanding, designed to stroke the egos of its sponsors rather than address any actual problems facing our nation. But hey, at least it's not as if they're trying to sneak through some nefarious legislation

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$72,480
18 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$4,300
Committees
$0
Individuals
$68,180

No PAC contributions found

1
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
1 transaction
$3,300
2
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
SMYTH, NICHOLAS
2 transactions
$8,780
2
BALSON, ANDREW
2 transactions
$6,600
3
BILLS, MICHAEL D
2 transactions
$6,600
4
KARPLUS, BARBARA
2 transactions
$6,600
5
BEEUWKES, NANCY
1 transaction
$3,300
6
BEEUWKES, REINIER III
1 transaction
$3,300
7
CANNEY, LES
1 transaction
$3,300
8
DONOFRIO, ANITA
1 transaction
$3,300
9
DUCKWORTH, JANICE
1 transaction
$3,300
10
DUCKWORTH, RALPH
1 transaction
$3,300
11
FREEDMAN, RANDY
1 transaction
$3,300
12
KALSI, SONNY
1 transaction
$3,300
13
KRUPP, GEORGE
1 transaction
$3,300
14
LAUFER, MARSHA
1 transaction
$3,300
15
LAWRENCE, GERALD
1 transaction
$3,300
16
LINDSAY, ELLYN
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

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

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

ID: F000466

Top Contributors

10

1
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,500
Dec 31, 2024
2
STATA FAMILY OFFICE
Organization
$500
Apr 26, 2024
3
ASHER, ROBERT B.
IndividualGWYNEDD VALLEY, PA
$10,000
Oct 9, 2024
4
ASHER, ROBERT B.
ASHER CHOCOLATES • CHAIRMAN
IndividualGWYNEDD VALLEY, PA
$10,000
Sep 30, 2024
5
LEVY, EDWARD JR
EDW C LEVY CO • CHAIRMAN
IndividualBIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Feb 26, 2024
6
CROTTY, THOMAS
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$6,600
Feb 27, 2024
7
EVANS, ROGER
GREYLOCK PARTNERS • PARTNER EMERITUS
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$6,600
Feb 27, 2024
8
LEACH, RONALD
NPX ONE • CHAIRMAN & CEO
IndividualGENEVA, IL
$6,600
Feb 28, 2024
9
MCCLAIN, MARK
SAILPOINT • CEO
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$6,600
Mar 2, 2024
10
CROTTY, THOMAS
IndividualSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$6,600
Mar 8, 2024

Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]

ID: B001296

Top Contributors

10

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$1,000
Mar 21, 2024
2
WARD, SEAN
BLUE OWL CAPITAL • FINANCE
IndividualBROOKLYN, NY
$6,600
May 25, 2023
3
WARD, HEATHER
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualBROOKLYN, NY
$6,600
May 25, 2023
4
CALLISON, EDWIN H JR
BREAKTHRU BEVERAGE GROUP • EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
IndividualBELLEVILLE, IL
$5,400
Oct 23, 2023
5
SINGH, PRITPAL
SINGH SEMICONDUCTORS, INC • VICE PRESIDENT
IndividualFREMONT, CA
$5,000
Dec 31, 2023
6
WALTERS, CLELIA
CHARTERHOUSE LLC • FOUNDER
IndividualMCLEAN, VA
$3,700
Apr 16, 2024
7
RUBINSTEIN, ANDREW
OBERLAND CAPITAL • HEALTHCARE
IndividualTENAFLY, NJ
$3,300
Dec 5, 2023
8
FRIEDMAN, AVI
NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED
IndividualWHITE PLAINS, NY
$3,300
Nov 20, 2023
9
SANDBERG, SHERYL
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
10
SMITH, MICHAEL D.
CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS • GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
IndividualCHEVY CHASE, MD
$3,300
Oct 14, 2023

Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]

ID: S001205

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Jun 13, 2024
2
ANDERSON, KAI
CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES • CEO
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
3
ANDERSON, KARENA
SELF • GRAPHIC DESIGNER
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
4
BADEY, GEORGE
BADEY SLOAN & DIGENOVA P.C. • LAWYER
IndividualPHILADELPHIA, PA
$3,300
Sep 9, 2024
5
BONFIGLIO, ANDREW
EMZINGO • FACILITATION/TRAINING
IndividualSWARTHMORE, PA
$3,300
Sep 17, 2024
6
FUNK, PAUL
NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED
IndividualCAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Sep 17, 2024
7
HUNTER, CHRISTOPHER
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA • RESERACHER
IndividualSWARTHMORE, PA
$3,300
Sep 24, 2024
8
MCCLOSKEY, SEAN
PENN REAL ESTATE GROUP • REAL ESTATE
IndividualBALA CYNWYD, PA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
9
MULRONEY, MOIRA
SUPPORT CENTER FOR CHILD ADVOCATES • FUNDRAISER
IndividualBRYN MAWR, PA
$3,300
Aug 28, 2024
10
SACHS, ROBERT
SHRAGER SACHS & BLANCO • ATTORNEY
IndividualSHOHOLA, PA
$3,300
Jul 19, 2024

Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]

ID: D000631

Top Contributors

10

1
LEVIN, CARYL
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualELKINS PARK, PA
$5,000
Nov 3, 2024
2
LINDY, ALAN
LINDY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
IndividualAMBLER, PA
$3,500
Oct 28, 2024
3
BECKER, DEBBIE M
NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED
IndividualWYNNEWOOD, PA
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
4
BECKER, WILLIAM P.
BECKER & FRONDORF • RETIRED
IndividualWYNNEWOOD, PA
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
5
KRAUSZ, STEVEN
US VENTURE PARTNERS • VENTURE CAPITAL
IndividualPORTOLA VALLEY, CA
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
6
ERICKSEN, EUGENE P
SELF • STATISTICIAN
IndividualPHILADELPHIA, PA
$3,300
Jul 1, 2023
7
FINK, WILLIAM
SELF • CPA
IndividualDOWNINGTOWN, PA
$3,300
Aug 4, 2023
8
LINDY, FRANK
LINDY COMMUNITIES • REAL ESTATE
IndividualELKINS PARK, PA
$3,300
Jul 25, 2023
9
MILLER, LESLIE ANNE ESQ.
SELF EMPLOYED • ATTORNEY
IndividualBRYN MAWR, PA
$3,300
Aug 24, 2023
10
SCATTONE, FRANCESCO
RENAISSANCE TECHNOLOGIES • FINANCE
IndividualWYNDMOOR, PA
$3,300
Jul 27, 2023

Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11]

ID: S001199

Top Contributors

10

1
MASRY, LOUIS
LEM SETTLEMENT GROUP • CEO-PRESIDENT
IndividualSOLANA BEACH, CA
$6,600
Jan 17, 2024
2
SCHWARZMAN, STEPHEN A.
BLACKSTONE • CEO AND CHAIRMAN
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Jul 13, 2023
3
SCHWARZMAN, CHRISTINE
NONE • RETIRED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Jul 14, 2023
4
WALTERS, WILLIAM
SELECT MEDICAL • SVP
IndividualMCLEAN, VA
$5,000
Feb 5, 2024
5
REYNOLDS, GARY A.
RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES • FINANCIAL ADVISOR
IndividualLANCASTER, PA
$4,597
Mar 27, 2024
6
PARKER, ALEXANDRA MRS.
SELF EMPLOYED • PHILANTHROPY
IndividualPALO ALTO, CA
$3,300
Mar 21, 2024
7
PARKER, ALEXANDRA MRS.
SELF EMPLOYED • PHILANTHROPY
IndividualPALO ALTO, CA
$3,300
Mar 21, 2024
8
PARKER, SEAN MR.
SEAN N. PARKER FOUNDATION • CHAIRMAN
IndividualPALO ALTO, CA
$3,300
Mar 21, 2024
9
PARKER, SEAN MR.
SEAN N. PARKER FOUNDATION • CHAIRMAN
IndividualPALO ALTO, CA
$3,300
Mar 21, 2024
10
MASRY, LOUIS
LEM SETTLEMENT GROUP • CEO-PRESIDENT
IndividualSOLANA BEACH, CA
$3,300
Jan 17, 2024

Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

ID: L000602

Top Contributors

10

1
FRIENDS OF SARA INNAMORATO
OrganizationPITTSBURGH, PA
$3,300
Mar 19, 2024
2
FRIENDS OF SARA INNAMORATO
OrganizationPITTSBURGH, PA
$2,300
Mar 19, 2024
3
JORDAN, WAYNE
JREI • SELF-EMPLOYED
IndividualOAKLAND, CA
$6,600
Jan 26, 2024
4
TROTTER, ANDREW
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualREDWOOD CITY, CA
$3,600
Mar 21, 2024
5
COOK ZUHLKE, RONNIE
N/A • RETIRED
IndividualPITTSBURGH, PA
$3,420
Mar 27, 2024
6
KALIYUR, SATHVIK
NWF STRATEGIES • CONSULTANT
IndividualSARATOGA, CA
$3,300
Dec 26, 2024
7
ABDALLAH, HANI
EVERGREEN • PHARMACIST
IndividualHOMER GLEN, IL
$3,300
Dec 30, 2023
8
AKHRAS, RAMI
RAMI AKHRAS • SELF-EMPLOYED
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Nov 16, 2023
9
ALI, NADIA
MPI • BUSINESSWOMAN
IndividualORLAND PARK, IL
$3,300
Dec 30, 2023
10
ALI, NADIR
INPIXON • CEO
IndividualPALO ALTO, CA
$3,300
Dec 9, 2023

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. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16]

ID: K000376

Top Contributors

10

1
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Dec 31, 2024
2
MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBE
OrganizationLEDYARD, CT
$3,300
Oct 23, 2023
3
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Mar 24, 2023
4
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
5
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,000
Sep 30, 2024
6
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,000
Nov 4, 2024
7
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$2,300
Jun 28, 2024
8
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$2,000
Jun 26, 2023
9
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$2,000
Oct 10, 2024
10
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$1,000
Mar 29, 2023

Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

ID: E000296

Top Contributors

10

1
UNIVERSITY PLACE ASSOCIATES 3.0
OrganizationPHILADELPHIA, PA
$1,000
Dec 28, 2023
2
BRIDGE ACROSS PA PAC
OrganizationBETHLEHEM, PA
$1,000
Jun 5, 2023
3
DILWORTH PAXSON LLP
OrganizationPHILADELPHIA, PA
$1,000
May 19, 2023
4
KLEINBARD LLC
OrganizationPHILADELPHIA, PA
$500
Dec 28, 2023
5
ALLIE, DONNA
TEAM CLEAN INC. • OWNER
IndividualPHILADELPHIA, PA
$3,300
Dec 11, 2023
6
BURNS, PATRICK J.
METRO PHILLY MANAGEMENT • PRESIDENT
IndividualDREXEL HILL, PA
$3,300
Dec 19, 2023
7
MEZZAROBA, ALBERT
SELF • ATTORNEY
IndividualMERION STATION, PA
$3,300
Dec 20, 2023
8
CORDARO, LAURA
EBRM CORP • DEVELOPER
IndividualGLADWYNE, PA
$3,300
Dec 25, 2023
9
DEON SR, PASQUALE T
PROGRESSIVE MANAGEMENT • REAL ESTATE
IndividualFAIRLESS HILLS, PA
$3,300
Dec 27, 2023
10
CRAWFORD, STEVEN M.
S.R. WOJDAK & ASSOCIATES, LP • GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
IndividualPHILADELPHIA, PA
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023

Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

ID: H001085

Top Contributors

10

1
HASHEMI, MARY
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualBERWYN, PA
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
2
KAFKER, ROGER
TA ASSOCIATES • PRIVATE EQUITY
IndividualWELLESLEY, MA
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
3
MORGAN, HOWARD
MFCIF LLC • VENTURE CAPITAL
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
4
KENNEY, PETER
SELF-EMPLOYED • WRITER
IndividualPHILADELPHIA, PA
$3,300
Sep 26, 2023
5
MANDEL, SUE
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$3,300
Jul 23, 2023
6
KJELLERUP, PETER
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWEST GROVE, PA
$3,300
Sep 23, 2023
7
KEARNS, ANDREW
MORGAN STANLEY • INVESTMENT BANKER
IndividualHILLSBOROUGH, CA
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
8
METZ, MITCHELL
RTD FINANCIAL ADVISORS • FINANCIAL ADVISOR
IndividualPENN VALLEY, PA
$3,300
Jul 16, 2023
9
KEARNS, ANDREW
MORGAN STANLEY • INVESTMENT BANKER
IndividualHILLSBOROUGH, CA
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
10
MANDEL, STEVE
LONE PINE CAPITAL • FOUNDER
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$3,300
Jul 20, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

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Showing 77 nodes and 37 connections (60 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $139,380

Top Donors - Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

Showing top 18 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs16 Individuals

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 Justice

Minimal
Vector: 51%
Pages: 596-598AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"HR 1461 is a symbolic renaming of a post office facility and does not address any Department of Justice policies related to voting enforcement, provisional ballots, investigations, or grant distribution outlined in the Project 2025 text."

— 564 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Pennsylvania Act 12 (amended in 2020) does not authorize curing by providing provisional ballots for mail-in voters whose ballots were rejected. Act 12 requires, as part of the mail-in application process, an affidavit that: [The elector] shall not be eligible to vote at a polling place on election day unless the elector brings the elector’s mail-in ballot to the elector’s polling place, remits the ballot and the envelope containing the declaration of the elector to the judge of elections to be spoiled and signs a statement subject to the penalties under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification to authorities) to the same effect.84 The law in Pennsylvania clearly states that no county may affirmatively provide provisional ballots: The mail-in voter must vote in person and sign a new affidavit. In the 2020 election, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court recognized that “the Election Code contains no requirement that voters whose ballots are deemed inadequately verified be apprised of this fact. Thus, unlike in-person voters, mail-in or absentee voters are not provided any opportunity to cure perceived defects in a timely man- ner.”85 Given the Pennsylvania Secretary of State’s use of guidance to circumvent state law, the Pennsylvania Secretary of State should have been (and still should be) investigated and prosecuted for potential violations of 18 U.S. Code § 241. Investigations and prosecutions under 18 U.S. Code § 241 are currently within the jurisdictional oversight of the Civil Rights Division, not the Criminal Division.86 Only by moving authority for 18 U.S. Code § 241 investigations and prosecutions back to the Criminal Division will the rule of law be appropriately enforced. Rejecting Third-Party Requests for Politically Motivated Investigations or Prosecutions. The DOJ should reject demands from third-party groups that ask it to threaten politically motivated investigation or prosecution of those engag- ing in lawful and, in many cases, constitutionally protected activity. By acceding to such demands, the department risks diminishing its credibility with the American public. This risk is exacerbated by the fact that communications between govern- ment officials and third-party groups are generally unprotected by privilege and subject to disclosure, whether via subpoena to the third-party group or via request made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. These communications can even be made public voluntarily by the third-party group. A recent example illustrates the risks posed by such activity. On October 4, 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memorandum to the Director of the FBI, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, and the Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, calling on the FBI to work with each U.S. Attorney to “con- vene meetings with federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial leaders” to discuss strategies for addressing “threats against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff.”87 Subsequent reporting and investigation revealed that the — 565 — Department of Justice memorandum was prompted by a September 29, 2021, letter sent by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) to President Biden demanding a federal law enforcement response to perceived threats to school board members and pub- lic-school employees. The NSBA letter made outlandish demands in response to protests that were then occurring at school board meetings in response to COVID policies and revela- tions about the use of critical race theory–infused curricula in classrooms. Among the letter’s demands was a call for a federal investigation into parents’ actions (“hei- nous actions” that “could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes”) under a variety of federal laws including the “Gun-Free Zones Act, the PATRIOT Act in regards to domestic terrorism, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes and Prevention Act, the Violent Interference with Federally Protected Rights statute, and the Conspiracy Against Rights statute” and “an Executive Order to enforce all applicable federal laws for the protection of students and public school district personnel, and any related measure.”88 Both the Attorney General’s memorandum and the NSBA letter drew swift public condemnation, including from 14 sitting state Attorneys General.89 A sub- sequent internal investigation commissioned by the NSBA revealed that officials at the White House had been in discussions with NSBA officials about the contents of the letter weeks before it was issued. The investigation also revealed that White House officials indicated they planned to raise the contents of the draft letter with DOJ officials a full week before the NSBA’s letter was issued.90 This cooperation by a third-party group, the White House, and the DOJ to craft and coordinate a response to an ill-advised and politically motivated letter under- mines the department’s credibility as an impartial law enforcement agency. In the words of the 14 state Attorneys General who wrote to oppose the department’s memorandum, “potential collusion between the White House, the Department, and the NSBA in the actual creation of the September 29 letter—as a pretext for threats against parents—raises serious concerns.”91 The DOJ should carefully scrutinize all requests for law enforcement assis- tance and reject requests by third parties to engage in political grandstanding that ignores the department’s traditional jurisdictional limits and that would trample politically controversial but constitutionally protected activity. Ensuring Proper Distribution of DOJ Grant Funds. DOJ grants are an underutilized asset in most conservative Administrations. When used properly, they can be highly effective in implementing the President’s priorities. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is comprised of six components and is responsible for most DOJ grants to local law enforcement, juvenile justice, and victims of crime as well as for criminal justice research and statistics. The opportunity to support a President’s agenda may be greater through OJP grant funding than it is through any of the federal government’s other grant-making components.

Small Business Administration

Minimal
Vector: 51%
Pages: 792-794AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"HR 1461 is a purely ceremonial bill to rename a post office facility and contains no provisions related to the Small Business Administration, its reform, or small business policy objectives outlined in Project 2025."

Key themes:no overlapunrelated

— 760 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise ENDNOTES 1. H.R. 7953, Small Business Act, Public Law 85-536, 85th Congress, July 18, 1958, § 2, https://uscode.ecfr.io/ statutes/pl/85/536.pdf (accessed February 17, 2023), amended by H.R. 4877, One Stop Shop for Small Business Compliance Act of 2021, Public Law 117-188, 117th Congress, October 20, 2022, https://www.congress. gov/117/plaws/publ188/PLAW-117publ188.pdf (accessed February 17, 2023). 2. U.S. Small Business Administration, “About SBA: Organization: Mission,” https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/ organization (accessed February 19, 2023). 3. Michael Faulkender, Robert Jackman, and Stephen I. Miran, “The Job-Preservation Effects of Paycheck Protection Program Loans,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Economic Policy, Working Paper No. 2020-01, December 2020, p. 9, https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/226/Job-Preservation-Effects- Paycheck-Protection-Program-Loans.pdf (accessed February 16, 2023). 4. Kate Rogers, Scott Zamost, Karina Hernandez, and Jennifer Schlesinger, “As Pandemic Aid Was Rushed to Main Street, Criminals Seized on Covid Relief Programs,” CNBC, April 15, 2021, https://www.cnbc. com/2021/04/15/as-pandemic-aid-was-rushed-to-main-street-criminals-seized-on-ppp-eidl-.html (accessed February 16, 2023). 5. Kevin Brewer, “Bills Extend Statute of Limitation for Prosecuting PPP, EIDL Fraud,” Journal of Accountancy, August 10, 2022, https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2022/aug/bills-extend-statute-limitation- prosecuting-ppp-eidl-fraud.html (accessed February 16, 2023). 6. Sacha Pfeiffer, “Virtually All PPP Loans Have Been Forgiven with Limited Scrutiny,” NPR, October 12, 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/10/12/1128207464/ppp-loans-loan-forgiveness-small-business#:~:text=As%20 COVID-19%20shutdowns%20threatened,early%20days%20of%20the%20pandemic (accessed February 16, 2023). 7. U.S. Small Business Administration, “About SBA: Organization: SBA History,” https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/ organization (accessed February 19, 2023). 8. President Richard Nixon, Executive Order 11518, “Providing for the Increased Representation of the Interests of Small Business Concerns Before Departments and Agencies of the United States Government,” March 20, 1970, in Federal Register, Vol. 35, No. 56 (March 21, 1970), pp. 4939–4940, https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/ service/ll/fedreg/fr035/fr035056/fr035056.pdf (accessed February 18, 2023). 9. S. 3331, Small Business Amendments of 1974, Public Law 93-386, 93rd Congress, August 23, 1974, https://www. congress.gov/93/statute/STATUTE-88/STATUTE-88-Pg742.pdf (accessed February 19, 2023). 10. S. 299, Regulatory Flexibility Act, Public Law No. 96-354, 96th Congress, September 19, 1980, https://www. congress.gov/96/statute/STATUTE-94/STATUTE-94-Pg1164.pdf (accessed February 19, 2023). 11. Maeve P. Carey, “The Regulatory Flex Act: An Overview,” Congressional Research Service In Focus No. IF11900, August 16, 2021, https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11900 (accessed February 18, 2023). 12. U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, “The Regulatory Flexibility Act,” https://advocacy.sba. gov/resources/the-regulatory-flexibility-act/ (accessed February 18, 2023). 13. H.R. 644, Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, Public Law No. 114-125, 114th Congress, February 24, 2026, https://www.congress.gov/114/statute/STATUTE-130/STATUTE-130-Pg122.pdf (accessed March 21, 2023). 14. U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, “Advocacy Releases Trade Report,” December 21, 2018, https://advocacy.sba.gov/2018/12/21/advocacy-releases-trade-report/ (accessed March 21, 2023). 15. Associated Press, “Reagan Offers $994-Billion ‘Hard-Choices’ 1987 Budget,” Los Angeles Times, February 5, 1986, http://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-02-05-mn-4369-story.html (accessed February 18, 2023). 16. Testimony of Hon. Hector V. Barreto, Administrator, Small Business Administration, in hearing, The President’s FY 2006 Budget Request for the Small Business Administration, Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Senate, 109th Congress, 1st Session, February 17, 2005, p. 8, https://books.google.com/ books?id=UwD-2ICa8k8C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (accessed February 18, 2023). See also Report No. 109-49, Summary of Legislative and Oversight Activities During the 108th Congress, Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Senate, 109th Congress, 1st Session, March 30, 2005, p. 21, https://www.congress.gov/109/crpt/srpt49/CRPT-109srpt49.pdf (accessed February 18, 2023). — 761 — Small Business Administration 17. Editorial, “The Small Business Administration Needs Reforming,” The Washington Post, December 18, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-sba-needs-reforming/2016/12/18/b639fc4c-c159-11e6-8422- eac61c0ef74d_story.html (accessed February 18, 2023). 18. Robert Jay Dilger, Anthony A. Cilluffo, and R. Corinne Blackford, “Small Business Administration Funding: Overview and Recent Trends,” Congressional Research Service Report for Members and Committees of Congress No. R43486, updated July 14, 2022, Summary, https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R43846.pdf (accessed November 18, 2022). 19. Ibid., p. 2. Emphasis added. 20. Press release, “SBA Announces End-of-Year Capital Benchmarks Showing Historic Support for Small Businesses Under Administrator Guzman,” U.S. Small Business Administration, December 13, 2022, https:// www.sba.gov/article/2022/dec/13/sba-announces-end-year-capital-benchmarks-showing-historic-support- small-businesses-under?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery (accessed February 18, 2023). 21. USASpending,gov, “Agency Profile: Small Business Administration (SBA),” data through September 29, 2022, https://www.usaspending.gov/agency/small-business-administration?fy=2022 (accessed February 18, 2023). 22. Testimony and prepared statement of Tad DeHaven, Budget Analyst, Cato Institute, in hearing, An Examination of SBA Programs: Eliminating Inefficiencies, Duplications, Fraud, and Abuse, Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Senate, 112th Congress, 1st Session, June 16, 2011, pp. 80–90, https://www. govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-112shrg88373/pdf/CHRG-112shrg88373.pdf (accessed February 18, 2023). 23. Sarah Westwood, “Feds Gave $400 Million in Contracts to Ineligible Firms,” Washington Examiner, September 28, 2014, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feds-gave-400-million-in-contracts-to-ineligible-firms (accessed February 18, 2023). 24. Keith Girard, “Inside the SBA’s Monumental Katrina Loan Scandal,” AllBusiness.com, https://www.allbusiness. com/inside-the-sbas-monumental-katrina-loan-scandal-11793824-1.html (accessed February 18, 2023). 25. Arnold & Porter, “CARES Act Fraud Tracker,” last updated January 2, 2023, https://www.arnoldporter.com/en/ general/cares-act-fraud-tracker (accessed February 18, 2023). 26. Jay Edwards, “Bipartisan Call to Crack Down on COVID-19 PPP/EIDL Fraud, Prosecute Fraudsters to the Fullest Extent of the Law,” WRNJ Radio (Hackettstown, New Jersey), October 21, 2022, https://wrnjradio.com/ bipartisan-call-to-crack-down-on-covid-19-ppp-eidl-fraud-prosecute-fraudsters-to-the-fullest-extent-of-the- law/ (accessed March 21, 2023). 27. See, for example, H.R. 7628, IMPROVE the SBA Act, 117th Congress, introduced April 28, 2022, https://www. congress.gov/117/bills/hr7628/BILLS-117hr7628ih.pdf (accessed February 18, 2023). 28. In varying degrees, almost every small-business advocacy organization and trade association engages with the SBA. During periods of hyper-regulatory activity fueled by an activist Administration, the small- business community engages more frequently with the Office of Advocacy through its roundtables and other mechanisms in the hope of warding off costly and intrusive rulemakings. A future conservative Administration can look to the following groups, among others, for support in advancing both SBA and broader policy reform: American Hotel and Lodging Association; Asian American Hotel Owners Association; Association of Builders and Contractors; Associated Equipment Distributors; Ceramic Tile Distributors Association; Consumer Technology Association; Family Business Coalition; Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association; Heating, Air-conditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International; Independent Bakers Association; Independent Community Bankers Association; Independent Electrical Contractors’ International Association of Plastics Distributors; International Franchise Association; Metals Service Center Institute; National Association of Electrical Distributors; National Association of Manufacturers; National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors; National Fastener Distributors Association; National Marine Distributors Association; National Federation of Independent Business; National Ready Mix Concrete Association; National Small Business Association; Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council; and U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the small-business community is diverse and broad, and several key groups strongly support SBA lending but vigorously oppose tax, regulatory, and spending policies that are intrusiveness or costly to business. Conservative think tanks and taxpayer organizations like The Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, the National Taxpayers Union, Citizens Against Government Waste, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, and Americans for Tax Reform (among others) also have a stake in an improved and cost-effective SBA.

Department of the Treasury

Minimal
Vector: 51%
Pages: 748-751AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"HR 1461 solely renames a local post office facility and contains no provisions related to the Department of the Treasury, financial institutions, or any of the topics covered in the Project 2025 policy excerpt."

Key themes:no overlapunrelated

— 715 — Department of the Treasury 67. On banks, credit unions, broker-dealers, and other financial institutions as normally understood, but note that 31 U.S. Code §5312(a)(2) also defines “financial institutions” to include money service businesses; insurance companies; jewelers; pawnbrokers; travel agencies; dealers in automobiles, airplanes, and boats; persons involved in real estate closings and settlements; casinos; and telegraph companies. 68. David R. Burton, “The Corporate Transparency Act and the ILLICIT CASH Act,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3449, November 7, 2019, https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/files/2019-11/BG3449_0. pdf, and David R. Burton to AnnaLou Tirol, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Re: Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements,” Comment, May 5, 2021 http://thf_media.s3.amazonaws.com/2022/ Regulatory_Comments/FINCEN-2021-0005-0132_attachment_1.pdf (accessed March 19, 2023). 69. Burton comment, ibid. 70. Federal Register, Vol. 87, No. 189, September 30, 2022, pp. 59498–59596. 71. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Fiscal Year 2022–2026 Strategic Plan. 72. Ibid. 73. United Nations, “Paris Agreement,” 2015, https://unfccc.int/files/essential_background/convention/ application/pdf/english_paris_agreement.pdf (accessed March 20, 2023). 74. United Nations, “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,” GE.5–62220, 1992, https://unfccc. int/resource/docs/convkp/conveng.pdf (accessed March 20, 2023). 75. “What Is ESG?” ESG Hurts, https://esghurts.com/ (accessed March 22, 2023), and Samuel Gregg, “Why Business Should Dispense with ESG,” American Institute for Economic Research, December 4, 2022, https:// www.aier.org/article/why-business-should-dispense-with-esg/ (accessed March 22, 2023). 76. PRI Association, “What are the Principles for Responsible Investment?” https://www.unpri.org/about-us/ what-are-the-principles-for-responsible-investment (accessed March 22, 2023). The PRI Association is a U.N.- affiliated non-governmental organization. See also PRI Association, “Articles of Association of PRI Association,” Art. 9, November 14, 2016, https://d8g8t13e9vf2o.cloudfront.net/Uploads/g/e/r/2016-11-14-Articles-of- Association-of-PRI-Association-.pdf (accessed March 22, 2023).

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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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