Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025

Download PDF
Bill ID: 119/hr/2181
Last Updated: September 8, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]

ID: C001078

Follow the money

The bill

Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025

HR. 2181, 119th Congress — read as touching Private Prisons & Immigration Detention.

The sponsor

Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]

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

The money

$69,150 raised

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

The alignment

55% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Environmental Protection Agency" section, p. 458-460 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Bell asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 2181, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

September 7, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

✅

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

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 masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. The "Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025" - because what this country really needs is more protection for bureaucrats with a bad case of moral rectitude.

Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**New regulations being created or modified:** The bill amends chapter 4 of title 5, United States Code, to establish a "for-cause removal standard" for Inspectors General. In other words, Congress wants to make it harder for the President to fire these self-appointed guardians of integrity.

**Affected industries and sectors:** Government agencies, naturally. But let's not be naive - this bill is really about protecting the interests of politicians who rely on these watchdogs to do their bidding.

**Compliance requirements and timelines:** The bill sets out a laundry list of "grounds" for removal, including "documented permanent incapacity," "neglect of duty," and "gross mismanagement." Because, you know, it's not like these bureaucrats are already insulated from accountability. The compliance timeline? Oh, don't worry, it's just a never-ending cycle of paperwork and bureaucratic red tape.

**Enforcement mechanisms and penalties:** Ah, the teeth of this bill - or rather, the lack thereof. There are no real enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance. Just more hot air from Congress.

**Economic and operational impacts:** This bill will have zero impact on the economy or operations of government agencies. It's just a feel-good exercise in legislative posturing. But hey, who needs actual reform when you can just create more bureaucratic hurdles?

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a bad case of " Politician-itis" - a disease characterized by an excessive desire for self-preservation and a complete disregard for the public interest.

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism and a strong stomach to withstand the stench of hypocrisy emanating from Capitol Hill.

Related Topics

Executive Branch OversightGovernment Operations & AccountabilityNational Security & Intelligence
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$69,150
18 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$2,900
Committees
$0
Individuals
$66,000

No PAC contributions found

1
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
1 transaction
$2,900

No committee contributions found

1
PUNARO, ARNOLD
2 transactions
$6,600
2
PUNARO, JULIA
2 transactions
$6,600
3
HALE, KAREN
2 transactions
$6,600
4
PHILLIPS, STERLING
2 transactions
$6,600
5
HERSHMAN, MICHAEL J.
1 transaction
$3,300
6
TRONE, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
7
MISENER, PAUL E
1 transaction
$3,300
8
RABAUT, TOM W
1 transaction
$3,300
9
WALKER, KENT
1 transaction
$3,300
10
CARLSON, TERESA
1 transaction
$3,300
11
GURU, RAM
1 transaction
$3,300
12
HALL SR, DON
1 transaction
$3,300
13
HALL, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
14
ABOD, CARAH
1 transaction
$3,300
15
ABOD, KIM
1 transaction
$3,300
16
BERBERIAN, ANNETTE
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

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

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

ID: N000147

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]

ID: L000562

Top Contributors

10

1
CRONIN, JON P.
CRONIN DEVELOPMENT • PRINCIPAL
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
2
CRONIN, NICOLE M.
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
3
KENNEDY, LEE M. JR.
LEE KENNEDY CO. INC • SELF EMPLOYED
IndividualDUXBURY, MA
$3,300
Oct 25, 2023
4
KEOHANE, KIARA L.
SELF • HOMEMAKER
IndividualWAKEFIELD, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
5
KEOHANE, PATRICK J.
SELF • PROPERTY MANAGER
IndividualWAKEFIELD, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
6
KINEAVY, MICHAEL J.
THE CRONIN GROUP • COO
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
7
MORIARTY, JOHN J III
JOHN MORIARTY & ASSOCIATES INC • CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
IndividualCONCORD, MA
$3,300
Dec 4, 2023
8
MORIARTY, JOHN J.
JOHN MORIARTY & ASSOCIATES • BUILDER
IndividualWINCHESTER, MA
$3,300
Dec 4, 2023
9
MORIARTY, JOHN J.
JOHN MORIARTY & ASSOCIATES • BUILDER
IndividualWINCHESTER, MA
$3,300
Dec 4, 2023
10
MURPHY, DENIS
REBEL RESTAURANT • SELF
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023

Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

ID: K000391

Top Contributors

10

1
HONOR AGING LLC
OrganizationEAST BRUNSWICK, NJ
$3,300
Jul 16, 2024
2
PINNACLE HOSPITAL
OrganizationCROWN POINT, IN
$2,500
Mar 3, 2023
3
HOME BEE LLC
OrganizationWEST BLOOMFIELD, MI
$1,000
Sep 18, 2024
4
SAKA, SAMUEL
SELF EMPLOYED • ENTREPRENEUR
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$6,600
Jun 2, 2023
5
SAKA, SAMUEL
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$6,600
Jun 2, 2023
6
GAITONDE, SUJATA
UIC • PROFESSOR
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,700
Feb 6, 2024
7
GAITONDE, SUNIL
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,700
Feb 6, 2024
8
KALSI, RAHUL S
NICOR GAS • EXECUTIVE
IndividualOAK BROOK, IL
$3,700
Sep 22, 2023
9
KOZAKIEWICZ, BEATA
STERLING GROUP INC. • PRINCIPAL
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
10
JAIN, RAJ
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualORLAND PARK, IL
$3,300
Nov 3, 2024

Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]

ID: K000389

Top Contributors

10

1
1850 WILLIAMS INVESTORS LLC
OrganizationALAMO, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
2
SIRHAN, MOTASIM
ELIXIR • EXECUTIVE
IndividualMILPITAS, CA
$13,200
Jan 3, 2024
3
PAPIER, SUSAN
WERBA RUBIN PAPIER WEALTH MANAGEMENT • EXECUTIVE
IndividualSAN JOSE, CA
$13,200
Mar 29, 2024
4
CLEMENS, NICOLE
PARAMOUNT GLOBAL • EXECUTIVE
IndividualPACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$13,200
Mar 30, 2024
5
PAPIER, JASON
WERBA RUBIN PAPIER WEALTH MANAGEMENT • EXECUTIVE
IndividualSAN JOSE, CA
$13,200
Mar 29, 2024
6
COGEN, JACK
NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$13,200
May 15, 2024
7
CLEMENS, NICOLE
IndividualPACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$12,200
Mar 31, 2024
8
YOUNIS, QASAR
APPLIED INTUITION • EXECUTIVE
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$9,900
Mar 31, 2024
9
PAPIER, SUSAN
IndividualSAN JOSE, CA
$9,900
Mar 31, 2024
10
PAPIER, JASON
IndividualSAN JOSE, CA
$9,900
Mar 31, 2024

Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]

ID: M000687

Top Contributors

10

1
TABORN, TYRONE D.
IndividualREISTERSTOWN, MD
$5,000
Jul 31, 2024
2
BRONFEIN, MICHAEL
CURIO WELLNESS • CEO
IndividualOWINGS MILLS, MD
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
3
SEIBEL, MICHAEL
Y COMBINATOR • INVESTOR
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
4
JOHNSON, ROBERT
THE RLJ COMPANIES • EXECUTIVE
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
5
JOSEPH, MARK K.
N/A • RETIRED
IndividualBALTIMORE, MD
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
6
JOHNSON, ROBERT
THE RLJ COMPANIES • EXECUTIVE
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$3,300
Nov 9, 2023
7
TABORN, TYRONE D.
CAREER COMMUNICATIONS GROUP • METAVERSE CREATOR
IndividualREISTERSTOWN, MD
$3,300
Oct 31, 2023
8
FISCHER, SOLOMON
FISCHER ROOFING • ROOFER
IndividualLAKEWOOD, NJ
$3,000
Oct 7, 2024
9
TABORN, TYRONE D.
CAREER COMMUNICATIONS GROUP • METAVERSE CREATOR
IndividualREISTERSTOWN, MD
$3,000
Jul 27, 2024
10
BEREANO, BRUCE C.
SELF-EMPLOYED • GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONSULTANT
IndividualANNAPOLIS, MD
$2,500
Oct 23, 2024

Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]

ID: B001313

Top Contributors

10

1
MORRIS-SINGER, ANDREW
SELF-EMPLOYED • MANAGEMENT
IndividualPORTLAND, OR
$6,600
Jan 24, 2024
2
MORRIS-SINGER, COREY
SELF-EMPLOYED • RESEARCH
IndividualPORTLAND, OR
$6,600
Jan 24, 2024
3
STEIN, KEVIN M
TRANSDIGM • CEO
IndividualCHAGRIN FALLS, OH
$3,300
Feb 15, 2023
4
MOSS, KAREN
NICOLAS GUDBRANSON & COOPER • ATTORNEY
IndividualCLEVELAND, OH
$3,300
Feb 24, 2023
5
SUMMERS, MICHAEL P.
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualLAKEWOOD, OH
$3,300
Feb 28, 2023
6
JOHNSON, ALEX B
TRI-C • COLLEGE PRESIDENT
IndividualBEACHWOOD, OH
$3,300
Mar 7, 2023
7
SINITO, FRANK T
MILLENIA HOUSING COMPANIES • PRESIDENT
IndividualCLEVELAND, OH
$3,300
Mar 13, 2023
8
EMERSON, WILLIAM
ROCK HOLDINGS • VICE CHAIRMAN
IndividualBLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
$3,300
Apr 14, 2023
9
JURVETSON, KARLA
SELF • PHYSICIAN
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$3,300
May 11, 2023
10
RATNER, ALBERT B.
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualLYNDHURST, OH
$3,300
Jun 13, 2023

Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

ID: S001218

Top Contributors

10

1
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$3,700
Jun 10, 2024
2
PUEBLO OF ISLETA
OrganizationISLETA, NM
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
3
PUEBLO OF SANDIA
OrganizationBERNALILLO, NM
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
4
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Dec 6, 2023
5
PUEBLO OF SANTA ANA
OrganizationBERNALILLO, NM
$3,300
Dec 20, 2023
6
PUEBLO OF SANDIA
OrganizationBERNALILLO, NM
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
7
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
OrganizationTUCSON, AZ
$3,300
Dec 30, 2023
8
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
9
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
10
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRANTON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 25, 2024

Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]

ID: G000598

Top Contributors

10

1
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
May 25, 2023
2
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
May 25, 2023
3
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$2,500
Jun 28, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Dec 22, 2023
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$1,000
Dec 31, 2023
6
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Jun 28, 2024
7
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$1,000
Sep 27, 2024
8
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$500
Dec 18, 2023
9
SALAS, RALPH
HARBOR BREEZE • PRESIDENT / CEO
IndividualRANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA
$6,600
Feb 20, 2024
10
ABDUL-WAHAB, ANDREW
SHANGRI-LA INDUSTRIES • CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
IndividualLONG BEACH, CA
$6,600
Jun 30, 2023

Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

ID: F000476

Top Contributors

10

1
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$1,000
Jun 28, 2024
2
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$500
Sep 26, 2023
3
HULL, MEGAN
SELF EMPLOYED • ACTIVIST
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Nov 17, 2024
4
HARRIS, WILLIAM
PERKINS + WILL • ARCHITECT
IndividualCAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Oct 29, 2023
5
BOYLAND, DORIAN
BOYLAND AUTO ORLANDO • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualWINDERMERE, FL
$3,300
Oct 13, 2023
6
TILLMAN, BRIAN
WINDOW WORLD • OWNER
IndividualORLANDO, FL
$3,300
Oct 20, 2023
7
PISCITELLI, JUNE
SMARTHINKING • INSTRUCTOR
IndividualFORT LAUDERDALE, FL
$3,300
Oct 6, 2023
8
WILLIAMS, TERESA
SELF EMPLOYED • MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
IndividualWINTER PARK, FL
$3,300
Dec 2, 2023
9
HARRIS, WILLIAM
PERKINS + WILL • ARCHITECT
IndividualCAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Oct 29, 2023
10
PISCITELLI, JUNE
SMARTHINKING • INSTRUCTOR
IndividualFORT LAUDERDALE, FL
$3,300
Oct 6, 2023

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

Donor Network - Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

Loading...

Showing 54 nodes and 34 connections (41 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $127,150

Top Donors - Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]

Showing top 18 donors by contribution amount

1 Org1 Committee16 Individuals

Industry Impact

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

  • Section 2 establishes a for-cause removal standard for Inspectors General, which could lead to increased scrutiny and accountability of government contractors, including private prison operators, thereby potentially harming their business interests (SEC. 2. FOR CAUSE REMOVAL STANDARD FOR INSPECTORS GENERAL).

  • The bill's emphasis on accountability and oversight could also impact law enforcement agencies and surveillance technology vendors, potentially leading to increased regulatory burdens or reputational damage (SEC. 2. FOR CAUSE REMOVAL STANDARD FOR INSPECTORS GENERAL).

  • +Labor Unionsconfidence 0.60

    The Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025 may be seen as a pro-whistleblower and pro-accountability measure, which could align with the interests of labor unions advocating for workers' rights and government transparency (SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE).

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.

Environmental Protection Agency

Weak
Vector: 62%
Pages: 458-460AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill strengthens Inspectors General independence, which could improve oversight of agencies like the EPA, indirectly supporting Project 2025's goal to limit EPA overreach, but it does not directly address any EPA-specific reforms."

Key themes:inspector general independencefederal oversightagency accountabilityepa oversight

— 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.

Financial Regulatory Agencies

Weak
Vector: 62%
Pages: 872-874AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"Both the bill and the Project 2025 section address federal oversight and accountability, but the bill strengthens Inspector General independence while Project 2025 seeks to weaken and dismantle the CFPB, resulting only in tangential thematic overlap."

Key themes:federal oversightaccountabilityinspector generalregulatory reform

— 839 — Financial Regulatory Agencies On February 27, 2023, the Supreme Court granted the petition for a writ of certiorari.51 The Court should issue its final decision by 2024. The CFPB is a highly politicized, damaging, and utterly unaccountable federal agency.52 It is unconstitutional. Congress should abolish the CFPB and reverse Dodd–Frank Section 1061, thus returning the consumer protection function of the CFPB to banking regulators53 and the Federal Trade Commission. Provided the Supreme Court affirms the Fifth Circuit holding in Community Financial Ser- vices Association of America, the next conservative President should order the immediate dissolution of the agency—pull down its prior rules, regulations and guidance, return its staff to their prior agencies and its building to the General Services Administration. Until this can be accomplished, however, Congress should: l Ensure that any civil penalty funds not used to recompense wronged consumers go to the Department of the Treasury. The funds should not be retained by the Bureau to be dispensed at the pleasure of the Director— potentially to political actors. Moreover, the CFPB should not have a financial incentive to impose penalties. l Repeal Dodd–Frank Section 1071. This section, which relates to small- business data collection, imposes requirements on financial institutions’ lending to small firms, raises costs, and limits small businesses’ access to capital.54 l Require that no CFPB funds are spent on enforcement actions that are not based on a rulemaking that complies with the Administrative Procedure Act.55 l Require that respondents in administrative actions be allowed to elect whether an adjudication occurs in an administrative law court or an ordinary Article III federal court.56 l Specify the nature of “deceptive, unfair, and abusive” practices to define the scope of the CFPB mission more precisely. — 840 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise ENDNOTES 1. H.R. 5480, Securities Act of 1933, Public Law No. 73-22, 73rd Congress, May 27, 1933, https://govtrackus. s3.amazonaws.com/legislink/pdf/stat/48/STATUTE-48-Pg74.pdf (accessed February 20, 2023). 2. H.R. 9323, Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Public Law No. 73-291, 73rd Congress, June 6, 1934, https:// govtrackus.s3.amazonaws.com/legislink/pdf/stat/48/STATUTE-48-Pg881a.pdf (accessed February 20, 2023). 3. Mark T. Uyeda, Commissioner, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, “Remarks at the 2022 Cato Summit on Financial Regulation,” November 17, 2022, https://www.sec.gov/news/speech/uyeda-remarks- cato-summit-financial-regulation-111722 (accessed February 20, 2023); Hester M. Peirce, Commissioner, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, “It’s Not Just Scope 3: Remarks at the American Enterprise Institute,” December 7, 2022, https://www.sec.gov/news/speech/peirce-remarks-american-enterprise-institute-120722 (accessed February 20, 2023); comment letter from David R. Burton to Vanessa A. Countryman, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, “Re: The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors [File No. S7-10-2; Release No. 33-11042; RIN 3235-AM87],” June 17, 2022, https://www. sec.gov/comments/s7-10-22/s71022-20131980-302443.pdf (accessed February 20, 2023). 4. Size would probably be measured best by public float or the number of beneficial owners. 5. See David R. Burton, “Securities Disclosure Reform,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3178, February 13, 2017, https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/files/2017-02/BG3178.pdf; David R. Burton, “Offering and Disclosure Reform,” Chapter 11 in Reframing Financial Regulation: Enhancing Stability and Protecting Consumers, ed. Hester Peirce and Benjamin Klutsey (Arlington, VA: Mercatus Center at George Mason University, 2016), pp. 277–315, https://www.mercatus.org/research/books/reframing-financial-regulation (accessed February 20, 2023); Andrew N. Vollmer, “Investor-Friendly Securities Reform to Increase Economic Growth,” Securities Regulation & Law Report, Bloomberg BNA, Vol. 49, June 5, 2017. 6. See, for example, David R. Burton, “Reforming the Securities and Exchange Commission,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3378, January 30, 2019, https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/files/2019-01/ BG3378.pdf; Andrew N. Vollmer, “Testimony on Workforce Management Disclosures and Other SEC Issues,” submitted to the Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets, Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, December 6, 2022, https://www.congress.gov/117/ meeting/house/115227/witnesses/HHRG-117-BA16-Wstate-VollmerA-20221208.pdf (accessed February 20, 2023); David R. Burton, “Reforming FINRA,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3181, February 1, 2017, https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/files/2017-02/BG3181.pdf; Hester Peirce, “The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority: Not Self-Regulation After All,” Mercatus Center at George Mason University Working Paper, January 2015, https://www.mercatus.org/research/working-papers/financial-industry-regulatory- authority-not-self-regulation-after-all (accessed February 20, 2023); Thaya Brook Knight, “Transparency and Accountability at the SEC and at FINRA,” Chapter 11 in Prosperity Unleashed: Smarter Financial Regulation, ed. Norbert J. Michel, (Washington: The Heritage Foundation, 2017) https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/ files/2017-02/11_ProsperityUnleashed_Chapter11.pdf. 7. Reorganization Plan No. 10 of 1950, U.S. Code Title 5—Appendix, Reorganization Plans, http://uscode.house. gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5a-node84-leaf114&num=0&edition=prelim (accessed February 20, 2023). 8. The board or commission should evaluate the regulatory functions of the National Securities Exchanges, Registered Securities Future Product Exchanges, Registered Clearing Agencies (such as the Depository Trust Company (DTC), the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) and the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC)), the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and the National Futures Association (NFA). This board or commission should have a broad composition and permit minority reports. 9. Boyden Gray & Associates, Comments Submitted on Behalf of Alliance for Fair Board Recruitment Concerning the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change to Adopt Listing Rules Related to Board Diversity, Amendment No. 1, File No. SR-NASDAQ-2020-081, April 6, 2021 https://www.sec.gov/ comments/sr-nasdaq-2020-081/srnasdaq2020081-8639478-230941.pdf (accessed February 20, 2023); David R. Burton, “Nasdaq’s Proposed Board-Diversity Rule Is Immoral and Has No Basis in Economics,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3591, March 9, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/ files/2021-03/BG3591_0.pdf. The SEC is contemplating at least two rules that can be expected to require differential treatment based on race, sex, ethnicity, and so on. See Executive Office of the President, Office

Environmental Protection Agency

Weak
Vector: 62%
Pages: 470-472AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill establishes a 'for cause' removal standard for Inspectors General to protect oversight independence, while the Project 2025 EPA section focuses on reforming EPA advisory bodies, science activities, and internal processes; both share a concern for accountability and reducing politicization but target different mechanisms and entities."

Key themes:accountabilityoversightagency reformtransparency

— 437 — Environmental Protection Agency l Suspend and review the activities of EPA advisory bodies, many of which have not been authorized by Congress or lack independence, balance, and geographic and viewpoint diversity. l Retract delegations for key science and risk-assessment decisions from Assistant Administrators, regional offices, and career officials. l Eliminate the use of Title 42 hiring authority that allows ORD to spend millions in taxpayer dollars for salaries of certain employees above the civil service scale. l Announce plans to streamline and reform EPA’s poorly coordinated and managed laboratory structure. Budget: Back-to-Basics Rejection of Unauthorized or Expired Science Activities A top priority should be the immediate and consistent rejection of all EPA ORD and science activities that have not been authorized by Congress. In FY 2022, according to EPA’s opaque budgeting efforts, science and technology activ- ities totaled nearly $730 million. EPA’s FY 2023 budget request for the Office of Research and Development seeks funds for more than 1,850 employees—a dramatic increase for what is already the largest EPA office with well above 10 percent of the agency’s workforce.44 ORD conducts a wide-ranging series of science and peer review activities, some in support of regulatory programs established by our envi- ronmental laws, but often lacks authority for these specific endeavors. Several ORD offices and programs, many of which constitute unaccountable efforts to use scientific determinations to drive regulatory, enforcement, and legal decisions, should be eliminated. The Integrated Risk Information System, for example, was ostensibly designed by EPA to evaluate hazard and dose-response for certain chemicals. Despite operating since the 1980s, the program has never been authorized by Congress and often sets “safe levels” based on questionable science and below background levels, resulting in billions in economic costs. The program has been criticized by a wide variety of stakeholders: states; Congress; the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM); and the U.S. Govern- ment Accountability Office (GAO), among others. EPA has failed to implement meaningful reforms, and this unaccountable program threatens key regulatory processes as well as the integrity of Clean Air Act and TSCA implementation. Needed EPA Advisory Body Reforms EPA currently operates 21 federal advisory committees.45 These committees often play an outsized role in determining agency scientific and regulatory policy, — 438 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise and their membership has too often been handpicked to achieve certain politi- cal positions. In the Biden Administration, key EPA advisory committees were purged of balanced perspectives, geographic diversity, important regulatory and private-sector experience, and state, local, and tribal expertise. Contrary to con- gressional directives and recommendations from the GAO and intergovernmental associations, these moves eviscerated historic levels of participation on key com- mittees by state, local, and tribal members from 2017 to 2020. As a result, a variety of EPA regulations lack relevant scientific perspectives, increasing the risks of economic fallout and a failure of cooperative federalism. EPA also has repeatedly disregarded legal requirements regarding the role of these advisory committees and the scope of scientific advice on key regulations.46 Needed Science Policy Reforms Instead of allowing these efforts to be misused for scaremongering risk com- munications and enforcement activities, EPA should embrace so-called citizen science and deputize the public to subject the agency’s science to greater scrutiny, especially in areas of data analysis, identification of scientific flaws, and research misconduct. In addition, EPA should: l Shift responsibility for evaluating misconduct away from its Office of Scientific Integrity, which has been overseen by environmental activists, and toward an independent body. l Work (including with Congress) to provide incentives similar to those under the False Claims Act47 for the public to identify scientific flaws and research misconduct, thereby saving taxpayers from having to bear the costs involved in expending unnecessary resources. l Avoid proprietary, black box models for key regulations. Nearly all major EPA regulations are based on nontransparent models for which the public lacks access or for which significant costs prevent the public from understanding agency analysis. l Reject precautionary default models and uncertainty factors. In the face of uncertainty around associations between certain pollutants and health or welfare endpoints, EPA’s heavy reliance on default assumptions like its low-dose, linear non-threshold model bake orders of magnitude of risk into key regulatory inputs and drive flawed and opaque decisions. Given the disproportionate economic impacts of top-down solutions, EPA should implement an approach that defaults to less restrictive regulatory outcomes.

Showing 3 of 5 policy matches

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.

Full Policy Text

Related Bills