To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 417 West 7th Street in Columbia, Tennessee, as the Pharmacist’s Mate First Class John Harlan Willis Post Office Building.

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Bill ID: 119/hr/6808
Last Updated: September 14, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5]

ID: O000175

Follow the money

The bill

To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 417 West 7th Street in Columbia, Tennessee, as the Pharmacist’s Mate First Class John Harlan Willis Post Office Building.

HR. 6808, 119th Congress.

The sponsor

Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5]

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

The money

$129,458 raised

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

The alignment

55% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Veterans Affairs" section, p. 688-691 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 613.

September 13, 2026

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

**HR 6808: A Monumental Waste of Congressional Time Disguised as Patriotism**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives:** The stated purpose of HR 6808 is to rename a U.S. Postal Service facility in Columbia, Tennessee, after Pharmacist’s Mate First Class John Harlan Willis—a Medal of Honor recipient who died heroically at Iwo Jima in 1945. Ostensibly, this is about honoring a fallen war hero. In reality, it’s a low-risk, zero-cost political placebo: a feel-good gesture that lets lawmakers pretend they’re doing something meaningful while avoiding actual work like fixing the postal system, addressing veteran homelessness, or passing a budget that doesn’t rely on magical thinking. The objective? To allow sponsors to slap a patriotic sticker on their reelection brochures without lifting a finger to solve any real problems.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** This bill changes exactly one thing: the official name of a brick-and-mortar building. Subsection (a) declares the USPS facility at 417 West 7th Street shall henceforth be known as the “Pharmacist’s Mate First Class John Harlan Willis Post Office Building.” Subsection (b) mandates that all federal maps, documents, and GPS systems must now lie to reflect this new name—because apparently, reality must bend to accommodate congressional vanity projects. There are no funding allocations, no operational changes, no improvements to mail service. It’s purely semantic window-dressing, the legislative equivalent of hanging a “Heroes Work Here” sign on a burning building.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** - **The deceased John Harlan Willis:** He gets a plaque. Nice. He’s been dead for 81 years; one hopes he’s not checking his mail. - **Local residents of Columbia, TN:** Must now update their address books, endure confused Amazon deliveries, and pretend this matters more than, say, fixing potholes or broadband access. - **Federal bureaucrats:** Forced to waste time updating internal databases, signage, and training materials—because nothing says “efficient government” like renaming a post office nobody outside the ZIP code cares about. - **Taxpayers:** Subsidize the printing of new letterhead and the existential crisis of GPS units that now disagree with Google Maps. - **Congressional sponsors:** Gain a cheap, bipartisan-friendly accolade to tout during campaign season—proof they “support our troops” by doing the absolute minimum required to qualify.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications:** The impact is negligible, which is the point. This bill will not improve mail delivery, reduce veteran suicide, or restore public trust in government. It will, however, contribute to the growing epidemic of legislative lint—meaningless bills that clog the system like cholesterol in a senator’s arteries after another steak dinner lobbyist-funded by defense contractors. Symbolically, it reinforces the dangerous fiction that naming things after heroes is a substitute for treating them like humans while they’re alive. Practically, it ensures that for the next decade, someone in Columbia will accidentally mail a tax return to the “Old Post Office Building” and get fined for it.

In summary: HR 6808 is not an act of honor. It’s a legislative Band-Aid on a gangrenous system—a pointless, self-congratulatory ritual that lets Congress pretend it’s productive while the country burns. Well done, everyone. You’ve truly honored Willis by proving we’d rather name a building after him than fund the VA.

Related Topics

Military & Veterans Affairs
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$129,458
17 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$129,458

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
WINTERSTEEN, JAMES
1 transaction
$13,200
2
BEAMAN, LEE MR.
2 transactions
$12,850
3
DAVIS, MICHAEL
2 transactions
$12,540
4
BURNS, DONALD
2 transactions
$8,898
5
FISHER, KENNETH L.
1 transaction
$6,600
6
FISHER, SHERRILYN
1 transaction
$6,600
7
RAMSEY, DAVE
1 transaction
$6,600
8
MOSING, GREG
1 transaction
$6,600
9
SHOCKLEY, QIANG
1 transaction
$6,600
10
GUO, MING
1 transaction
$6,600
11
KENNINGER, STEVEN
1 transaction
$6,600
12
JAQUISH, GAIL
1 transaction
$6,600
13
ELAM, LULU ROGERS
1 transaction
$6,270
14
ROGERS, JESSICA
1 transaction
$6,000
15
ALLEN, JARED
1 transaction
$5,800
16
GIDEON, CECILE
1 transaction
$5,600
17
RICE, THOMAS A
1 transaction
$5,500

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 8 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

ID: H001086

Top Contributors

20

1
BROWN, NANCY I.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualPALM BEACH, FL
$6,600
Mar 7, 2024
2
NANCY, BROWN
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualPALM BEACH, FL
$6,600
Mar 31, 2024
3
GREGORY, LUCINDA
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualPINEY FLATS, TN
$6,600
May 21, 2024
4
BANKE, BARBARA R
IndividualGEYSERVILLE, CA
$6,600
Nov 30, 2023
5
MORRIS, GLENN
IndividualSTUART, FL
$6,600
Sep 30, 2024
6
TAYLOR, MARGARETTA J MISS
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Jul 16, 2024
7
EGER, MORDECHI
HLU SALES INC • OWNER
IndividualAIRMONT, NY
$5,000
Dec 28, 2023
8
BORDEAU, BRAD
BORDEAU METALS • CEO
IndividualDICKSON, TN
$5,000
Sep 11, 2024
9
BENTZ, KAREN
IndividualGATLINBURG, TN
$5,000
Sep 30, 2023
10
MOUNTAIN, MONICA
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualNEW TAZEWELL, TN
$3,600
Sep 30, 2024

Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

ID: B001309

Top Contributors

20

1
KUHLMAN, RUTHIE
IndividualKNOXVILLE, TN
$3,300
Sep 4, 2023
2
KUHLMAN, RUTHIE
IndividualKNOXVILLE, TN
$3,300
Sep 4, 2023
3
FUHRMAN, LINDSEY
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualSOUTH MIAMI, FL
$3,300
Jul 26, 2023
4
FUHRMAN, SCOTT
BISCAYNE GLOBAL MANAGEMENT • CHAIRMAN
IndividualSOUTH MIAMI, FL
$3,300
Jul 26, 2023
5
KUHLMAN, RUTHIE
OLD GRAY CEMETERY • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
IndividualKNOXVILLE, TN
$3,300
Jul 29, 2023
6
KUHLMAN, RUTHIE
OLD GRAY CEMETERY • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
IndividualKNOXVILLE, TN
$3,300
Jul 29, 2023
7
STOWERS, HARRY
STOWERS MACHINERY CORPORATION • EXECUTIVE
IndividualKNOXVILLE, TN
$3,300
Jul 25, 2023
8
STOWERS, HARRY
STOWERS MACHINERY CORPORATION • EXECUTIVE
IndividualKNOXVILLE, TN
$3,300
Jul 25, 2023
9
HUFFAKER, RAY F
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualPOWELL, TN
$3,300
Oct 29, 2024
10
COOLEY, WILLIAM
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualWEST PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Oct 26, 2023

Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]

ID: F000459

Top Contributors

25

1
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Mar 28, 2023
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
3
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$2,500
Mar 28, 2023
4
BARKER FOR SHERIFF
OrganizationCLINTON, TN
$1,000
Mar 16, 2023
5
CARBON RIVERS, INC.
OrganizationKNOXVILLE, TN
$1,000
Mar 16, 2023
6
HIGGINS, KENNETH
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualMCDONALD, TN
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
7
HIGGINS, PHILIP
FIDEM ENERGY • CO CEO
IndividualCLEVELAND, TN
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
8
JOHNSTON, BENJAMIN
FIDEM ENERGY • PRESIDENT
IndividualLOOKOUT MTN, GA
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
9
JONES, JOHN BAILEY
NONE • STUDENT
IndividualCLEVELAND, TN
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
10
RICHARDS, CHRISTINE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualBARLETT, TN
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024

Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4]

ID: D000616

Top Contributors

21

1
FRIENDS OF TIM RUDD
OrganizationMURFREESBORO, TN
$500
Oct 23, 2024
2
MCKEE, CHRISTOPHER MR.
MCKEE FOODS • VICE PRESIDENT
IndividualOOLTEWAH, TN
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
3
MCKEE, CHRISTOPHER MR.
MCKEE FOODS • VICE PRESIDENT
IndividualOOLTEWAH, TN
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
4
MCKEE, JANEL
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualOOLTEWAH, TN
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
5
MCKEE, JANEL
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualOOLTEWAH, TN
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
6
WALKER, JOHN MR.
WALKER DIE CASTING, INC. • OWNER
IndividualLEWISBURG, TN
$3,300
Dec 12, 2023
7
GIBBS, SAVANNAH
WAVELINK, INC. • BUDGET ANALYST
IndividualMURFREESBORO, TN
$3,300
Mar 3, 2023
8
UIHLEIN, RICHARD
ULINE • CEO
IndividualLAKE FOREST, IL
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
9
MAYFIELD, JOE
SELF-EMPLOYED • SALES
IndividualMCMINNVILLE, TN
$3,300
Jan 15, 2024
10
WETHERINGTON, MIKE MR.
AMERICAN DEV. CORP • PRESIDENT
IndividualFAYETTEVILLE, TN
$3,300
May 10, 2023

Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6]

ID: R000612

Top Contributors

21

1
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationRED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Dec 12, 2024
2
EVANS, JOHN B.
NGU RISK MANAGEMENT • PRESIDENT
IndividualHENDERSONVILLE, TN
$13,200
Feb 24, 2023
3
HUDSON, PHILLIP JR.
CUMBERLAND SUPPLY CO. INC. • SHAREHOLDER
IndividualCOOKEVILLE, TN
$13,200
May 20, 2023
4
VADEN, JAMES L.
SELF-EMPLOYED • ORTHODONTIST
IndividualCOOKEVILLE, TN
$13,200
May 8, 2023
5
BARNES, SAM T. DR.
SELF-EMPLOYED • PHYSICIAN
IndividualCOOKEVILLE, TN
$10,000
Feb 12, 2024
6
EVANS, JOHN B.
SELF-EMPLOYED • SALES
IndividualHENDERSONVILLE, TN
$10,000
Feb 27, 2024
7
BARNES, SAM T. DR.
SELF-EMPLOYED • PHYSICIAN
IndividualCOOKEVILLE, TN
$6,600
Dec 8, 2023
8
LIPMAN, ROBERT S.
LIPMAN BROTHERS • EXECUTIVE
IndividualNASHVILLE, TN
$6,600
Nov 9, 2023
9
SMITH, BRAD
RUSSELL STREET VENTURES • CEO
IndividualNASHVILLE, TN
$6,600
Oct 26, 2023
10
SMITH, LAUREN
LH SMITH CONSULTING • PRESIDENT
IndividualNASHVILLE, TN
$6,600
Oct 26, 2023

Rep. Van Epps, Matt [R-TN-7]

ID: V000139

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]

ID: K000392

Top Contributors

24

1
TENNESSEE SAFARI PARK
OrganizationALAMO, TN
$3,000
Aug 28, 2023
2
GERMAN FARMS
OrganizationSOMERVILLE, TN
$350
Aug 12, 2023
3
GROWING ACRES
OrganizationSAVANNAH, TN
$300
Aug 12, 2023
4
WALLY CHILDRESS FARMS
OrganizationBOGOTA, TN
$250
Aug 12, 2023
5
LONG, CHRISTOPHER MR.
SELF • ENTREPRENEUR
IndividualMEMPHIS, TN
$6,600
Nov 7, 2023
6
SMITH, STEFAN M. MR.
LEXUS OF MEMPHIS • AUTO DEALER
IndividualGERMANTOWN, TN
$6,600
Nov 7, 2023
7
AYERS, JANET MRS.
THE AYERS FOUNDATION • PRESIDENT
IndividualNASHVILLE, TN
$6,600
Jul 22, 2024
8
AYERS, JAMES W. MR.
FIRST BANK • CHAIRMAN
IndividualNASHVILLE, TN
$6,600
Jul 24, 2024
9
WEISS, CATHY MRS.
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualMEMPHIS, TN
$6,600
Mar 25, 2024
10
HASLAM, WILLIAM MR.
KNOXVILLE MUSEUM OF ART • MANAGER
IndividualKNOXVILLE, TN
$6,000
Oct 12, 2023

Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

ID: C001068

Top Contributors

22

1
SEIU COPE (SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION)
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$3,000
Nov 5, 2024
2
SEIU COPE (SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION)
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$2,000
Nov 5, 2024
3
KEENEY, MIKE
LEWIS THOMASON • LEWIS THOMASON
IndividualMEMPHIS, TN
$3,300
Feb 6, 2024
4
RITCHEY, JANICE C
IndividualMEMPHIS, TN
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
5
RITCHEY, KENT
WOLFCHASE TOYOTA • AUTOMOBILE DEALER
IndividualMEMPHIS, TN
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
6
WALTON, CHRISTY
IndividualBENTONVILLE, AR
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
7
KEENEY, MICHAEL
LEWIS THOMASON • ATTORNEY
IndividualMEMPHIS, TN
$3,300
May 25, 2023
8
SEGAL, GORDON
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualMEMPHIS, TN
$3,300
Apr 10, 2023
9
SMITH, FREDERICK
FEDEX • CEO
IndividualMEMPHIS, TN
$3,300
Jul 31, 2024
10
BEKTAS, MELIH
SELF EMPLOYED • ENGINEER
IndividualNORTH PROVIDENCE, RI
$3,000
Oct 19, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5]

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

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Showing 46 nodes and 52 connections

Total contributions: $52

Top Donors - Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5]

Showing top 17 donors by contribution amount

17 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 Veterans Affairs

Weak
Vector: 54%
Pages: 688-691AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill honors a veteran by naming a post office after him, which aligns with the VA's broader mission to recognize and honor veteran service, but it does not address any substantive VA policy objectives such as healthcare delivery, benefits reform, or operational improvements outlined in Project 2025."

Key themes:veteran recognitionhonoring servicememorializationVA mission alignment

— 655 — Department of Veterans Affairs ENDNOTES 1. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Division, VHA Directive 1003, “VHA Veteran Patient Experience,” April 14, 2020, pp. 1 and B-1. 2. S. 2372, VA Mission Act of 2018, Public Law No. 115-182, 115th Congress, June 6, 2018, https://www.congress. gov/115/plaws/publ182/PLAW-115publ182.pdf (accessed January 30, 2023). 3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA History Office, “VA History,” last updated May 27, 2021, https://www. va.gov/HISTORY/VA_History/Overview.asp (accessed January 28, 2023). 4. 38 U.S. Code § 1116, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1116 (accessed January 28, 2023). 5. S. 3373, Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022), Public Law No. 117-168, 117th Congress, August 10, 2022, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ168/PLAW-117publ168.pdf (accessed January 28, 2023). 6. H.R. 2471, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Public Law No. 117-103, 117th Congress, March 15, 2022, Division S, Title I, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ103/PLAW-117publ103.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). Known variously as the Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse and Physician Assistant Retention and Income Security Enhancement Act and the VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE Act. 7. See note 5, supra.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Weak
Vector: 55%
Pages: 688-691AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill honors a Medal of Honor recipient through a postal facility naming, which aligns broadly with recognizing veterans' service—a theme present in Project 2025's VA section. However, the bill is purely ceremonial and does not address VA healthcare, benefits, policy reform, or any substantive veterans' affairs initiatives outlined in the policy document."

Key themes:veteran recognitionmilitary servicehonoring veterans

— 655 — Department of Veterans Affairs ENDNOTES 1. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Division, VHA Directive 1003, “VHA Veteran Patient Experience,” April 14, 2020, pp. 1 and B-1. 2. S. 2372, VA Mission Act of 2018, Public Law No. 115-182, 115th Congress, June 6, 2018, https://www.congress. gov/115/plaws/publ182/PLAW-115publ182.pdf (accessed January 30, 2023). 3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA History Office, “VA History,” last updated May 27, 2021, https://www. va.gov/HISTORY/VA_History/Overview.asp (accessed January 28, 2023). 4. 38 U.S. Code § 1116, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1116 (accessed January 28, 2023). 5. S. 3373, Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022), Public Law No. 117-168, 117th Congress, August 10, 2022, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ168/PLAW-117publ168.pdf (accessed January 28, 2023). 6. H.R. 2471, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Public Law No. 117-103, 117th Congress, March 15, 2022, Division S, Title I, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ103/PLAW-117publ103.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). Known variously as the Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse and Physician Assistant Retention and Income Security Enhancement Act and the VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE Act. 7. See note 5, supra. — 657 — Section Four THE ECONOMY The next Administration must prioritize the economic prosperity of ordi- nary Americans. For several decades, establishment “elites” have failed the citizenry by refusing to secure the border, outsourcing manufacturing to China and elsewhere, spending recklessly, regulating constantly, and generally controlling the country from the top down rather than letting it flourish from the bottom up. The proper role of government, as was articulated nearly 250 years ago, is to secure our God-given, unalienable rights in order that we might enjoy the pursuit of happiness, the benefits of free enterprise, and the blessings of liberty. Finding the right approach to trade policy is key to the fortunes of everyday Americans. In Chapter 26, president of the Competitive Enterprise Institute Kent Lassman and former White House director of trade and manufacturing policy Peter Navarro debate what an effective conservative trade policy would look like. Lass- man argues that the best trade policy is a humble, limited-government approach that would encourage free trade with all nations. He maintains that aggressive trade policies involve an increased government role that future leftist Administra- tions will utilize to push “climate change” and “equity”-based activism. Focusing more on gross domestic product (GDP) growth than on median income, he writes that “people mistakenly believe that U.S. manufacturing and the U.S. economy are in decline” when in truth “American manufacturing output is currently at an all-time high.” Meanwhile, we continue to experience “record-setting real GDP” despite our “long-run decline in manufacturing employment.” Lassman does not think that an aggressive U.S. trade policy would lead to more manufacturing jobs. Rather, he writes, “Federal Reserve research shows” that the

Department of Defense

Minimal
Vector: 56%
Pages: 134-136AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill is a ceremonial renaming of a post office to honor a Medal of Honor recipient, with no connection to defense policy, arms exports, military recruitment, or defense industrial base reforms outlined in the Project 2025 DoD section."

— 101 — Department of Defense 1. Ensure that senior U.S. military leadership emphasizes exportability in the initial development of defense systems that are both available and interoperable with our partners and allies. 2. Create a funding mechanism to incentivize exportability in initial planning, which can be recouped after future FMS transactions. l End informal congressional notification. Informal congressional notification or “tiered review” is a hinderance to ensuring timely sales to our global partners. The tiered review process is not codified in law; it is merely a practice by which the Department of State provides a preview of prospective arms transfers before Congress is formally notified.9 1. End the tiered review process to eliminate at least 20 days from the FMS process. 2. Use the tiered review process only when unanimous congressional support is guaranteed in order to eliminate the “weaponization” by select Members of Congress that has prevented billions of dollars of arms sales from moving into formal congressional notification. l Minimize barriers to collaboration. The high cost of developing advanced defense platforms requires the United States to collaborate with key allies to minimize waste, complement strengths, and supplement our defense industrial base to create a system that is greater than that of the United States alone. 1. Enhance defense industrial base planning with partners to allow them to focus on niche areas where there are cost advantages for the United States. 2. Decrease International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to facilitate trade with such allies as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. 3. Create opportunities to improve the health of the defense supply chain with added opportunities for partners and allies to contribute. l Reform the FMS contracting process. The contracting timeline for the FMS process is shockingly slow. On average, the DOD contracting timeline takes approximately 18 months because of slow bureaucratic processes and chronic understaffing.10 — 102 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 1. Immediately fund more contracting capacity in all services to decrease the contracting timeline and improve the delivery of defense articles to our global partners. 2. Rationalize and speed arms sales decision-making to preclude our enemies from exploiting bureaucratic slothfulness and allow us to manage the development of indigenous defense industrial bases. DOD PERSONNEL The men and women of America’s armed forces are the most critical component of our national defense strategy, but in recent years, they have been overextended, undervalued, and insufficiently resourced. Their families help them to carry the burden of service, but the assistance they receive is disproportionately less than the sacrifices they make. Young civilians who would thrive in a military environ- ment are disenfranchised when educators and influencers discourage them from learning about military service and preparing for the honor of wearing Ameri- ca’s uniform. The United States military is an extraordinary institution, staffed by exceptional people who have defended our nation and changed the course of history, but the Biden Administration, through word and deed, has treated the armed forces as just another place to work. We must restore our military to a place of honor and respect and recruit and retain the individuals who will meet the rigorous standards of excellence that are required for membership in the world’s greatest fighting force. Needed Reforms l Rescue recruiting and retention. Recruiting was the worst in 2022 that it has been in two generations and is expected to be even worse in 2023. Some of the problems are self-inflicted and ongoing. The recruiting problem is not service-specific: It affects the entire Joint Force. 1. Appoint a Special Assistant to the President who will maintain liaison with Congress, DOD, and all other interested parties on the issue of recruiting and retention. 2. Improve recruiting by suspending the use of the recently introduced MHS Genesis system that uses private medical records of potential recruits at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS), creating unnecessary delays and unwarranted rejections.11 3. Improve military recruiters’ access to secondary schools and require completion of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

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.

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