SAFE CATTLE Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/7466
Last Updated: September 2, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13]

ID: J000304

Follow the money

The bill

SAFE CATTLE Act

HR. 7466, 119th Congress — read as touching Agribusiness.

The sponsor

Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13]

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

The money

$82,443 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 the Interior" section, p. 566-568 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Subcommittee Hearings Held

July 20, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.

🗳️

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 intellectually bankrupt members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The SAFE CATTLE Act (because who doesn't love a good acronym?) claims to aim at preventing, controlling, and eradicating New World screwworm in wildlife and non-livestock species on certain Federal lands. How noble. In reality, this bill is just a symptom of the disease of bureaucratic incompetence and special interest pandering.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to enter into an interagency agreement (because we all know how well those work) to coordinate activities, surveillance, and monitoring protocols. Oh, and they'll also develop "science-based" approaches (read: whatever sounds good on paper). The only notable change is the creation of a new reporting requirement, because what's a bill without more paperwork?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: cattle farmers, livestock owners, and Federal agencies. But let's be real, the real stakeholders are the lobbyists and special interest groups who will benefit from this bill. I mean, who doesn't love a good game of "follow the money"?

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill will likely have zero significant impact on the actual eradication of New World screwworm. However, it will provide a nice PR boost for the sponsoring politicians and their agricultural industry donors. The real implications are:

1. More bureaucratic red tape, because who doesn't love a good game of "interagency cooperation"? 2. A potential increase in funding for "research" and "monitoring" (read: more pork barrel spending). 3. A further erosion of trust in the legislative process, as voters are treated to another round of empty promises and meaningless acronyms.

In conclusion, the SAFE CATTLE Act is a textbook example of legislative malpractice. It's a bill designed to appease special interests, create the illusion of action, and waste taxpayer dollars on bureaucratic busywork. The only thing it will truly safeguard is the reelection prospects of its sponsors. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch this farce unfold.

Related Topics

Wildlife & Endangered SpeciesPublic Lands & Natural ResourcesWater & Air Quality Regulations
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$82,443
14 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$82,443

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
TARPLEY, JAMES
2 transactions
$13,200
2
BURKHARDT, JOAN
2 transactions
$13,068
3
COUNTRYMAN, LOUEEN
3 transactions
$9,900
4
ARCHER, LYNNE
2 transactions
$6,870
5
DAMBROSIO, KATHLEEN
2 transactions
$6,600
6
HIMEBAUGH, PAUL
1 transaction
$6,270
7
BURZYNSKI, STANISLAW
1 transaction
$3,435
8
PERRIN, JOE
1 transaction
$3,300
9
KOVSCHAK, ANGELA
1 transaction
$3,300
10
BALLER, JIM
1 transaction
$3,300
11
HAYNES, JOHN T
1 transaction
$3,300
12
FLETCHER, J'MELLE
1 transaction
$3,300
13
GRAVES, WILLIAM E
1 transaction
$3,300
14
COHEN, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

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

Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

ID: D000230

Top Contributors

26

1
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
2
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
OrganizationMARKSVILLE, LA
$2,000
Dec 31, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 6, 2023
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
May 13, 2024
5
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 31, 2023
6
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Dec 28, 2023
7
FISHER, DEBORAH
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualCOEUR D ALENE, ID
$4,000
Jul 29, 2024
8
BLOOM, BRADLEY
BERKSHIRE PARTNERS LLC • INVESTMENTS
IndividualWELLESLEY, MA
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
9
BRAUFMAN, JILL
NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED
IndividualSURFSIDE, FL
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
10
CLAPP, STEPHEN
SELF EMPLOYED • RANCHER
IndividualSEQUIM, WA
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024

Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

ID: H001096

Top Contributors

70

1
COW CREEK BAND OF UMPQUA TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationROSEBURG, OR
$5,000
Aug 6, 2024
2
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$3,700
Mar 4, 2024
3
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023
4
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Nov 6, 2023
6
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND MIWOK INDIANS
OrganizationSHINGLE SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023
7
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Mar 29, 2024
8
HPUL PROJECT OPERATIONS
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Sep 6, 2024
9
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationAUBURN, WA
$3,300
Sep 6, 2024
10
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY OPERATIONS ACCOUNT
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Sep 13, 2024

Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

ID: S001200

Top Contributors

29

1
ACROSS THE AISLE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Jan 12, 2023
2
TED LIEU FOR CONGRESS
CCMLOS ANGELES, CA
$1,000
Mar 30, 2023
3
ACROSS THE AISLE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Mar 23, 2023
4
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Oct 24, 2024
5
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Mar 28, 2023
6
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jun 7, 2024
7
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
OrganizationHOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Jul 31, 2024
8
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
OrganizationHOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Aug 18, 2023
9
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF GRAND RONDE
OrganizationGRAND RONDE, OR
$1,000
Mar 3, 2023
10
COOPER, MILTON
KIMCO • CHAIRMAN
IndividualOLD WESTBURY, NY
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024

Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

ID: M001211

Top Contributors

23

1
WINRED PAC
PACARLINGTON, VA
$13,010
Mar 31, 2023
2
ADAMS MEMORIALS
OrganizationCHARLESTON, IL
$1,000
Mar 23, 2023
3
VAHLING VINEYARDS
OrganizationSTEWARDSON, IL
$500
Jan 11, 2024
4
KASPAR, SCOTT
KASPAR LAW COMPANY • LAWYER
IndividualORLAND PARK, IL
$13,200
Mar 22, 2023
5
BISHOP, JACK L MR
SELF EMPLOYED • INVESTOR
IndividualLAKE BLUFF, IL
$10,000
Mar 30, 2023
6
BISHOP, JACK L MR
SELF EMPLOYED • INVESTOR
IndividualLAKE BLUFF, IL
$7,700
Mar 30, 2023
7
FORSYTHE, GERALD R MR
INDECK ENERGY SERVICES • CEO
IndividualNAPLES, FL
$6,600
Nov 14, 2023
8
DAMAS, BETH A
SOUTHWEST ENDODONTICS • ENDODONTIST
IndividualORLAND PARK, IL
$6,600
Mar 22, 2023
9
FORSYTHE, GERALD R MR
INDECK ENERGY SERVICES • CEO
IndividualNAPLES, FL
$6,600
Aug 15, 2023
10
UIHLEIN, RICHARD
ULINE • CEO
IndividualLAKE BLUFF, IL
$5,800
Jan 26, 2023

Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]

ID: D000594

Top Contributors

23

1
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$3,300
Aug 29, 2024
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$3,300
Aug 29, 2024
3
ALABAMA- COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Oct 16, 2024
4
ADKINS, JAMES
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualHUNTINGTON, WV
$6,600
Oct 24, 2024
5
MOUSSEAU, RAYMOND
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualCROSWELL, MI
$6,600
Jun 2, 2024
6
DILAMANI, EDWARD
AGC • BUSINESSMAN
IndividualGREAT NECK, NY
$6,600
Jul 8, 2024
7
EMIG, SUELLEN
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualFREEDOM, PA
$6,600
Sep 29, 2024
8
STEWART, FORREST
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualDESOTO, IL
$6,534
Feb 13, 2024
9
SPECHT, VIVIAN
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualLYMAN, NE
$5,940
Aug 7, 2024
10
CERDA, JULIO
S TEXAS INFRASTRUCTURE GROUP • PARTNER
IndividualMISSION, TX
$5,000
Oct 25, 2024

Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38]

ID: H001095

Top Contributors

20

1
HUNT, RAY L.
HUNT CONSOLIDATED • CEO
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$6,600
Feb 14, 2024
2
CARAYANNOPOULOS, GEORGE
UTMB • PHYSICIAN
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$6,600
Mar 29, 2024
3
FLORY, DAVID
NONE • RETIRED
IndividualMIAMI BEACH, FL
$6,600
May 7, 2024
4
ROWLING, ROBERT B. MR.
TRT HOLDINGS • FOUNDER
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$6,600
Dec 31, 2023
5
HILDEBRAND, MELINDA MRS.
SELF - HILCORP VENTURES • PRESIDENT
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$5,000
Mar 20, 2023
6
HLAVINKA, TOBIAS M. MR.
AMERICAN PLANT FOOD • VP OF SALES/AGRICULTURE
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$5,000
Feb 20, 2023
7
HARTZOGE, ALLISON
ARCHWAY SUPPORT • LPC-S
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$5,000
Apr 11, 2023
8
CHILDERS, DOUGLAS
ARCHROCK • MANAGER
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,435
Mar 31, 2024
9
HARTZOGE, ALLISON
ARCHWAY SUPPORT • LPC-S
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$3,400
Apr 18, 2023
10
DAVIS, PHILLIP
PEOPLES BANK • BANKER
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Oct 15, 2024

Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]

ID: C001120

Top Contributors

26

1
CHEVRON
OrganizationSAN RAMON, CA
$5,000
Sep 4, 2024
2
COMPLETE EMERGENCY CARE HOLDING LLC
OrganizationSOUTHLAKE, TX
$3,500
Mar 11, 2024
3
SANDLIAN REALTY
OrganizationWICHITA, KS
$1,000
Feb 7, 2024
4
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
5
RUSSELL W H KRIDEL MD PA
OrganizationHOUSTON, TX
$250
Feb 28, 2023
6
JONES RANCH LLC
OrganizationCORPUS CHRISTI, TX
$250
Mar 13, 2024
7
MAFRIGE, DAVID
SELF • COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$9,900
Jun 21, 2023
8
MAFRIGE, DAVID
SELF • COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$9,900
Jun 21, 2023
9
ODEN, KEITH
CAMDEN PROPERTY TRUST • EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$9,900
Jun 27, 2023
10
ODEN, KEITH
CAMDEN PROPERTY TRUST • EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$9,900
Jun 27, 2023

Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27]

ID: C001115

Top Contributors

21

1
BUTLER CONSULTING
OrganizationPORT LAVACA, TX
$250
Oct 25, 2024
2
BURDGE, THOMAS R
VP OF ACCOUNTING
IndividualVICTORIA, TX
$6,600
Oct 3, 2024
3
BORCHERS, CHARLA
RANCHING • INVESTMENTS
IndividualVICTORIA, TX
$6,600
Oct 2, 2024
4
BURDGE, THOMAS R
VP OF ACCOUNTING
IndividualVICTORIA, TX
$6,600
Oct 3, 2024
5
ATNIP, CHAR
IndividualCORPUS CHRISTI, TX
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
6
ATNIP, CLIF
IndividualCORPUS CHRISTI, TX
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
7
BURDGE, TAMI
IndividualVICTORIA, TX
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
8
RAMIREZ, PHILIP
TURNER, RAMIREZ & ASSOCIATES, INC. • ARCHITECT
IndividualCORPUS CHRISTI, TX
$3,300
Jan 4, 2024
9
PARKER, ROBERT E.
REPCON INC. • PRESIDENT
IndividualCORPUS CHRISTI, TX
$3,300
Jan 12, 2024
10
TROXLER, JOSEPH G.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualCORDOVA, TN
$3,300
Jan 16, 2024

Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

ID: P000048

Top Contributors

23

1
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Apr 18, 2024
2
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
3
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Sep 27, 2024
4
DIMEMMO, COLETTE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualFORT MYERS, FL
$6,600
Oct 24, 2024
5
PUDWILL, JAMES
IndividualNIPOMO, CA
$6,600
Sep 16, 2024
6
GELBMAN, JOEL
IndividualNAPLES, FL
$6,600
Sep 16, 2024
7
GELBMAN, JOEL
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualNAPLES, FL
$6,600
Aug 26, 2024
8
PUDWILL, JAMES
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualNIPOMO, CA
$6,600
Aug 3, 2024
9
WILSON, CELIA R
OIL AND GAS • SELF-EMPLOYED
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$5,800
Mar 31, 2024
10
WILSON, CELIA R
SELF • OIL AND GAS
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$5,800
Apr 9, 2024

Rep. Downing, Troy [R-MT-2]

ID: D000634

Top Contributors

21

1
REPUBLICAN MAINSTREET PARTNERSHIP PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$5,000
Sep 18, 2024
2
BILLION, JOSEPH C
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualBOZEMAN, MT
$13,200
Dec 31, 2023
3
BILLION, PEDER J
BILLION DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM • OWNER
IndividualBOZEMAN, MT
$13,200
Dec 31, 2023
4
DURRETT, STEVEN
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualBILLINGS, MT
$13,200
May 1, 2024
5
BARNARD, MARY
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualBOZEMAN, MT
$6,600
Aug 1, 2024
6
BARNARD, TIMOTHY
BARNARD CONST. CO. • CHAIRMAN
IndividualBOZEMAN, MT
$6,600
Aug 1, 2024
7
GREGORY, JOSEPH R.
IndividualPINEY FLATS, TN
$6,600
Jul 15, 2024
8
PLANTE, THOMAS
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualHENDERSONVILLE, TN
$6,600
Sep 10, 2024
9
MENHOLT, DENNY
MENHOLT AUTO GROUP • AUTO DEALER
IndividualBILLINGS, MT
$6,600
Aug 12, 2024
10
GALT, SHARRIE
IndividualMARTINSDALE, MT
$6,600
Nov 1, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

Loading...

Showing 27 nodes and 46 connections

Total contributions: $46

Top Donors - Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13]

Showing top 14 donors by contribution amount

14 Individuals

Industry Impact

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

  • +Agribusinessconfidence 0.80

    Section 2(a)(3) mentions stabilizing and reducing the threat to domestic animal agriculture, which could benefit agribusiness by protecting their livestock and safeguarding the domestic food supply.

  • Section 2(a)(3) mentions stabilizing and reducing the threat to domestic animal agriculture, which could benefit meat and dairy processing industries by protecting their livestock and safeguarding the domestic food supply.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13])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

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 the Interior

Weak
Vector: 63%
Pages: 566-568AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The SAFE CATTLE Act focuses on interagency coordination for screwworm eradication on federal lands, while the Project 2025 DOI section emphasizes NEPA reform, ESA overhaul, timber production on O&C lands, and settlement transparency—topics not addressed in the bill. There is minimal thematic overlap beyond both involving federal land management and the Department of the Interior."

Key themes:Department of the Interiorfederal land managementwildlife protection

— 533 — Department of the Interior order to fulfill the yet-unaltered congressional mandate contained in federal law, to provide for jobs and well-paying employment opportunities in rural Oregon, and to ameliorate the effects of wildfires, the new Administration must immedi- ately fulfill its responsibilities and manage the O&C lands for “permanent forest production” to ensure that the timber is “sold, cut, and removed.”79 NEPA Reforms. Congress never intended for the National Environmental Policy Act to grow into the tree-killing, project-dooming, decade-spanning mon- strosity that it has become. Instead, in 1970, Congress intended a short, succinct, timely presentation of information regarding major federal action that signifi- cantly affects the quality of the human environment so that decisionmakers can make informed decisions to benefit the American people. The Trump Administration adopted common-sense NEPA reform that must be restored immediately. Meanwhile, DOI should reinstate the secretarial orders adopted by the Trump Administration, such as placing time and page limits on NEPA documents and setting forth—on page one—the costs of the document itself. Meanwhile, the new Administration should call upon Congress to reform NEPA to meet its original goal. Consideration should be given, for example, to eliminat- ing judicial review of the adequacy of NEPA documents or the rectitude of NEPA decisions. This would allow Congress to engage in effective oversight of federal agencies when prudent. Settlement Transparency. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt required DOI to prominently display and provide open access to any and all litigation settlements into which DOI or its agencies entered, and any attorneys’ fees paid for ending the litigation.80 Biden’s DOI, aware that the settlements into which it planned to enter and the attorneys’ fees it was likely to pay would cause controversy, ended this policy.81 A new Administration should reinstate it. The Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act was intended to bring endangered and threatened species back from the brink of extinction and, when appropriate, to restore real habitat critical to the survival of the spe- cies. The act’s success rate, however, is dismal. Its greatest deficiency, according to one renowned expert, is “conflict of interest.”82 Specifically, the work of the Fish and Wildlife Service is the product of “species cartels” afflicted with group- think, confirmation bias, and a common desire to preserve the prestige, power, and appropriations of the agency that pays or employs them. For example, in one highly influential sage-grouse monograph, 41 percent of the authors were federal workers. The editor, a federal bureaucrat, had authored one-third of the paper.83 Meaningful reform of the Endangered Species Act requires that Congress take action to restore its original purpose and end its use to seize private prop- erty, prevent economic development, and interfere with the rights of states over their wildlife populations. In the meantime, a new Administration should take the following immediate action: — 534 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise l Delist the grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystems and defend to the Supreme Court of the United States the agency’s fact-based decision to do so.84 l Delist the gray wolf in the lower 48 states in light of its full recovery under the ESA.85 l Cede to western states jurisdiction over the greater sage-grouse, recognizing the on-the-ground expertise of states and preventing use of the sage-grouse to interfere with public access to public land and economic activity. l Direct the Fish and Wildlife Service to end its abuse of Section 10(j) of the ESA by re-introducing so-called “experiment species” populations into areas that no longer qualify as habitat and lie outside the historic ranges of those species, which brings with it the full weight of the ESA in areas previously without federal government oversight.86 l Direct the Fish and Wildlife Service to design and implement an impartial conservation triage program by prioritizing the allocation of limited resources to maximize conservation returns, relative to the conservation goals, under a constrained budget.87 l Direct the Fish and Wildlife Service to make all data used in ESA decisions available to the public, with limited or no exceptions, to fulfill the public’s right to know and to prevent the agency’s previous opaque decision-making. l Abolish the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey and obtain necessary scientific research about species of concern from universities via competitive requests for proposals. l Direct the Fish and Wildlife Service to: (1) design and implement an Endangered Species Act program that ensures independent decision- making by ending reliance on so-called species specialists who have obvious self-interest, ideological bias, and land-use agendas; and (2) ensure conformity with the Information Quality Act.88 Office of Surface Mining. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) was created by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA)89 to administer programs for controlling the impacts of surface coal mining operations. Although the coal industry is contracting, coal constitutes

Department of the Interior

Weak
Vector: 62%
Pages: 566-568AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on interagency coordination for screwworm eradication and wildlife protection, while the Project 2025 DOI section emphasizes timber production, NEPA reform, settlement transparency, and Endangered Species Act overhaul. Both involve the Department of the Interior and wildlife concerns, but their primary objectives and mechanisms differ significantly."

Key themes:Department of the Interiorwildlife protectionfederal land managementinteragency cooperation

— 533 — Department of the Interior order to fulfill the yet-unaltered congressional mandate contained in federal law, to provide for jobs and well-paying employment opportunities in rural Oregon, and to ameliorate the effects of wildfires, the new Administration must immedi- ately fulfill its responsibilities and manage the O&C lands for “permanent forest production” to ensure that the timber is “sold, cut, and removed.”79 NEPA Reforms. Congress never intended for the National Environmental Policy Act to grow into the tree-killing, project-dooming, decade-spanning mon- strosity that it has become. Instead, in 1970, Congress intended a short, succinct, timely presentation of information regarding major federal action that signifi- cantly affects the quality of the human environment so that decisionmakers can make informed decisions to benefit the American people. The Trump Administration adopted common-sense NEPA reform that must be restored immediately. Meanwhile, DOI should reinstate the secretarial orders adopted by the Trump Administration, such as placing time and page limits on NEPA documents and setting forth—on page one—the costs of the document itself. Meanwhile, the new Administration should call upon Congress to reform NEPA to meet its original goal. Consideration should be given, for example, to eliminat- ing judicial review of the adequacy of NEPA documents or the rectitude of NEPA decisions. This would allow Congress to engage in effective oversight of federal agencies when prudent. Settlement Transparency. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt required DOI to prominently display and provide open access to any and all litigation settlements into which DOI or its agencies entered, and any attorneys’ fees paid for ending the litigation.80 Biden’s DOI, aware that the settlements into which it planned to enter and the attorneys’ fees it was likely to pay would cause controversy, ended this policy.81 A new Administration should reinstate it. The Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act was intended to bring endangered and threatened species back from the brink of extinction and, when appropriate, to restore real habitat critical to the survival of the spe- cies. The act’s success rate, however, is dismal. Its greatest deficiency, according to one renowned expert, is “conflict of interest.”82 Specifically, the work of the Fish and Wildlife Service is the product of “species cartels” afflicted with group- think, confirmation bias, and a common desire to preserve the prestige, power, and appropriations of the agency that pays or employs them. For example, in one highly influential sage-grouse monograph, 41 percent of the authors were federal workers. The editor, a federal bureaucrat, had authored one-third of the paper.83 Meaningful reform of the Endangered Species Act requires that Congress take action to restore its original purpose and end its use to seize private prop- erty, prevent economic development, and interfere with the rights of states over their wildlife populations. In the meantime, a new Administration should take the following immediate action:

Department of Agriculture

Weak
Vector: 61%
Pages: 338-340AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The SAFE CATTLE Act focuses on interagency coordination to eradicate screwworm and protect livestock, while the Project 2025 Agriculture section emphasizes reforming marketing orders, checkoff programs, trade promotion, and biotechnology policy. There is only a tangential connection through the shared goal of supporting domestic animal agriculture and food supply stability."

Key themes:USDA roledomestic animal agriculture protectionfood supply stability

— 306 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise programs,104 and they focus on research and promotion of commodities such as beef and eggs. Marketing orders cover research and promotion, but also cover issues such as quality regulations and volume controls. The latter issue, volume controls, is a means to restrict supply, which drives up prices for consumers. Fortunately, there are few active volume controls.105 Marketing orders and checkoff programs are some of the most egregious pro- grams run by the USDA. They are, in effect, a tax—a means to compel speech—and government-blessed cartels. Instead of getting private cooperation, they are tools for industry actors to work with government to force cooperation. The next Administration should: l Reduce the number and scope of marketing orders and checkoff programs. The USDA should reject any new requests for marketing orders and checkoff programs to the extent authorized by law and eliminate existing programs when possible. While the programs work differently, there are often petition processes and other ways that make it difficult for affected parties to get rid of the marketing orders and checkoff programs,106 and the USDA itself may not even be required to honor requests to terminate a program.107 The USDA should make the process easier. Further, the USDA should reject any effort to bring back volume controls to limit supplies of commodities. l Work with Congress to eliminate marketing orders and checkoff programs. These programs should be eliminated, and if industry actors want to collaborate, they should do so through private means, not using the government to compel cooperation. l Promote legislation that would require regular votes. There should be regular voting for parties subject to checkoff programs and marketing orders. For example, the voting should occur at least every five years, to determine whether a marketing order or checkoff program should continue. The USDA should be required to honor the results of such a vote. Through regular voting, parties can demonstrate their support for a marketing order or checkoff program and ensure that those administering them will be held accountable. Focus on Trade Policy, Not Trade Promotion. The USDA’s Foreign Agri- cultural Service (FAS) covers numerous issues, including “trade policy,” which is a reference to removing trade barriers, among other things, to ensure an envi- ronment conducive to trade.108 It also covers trade promotion.109 This includes programs like the Market Access Program110 that subsidizes trade associations, — 307 — Department of Agriculture businesses, and other private entities to market and promote their products overseas. FAS should play a proactive and leading role to help open upmarkets for American farmers and ranchers. There are numerous barriers, such as sani- tary and phytosanitary measures, blocking American agricultural products from gaining access to foreign markets.111 However, FAS should not help businesses and industries promote their exports, something these businesses and industries can and should do on their own. The next Administration should: l Push legislation to repeal export promotion programs. The USDA should work with Congress to repeal market development programs like the Market Access Program and similar programs. Remove Obstacles for Agricultural Biotechnology. Innovation is critical to agricultural production and the ability to meet future food needs. The next Admin- istration should embrace innovation and technology, not hinder its use—especially because of scare tactics that ignore sound science. One of the key innovations in agriculture is genetic engineering. According to the USDA, “[C]urrently, over 90 percent of U.S. corn, upland cotton, and soybeans are produced using GE [genet- ically engineered] varieties.”112 Despite the importance of agricultural biotechnology, in 2016, Congress passed a federal mandate to label genetically engineered food.113 This legislation was argu- ably just a means to try to provide a negative connotation to GE food. There are other challenges as well for agricultural biotechnology. For example, Mexico plans to ban the importation of U.S. genetically modified yellow corn.114 The next Administration should: l Counter scare tactics and remove obstacles. The USDA should strongly counter scare tactics regarding agricultural biotechnology and adopt policies to remove unnecessary barriers to approvals and the adoption of biotechnology. l Repeal the federal labeling mandate. The USDA should work with Congress to repeal the federal labeling law, while maintaining federal preemption, and stress that voluntary labeling is allowed. l Use all tools available to remove improper trade barriers against agricultural biotechnology. The USDA should work closely with the Office of the United States Trade Representative to remove improper barriers imposed by other countries to block U.S. agricultural goods.

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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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