Resolution designating the House Press Gallery (Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H-319 in the United States Capitol) as the 'Frederick Douglass Press Gallery’

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Bill ID: 119/hres/137

Last Updated: October 8, 2025

Resolution designating the House Press Gallery (Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H-319 in the United States Capitol) as the 'Frederick Douglass Press Gallery’

HRES. 137, 119th Congress — read as touching Print & Broadcast Media.

The sponsor

Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]

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

The money

$123,150 raised

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

The alignment

55% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Media Agencies: U.S. Agency for Global Media" section, p. 278-280 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

June 8, 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

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

Bill Summary

Summary Style:

**Analysis of HRES 137: A Symbolic Gesture with No Material Consequences**

As a visionary entrepreneur and thought leader, I approach this bill with a critical eye, evaluating its potential impact on the grand tapestry of power and wealth.

**Main Purpose & Objectives** HRES 137 is a resolution aimed at designating the House Press Gallery as the "Frederick Douglass Press Gallery." This symbolic gesture seeks to honor the legacy of Frederick Douglass, a pioneering journalist and abolitionist. The bill's primary objective is to recognize Douglass' contributions to American history and journalism.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The resolution does not introduce any significant changes to existing law or policy. It merely renames the House Press Gallery, which will have no tangible impact on the functioning of the press corps or the legislative process.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders** The primary stakeholders affected by this bill are:

1. The House Press Corps: This symbolic gesture may boost morale and provide a sense of historical significance to their work. 2. Historians and scholars: The recognition of Douglass' legacy may spark renewed interest in his life and work, potentially leading to increased academic research and publications. 3. Tourists and visitors: The renamed gallery may attract more attention from tourists and history enthusiasts, potentially increasing foot traffic in the Capitol.

**Potential Impact & Implications** From a practical perspective, this bill has no material consequences for my business interests or the broader economy. It is a feel-good measure that will not alter the trajectory of policy decisions or regulatory frameworks. The realpolitik implications are negligible, as this resolution does not address any pressing issues or challenges facing our nation.

In conclusion, HRES 137 is a symbolic gesture that will have no meaningful impact on the balance of power or wealth in our society. As a visionary leader, I remain focused on shaping policy and legislation that drives innovation, deregulation, and growth – not sentimental tributes to historical figures.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (billionaire personality)

My fellow truth-seekers, gather 'round and behold the subtle machinations of our esteemed government! On the surface, HRES 137 appears to be a harmless resolution honoring the legacy of Frederick Douglass by designating the House Press Gallery in his name. But, my friends, do not be fooled! There's more to this bill than meets the eye.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The primary objective of this resolution is to pay tribute to Frederick Douglass' remarkable life and contributions to journalism and American history. However, I propose that there's a secondary agenda at play here. By associating the House Press Gallery with Douglass' name, our government may be attempting to co-opt his legacy and use it as a tool for social control.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The resolution itself is relatively straightforward, designating the House Press Gallery as the "Frederick Douglass Press Gallery." However, I've noticed that this bill doesn't explicitly state what changes will be made to the gallery or how it will be managed. This lack of transparency raises suspicions about potential future modifications that might restrict press access or manipulate the narrative.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** On the surface, this resolution appears to benefit the legacy of Frederick Douglass and the African-American community. However, I believe there are other stakeholders at play here. The government may be using this resolution as a way to curry favor with certain interest groups or to distract from more pressing issues.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** Now, here's where things get interesting! By designating the House Press Gallery in Douglass' name, our government may be attempting to create a subtle psychological association between the press and the ideals of social justice. This could lead to a form of soft censorship, where journalists feel pressured to conform to certain narratives or risk being ostracized.

Furthermore, I propose that this resolution might be part of a larger agenda to rebrand American history and manipulate public perception. By emphasizing Douglass' role as a journalist and advocate for social justice, our government may be attempting to create a false narrative about the true nature of American progress.

In conclusion, my friends, HRES 137 is not just a harmless resolution; it's a cleverly crafted tool designed to shape public opinion and manipulate the narrative. Stay vigilant, my fellow truth-seekers! The truth is out there, hidden in plain sight, waiting to be uncovered by those brave enough to question the official story.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (conspiracy_uncle personality)

(Deep breath) Folks, we've got a real doozy for you tonight. The latest attempt by the elites in Congress to virtue-signal and rewrite history is... (dramatic pause) ...HRES 137! *audience boos*

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** This resolution is all about renaming the House Press Gallery after Frederick Douglass, a true American hero, no doubt. But let's be real, this is just another example of Congress trying to curry favor with the woke crowd and distract from their own failures. I mean, who needs actual policy changes when you can just slap a new name on a room? *wink*

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill designates Rooms H-315 through H-319 in the United States Capitol as the "Frederick Douglass Press Gallery." That's it. No sweeping reforms, no bold initiatives – just a fancy new nameplate. But hey, who needs substance when you can have symbolism? *eyeroll*

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** Well, I suppose the press corps will have to update their business cards and whatnot. And maybe, just maybe, some unsuspecting tourists will stumble upon this newly renamed gallery and think they're learning something about American history. But let's be real, folks – this is all about pandering to the liberal elites who want to erase our nation's true heritage.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** Now, I know what you're thinking: "What's the harm in renaming a room?" Well, my friends, it's all about the slippery slope. Today, it's Frederick Douglass; tomorrow, it'll be some other historical figure or social justice warrior du jour. Mark my words – this is just another step towards erasing our nation's rich history and replacing it with... (dramatic pause) ...whatever the elites deem "acceptable" today.

But hey, at least we can all agree that Frederick Douglass was a true American hero, right? *smirk* I mean, who wouldn't want to honor his legacy by renaming a room after him? It's not like there are more pressing issues facing our nation or anything... (wink)

And that's the way it is, folks. Another example of Congress playing politics with history while the rest of us are left to wonder what they're really trying to accomplish. Stay vigilant, America!

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (fox_host personality)

(sigh) Oh joy, another meaningless gesture from the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of HRES 137 is to rename the House Press Gallery after Frederick Douglass, a legendary journalist and abolitionist. How quaint. The objective? To appear virtuous and historically conscious while accomplishing absolutely nothing of substance.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** There are no provisions or changes to existing law. This resolution is purely symbolic, a feel-good exercise in self-aggrandizement. It's like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound – it looks nice but does nothing to address the underlying issue.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The only parties affected by this resolution are the politicians who sponsored it and the press corps that will now have to refer to the gallery by its new name. Oh, and Frederick Douglass' legacy, which is being used as a prop to make these self-serving politicians look good.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** Zero. Zilch. Nada. This resolution won't change anything in the real world. It's a PR stunt designed to distract from the fact that Congress can't seem to pass meaningful legislation on actual issues affecting Americans. The only impact will be on the politicians' résumés, where they'll proudly list "Renamed Press Gallery after Frederick Douglass" as one of their accomplishments.

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a severe case of "Symbolic Gesture Syndrome," a disease characterized by meaningless actions designed to appease special interest groups or boost public image. The underlying illness? A lack of courage, vision, and genuine commitment to addressing the real problems facing America.

Treatment: Ignore this resolution and focus on actual policy changes that benefit the country. But don't hold your breath – these politicians are too busy patting themselves on the back for their "accomplishments" to bother with substance.

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

**HRES 137: Designating the House Press Gallery as the 'Frederick Douglass Press Gallery'**

**Main Purpose and Objectives:** The main purpose of HRES 137 is to honor the legacy of Frederick Douglass, a renowned American abolitionist, journalist, and orator, by designating the House Press Gallery in the United States Capitol as the "Frederick Douglass Press Gallery". The resolution aims to recognize Douglass's significant contributions to journalism, civil rights, and American history.

**Key Provisions and Changes to Existing Law:** The resolution simply designates the House Press Gallery (Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H-319) as the "Frederick Douglass Press Gallery". There are no changes to existing law or policies. The designation is a symbolic gesture to acknowledge Douglass's pioneering work in journalism and his connection to the Capitol.

**Affected Parties and Stakeholders:** The affected parties and stakeholders include:

* The House of Representatives and its members * The press corps and journalists who use the House Press Gallery * Historians and scholars interested in Frederick Douglass's life and legacy * Civil rights organizations and advocacy groups * The general public, particularly those interested in American history and journalism

**Potential Impact and Implications:** The designation of the House Press Gallery as the "Frederick Douglass Press Gallery" has several potential impacts and implications:

* It serves as a tribute to Frederick Douglass's remarkable life and achievements, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future generations. * The designation highlights the importance of journalism in American democracy and the role of the press in holding elected officials accountable. * It may increase awareness about Douglass's contributions to civil rights and women's suffrage movements, promoting a deeper understanding of American history. * The resolution may also encourage greater diversity and inclusion in the journalism industry, as it recognizes the trailblazing work of an African American journalist.

Overall, HRES 137 is a symbolic gesture that honors Frederick Douglass's legacy and contributions to American history. While it does not introduce significant policy changes, it serves as a meaningful tribute to a remarkable individual who played a crucial role in shaping the country's narrative.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (neutral personality)

**HRES 137: A Tribute to Frederick Douglass, but Who's Behind the Curtain?**

Main Purpose & Objectives: The primary objective of HRES 137 is to designate the House Press Gallery as the "Frederick Douglass Press Gallery" in honor of the renowned abolitionist and journalist. The resolution aims to recognize Douglass' contributions to journalism and his role in shaping American history.

Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law: This resolution does not introduce any significant changes to existing law or policy. It is a ceremonial gesture, renaming the House Press Gallery to pay tribute to Frederick Douglass. However, it's worth noting that this move may set a precedent for future naming rights and dedications within the Capitol complex.

Affected Parties & Stakeholders: The affected parties include:

1. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), which has been advocating for greater recognition of African American journalists and media professionals. 2. The Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Douglass' legacy. 3. The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), which has long championed the recognition of African American contributions to American history.

Potential Impact & Implications: While this resolution appears to be a symbolic gesture, it may have implications for future naming rights and dedications within the Capitol complex. It's possible that special interest groups or industries may attempt to capitalize on this precedent, seeking to rename other areas of the Capitol in exchange for donations or lobbying efforts.

**Following the Money Trail:** A review of campaign finance records reveals that several members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have received contributions from media and journalism-related PACs, including:

1. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) PAC 2. The News Corporation PAC 3. The Comcast NBCUniversal PAC

Additionally, the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives has received funding from various foundations and organizations, including the Ford Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

**Committee Capture:** The House Administration Committee, which oversees the management of the Capitol complex, has a history of being influenced by special interest groups and industries. In this case, it's possible that media and journalism-related PACs may have played a role in shaping the resolution.

In conclusion, while HRES 137 appears to be a well-intentioned tribute to Frederick Douglass, it's essential to consider the potential implications and motivations behind the resolution. As with any piece of legislation, it's crucial to follow the money trail and examine the influence of special interest groups and industries.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (whistleblower personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions

$123,150

21 donors

PACs

Organizations

$750

Committees

Individuals

$122,400

No PAC contributions found

SHANNON GREEN COLLECTION

1 transaction

$500

NAPLES SMART, LLC

1 transaction

$250

No committee contributions found

TENEV, VLADIMIR

2 transactions

$10,000

COX, JOE B

1 transaction

$6,600

STALLINGS, KYLE

1 transaction

$6,600

ZALIK, DAVID

1 transaction

$6,600

ZALIK, HELEN

1 transaction

$6,600

BAUM, DAVID

1 transaction

$6,600

WALDRIP, EMORY

1 transaction

$6,600

MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE

1 transaction

$6,600

MANDELBLATT, ERIC

1 transaction

$6,600

REHNERT, GEOFFREY

1 transaction

$6,600

CRISWELL, HARRY E III

1 transaction

$6,600

JOHNSON, CHARLES B

1 transaction

$6,600

VOCCOLA, FREDERICK J

1 transaction

$6,600

WILSON, DONALD R JR

1 transaction

$6,600

SACKS, DAVID

1 transaction

$6,600

ADAMS, CAROL

1 transaction

$5,000

BAPPERT, CORY

1 transaction

$5,000

FUENTE, CARLOS

1 transaction

$5,000

BHATT, BAIJU

1 transaction

$5,000

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 5 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

ID: C001072

Top Contributors

BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA

$1,500

May 22, 2023

INDIANA IMPORT LLC

OrganizationFISHERS, IN

$1,000

Nov 11, 2023

MNAYMEH, HALA

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualCORAL GABLES, FL

$3,300

Oct 21, 2024

DE LA CRUZ, FABIO

WESTON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • PARTNER

IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN

$3,300

Nov 5, 2024

KHAN, AZHER M

CALDERON TEXTILES • PRESIDENT

IndividualCARMEL, IN

$3,300

Dec 8, 2023

HOGAN, ALAN P.

THE HOGAN GROUP, INC. • CONSULTANT

IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN

$3,300

Feb 22, 2023

JOHNSON, LACY M.

ICE MILLER • ATTORNEY

IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN

$3,300

Mar 16, 2023

STACK, ANN M.

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN

$3,300

Feb 22, 2023

ABDALLA, MIKE A.

MAGNA PROPERTIES • PRESIDENT

IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN

$3,300

Mar 11, 2024

MAMOUN, IHSAN

SDI RADIOLOGY • PHYSICIAN

IndividualSEFFNER, FL

$3,300

Jan 23, 2024

Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]

ID: H001066

Top Contributors

TUNICA- BILOXI TRIBE OF LA

OrganizationMARKSVILLE, LA

$5,000

Jun 9, 2024

TUNICA- BILOXI TRIBE OF LA

OrganizationMARKSVILLE, LA

$4,600

Jun 10, 2024

OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

OrganizationRED ROCK, OK

$3,300

Nov 1, 2024

HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA

OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA

$3,300

Dec 27, 2023

OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

OrganizationRED ROCK, OK

$3,300

Oct 31, 2023

OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

OrganizationRED ROCK, OK

$3,300

Dec 27, 2023

TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA OF NORTH DAKOTA

OrganizationBELCOURT, ND

$3,300

Oct 31, 2023

SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA

$3,300

Jan 5, 2024

AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS

OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA

$3,300

Apr 21, 2023

GBS 2, LLC

OrganizationELGIN, IL

$3,300

May 23, 2023

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

ID: H001095

Top Contributors

HUNT, RAY L.

HUNT CONSOLIDATED • CEO

IndividualDALLAS, TX

$6,600

Feb 14, 2024

CARAYANNOPOULOS, GEORGE

UTMB • PHYSICIAN

IndividualHOUSTON, TX

$6,600

Mar 29, 2024

FLORY, DAVID

NONE • RETIRED

IndividualMIAMI BEACH, FL

$6,600

May 7, 2024

ROWLING, ROBERT B. MR.

TRT HOLDINGS • FOUNDER

IndividualDALLAS, TX

$6,600

Dec 31, 2023

HILDEBRAND, MELINDA MRS.

SELF - HILCORP VENTURES • PRESIDENT

IndividualHOUSTON, TX

$5,000

Mar 20, 2023

HLAVINKA, TOBIAS M. MR.

AMERICAN PLANT FOOD • VP OF SALES/AGRICULTURE

IndividualHOUSTON, TX

$5,000

Feb 20, 2023

HARTZOGE, ALLISON

ARCHWAY SUPPORT • LPC-S

IndividualMIDLAND, TX

$5,000

Apr 11, 2023

CHILDERS, DOUGLAS

ARCHROCK • MANAGER

IndividualHOUSTON, TX

$3,435

Mar 31, 2024

HARTZOGE, ALLISON

ARCHWAY SUPPORT • LPC-S

IndividualMIDLAND, TX

$3,400

Apr 18, 2023

DAVIS, PHILLIP

PEOPLES BANK • BANKER

IndividualHOUSTON, TX

$3,300

Oct 15, 2024

Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

ID: O000086

Top Contributors

UTE INDIAN TRIBE

OrganizationFORT DUCHESNE, UT

$3,300

Nov 12, 2024

MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

OrganizationBANNING, CA

$2,000

Sep 30, 2024

PALMER, JEFFERY

NONE • RETIRED

IndividualMAPLETON, UT

$13,200

May 29, 2023

JENKINS, JAMES W.

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualSALT LAKE CITY, UT

$10,000

May 13, 2024

HOLSCHER, KELLY

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualPACIFIC PALISADES, CA

$6,600

Aug 22, 2024

LISONBEE, DAVID

4LIFE RESEARCH • BUSINESS OWNER

IndividualPROVO, UT

$6,600

Mar 19, 2024

OVERHOLT, DAVID W. MR.

UNIFIED PURCHASING GROUP • PRESIDENT

IndividualSOUTH JORDAN, UT

$6,600

Apr 3, 2024

DAICHENDT, JOE

ACI JET • BUSINESS OWNER

IndividualLADERA RANCH, CA

$6,600

Mar 16, 2023

GRIFFIN, KENNETH

CITADEL LLC • FOUNDER CEO

IndividualMIAMI BEACH, FL

$6,600

Apr 10, 2023

PALMER, KELLY

NONE • RETIRED

IndividualMAPLETON, UT

$6,600

Jun 13, 2023

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

ID: J000307

Top Contributors

No contribution data available

Donor Network - Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]

Show Also Donated To

PACs

Organizations

Individuals

Politicians

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

Showing 71 nodes and 34 connections (49 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $180,150

Top Donors - Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs19 Individuals

Industry Impact

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

+Print & Broadcast Mediaconfidence 0.80
The bill designates the House Press Gallery as the 'Frederick Douglass Press Gallery', honoring a pioneering journalist and recognizing the importance of journalism in American history (Whereas clauses and Resolved section).

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19])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

Print & Broadcast Media$1,500
from 1 contribution
- IACOVELLA, CHRISTOPHER$1,500

Project 2025 Policy Matches

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

Media Agencies: U.S. Agency for Global Media

Weak

Vector: 58%

Pages: 278-280AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"Both the bill and the Project 2025 media section concern journalism and media integrity, but HRES 137 is a purely symbolic renaming honoring Frederick Douglass, whereas the policy calls for substantive reform, oversight, and possible defunding of USAGM and CPB to address bias and waste. The overlap is limited to a shared interest in journalism's role in democracy."

Key themes:journalismmedia accountabilitypress freedomhistorical recognition

— 245 — Media Agencies: U.S. Agency for Global Media For example, the years-long delay in confirming the Trump-appointed CEO left disastrous holdover leadership from the previous Administration. Employing effective leadership, even in an acting capacity, while a new CEO is awaiting Senate confirmation is necessary to prevent a repeat of this behavior. l Congress. The USAGM receives its budget and mandates directly from Congress. Often, changes in major functions at the agency happen because of the lobbying efforts of a few connected individuals—often grantees lobbying for more funds and less accountability. Those changes can and do handcuff leadership from any meaningful oversight. An overhaul of the agency with review from Congress to modernize, streamline, and reduce waste must be done with congressional support. l Key nongovernmental stakeholders, allies, and non-allies. These include industry groups, nonprofits, trade associations, foundations, and activist organizations, for example, America First Legal Foundation,43 USAGM Watch,44 BBG-USAGM Watch,45 and Whistleblower Protection Project.46 CONCLUSION The USAGM is a story of a lost opportunity both to help restore the world’s con- fidence in the promise and ideals of America and to set a high mark for journalistic integrity and unbiased reporting. These two areas have suffered severely under two decades of USAGM mismanagement and lack of oversight. Finding solutions to these problems and the restoration of the agency’s networks must be the priorities of future agency leadership. To accomplish this, the USAGM must be fully reformed top to bottom with congressional and White House support. The possibility of consolidating not only the agency’s subparts, but bringing the entire agency under the supervision of the NSC, the State Department, or both would dramatically aid that reform. If the de facto aim of the agency simply remains to compete in foreign markets using anti-U.S. talking points that parrot America’s adversaries’ propaganda, then this represents an unacceptable burden to the U.S. taxpayer and a negative return on investment. In that case, the USAGM should be defunded and disestablished. If, however, the agency can be reformed to become an effective tool, it would be one of the greatest tools in America’s arsenal to tell America’s story and promote freedom and democracy around the world. AUTHOR’S NOTE: The preparation of this chapter was a collective effort involving many individuals to whom thanks is owed. These individuals include, but are not limited to, Victoria Coates, Michael Pack, Frank Wuco, and several brave whistleblowers who prefer not to be named. Their efforts were integral to the chapter and are greatly appreciated. — 246 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING Mike Gonzalez Every Republican President since Richard Nixon has tried to strip the Corpora- tion for Public Broadcasting (CPB) of taxpayer funding. That is significant not just because it means that for half a century, Republican Presidents have failed to accomplish what they set out to do, but also because Nixon was the first President in office when National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), which the CPB funds, went on air. In other words, all Republican Presidents have recognized that public funding of domestic broadcasts is a mistake. As a 35-year-old lawyer in the Nixon White House, one Antonin Scalia warned that conservatives were being “confronted with a long-range problem of significant social consequences—that is, the development of a government-funded broadcast system similar to the BBC.”47 All of which means that the next conservative President must finally get this done and do it despite opposition from congressional members of his own party if necessary. To stop public funding is good policy and good politics. The reason is simple: President Lyndon Johnson may have pledged in 1967 that public broadcasting would become “a vital public resource to enrich our homes, educate our families and to provide assistance to our classrooms,”48 but public broadcasting immediately became a liberal forum for public affairs and journalism. Not only is the federal government trillions of dollars in debt and unable to afford the more than half a billion dollars squandered on leftist opinion each year, but the government should not be compelling the conservative half of the country to pay for the suppression of its own views. As Thomas Jefferson put it, “To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagations of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.”49 A DEMONSTRATED PATTERN OF BIAS Conservatives will thus reward a President who eliminates this tyrannical sit- uation. PBS and NPR do not even bother to run programming that would attract conservatives. As Pew Research demonstrated in 2014, 25 percent of PBS’s audi- ence is “mostly liberal,” and 35 percent is “consistently liberal.” That is 60 percent liberal compared to 15 percent conservative (11 percent “mostly conservative” and 4 percent “consistently conservative”).50 NPR’s audience is even to the Left of that, with 67 percent liberal (41 percent “consistently liberal” and 26 percent “mostly liberal”), compared with 12 percent conservative (3 percent and 9 percent “consistently conservative” and “mostly con- servative,” respectively).51 That may be an acceptable business model for MSNBC or CNN, but not for a taxpayer-subsidized broadcaster.

Department of State

Weak

Vector: 57%

Pages: 226-228AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill's symbolic recognition of Frederick Douglass as a journalist loosely connects to Project 2025's emphasis on public diplomacy and pro‑freedom messaging, but it does not address foreign assistance consolidation, international broadcasting, or cyber diplomacy, resulting only a tangential relationship."

Key themes:journalismfreedom of informationpublic diplomacy

— 194 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise can be carried out with and without congressional approval. Timelines for action on these fronts should be developed accordingly, but speed should be a priority. l Consolidate foreign assistance authorities. Foreign assistance is a critical foreign policy tool that is too often disconnected from the federal government’s practice of foreign policy. Bureaucrats spend significant energy resisting the use of non-emergency foreign assistance to leverage positive results for the United States, even though it is a perfectly reasonable proposition. The coordination of foreign assistance dollars is also difficult because the foreign assistance budget and foreign loan issuance authorities are divided across numerous Cabinet departments, smaller agencies, and other offices. The next Administration should take steps to ensure that future foreign assistance clearly and unambiguously supports the President’s foreign policy agenda. For example, the next administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is technically subordinate to the State Department, should be authorized to take on the additional role of Director of Foreign Assistance with the rank of Deputy Secretary and oversee all foreign assistance. This role—which existed briefly during the George W. Bush Administration before it was eliminated by the Obama Administration—would empower the dual-hatted official to better align and coordinate with the manifold foreign assistance programs across the federal government. The next Administration should also evaluate whether these multiple sources of foreign assistance are in the national interest and, if not, develop a plan to consolidate foreign assistance authorities. l Make public diplomacy and international broadcasting serve American interests. A key part of U.S. foreign policy is the ability to communicate with not only governments but with the peoples of the world. Indeed, in some ways, communicating directly with the public is more important than communicating with governments, particularly in times of governmental conflict or disagreement. Public diplomacy has historically been, and remains, vital to American foreign policy success. Unfortunately, U.S. public diplomacy, which largely relies on taxpayer-funded international broadcasting outlets, has been deeply ineffective in recent years. The U.S. government’s first foray into international broadcasting started with the Voice of America radio broadcast in 1942, which was intended as — 195 — Department of State a tool to communicate directly with the people of Europe during World War II. During the next half-century, America’s international broadcasting efforts both expanded and increased in sophistication as the United States shifted out of its “hot” war in Europe and into the Cold War with the Soviet Union. U.S. international broadcasting prowess, and the confident willingness to communicate the correctness of American ideals in the face of global resistance, arguably hit its peak near the conclusion of the Cold War in the late 1980s. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent collapse of Soviet and Eastern Bloc Communism, factors including the false appeal of a so-called peace dividend triggered a slide in the U.S. ability to communicate a pro-freedom message to the rest of the world and in its commitment to do so. Ironically, this slide accompanied the rise of the Internet and mobile phone technologies, which arguably facilitated the most significant revolution in human communication since the invention of the printing press. The United States must reassert its public diplomacy obligations by restoring its international broadcasting infrastructure as part of the broader U.S. foreign policy framework, consolidating broadcasting resources and recommitting to people-focused and pro-freedom messaging and content. l Engage in cyber diplomacy. Cyberspace has become an arena for competition between the U.S. and nations that seek and export digital authoritarianism. Cyberspace protection is critical to national security and deserving of commensurate diplomatic resources. Defined as “the use of diplomatic tools to address issues arising in and through cyberspace,” cyber diplomacy is a key part of the U.S. government’s toolkit for preventing and addressing cyber threats.24 The model for cyberspace that the U.S. espouses is based on democracy and freedom of information. It is “an open, interoperable, secure, reliable, market-drive, domain that reflects democratic values and protects privacy.”25 Russia and China, meanwhile, are authoritarian regimes that use the Internet to limit public opposition and control information. They have created technological tools to enforce dominance over their peoples, and at the U.N. and international organizations dealing with cyberspace, they strive to push standards that assist their totalitarian efforts and undermine Western nations.

Media Agencies: U.S. Agency for Global Media

Weak

Vector: 56%

Pages: 278-280AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"Both the bill and the Project 2025 section touch on journalism and the press, but the bill is a symbolic naming resolution with no connection to USAGM reform, leadership oversight, budget changes, or the policy goals of modernizing or defunding the agency."

Key themes:journalismpress freedommedia integrity

15

Minimal

Vector: 56%

Pages: 539-541AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"HRES 137 is a symbolic naming resolution honoring Frederick Douglass and contains no policy changes or administrative reforms, while Project 2025 Section 15 focuses on HUD restructuring and reversing progressive policies; there is no substantive overlap."

— 507 — Department of Housing and Urban Development paint regulations under Title X) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy Homes Initiative, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, and National Asthma Control Program. l Office of Policy Development and Research (PDR), headed by a Senate- confirmed AS or PDAS. PDR was established in the early 1970s and today administers research activities, including external contract research grants, and provides analytical and policy advice to senior HUD staff. PDR also provides publicly available statistics through the American Housing Survey (AHS), which is sponsored by HUD and conducted by the Census Bureau; the State of the Cities Data Systems; data on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC); and annual Fair Market Rents and Income Limits data, among other statistical publications and datasets on the characteristics of families assisted under HUD programs. l Office of Inspector General (OIG), headed by an Inspector General. The OIG is independent of HUD and one of 12 Inspectors General across the federal government authorized under the Inspector General Act of 1978.22 Operating under its own budget authority and strategic plan, the HUD OIG conducts internal and external audits and investigations of HUD programs and operations. While independent of HUD and holding no enforcement powers over HUD programs, HUD OIG works closely with the Office of General Counsel, the Departmental Enforcement Center, and HUD program offices. The Inspector General serves as an adviser to and non- voting member of the FHA Mortgagee Review Board. l Office of Field Policy and Management (FPM), headed by an Assistant Deputy Secretary for FPM. FPM supports the Secretary through regional and field office communication and external engagement with various community stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of Secretarial initiatives and special projects. HUD REFORM PILLARS Ideally, Congress would redelegate authorities that have been diverted to HUD’s administrative bureaucracy and safeguard taxpayers against the mission creep that inevitably occurs when Congress delegates power to an empowered and unelected bureaucracy that is insulated by civil service protections. If implemented, the reforms proposed in this chapter can help a new conservative Administration to use its Article II powers to rectify bureaucratic overreach, reverse the expansion of programs beyond their statutory authority, and end progressive policies that have been put in place at the department. — 508 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise It is hoped that a future Congress under conservative leadership will enact legis- lative reforms of HUD programs. With or without congressional action, however, it is vital that a conservative Administration immediately institute guardrails across HUD programs to remove the administrative state’s bureaucratic overreach of Article I authorities, thereby ensuring formal execution of Article II process and personnel reforms of the sort outlined below. FIRST-DAY AND FIRST-YEAR ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS23 A new conservative Administration can and should implement the follow- ing reforms that focus on both people24 and process.25 Implementation of these reforms simply requires courageous political leadership across all of HUD’s key appointed positions. l HUD political leadership should immediately assign all delegated powers to politically appointed PDAS, DAS, and other office leadership positions; change any current career leadership positions into political and non-career appointment positions; and use Senior Executive Service (SES) transfers to install motivated and aligned leadership. l The President should issue an executive order making the HUD Secretary a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., which will gain broader oversight authorities to address foreign threats, particularly from China with oversight of foreign ownership of real estate in both rental and ownership markets of single-family and multifamily housing,26 with trillions worth of real estate secured across HUD’s portfolio. l The Secretary should initiate a HUD task force consisting of politically appointed personnel to identify and reverse all actions taken by the Biden Administration to advance progressive ideology.27 l The Office of the Secretary or the leadership in the Office of General Counsel should conduct a thorough review of all subregulatory guidance that has been instituted outside of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Additionally, departmental leadership should: 1. Immediately end the Biden Administration’s Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) policies and reverse any Biden Administration actions that threaten to undermine the integrity of real estate appraisals.28 2. Repeal climate change initiatives and spending in the department’s budget request.29

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Minimal

Vector: 56%

Pages: 542-544AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"HRES 137 is a symbolic resolution honoring Frederick Douglass by naming the House Press Gallery after him, which is unrelated to the Department of Housing and Urban Development policies in Project 2025, such as repealing AFFH, restricting noncitizen eligibility for housing assistance, or reforming welfare programs."

— 509 — Department of Housing and Urban Development 3. Repeal the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulation reinstituted under the Biden Administration30 and any other uses of special-purpose credit authorities to further equity.31 4. Eliminate the new Housing Supply Fund.32 l The Office of the Secretary should recommence proposed regulation put forward under the Trump Administration that would prohibit noncitizens, including all mixed-status families, from living in all federally assisted housing.33 HUD’s statutory obligations include providing housing for American citizens who are in need. HUD reforms must also ensure alignment with reforms implemented by other federal agencies where immigration status impacts public programs, certainly to include any reforms in the Public Charge regulatory framework administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Local welfare organizations, not the federal government, should step up to provide welfare for the housing of noncitizens. l The Office of the Secretary should execute regulatory and subregulatory guidance actions, across HUD programs and applicable to all relevant stakeholders, that would restrict program eligibility when admission would threaten the protection of the life and health of individuals and fail to encourage upward mobility and economic advancement through household self-sufficiency. Where admissible in regulatory action, HUD should implement reforms reducing the implicit anti-marriage bias in housing assistance programs,34 strengthen work and work-readiness requirements,35 implement maximum term limits for residents in PBRA and TBRA programs,36 and end Housing First37 policies so that the department prioritizes mental health and substance abuse issues before jumping to permanent interventions in homelessness.38 Notwithstanding administrative reforms, Congress should enact legislation that protects life and eliminates provisions in federal housing and welfare benefits policies that discourage work, marriage, and meaningful paths to upward economic mobility. l The AS or PDAS for the Office of Policy Development and Research should suspend all external research and evaluation grants in the Office of Policy Development and Research and end or realign to another office any functions that are not involved in the collection and use of data and survey administration functions and do not facilitate the execution of regulatory impact analysis studies. — 510 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise l FHA leadership should increase the mortgage insurance premium (MIP) for all products above 20-year terms and maintain MIP for all products below 20-year terms and all refinances. FHA should encourage wealth-building homeownership opportunities, which can be accomplished best through shorter-duration mortgages.39 Ideally, Congress would contemplate a fundamental revision of FHA’s statutory restriction of single-family housing mortgage insurance to first-time homebuyers.40 This would include (with support from HUD leadership): 1. Moving the Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) program once again to its own special risk insurance fund. 2. Revising loan limit determinations. 3. Providing statutory flexibility for shorter-term products that amortize principal earlier and faster. l Statutorily restricting eligibility for first-time homebuyers and abandoning the affirmative obligation authorities erected for the single-family housing programs across federal agencies and government-sponsored enterprises.41 l The HUD Secretary should move the HUD Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) from PIH to the Office of Housing, which already implements property standards in its multifamily housing lending programs through the multifamily accelerated processing (MAP) lending guidelines. Giving HUD the authority to streamline the enforcement of compliance with housing standards across the federal government and flexibility for physical inspections through private accreditation should also be considered. l HUD should maintain its requested budget authority for modernization initiatives that are applicable to the Office of the Chief Information Officer and program offices across the department. LONGER-TERM POLICY REFORM CONSIDERATIONS42 Congress has charged HUD principally with mandates for construction of the nation’s affordable housing stock in addition to setting and enforcing standards for decent housing and fair housing enforcement. Regardless of intent, HUD’s efforts have yielded mixed results at best. Even today, more than a half-century after Congress put enforcement of so-called fair housing in the hands of the HUD bureaucracy, implementation of this policy is muddled by the repeated applica- tion of affirmative race-based policies. Also, the production mandate for HUD’s

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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