Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/93
Last Updated: September 7, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

ID: S001198

Follow the money

The bill

Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025

S. 93, 119th Congress — read as touching Agribusiness.

The sponsor

Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

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

The money

$1,129,097 raised

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

The alignment

85% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Environmental Protection Agency" section, p. 479-481 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Held at the desk.

September 10, 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 Senate

🏛️

House 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 bill from the esteemed members of Congress, no doubt crafted with the utmost care and consideration for the well-being of the American people. (Sarcasm alert!)

**Main Purpose & Objectives**

The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025 aims to address the growing problem of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the United States. The bill's primary objective is to amend the existing Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998, expanding its scope to include freshwater systems and increasing funding for research and control efforts.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law**

The bill makes several changes to the existing law:

1. Expands the definition of "coastal waters" to include marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems. 2. Establishes a Task Force to assess HABs and hypoxia (low oxygen levels) in these systems. 3. Requires the Task Force to submit an action strategy for HABs every five years, including scientific assessments, research priorities, and recommendations for prevention, control, and mitigation methods. 4. Increases funding for research on HABs and hypoxia.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders**

The bill affects various stakeholders, including:

1. Federal agencies (e.g., EPA, NOAA, USDA) responsible for implementing the Act. 2. State and local governments, which will receive funding and guidance for HAB management. 3. Indian tribes and local communities affected by HABs. 4. Industries such as fisheries, agriculture, and fertilizer production, which may be impacted by HAB-related regulations.

**Potential Impact & Implications**

The bill's impact is likely to be minimal, given the lack of teeth in its provisions. The increased funding for research will probably benefit a select few researchers and institutions, while the Task Force's recommendations will likely gather dust on some bureaucrat's shelf.

In reality, this bill is just another example of Congress's favorite pastime: pretending to address a problem without actually doing anything meaningful. The real disease here is not HABs or hypoxia but rather the chronic condition of bureaucratic inertia and special interest-driven policymaking.

Diagnosis: Legislative Theateritis – a condition characterized by grandiose language, empty promises, and a complete lack of substance. Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism, followed by a strong prescription of critical thinking and fact-based analysis.

Related Topics

Water & Air Quality RegulationsClimate Change & Sustainability
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$1,129,097
18 donors
PACs
$91,600
Organizations
$1,035,500
Committees
$0
Individuals
$0
1
SEND IN THE SEAL PAC
2 transactions
$60,000
2
THE LINCOLN CLUB OF ORANGE COUNTY FEDERAL PAC
1 transaction
$25,000
3
WINRED
1 transaction
$6,600
1
MACLEAN-FOGG COMPANY
3 transactions
$141,300
2
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
2 transactions
$82,600
3
PECHANGA TRIBE OF LUISENO MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$82,600
4
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
2 transactions
$82,600
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
2 transactions
$82,600
6
SOBOBA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
2 transactions
$82,600
7
CHICKASAW NATION
2 transactions
$82,600
8
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
2 transactions
$77,800
9
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
2 transactions
$77,800
10
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
2 transactions
$77,800
11
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$41,300
12
TIGUA INDIAN RESERVATION
1 transaction
$41,300
13
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LOUISIANA
1 transaction
$41,300
14
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$41,300

No committee contributions found

No individual contributions found

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

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

Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

ID: B001230

Top Contributors

72

1
WISCONSIN MEDICAL SOCIETY FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (WISMEDFEDPAC)
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACFITCHBURG, WI
$2,500
Mar 22, 2024
2
REALTORS DIRECT GIVER PROGRAM
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
COMMADISON, WI
$600
Mar 4, 2024
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMM
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$10,000
Oct 30, 2024
4
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
OrganizationMARKSVILLE, LA
$5,000
Nov 5, 2024
5
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$3,300
Aug 1, 2023
6
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Sep 16, 2024
7
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Sep 25, 2024
8
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Sep 25, 2024
9
SMITH LACIEN LLP
OrganizationCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Aug 12, 2024
10
SMITH LACIEN LLP
OrganizationCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Aug 12, 2024

Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]

ID: C001035

Top Contributors

21

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
PACPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 28, 2023
2
SILBEY, ALEXANDER
ATS COMMUNICATIONS, INC, • CONSULTANT
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$6,600
Jul 23, 2024
3
ARNOLD, LAURA
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$6,600
Aug 10, 2024
4
READ, KURT
RSF PARTNERS • PARTNER
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
5
COATES, CHRIS
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualIRVING, TX
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
6
READ, KURT
RSF PARTNERS • PARTNER
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
7
CROTTY, THOMAS
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
8
COATES, CHRIS
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualIRVING, TX
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
9
CROTTY, THOMAS
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
YOUNGMAN, ANDREW
CITIZENS DISABILITY LLC • CEO
IndividualWEST NEWTON, MA
$3,300
Nov 20, 2023

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

ID: C001056

Top Contributors

21

1
WINRED
COMARLINGTON, VA
$47
Jul 10, 2024
2
WEEKLEY, RICHARD W
WEEKLEY PROPERTIES • REAL ESTATE BROKER/DEVELOPER
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$100,000
Dec 27, 2023
3
MCINGVALE, JAMES F
GALLERY FURNITURE • OWNER/OPERATOR
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$50,000
Feb 27, 2023
4
MCINGVALE, LINDA
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$50,000
Feb 27, 2023
5
DUNN, TIMOTHY
CROWN QUEST OPERATING • EXECUTIVE
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$45,000
Apr 4, 2023
6
MARTIN, KIMBERLY R
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$20,000
Mar 13, 2023
7
BLAINE, JAY C.
N/A • N/A
IndividualROCKWALL, TX
$16,478
Oct 11, 2024
8
THOMPSON, JERE W. MR. JR.
AMBIT ENERGY • CEO
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$13,200
Mar 15, 2023
9
MIDDLETON, MAYES
MIDDLETON OIL CO • OIL AND GAS
IndividualGALVESTON, TX
$12,500
Jan 7, 2023
10
MIDDLETON, MACEY
IndividualGALVESTON, TX
$12,500
Jan 7, 2023

Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

ID: M001176

Top Contributors

28

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$2,500
Oct 17, 2024
2
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Dec 30, 2023
3
SISSETON-WAHPETON OYATE
OrganizationAGENCY VILLAGE, SD
$2,000
Jun 21, 2024
4
CONFEDERATED TRIBES AND BANDS OF THE YAKAMA NATION
OrganizationTOPPENISH, WA
$1,000
Oct 7, 2024
5
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$1,000
Nov 9, 2023
6
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 2, 2024
7
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$1,000
Aug 2, 2024
8
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$400
Jul 17, 2023
9
STUBBS, MARILYN L.
NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED
IndividualPORTLAND, OR
$5,000
Jul 17, 2023
10
BARNHART, PHILIP N.
NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED
IndividualEUGENE, OR
$5,000
Jun 21, 2024

Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

ID: P000595

Top Contributors

43

1
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
2
STRATEGIC LINK CONSULTING, LP
OrganizationKENNESAW, GA
$3,300
May 28, 2024
3
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationAUBURN, WA
$3,300
Aug 11, 2023
4
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationRED ROCK, OK
$2,900
May 29, 2024
5
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$2,900
May 29, 2024
6
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA TRIBE OF NORTH DAKOTA
OrganizationBELCOURT, ND
$2,900
May 28, 2024
7
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Jan 9, 2024
8
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$2,500
Jun 30, 2024
9
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationRED ROCK, OK
$2,500
Jun 30, 2024
10
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA TRIBE OF NORTH DAKOTA
OrganizationBELCOURT, ND
$2,500
Jun 30, 2024

Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

ID: W000802

Top Contributors

20

1
HEISING, MARK
MEDLEY PARTNERS • MANAGING DIRECTOR / FOUNDER
IndividualATHERTON, CA
$6,600
Mar 4, 2024
2
PAGE, GLORIA
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$5,400
Apr 14, 2023
3
PAGE, GLORIA
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$5,000
Apr 24, 2023
4
PAGE, GLORIA
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$3,330
Jul 12, 2024
5
PAGE, GLORIA
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$3,330
Sep 8, 2024
6
CONOVER, CATHERINE M.
SELF EMPLOYED • INVESTOR
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024
7
LANG, DAVID
N/A • RETIRED
IndividualPORTSMOUTH, RI
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
8
ARNOLD, JOHN
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Nov 20, 2023
9
BILLINGSLEY, LINDSAY
ALLIANCE RESIDENTIAL • REAL ESTATE
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$3,300
Dec 16, 2023
10
BILLINGSLEY, LINDSAY
ALLIANCE RESIDENTIAL • REAL ESTATE
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$3,300
Dec 16, 2023

Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

ID: M001153

Top Contributors

29

1
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationAUBURN, WA
$3,300
May 15, 2023
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,500
Dec 20, 2023
3
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationAUBURN, WA
$1,000
Nov 20, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Oct 26, 2023
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 3, 2024
6
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
7
SUQUAMISH INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationSUQUAMISH, WA
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
8
TOHONO O'ODHAM NATION
OrganizationSELLS, AZ
$1,000
Aug 9, 2024
9
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$550
Oct 26, 2023
10
SEGAL, PAUL
LS POWER DEVELOPMENT, LLC • CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Dec 16, 2023

Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

ID: C001088

Top Contributors

22

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 27, 2023
2
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,700
Dec 27, 2023
3
CHEN, YU
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
4
MIRZAIE, REZA
RUSS AUGUST & KABAT LLP • ATTORNEY
IndividualPACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024
5
CHEN, YU
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
6
WASSERMAN, CASEY
WASSERMAN • CEO
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
7
ZHAO, PENG
CITADEL SECURITIES • CEO
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
8
WASSERMAN, CASEY
WASSERMAN • CEO
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
9
ZHAO, PENG
CITADEL SECURITIES • CEO
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
10
MIRZAIE, REZA
RUSS AUGUST & KABAT LLP • ATTORNEY
IndividualPACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024

Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

ID: P000145

Top Contributors

29

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$5,000
Dec 24, 2024
2
MOORETOWN RANCHERIA
OrganizationOROVILLE, CA
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024
3
TOLOWA DEE-NI' NATION
OrganizationSMITH RIVER, CA
$3,300
May 7, 2024
4
TULE RIVER TRIBAL COUNCIL
OrganizationPORTERVILLE, CA
$3,300
Aug 12, 2024
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,500
Nov 22, 2023
6
ONEIDA NATION
OrganizationONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Oct 3, 2023
7
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 5, 2023
8
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
OrganizationONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Jun 21, 2024
9
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 16, 2024
10
KIMBER, SHELDON
INTERSECT POWER • CEO
IndividualTRUCKEE, CA
$5,000
Apr 27, 2023

Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

ID: C001075

Top Contributors

20

1
YAWITZ, JESS B. MR.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualSAINT LOUIS, MO
$14,000
Jun 11, 2024
2
MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE
DMM PROPRIETA MANAGEMENT • MANAGER
IndividualASPEN, CO
$9,900
Nov 2, 2023
3
MANDELBLATT, ERIC
SOROBAN CAPITAL PARTNERS LP • MANAGING PARTNER
IndividualASPEN, CO
$9,900
Nov 2, 2023
4
JAYASINGHE, SAMAN K. DR.
SELF-EMPLOYED • PHYSICIAN
IndividualBATON ROUGE, LA
$9,900
Jun 13, 2024
5
KARP, ALEXANDER C.
PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES • CEO
IndividualBEDFORD, NH
$9,900
Apr 16, 2024
6
OBERNDORF, SUSAN
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$9,900
Jun 5, 2024
7
OBERNDORF, WILLIAM
OBERNDORF ENTERPRISES • OWNER
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$9,900
Jun 5, 2024
8
YAWITZ, ALICE G.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualST. LOUIS, MO
$9,900
Jun 18, 2024
9
GRIGSBY, BOBBI F. MRS.
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualBATON ROUGE, LA
$6,600
Dec 23, 2024
10
GRIGSBY, L. LANE MR.
CAJUN INDUSTRIES LLC • CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
IndividualBATON ROUGE, LA
$6,600
Dec 23, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

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Showing 53 nodes and 75 connections

Total contributions: $75

Top Donors - Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

Showing top 18 donors by contribution amount

3 PACs14 Orgs1 Committee

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 3 helped.

  • +Agribusinessconfidence 0.80

    Section 2(d)(1)(B)(iii) includes consultation with 'appropriate industries (including fisheries, agriculture, and fertilizer)' in carrying out Task Force duties, indicating potential benefits to agribusiness through collaborative research and mitigation strategies.

  • +Crop Producersconfidence 0.75

    Section 2(d)(1)(B)(iii) includes consultation with 'appropriate industries (including fisheries, agriculture, and fertilizer)' which encompasses crop producers, suggesting potential benefits from research and mitigation efforts related to harmful algal blooms affecting agricultural runoff.

  • +Real Estateconfidence 0.70

    Section 3(2)(B)(II) includes 'real estate' among impacted industries in economic impact assessments, suggesting the bill's mitigation efforts could protect property values in affected areas.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK])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

  • from 140 contributions
    • ROSE, LESLEY$785
    • MACMILLIAN, CARGILL A. III$634
    • CARGILL, CANDACE$500
    • SNYDER, BRUCE$482
    • PARKS, KARL$413
  • from 47 contributions
    • STROSS, MATT$1,000
    • VENGROWSKY, LORENA$800
    • GAVIN, APRIL$500
    • RAUSO, JOE$368
    • WEBB, TERRY$332
  • from 2 contributions
    • SHERER, DUSTIN$190

Project 2025 Policy Matches

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

Environmental Protection Agency

Strong
Vector: 62%
Pages: 479-481AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill aligns with Project 2025's EPA-focused environmental protection goals by strengthening federal coordination, scientific assessment, and stakeholder engagement to address water quality issues like harmful algal blooms, which fall under the Clean Water Act framework emphasized in the policy."

Key themes:Clean Water Actwater qualityfederal coordinationscientific assessmentstakeholder engagement

— 447 — Environmental Protection Agency 19. 42 U.S. Code § 7426(b), https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/7426 (accessed January 26, 2023). 20. 42 U.S. Code § 7410(k)(5)–(6), https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/7410 (accessed January 26, 2023). 21. 42 U.S. Code § 7601(a), https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/7601 (accessed January 26, 2023). 22. 42 U.S. Code § 7675, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/7675 (accessed January 26, 2023). 23. 42 U.S. Code § 7411, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/7411 (accessed January 26, 2023). 24. 42 U.S. Code § 7411(d). 25. 42 U.S. Code § 7412, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/7412 (accessed January 26, 2023). 26. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Summary of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq. (1972),” last updated July 6, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act (accessed January 26, 2023). 27. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Summary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. §300f et seq, (1974),” last updated September 12, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-safe-drinking- water-acthttps://www.epa.gov/sdwa (accessed January 26, 2023). 28. Memorandum from David P. Ross, Assistant Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, to Office of Water Program Directors, “Subject: Office of Water Policy for Draft Documents,” August 6, 2019, https:// www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/documents/ow_policy_for_draft_documents_to_ow_program_ directors_signed_002.pdf (accessed January 26, 2023). 29. 33 U.S. Code § 1341, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/33/1341 (accessed January 26, 2023). 30. Rapanos v. United States, 547 U.S. 715 (2006), https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/547/04-1034/ index.pdf (accessed January 25, 2023). 31. 33 U.S. Code § 1318, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/33/1318 (accessed January 26, 2023). 32. 33 U.S. Code § 1342, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/33/1342 (accessed January 26, 2023). 33. 33 U.S. Code § 1344, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/33/1344 (accessed January 26, 2023). 34. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Summary of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §6901 et seq. (1976),” last updated September 12, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary- resource-conservation-and-recovery-act (accessed January 27, 2023). 35. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Summary of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund), 42 U.S.C. §9601 et seq. (1980),” last updated September 12, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-comprehensive-environmental-response- compensation-and-liability-act (accessed January 27, 2023). 36. 42 U.S. Code § 7412(r), https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/7412 (accessed January 27, 2023). 37. 42 U.S. Code § 6924(n), https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/6924 (accessed January 27, 2023). 38. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Summary of the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. (1976),” last updated October 4, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-toxic-substances- control-act (accessed January 27, 2023). 39. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Summary of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. §136 et seq. (1996),” last updated September 12, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/ summary-federal-insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act (accessed January 27, 2023). 40. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Summary of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. §301 et seq. (2002),” last updated September 12, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-federal- food-drug-and-cosmetic-act (accessed January 27, 2023). 41. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act,” last updated March 24, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/frank-r- lautenberg-chemical-safety-21st-century-act (accessed January 27, 2023), and “Highlights of Key Provisions in the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act for the 21st Century,” last updated February 12, 2020, https:// www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/highlights-key-provisions-frank-r-lautenberg- chemical (accessed January 27, 2023). 42. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Summary of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §1531 et seq. (1973),” last updated September 12, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-endangered- species-act (accessed January 27, 2023). 43. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “PRIA Overview and History,” last updated July 19, 2022, https://www. epa.gov/pria-fees/pria-overview-and-history (accessed January 27, 2023). — 448 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 44. Table, “EPA Budget by National Program Manager and Major Office,” in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, United States Environmental Protection Agency Fiscal Year 2023 Justification of Appropriation Estimates for the Committee on Appropriations, p. 1076. 45. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “All Federal Advisory Committees at EPA,” last updated March 10, 2023, https://www.epa.gov/faca/all-federal-advisory-committees-epa (accessed March 20, 2023). 46. For example, EPA has steadfastly refused to follow Clean Air Act requirements that the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee provide, in the words of the U.S. Supreme Court, “unquestionably pertinent” advice on the “relative contribution to air pollution concentrations of natural… activity” as well as “any adverse public health, welfare, social, economic, or energy effects which may result from various strategies for attainment and maintenance” of the NAAQS. Memorandum from E. Scott Pruitt, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, to Assistant Administrators, “Subject: Back-to-Basics Process for Reviewing National Ambient Air Quality Standards,” May 9, 2018, p. 4, https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-05/documents/ image2018-05-09-173219.pdf (accessed January 25, 2023) (cited hereafter as Pruitt Memorandum, May 9, 2018), and Whitman v. American Trucking Associations, 531 U.S. 457, 470 n.2 (2001), https://supreme. justia.com/cases/federal/us/531/457/case.pdF (accessed January 25, 2023). Similarly, EPA has refused to follow legal requirements dating to the late 1970s regarding congressional requests for scientific advice. Pruitt Memorandum, May 9, 2018; U.S. Government Accountability Office, “EPA Science and Advisory Panels: Preliminary Observations on the Processes for Providing Scientific Advice,” testimony of J. Alfredo Gómez, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO, before the Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight, Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate, GAO-15-636T, May 20, 2015, https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-15-636t (accessed January 25, 2023); and U.S. Government Accountability Office, “EPA Science Advisory Board: Policy Statement on Science Quality and Integrity,” GAO-17-526R, June 8, 2017, https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-17-526r.pdf (accessed January 25, 2023). 47. 31 U.S. Code § 3729 et seq., https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/3729 (accessed March 20, 2023). 48. See Pruitt Memorandum, May 9, 2018. 49. H.R. 4383, Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, 92nd Congress, October 6, 1972, https://www. congress.gov/92/statute/STATUTE-86/STATUTE-86-Pg770.pdf (accessed March 20, 2023). 50. 15 U.S. Code Chapter 56A, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-56A (accessed January 27, 2023). 51. Indian Environmental General Assistance Act of 1992, 42 U.S. Code § 4368b, https://www.law.cornell.edu/ uscode/text/42/4368b (accessed January 27, 2023). 52. See U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of General Counsel, EPA Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice, May 2022, https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-05/EJ%20Legal%20 Tools%20May%202022%20FINAL.pdf (accessed January 25, 2023), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of General Counsel, Office of Policy, “Interim Environmental Justice and Civil Rights in Permitting Frequently Asked Questions,” August 2022, https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-08/EJ%20 and%20CR%20in%20PERMITTING%20FAQs%20508%20compliant.pdf (accessed January 25, 2023). 53. 2 U.S. Code §§ 2000d–2000d-7, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/chapter-21/subchapter-V (accessed January 27, 2023). 54. Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina, No. 1:14CV954 (M.D.N.C. Sep. 30, 2019), https://www.leagle.com/decision/infdco20191008j38 (accessed January 27, 2023). 55. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Region 2 Environmental Justice Action Plan, p. 24, https://www. epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-03/documents/region_2_environmental_justice_action_plan.pdf (accessed January 27, 2023). 56. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Summary of the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq. (1969),” last updated September 12, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-national- environmental-policy-act (accessed January 27, 2023). 57. 31 U.S. Code § 1115, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/1115 (accessed January 27, 2023).

Environmental Protection Agency

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

AI Analysis:

"The bill expands HAB research and interagency coordination, while the Project 2025 EPA section seeks to suspend advisory bodies, retract delegations, and reject unauthorized science activities; there is only a tangential connection through general scientific assessment and coordination themes."

Key themes:scientific assessmentinteragency coordinationresearch oversight

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

Environmental Protection Agency

Weak
Vector: 61%
Pages: 458-460AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia research and coordination, which is unrelated to the Project 2025 EPA policy objectives concerning air quality, greenhouse gas reporting, endangerment findings, or HFC regulations under the AIM Act."

Key themes:environmental protectionfederal agency coordination

— 425 — Environmental Protection Agency are statutorily required, and remove any regulatory differences between attainment and maintenance that are not explicitly required by law. l Streamline the process for state and local governments to demonstrate that their federally funded highway projects will not interfere with NAAQS attainment. l Adopt policies to prevent abuse of EPA’s CAA “error correction” authority.20 EPA historically has used this to coerce states into adopting its favored policies on pain of imposition of a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP). l Limit EPA’s reliance on CAA § 30121 general rulemaking authority to ensure that it is not abused to issue regulations for which EPA lacks substantive authority elsewhere in the statute. l If possible, return the standard-setting role to Congress. Climate Change l Remove the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) for any source category that is not currently being regulated. The overall reporting program imposes significant burdens on small businesses and companies that are not being regulated. This is either a pointless burden or a sword-of- Damocles threat of future regulation, neither of which is appropriate. l Establish a system, with an appropriate deadline, to update the 2009 endangerment finding. l Establish a significant emissions rate (SER) for greenhouse gasses (GHGs). Regulating Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act22 l Repeal Biden Administration implementing regulations for the AIM Act that are unnecessarily stringent and costly. l Refrain from granting petitions from opportunistic manufacturers to add new restrictions that further skew the market toward costlier refrigerants and equipment.

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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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