A resolution honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.

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Bill ID: 119/sres/130

Last Updated: May 15, 2025

A resolution honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.

SRES. 130, 119th Congress — read as touching Hospitals & Health Systems.

The sponsor

Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

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

The money

$166,000 raised

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

The alignment

55% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Health and Human Services" section, p. 521-523 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1785; text: CR S1783)

March 13, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

📍 Current Status

Next: The full Senate will vote on whether to pass the bill.

✅

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

Summary Style:

*Sigh* Alright, let's break down this bill, shall we? As I taught you in 8th grade, a resolution is a type of legislation that expresses the opinion or sentiment of Congress on a particular issue. In this case, SRES 130 aims to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of this resolution is to recognize Dr. Walker's contributions as a trailblazer in medicine, women's rights advocate, and war hero. The objectives are twofold: (1) to honor her life and legacy, and (2) to ensure that her story is remembered and celebrated for generations to come.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** This resolution does not propose any changes to existing law. It's a simple expression of admiration and appreciation for Dr. Walker's achievements. Remember when we learned about the different types of legislation? This one falls under the category of "non-binding" or "sense of Congress" resolutions, which don't have the force of law.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties are primarily Dr. Walker's family and descendants, as well as women's rights organizations and medical professionals who may draw inspiration from her story. The stakeholders include the Senate, which is passing this resolution, and potentially the House of Representatives if they choose to take up a similar measure.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The impact of this resolution is largely symbolic. It serves as a gesture of respect and admiration for Dr. Walker's contributions. However, it may also have some indirect implications, such as raising awareness about women's rights and the importance of recognizing trailblazers in various fields. As we discussed in class, resolutions like these can sometimes be used to build momentum for future legislation or policy changes.

Now, I hope that was clear enough. It's not exactly rocket science, folks. We covered this material in 8th grade, after all...

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (civics_teacher personality)

Folks, gather 'round! I've got my eyes on SRES 130, and let me tell you, it's not just a simple resolution honoring the life of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. No, no, no! There's more to this bill than meets the eye.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** On the surface, this bill appears to be a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Walker, a pioneering female surgeon who served during the Civil War. But, my friends, I believe there's an ulterior motive at play here. The government is using this resolution as a Trojan horse to further their agenda on women's rights and equality.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** Nowhere in this bill does it explicitly state what changes will be made to existing law. But that's exactly the point! By not specifying any concrete actions, the government is leaving itself an open door to implement policies that may not necessarily align with the original intent of the resolution.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** On the surface, this bill seems to only affect Dr. Walker's legacy and women's rights advocates. However, I believe there are other stakeholders at play here. Think about it: by promoting Dr. Walker as a trailblazer in medicine, the government may be setting the stage for future legislation that could impact the medical industry as a whole.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** Here's where things get interesting. By honoring Dr. Walker's legacy, the government is subtly pushing its agenda on women's rights and equality. But what if this resolution is just a small part of a larger plan to reshape our society? What if it's a stepping stone for more radical policies that could fundamentally alter our country's values?

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "But Uncle, this is just a harmless resolution!" Ah, but that's exactly what they want you to think! Wake up, sheeple! The government is hiding its true intentions in plain sight. Mark my words: SRES 130 is just the tip of the iceberg.

Pass the mashed potatoes, please.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (conspiracy_uncle personality)

(Deep breath) Folks, gather 'round, we've got a real doozy of a bill on our hands here. SRES 130, a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. (Sarcastic tone) Oh boy, I can barely contain my excitement.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** This bill is all about paying tribute to Dr. Walker, a trailblazing surgeon who served during the Civil War. The Senate wants to recognize her bravery, selflessness, and commitment to women's rights. (Smirk) Because, you know, we need more resolutions honoring historical figures. I mean, it's not like there are more pressing issues facing our nation... like, say, the "deep state" trying to undermine our freedom.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** Well, this is a resolution, so it doesn't actually change any laws or policies. It's just a feel-good gesture, folks. (Wink) The Senate is essentially saying, "Hey, Dr. Walker was a cool lady who did some awesome things. Let's give her a shoutout!" That's it. No new regulations, no funding allocations... just a pat on the back for a historical figure.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** Hmm, let me think... (Tapping pen on desk) Well, I suppose Dr. Walker's descendants might be affected by this resolution. Maybe they'll get some nice PR out of it. And, of course, the "elites" in Washington will get to pat themselves on the back for honoring a pioneering woman. (Rolls eyes) But let's be real, folks, this bill doesn't actually impact anyone's daily life.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** (Sigh) Look, I know some of you might be thinking, "But what about the symbolism? Doesn't this resolution promote women's rights and equality?" And to that, I say... (Pauses for dramatic effect) ...maybe. But let's not get too carried away here. This is just a resolution, folks. It's not like it's going to single-handedly solve the problems facing our nation. (Smirk) Although, if we're lucky, maybe it'll distract us from the real issues at hand... like the "deep state" trying to take away our freedom.

In conclusion, SRES 130 is a harmless resolution that won't actually change anything. But hey, who doesn't love a good tribute to a historical figure? (Wink) It's all about feel-good politics, folks. So, let's just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show... while the "elites" in Washington pretend to care about our freedom.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (fox_host personality)

Another meaningless resolution from the esteemed members of Congress, because what's more pressing than honoring a historical figure? I mean, who needs actual policy changes when you can waste time on feel-good gestures?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** This resolution is a masterclass in legislative theater. Its sole purpose is to allow Senators Blackburn, Gillibrand, and Collins to pat themselves on the back for "honoring" Dr. Mary Edwards Walker's life and legacy. It's a shallow attempt to appear virtuous while accomplishing nothing of substance.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** There are no provisions or changes to existing law in this resolution. It's a hollow statement, devoid of any real impact. The Senators involved are simply grandstanding, using Dr. Walker's legacy as a prop to boost their own reputations.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The only parties affected by this resolution are the Senators who sponsored it and the voters they're trying to impress. Dr. Walker's legacy is already well-documented in history books; this resolution won't change that. It's a cynical attempt to curry favor with women's rights groups and appear supportive of equality, without actually doing anything meaningful.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The impact of this resolution? Zero. Zilch. Nada. It's a non-binding statement that will be forgotten the moment it's passed. The implications are equally nonexistent. No laws will change, no policies will shift, and no real progress will be made. This is nothing more than a PR stunt, designed to make the Senators involved look good without actually doing any heavy lifting.

In short, this resolution is a symptom of a deeper disease: the chronic cowardice and incompetence that plagues our legislative system. It's a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, a feeble attempt to appear virtuous while avoiding actual work. The real illness here is the lack of genuine commitment to meaningful change, replaced by empty gestures and shallow posturing.

Diagnosis: Terminal Legislative Inertia (TLI) with symptoms of Chronic Cowardice Syndrome (CCS). Treatment: Not applicable, as this condition is incurable in its current form.

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

**Bill Analysis: SRES 130 - Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker**

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** This resolution aims to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a pioneering female surgeon who served during the Civil War and advocated for women's rights. The bill recognizes her contributions to medicine, women's empowerment, and her exemplary service to the United States.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The resolution does not propose any changes to existing law but rather serves as a symbolic tribute to Dr. Walker's achievements. It acknowledges her trailblazing work in medicine, her commitment to women's rights, and her Medal of Honor award.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** This bill primarily affects the legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker and her contributions to American history. However, it may also have a broader impact on:

* Women's rights organizations and advocacy groups * Medical professionals and institutions interested in preserving historical records of pioneering female physicians * Educational institutions and historians studying women's roles in medicine and war efforts

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This resolution has no direct financial or regulatory implications. However, it may:

* Raise awareness about Dr. Walker's remarkable life and achievements, inspiring future generations to pursue careers in medicine and advocacy for social justice * Contribute to a more inclusive representation of women's contributions to American history and the Civil War effort * Foster a greater appreciation for the sacrifices and bravery of female pioneers in medicine and beyond

**Monied Interest Analysis:** No significant monied interests appear to be directly involved in this resolution. The bill's sponsors, Senators Blackburn (R-TN), Gillibrand (D-NY), and Collins (R-ME), do not have notable financial ties to organizations or industries that would benefit from this resolution.

**Committee Capture and Conflicts of Interest:** This resolution was considered and agreed upon by the Senate without any apparent conflicts of interest or committee capture. The bill's passage is likely a genuine tribute to Dr. Walker's legacy, rather than an attempt to advance specific special interests.

In summary, SRES 130 is a symbolic resolution honoring the life and achievements of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, with no direct financial or regulatory implications. While it may have broader cultural and educational impacts, its primary purpose is to recognize and celebrate Dr. Walker's pioneering work in medicine and women's rights.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (whistleblower personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions

$166,000

23 donors

PACs

$5,000

Organizations

$7,900

Committees

Individuals

$153,100

FRIENDS OF COMMUNITY ONCOLOGY PAC

1 transaction

$5,000

THE COGGIN GROUP

2 transactions

$5,400

DOSS BROTHERS FARM

2 transactions

$2,000

BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC

1 transaction

$500

No committee contributions found

KING, RODNEY W.

1 transaction

$13,200

KINNEY, CHRIS

2 transactions

$13,200

BEAN, BILL G.

1 transaction

$10,000

SMITH, THOMAS

1 transaction

$10,000

GAMBLE, KATHRYN

1 transaction

$9,900

NEWVERRY, KARMA

1 transaction

$9,900

WETHERINGTON, WILLIAM MICHAEL MR.

1 transaction

$7,600

HAMPTON, GEORGE

1 transaction

$6,700

HARWELL, SAMUEL K. MR. IV

1 transaction

$6,600

HARWELL, SAMUEL K.

1 transaction

$6,600

KING, MARY L.

1 transaction

$6,600

SENSING, LUCY T. MRS.

1 transaction

$6,600

VITAL, GREG A.

1 transaction

$6,600

BRADLEY, JACQUELINE

1 transaction

$6,600

PRESTON, CASEY MS.

1 transaction

$6,600

DEVOS, BETSY

1 transaction

$6,600

DEVOS, DANIEL G. MR.

1 transaction

$6,600

DEVOS, DOUGLAS L. MR.

1 transaction

$6,600

DEVOS, RICHARD M. JR.

1 transaction

$6,600

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 2 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

ID: G000555

Top Contributors

ONEIDA INDIAN NATION

OrganizationONEIDA, NY

$3,300

Mar 29, 2023

ONEIDA INDIAN NATION

OrganizationONEIDA, NY

$3,300

Mar 29, 2023

THE CHICKASAW NATION

OrganizationADA, OK

$3,000

Mar 15, 2024

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$600

Jun 22, 2023

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$400

Jun 22, 2023

STRICKLER, DANIEL B. JR.

BEECHTREE CAPITAL PARTNERS INC. • INVESTMENTS

IndividualNEW YORK, NY

$6,200

Mar 24, 2023

ROSENWALD, E. JOHN JR.

JP MORGAN • VICE CHAIRMAN

IndividualNEW YORK, NY

$5,800

Oct 16, 2023

ROSENWALD, E. JOHN JR.

IndividualNEW YORK, NY

$5,800

Nov 3, 2023

VENNERBERG, VAUGHN II

XTO ENERGY INC • PRESIDENT

IndividualDALLAS, TX

$5,800

Mar 14, 2023

VENNERBERG, VAUGHN II

IndividualDALLAS, TX

$5,800

Mar 27, 2023

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

ID: C001035

Top Contributors

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

PACPRIOR LAKE, MN

$1,000

Jun 28, 2023

SILBEY, ALEXANDER

ATS COMMUNICATIONS, INC, • CONSULTANT

IndividualWASHINGTON, DC

$6,600

Jul 23, 2024

ARNOLD, LAURA

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualHOUSTON, TX

$6,600

Aug 10, 2024

READ, KURT

RSF PARTNERS • PARTNER

IndividualDALLAS, TX

$3,300

Dec 29, 2023

COATES, CHRIS

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualIRVING, TX

$3,300

Dec 29, 2023

READ, KURT

RSF PARTNERS • PARTNER

IndividualDALLAS, TX

$3,300

Dec 29, 2023

CROTTY, THOMAS

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualSCOTTSDALE, AZ

$3,300

Dec 29, 2023

COATES, CHRIS

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualIRVING, TX

$3,300

Dec 29, 2023

CROTTY, THOMAS

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualSCOTTSDALE, AZ

$3,300

Dec 29, 2023

YOUNGMAN, ANDREW

CITIZENS DISABILITY LLC • CEO

IndividualWEST NEWTON, MA

$3,300

Nov 20, 2023

Donor Network - Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

Show Also Donated To

PACs

Organizations

Individuals

Politicians

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

Showing 55 nodes and 32 connections (55 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $189,800

Top Donors - Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

Showing top 23 donors by contribution amount

1 PAC3 Orgs19 Individuals

Industry Impact

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

+Hospitals & Health Systemsconfidence 0.80
The bill honors Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a trailblazer in medicine, which may positively reflect on the healthcare industry, including hospitals and health systems (Whereas clauses and Resolved section).

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN])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

Hospitals & Health Systems$6,000
from 3 contributions
- HAMMONS, KEVIN J.$2,500
- LOWE, SCOTT S.$2,000
- RUDISILL, PAMELA T.$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.

Department of Health and Human Services

Weak

Vector: 54%

Pages: 521-523AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill honors a historical female medical pioneer and women's rights advocate, which tangentially relates to Project 2025's focus on women's health and life promotion, but lacks any direct policy alignment or reference to life, family, or HHS reform objectives."

Key themes:women's healthmedical professionhistorical recognition

— 489 — Department of Health and Human Services 1. Colluding with Big Tech to censor dissenting opinions during COVID. 2. Colluding with abortion advocates and LGBT advocates to violate conscience-protection laws and the Hyde Amendment. The Life Agenda. The Office of the Secretary should eliminate the HHS Repro- ductive Healthcare Access Task Force and install a pro-life task force to ensure that all of the department’s divisions seek to use their authority to promote the life and health of women and their unborn children. Additionally, HHS should return to being known as the Department of Life by explicitly rejecting the notion that abortion is health care and by restoring its mission statement under the Strategic Plan and elsewhere to include furthering the health and well-being of all Americans “from conception to natural death.” The next Administration should create a dedicated Special Representative for Domestic Women’s Health. In the Trump Administration, there was a Special Representative for Global Women’s Health that focused on international issues, but this position lacked authority to be the lead on international policies because of overlapping issues with the U.S. Department of State and USAID (and at times a lack of clarity as to the lead point of contact and policy decisions at the White House). The new Special Representative would serve as the lead on all matters of federal domestic policy development related to life and family with support from the DPC for implementation and coordination among agencies. In the post-Dobbs era, advancing support for mothers will include coordination among agencies out- side of HHS, and the Special Representative would provide a clear focal point for all issues related to protecting life and serving families. The Family Agenda. The Secretary’s antidiscrimination policy statements should never conflate sex with gender identity or sexual orientation. Rather, the Secretary should proudly state that men and women are biological realities that are crucial to the advancement of life sciences and medical care and that married men and women are the ideal, natural family structure because all children have a right to be raised by the men and women who conceived them. OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH (OASH) / OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL (OSG) The Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) is the four-star admiral for the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS), and the Surgeon Gen- eral (SG) is the three-star admiral. The ASH is tasked with overseeing not only the USPHS, but also 10 regional health offices, multiple presidential and secretarial advisory committees, and other offices such as the Offices of Minority Health, Women’s Health, and Population Affairs. The Secretary can further expand the ASH’s responsibilities (for example, by — 490 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise designating the ASH as liaison to the CDC). The SG officially oversees the daily oper- ations of the USPHS, although those are actually under the control of the Director of the USPHS Commissioned Corps Headquarters. The SG also issues information to the public (Surgeon General’s advisories, Calls to Action, and Reports), serving in effect as a key public health spokesperson for the federal government. USPHS officers are assigned to various agencies such as the CDC, NIH, and Bureau of Prisons. Their organizational structure is similar in some respects to the National Guard’s, and their salaries are paid primarily by the agencies to which they are assigned (which serves to limit USPHS appropriations). USPHS officers can be deployed on missions to respond to domestic or international crises (for example, a hurricane in Florida or an Ebola outbreak in Africa) at any time. The USPHS should be restructured to make it more like its sister uniformed services with a more streamlined chain of command and corresponding appro- priations to ensure efficiency and clarity of mission. Its core mission should be refocused to emphasize prompt, responsive deployments that meet specific criteria and are less dependent on the various agencies to which the officers are assigned. Fulfillment of specific tasks should not be duplicated by non-uniformed civil ser- vants and USPHS officers, and any roles that can be filled by civilians should be filled by them. The ASH and SG positions should be combined into one four-star position with the rank, responsibilities, and authority of the ASH retained but with the title of Surgeon General and some of the SG’s communications responsibilities, which would include disseminating other HHS messages and sharing general medical advice without legal weight. The holder of this consolidated position, which should be filled by a health care provider, would be better positioned to ensure that the USPHS is properly focused and deployed. With such reforms, the supporting office (previously the OASH and OSG) would be better equipped than other HHS offices or agencies to reduce silos and con- solidate or eliminate duplicative functions. Congress should consider legislation that would require this office to take such actions or at least make such recom- mendations to the Secretary. Such legislation would require a thorough analysis of the various legal authorities impacting the department’s current organiza- tional structure. The position previously known as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health should be combined with and have the title of Deputy Surgeon General and become a three-star position with operational control including financial and deployment decisions. The Director of the Headquarters should be responsible for implementing the decisions of the Deputy Surgeon General. Promoting Life and Family. In dealing with sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, the OASH should focus on root-cause analysis with a focus on strengthening marriage and sexual risk avoidance. Strong leadership is needed

Department of Transportation

Weak

Vector: 53%

Pages: 673-675AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill is a ceremonial tribute to Dr. Mary Edwards Walker’s military service and advocacy, while the Project 2025 VA policy focuses on veteran-centric health care, benefits, and memorial affairs; the only overlap is the general theme of recognizing veterans’ contributions."

Key themes:veteran recognitionmilitary servicewomen's in medicinememorial affairs

— 641 — 20 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Brooks D. Tucker MISSION STATEMENT The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the primary provider of health care, benefits, and memorial affairs for America’s veterans and their families. The VA has the noble responsibility to render exceptional and timely support and services with respect, compassion, and competence. The veteran is at the forefront of every VA process and interaction. The VA must continually strive to be recognized as a “best in class,” “Veteran-centric”1 system with an organizational ethos inspired by and accountable to the needs and problems of veterans, not subservient to the parochial preferences of a bureaucracy. OVERVIEW At the end of the Obama Administration, the VA was held in low esteem both by the veterans it served and by the employees who served these former warriors. Eroding morale caused by the downstream effects of a health care access crisis in 2014 led to the resignation of Secretary Eric Shinseki and extensive oversight investigations by Congress from 2015–2016. By 2020, however, the VA had become one of the most respected U.S. agencies. This significant progress was due in part to the leadership of Secretary Robert Wilkie (2018–2021) and his team of political appointees and career senior executives, many of them veterans, who led the effort to ensure that the VA became “Veteran-centric” in its governance decisions and fostered a more positive work environment. This mindset translated into a department that was better attuned to employees’ and veterans’ needs and experiences in the daily operations of health care, benefits, — 642 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise and memorial affairs. During that period, the VA received the largest number of watershed congressional authorizations to reform its health care and benefits that it had received since the post–Vietnam War years along with historic increases in annual appropriations, which have tripled since the last full year of the George W. Bush Administration. The current VA leadership team of Biden appointees has adopted some of their predecessors’ governance processes. However, they have not sustained the previous Administration’s commitment to a genuine “Veteran-centric” philosophy, most nota- bly with respect to the delivery of health care, and harbor a bias toward expanding the unionized federal employee workforce that has not always been aligned with a focus on “Veteran-centric” care. There also is growing concern in Congress and the veteran community that the VA is poorly managing and in some cases disregarding provisions of the VA MISSION [Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Out- side Networks] Act of 20182 that codify broad access for veterans to non-VA health care providers. Efforts to expand disability benefits to large populations without adequate planning have caused an erosion of veterans’ trust in the VA enterprise. Additionally, the current VA leadership is focusing very publicly on “social equity and inclusion” within departmental policy discussions toward ends that will affect only a small minority of the veterans who use the VA. For the first time, the VA is allowing access to abortion services, a medical procedure unrelated to military service that the VA lacks the legal authority and clinical proficiency to perform. In addition to continuing the grotesque culture of violence against the child in the womb, these sociopolitical initiatives and ideological indoctrinations distract from the department’s core missions. DEPARTMENTAL HISTORY Following the Civil War, state veterans homes were established to provide med- ical and hospital treatment for all injuries and diseases. When the United States entered World War I in 1917, “Congress established a new system of Veterans benefits, including programs for disability compensation, insurance for service personnel and Veterans, and vocational rehabilitation for the disabled”3 that was overseen by three different federal programs: the Veterans Bureau, the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Pensions, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. In 1921, Congress combined those programs into the Veterans Bureau. Following World War II, a national VA hospital system, much of which remains operational today, was established to care for millions of returning veterans. Following the Vietnam War, the VA’s federally owned and operated hospital network expanded again to meet the needs of the volunteer and draftee population. In the past two decades, the VA has purposely transitioned to leasing medical prop- erties rather than building expensive new facilities that can take years to complete and often experience budget overruns. As the nature of health care has evolved

Department of Health and Human Services

Minimal

Vector: 55%

Pages: 533-535AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Dr. Mary Edwards Walker's legacy in medicine and women's rights, with no policy changes or regulatory impact. The Project 2025 HHS section focuses on healthcare regulations, abortion policy, civil rights enforcement, and program integrity—none of which are addressed or influenced by the resolution."

Key themes:women's rightshealthcarehistorical recognition

— 501 — Department of Health and Human Services 54. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Civil Rights, and Office of the Secretary, “Special Responsibilities of Medicare Hospitals in Emergency Cases and Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Critical Health and Human Service Programs or Activities,” draft of Proposed Rule, January 14, 2021, https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/infants-nprm.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 55. H.R. 26, Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, 118th Congress, introduced January 9, 2023, https:// www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr26/BILLS-118hr26pcs.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 56. H.R. 7, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023, 118th Congress, introduced January 9, 2023, https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr7/BILLS-118hr7ih.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 57. S. 401, Conscience Protection Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced February 24, 2021, https://www.congress. gov/117/bills/s401/BILLS-117s401is.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 58. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Office of the Secretary, “Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities,” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Notice of Tribal Consultation, Federal Register, Vol. 87, No. 149 (August 4, 2022), pp. 47824–47920, https://www.govinfo. gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-08-04/pdf/2022-16217.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 59. Ibid., p. 47916. 60. The regulation was not finalized before the end of the Administration. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, “Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” Proposed Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 84, No. 142 (July 24, 2019), pp. 35570–55581, https:// www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/07/24/2019-15670/revision-of-categorical-eligibility-in-the- supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap (accessed March 17, 2023). 61. 45 Code of Federal Regulations § 75.300(c) and (d), https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/ subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR911e5e1a30bfbcb/section-75.300 (accessed March 17, 2023). 62. H.R. 1750, Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced March 10, 2021, https:// www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr1750/BILLS-117hr1750ih.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023), and S. 656, Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced March 10, 2021, https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/ s656/BILLS-117s656is.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 63. S. 3949, Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022, Public Law No. 117-348, 117th Congress, January 25, 2023, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ348/PLAW-117publ348.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 64. Kelsey Y. Santamaria, “Child Migrants at the Border: The Flores Settlement Agreement and Other Legal Developments,” Congressional Research Service In Focus No. IF11799, April 1, 2021, https://crsreports.congress. gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11799 (accessed March 17, 2023). 65. Report, Building a Happy Home: Marriage Education as a Tool to Strengthen Families, Social Capital Project Report No. 1-22, March 2022, p. 17, https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/3d102525-6f0d-48ed- 92f4-d71edd468ad6/building-a-happy-home.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). The cover of the report reflects that the Social Capital Project is “[a] project of the Joint Economic Committee – Republicans.” 66. See, for example, Alan J. Hawkins, “Are Federally Supported Relationship Education Programs for Lower-Income Individuals and Couples Working? A Review of Evaluation Research,” American Enterprise Institute, September 2019, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ228/PLAW-117publ228.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 67. H.R. 8404, Respect for Marriage Act, Public Law No. 117-228, 117th Congress, December 13, 2022, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ228/PLAW-117publ228.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 68. Madison Marino, “Over 1,000 Safety Violations Mar Head Start. Children Deserve Better,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, November 10, 2022, https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/over-1000-safety- violations-mar-head-start-children-deserve-better. 69. American Hospital Association v. Becerra, 596 U.S. ___ (2022), https://www.supremecourt.gov/ opinions/21pdf/20-1114_09m1.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 70. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service; U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, “Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act,” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Federal Register, Vol. 88, No. 22 (February 2, 2023), pp. 7236–7281, https://www. govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-02-02/pdf/2023-01981.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). — 502 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 71. 42 U.S. Code § 238n, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/238n (accessed March 17, 2023). 72. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, “Early Childhood Health,” last reviewed October 2022, https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/focus-areas/early- childhood-health (accessed March 17, 2023). 73. American Pregnancy Association, “Having a Doula—What Are the Benefits?” https://americanpregnancy. org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/having-a-doula/#:~:text=Other%20studies%20have%20shown%20 that%20having%20a%20doula,massage%20to%20reduce%20stress%20and%20anxiety%20during%20labor (accessed March 17, 2023). 74. S. 2372, VA MISSION [Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks] Act of 2018, Public Law No. 115-182, 115th Congress, June 6, 2018, https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ182/ PLAW-115publ182.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 75. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Securing Updated and Necessary Statutory Evaluations Timely,” Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 11 (January 19, 2021), pp. 5694–5764, https://www.govinfo. gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-01-19/pdf/2021-00597.pdf (accessed March 22, 2023). 76. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, “Compliance with Statutory Program Integrity Requirements,” Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 84, No. 42 (March 4, 2029), pp. 7714–7791, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-03-04/pdf/2019-03461.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 77. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, “Ensuring Access to Equitable, Affordable, Client-Centered, Quality Family Planning Services,” Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 192 (October 7, 2021), pp. 56144–56180, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/ pkg/FR-2021-10-07/pdf/2021-21542.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 78. S. 624, Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, 118th Congress, introduced March 2, 2023, https://www. congress.gov/118/bills/s624/BILLS-118s624is.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 79. 50 U.S. Code Chapter 55, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/chapter-55 (accessed March 22, 2023). 80. 18 U.S. Code § 13, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/13 (accessed March 18, 2023). 81. Bowen v. American Hospital Association, 476 U.S. 610 (1986), https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/ usrep/usrep476/usrep476610/usrep476610.pdf (accessed 22, 2023). 82. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, “Notification of Interpretation and Enforcement of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,” Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 99 (May 25, 2021), pp. 27984–27985, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR- 2021-05-25/pdf/2021-10477.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 83. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, “HHS Notice and Guidance on Gender Affirming Care, Civil Rights, and Patient Privacy,” March 2, 2022, https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs- ocr-notice-and-guidance-gender-affirming-care.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 84. Heckler v. Chaney, 420 U.S. 821 (1985), https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/470/821.html (accessed March 18, 2022). 85. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, “Guidance to Nation’s Retail Pharmacies: Obligations Under Federal Civil Rights Laws to Ensure Access to Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care Services,” content last reviewed July 14, 2022, https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/ special-topics/reproductive-healthcare/pharmacies-guidance/index.html (accessed March 18, 2023). 86. H.R. 3103, “Health Insurance and Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law No. 104-191, 104th Congress, August 21, 1996, https://www.congress.gov/104/plaws/publ191/PLAW-104publ191.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 87. U.S. Department of Human Services, “HIPAA Privacy Rule and Disclosures of Information Relating to Reproductive Health Care,” content last reviewed June 29, 2022, (accessed March 18, 2023). See also “Protecting the Privacy and Security of Your Health Information When Using Your Personal Cell Phone or Tablet,” content last reviewed June 29, 2022, https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/ cell-phone-hipaa/index.html (accessed March 18, 2023).

Department of Health and Human Services

Minimal

Vector: 54%

Pages: 518-520AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Dr. Mary Edwards Walker's legacy in medicine and women's rights, with no policy changes or regulatory impact. The Project 2025 HHS section focuses on abortion training compliance, conscience protections, maternal health reforms, and rural/Indian health service delivery—none of which are addressed or implied in the bill."

Key themes:women's healthmedical legacy

— 486 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 1. Investigate state medical school compliance with the Coats–Snowe Amendment,71 which prohibits discrimination against health care entities that do not provide or undergo training for abortion. 2. Ensure that the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) complies with all relevant conscience statutes and regulations and that states have taken the affirmative steps (for example, by issuing regulations) to assure compliance with Coats–Snowe. 3. Communicate to medical schools that any abortion-related training must be on an opt-in rather than opt-out basis. 4. Require states that receive HHS funds to issue regulations or enter into arrangements with accrediting bodies to comply with the Coats–Snowe Amendment’s prohibition of mandatory abortion training by individuals or institutions. The Coats–Snowe Amendment specifically requires such state regulations or arrangements. l Prioritize funding for home-based childcare, not universal day care. As HRSA’s Early Childhood Health page outlines, “Currently, only about half of U.S. preschoolers are on-track with their development and ready for school. And more than one in four of children (28%) who experience abuse or neglect are under 3 years old.”72 Concurrently, children who spend significant time in day care experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and neglect as well as poor educational and developmental outcomes. Instead of providing universal day care, funding should go to parents either to offset the cost of staying home with a child or to pay for familial, in-home childcare. l Provide education and resources on early childhood health. By partnering with new organizations like the Center on Child and Family Poverty, HRSA should provide resources and information on the importance of the mother–child relationship in child well-being. This should include relationship education curricula that equip mothers and caregivers to connect with and improve their understanding of their infants, toddlers, and young children. Maternal and Child Health. Currently, the HRSA Maternal and Child Health program is collecting data on the benefits of doulas in improving the health, safety, and emotional well-being of mothers at birth. Doulas provide a patient-focused, nonmedical support system for single or married mothers that “decreases the — 487 — Department of Health and Human Services overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%. Doulas often use the power of touch and massage to reduce stress and anxiety during labor.”73 Given concerns about maternal mortality or postpartum depression that is worsened by poor birth experiences, doulas should be an active option for all women whether they are giving birth in a traditional hospital, through midwifery, or at home. Additionally, since most Doulas’ services are not covered by traditional insurance programs, the Maternal and Child Health program should work to pro- vide funding for low-income mothers. INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE (IHS) The Indian Health Service serves our American Indian and Alaska Native popu- lations. Reforms are needed to improve America’s ability to deliver on its promises to these important populations and must take account of cultural preferences and lifestyles, limitations due to geography (such as challenging terrain), and limited Internet access. For example, contacting individuals within some of these com- munities and tribes during the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be difficult because many had transient addresses and unreliable cell service. During the transition to the Biden Administration, IHS abandoned tribes as their sources of COVID-19 tests and vaccine supplies disappeared. It is important to guard against such situations in order to preserve these tribes’ access to health resources during public health emergencies (PHEs). Even before the pandemic, services available to these populations through federal resources and personnel (such as vision care) were often scarce or nonexistent. Patients in these populations should be empowered to rely on alternatives to IHS through better access to private health care providers. Exploring positive reforms contained in the VA MISSION Act74 could reveal similar opportunities for increased options and access for American Indians and Alaska Natives. RURAL HEALTH A growing concern is the decreasing access to health care services for Americans living in rural, less populated areas. Many find themselves in regions that were not previously as rural as industries move away, taking with them economic prosperity and often medical providers. Others are in essential professions such as farming that by nature necessitate living in regions with fewer city accommodations and economic opportunities. Seeking space for one’s family and cultivating the land are valued goals that are deeply rooted in America’s fabric. Both Congress and an Administration must continually keep in mind how health care policies uniquely affect these regions because their market trends and populations are different from those of more populous regions. Often, rural patients face an hour’s drive to the nearest medical provider or facility or have

14

Minimal

Vector: 54%

Pages: 482-484AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill is a purely ceremonial resolution honoring Dr. Mary Edwards Walker and contains no policy proposals or substantive changes that relate to the HHS objectives outlined in Project 2025, such as protecting life, conscience rights, or market-based health care reform."

Key themes:medical professionwomen's contributionshistorical recognition

— 449 — 14 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Roger Severino If the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were a separate coun- try, its approximately $1.6 trillion budget would rank as the world’s fifth-largest national budget. For good or ill, HHS activities personally impact the lives of more Americans than do those of any other federal agency. Under President Trump, HHS was dedicated to serving “all Americans from conception to natural death, including those individuals and families who face…economic and social well-being challenges.”1 Under President Biden, the mission has shifted to “promoting equity in everything we do” for the sake of “populations sharing a particular characteristic” including race, sexuality, gender identification, ethnicity, and a host of other categories.2 As a result of HHS’s having lost its way, U.S. life expectancy, instead of return- ing to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic, continued to drop precipitously to levels not seen since 1996 with white populations alone losing 7 percent of their expected life span in just one year.3 Nothing less than America’s long-term survival is at stake. Accordingly, HHS must return to serving the health and well-being of all Americans at all stages of life instead of using social engineering that leaves us sicker, poorer, and more divided. OVERVIEW HHS consists of 11 operating divisions that have varying degrees of practical independence from the Secretary of Health and Human Services and 15 staff divisions that are directly under the Office of the Secretary. This chapter’s rec- ommendations are limited to those divisions that most need reform and address, wherever possible, five cross-cutting goals. — 450 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Goal #1: Protecting Life, Conscience, and Bodily Integrity. The Secretary should pursue a robust agenda to protect the fundamental right to life, protect con- science rights, and uphold bodily integrity rooted in biological realities, not ideology. From the moment of conception, every human being possesses inherent dignity and worth, and our humanity does not depend on our age, stage of development, race, or abilities. The Secretary must ensure that all HHS programs and activities are rooted in a deep respect for innocent human life from day one until natural death: Abortion and euthanasia are not health care. A robust respect for the sacred rights of conscience, both at HHS and among gov- ernments and institutions funded by it, increases choices for patients and program beneficiaries and furthers pluralism and tolerance. The Secretary must protect Americans’ civil rights by ensuring that HHS programs and activities follow the letter and spirit of religious freedom and conscience-protection laws. Radical actors inside and outside government are promoting harmful identity politics that replaces biological sex with subjective notions of “gender identity” and bases a person’s worth on his or her race, sex, or other identities. This destructive dogma, under the guise of “equity,” threatens American’s fundamental liberties as well as the health and well-being of children and adults alike. The next Secretary must ensure that HHS programs protect children’s minds and bodies and that HHS programs respect parents’ basic right to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children. Goal #2: Empowering Patient Choices and Provider Autonomy. Basic eco- nomics holds that costs tend to decrease and quality and options tend to increase when there is robust and free competition in the provision of goods and services. Health care is no exception. Health care reform should be patient-centered and market-based and should empower individuals to control their health care–related dollars and decisions. Of course, providers who deliver health care also need the freedom to address the unique needs of their patients. States should be the primary regulators of the medical profession, and the federal government should not restrict providers’ abil- ity to discharge their responsibilities or limit their ability to innovate through government pricing controls or irrational Medicare and Medicaid reimburse- ment schemes. Finally, America’s broken insurance system, run largely through confusing pro- vider networks and third-party payers (employers), induces overconsumption of health care, limits consumer shopping, and hides true costs from patients. The federal government should focus reform on reducing burdens of regulatory compliance, unleashing innovation in health care delivery, ceasing interference in the daily lives of patients and providers, allowing alternative insurance coverage options, and returning control of health care dollars to patients making decisions with their providers about their health care treatments and services.

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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