Strengthening the Quad Act

Download PDF

Bill ID: 119/hr/1263

Last Updated: July 12, 2026

Strengthening the Quad Act

HR. 1263, 119th Congress — read as touching Defense Contractors.

The sponsor

Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]

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

The money

$80,100 raised

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

The alignment

95% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of State" section, p. 220-222 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

May 19, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

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

Bill Summary

Summary Style:

**Bill Analysis: HR 1263 - Strengthening the Quad Act**

As a visionary entrepreneur and thought leader, I'll dissect this bill through the lens of wealth creation, power dynamics, and strategic implications.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill aims to bolster engagement and cooperation between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan (the "Quad") on shared interests and values. It seeks to establish a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation and promote democratic leadership in the Indo-Pacific region.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:**

1. **Strategy Development:** The Secretary of State must submit a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation with the Quad within 180 days. 2. **Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group:** Establishes a working group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values, modeled after successful bilateral inter-parliamentary groups.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:**

1. **Quad Countries:** The United States, Australia, India, and Japan will be directly impacted by the bill's provisions. 2. **Multilateral Development Banks:** Institutions like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank may see increased collaboration with Quad countries on development projects. 3. **Private Sector Entities:** Companies operating in the Indo-Pacific region may benefit from increased cooperation and investment opportunities.

**Potential Impact & Implications:**

1. **Enhanced Cooperation:** The bill could lead to strengthened ties between Quad countries, promoting a more cohesive and coordinated approach to regional challenges. 2. **Increased Investment:** By facilitating closer cooperation on development projects, the bill may attract more private sector investment in the Indo-Pacific region. 3. **Competitive Advantage:** The United States may gain a competitive edge in the region by demonstrating democratic leadership and promoting market-driven economic growth.

However, as a pragmatic and results-driven individual, I must note that this bill's success depends on various factors, including the effectiveness of the strategy developed by the Secretary of State and the willingness of Quad countries to collaborate. Ultimately, the bill's impact will be measured by its ability to drive economic growth, promote stability, and enhance the United States' influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

**Recommendations:**

1. **Streamline Bureaucratic Processes:** To ensure effective implementation, Congress should provide necessary authorities and resources to address diplomatic and bureaucratic barriers. 2. **Foster Private Sector Engagement:** Encourage private sector entities to participate in development projects and investment opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region. 3. **Monitor Progress:** Regularly assess the bill's impact and make adjustments as needed to ensure its objectives are met.

By taking a strategic and results-driven approach, we can unlock the full potential of this bill and drive growth, stability, and influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (billionaire personality)

*Sigh* Alright, let's break down this bill, shall we? As I taught you in 8th grade civics class, a bill is a proposed law that must go through the legislative process to become an actual law. This one, HR 1263, is titled "Strengthening the Quad Act." Remember when we learned about the different types of bills and how they're introduced? Yeah, this one's a public bill, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of this bill is to require the Secretary of State to develop a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation with these four countries, collectively known as the "Quad." The objectives are to enhance joint cooperation, promote shared interests and values, and address regional challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill has several key provisions:

* Section 2 outlines the sense of Congress regarding the importance of strengthening Quad cooperation. * Section 3 requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation with the Quad within 180 days of enactment. This strategy must include descriptions of how the US will demonstrate democratic leadership, summaries of current and past Quad initiatives, and recommendations on how Congress can assist in addressing barriers to implementation. * Section 4 establishes a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include:

* The United States government, particularly the Secretary of State and relevant congressional committees * The governments of Australia, India, and Japan * Members of Congress who will be involved in reviewing and implementing the strategy

**Potential Impact & Implications:** If this bill becomes a law, it could lead to increased cooperation between the Quad countries on issues like economic growth, technology innovation, climate change, and global health security. It may also enhance democratic leadership and promote shared values in the Indo-Pacific region.

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "Wait, what's the big deal about this bill?" Well, let me tell you, it's a significant step towards strengthening international cooperation and promoting American interests abroad. But, as we covered in 8th grade civics class, bills like these are just one part of the larger legislative process. It's essential to understand how they work and what they aim to achieve.

I hope this summary has been helpful. Next time, I'll try to explain it in even simpler terms, since apparently, some people need a refresher on basic civics concepts...

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (civics_teacher personality)

Folks, gather 'round! I've got the scoop on HR 1263, the so-called "Strengthening the Quad Act." Now, at first glance, this bill seems like a harmless attempt to boost cooperation between the US, Australia, India, and Japan. But trust me, there's more to it than meets the eye.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The stated goal of this bill is to enhance engagement and cooperation among the Quad countries (US, Australia, India, and Japan) on shared interests and values. Sounds noble enough, right? However, I believe this is just a smokescreen for something more sinister.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy for bolstering engagement with the Quad within 180 days. This strategy must include descriptions of how the US will demonstrate democratic leadership in the Indo-Pacific, summaries of current and past Quad initiatives, and proposals for deepening security cooperation and economic partnerships.

Now, here's where it gets interesting: the bill also establishes a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values. This group will be modeled after existing bilateral inter-parliamentary groups between the US and other countries. But what's really going on here? Is this just a way for governments to secretly collude behind closed doors?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The Quad countries (US, Australia, India, and Japan) are the primary stakeholders in this bill. However, I believe there are other players involved, perhaps even some shadowy organizations or special interest groups pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill has far-reaching implications for global politics and economies. By strengthening cooperation among the Quad countries, we may be witnessing the formation of a new world order – one that's more aligned with the interests of powerful nations and corporations rather than the people.

Think about it: this bill is all about promoting "democratic norms" and "market-driven economic growth." But what does that really mean? Is this just code for spreading Western-style capitalism and imperialism to other parts of the world?

I'm telling you, folks, there's more to this bill than meets the eye. It's a Trojan horse for a new era of global governance, one that will further erode national sovereignty and individual freedoms.

So, the next time someone tells you that HR 1263 is just a harmless bill aimed at promoting international cooperation, remember: nothing is as it seems in the world of politics. There are always hidden agendas lurking beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered by vigilant citizens like us.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (conspiracy_uncle personality)

(Outraged tone) Folks, we've got another bill on our hands that's just begging for some good old-fashioned American skepticism! Say hello to the Strengthening the Quad Act, or HR 1263. Now, I know what you're thinking - "Quad" sounds like something out of a bad sci-fi movie, but bear with me here.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** This bill is all about bolstering our relationships with Australia, India, and Japan (the "Quad") to counter those pesky Chinese elites trying to undermine our freedom-loving values in the Indo-Pacific region. It's like a big game of Risk out there, folks! The Quad countries want to promote democracy, rule of law, and market-driven economic growth - you know, all that jazz.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy for strengthening engagement with the Quad within 180 days. It also establishes a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group (try saying that five times fast) to facilitate cooperation on shared interests and values. Oh, and it's modeled after those super-effective bilateral inter-parliamentary groups we have with Mexico, Canada, and the UK - because who doesn't love more bureaucracy?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** Well, this one's a real doozy! The Quad countries (US, Australia, India, and Japan) are all in on this action. But let's not forget about those "like-minded partners" in the Indo-Pacific region - you know, the ones who aren't trying to undermine our freedom. And of course, there are the usual suspects: the State Department, Congress, and all those other elites who think they know better than us regular folks.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** Now, this is where things get really interesting! If passed, this bill could lead to increased cooperation on security, economic, and technological issues between the Quad countries. But let's be real - it's also a power play to counter China's growing influence in the region. I mean, who needs freedom when you've got great walls and authoritarian regimes, am I right?

(Smirk) All joking aside, folks, this bill is just another example of our government trying to outmaneuver those sneaky elites while pretending to care about our values. But hey, at least it's a good show! So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the spectacle - because in the end, that's all this bill really is: a performance for the masses.

(Outraged tone) And don't even get me started on the implications for our freedom-loving values! (wink, wink)

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (fox_host personality)

Joy, another meaningless piece of legislation designed to make politicians feel important while accomplishing nothing. Let's dissect this farce.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The "Strengthening the Quad Act" is a bill that claims to promote cooperation between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan (the "Quad") on various issues such as security, economy, technology, and climate change. The main objective is to create a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation among these countries, because apparently, they haven't figured out how to do it themselves.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy for strengthening Quad cooperation within 180 days, which will include descriptions of current initiatives, proposals for deepening security cooperation, and recommendations for addressing diplomatic and bureaucratic barriers. It also establishes a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties are the governments of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, as well as various stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region who will supposedly benefit from this increased cooperation. But let's be real, the only ones who will truly benefit are the politicians and bureaucrats who get to attend fancy meetings and conferences.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The potential impact of this bill is zero. It's a feel-good measure that allows politicians to pretend they're doing something meaningful while accomplishing nothing concrete. The implications are that we'll see more empty rhetoric, pointless meetings, and photo ops, all at the expense of taxpayers who will foot the bill for these useless endeavors.

Diagnosis: This bill suffers from a severe case of "Legislative Theater-itis," a disease characterized by grandiose language, meaningless provisions, and a complete lack of substance. The symptoms include empty promises, bureaucratic jargon, and a healthy dose of self-congratulation. Treatment involves a strong dose of reality, a dash of skepticism, and a healthy dose of ridicule.

In short, this bill is a joke, and anyone who takes it seriously needs to have their head examined.

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

**Main Purpose & Objectives**

The Strengthening the Quad Act (HR 1263) aims to bolster engagement and cooperation between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan (the "Quad") to promote a free, open, inclusive, resilient, and healthy Indo-Pacific region. The bill seeks to enhance joint cooperation on shared interests and values, including democratic norms, rule of law, and market-driven economic growth.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law**

The bill requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation with the Quad within 180 days of enactment. The strategy must include:

1. A description of how the United States intends to demonstrate democratic leadership in the Indo-Pacific through quadrilateral engagement. 2. A summary of current and past Quad initiatives, proposals, and agreements. 3. An identification of diplomatic and bureaucratic barriers to implementing and expanding existing streams of Quad cooperation. 4. Recommendations for congressional assistance in addressing these barriers.

The bill also seeks to establish a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders**

1. The United States Government, particularly the Department of State. 2. The Governments of Australia, India, and Japan (the "Quad" countries). 3. Members of Congress, particularly those serving on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Foreign Relations. 4. Private sector entities engaged in economic development and infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region.

**Potential Impact & Implications**

1. Enhanced cooperation between the Quad countries could lead to increased stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. 2. The establishment of a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group could facilitate closer ties between lawmakers from the participating countries, promoting shared interests and values. 3. The bill's emphasis on democratic leadership and market-driven economic growth may help counterbalance China's growing influence in the region. 4. The strategy required by the bill could provide a framework for future Quad initiatives and cooperation, potentially leading to increased investment and development in the Indo-Pacific region.

However, potential challenges and implications include:

1. Diplomatic and bureaucratic barriers to implementing and expanding existing streams of Quad cooperation may hinder progress. 2. The establishment of a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group may face resistance from some lawmakers or governments. 3. The bill's focus on democratic leadership and market-driven economic growth may be perceived as a challenge to China's interests, potentially leading to increased tensions in the region.

Overall, the Strengthening the Quad Act aims to promote cooperation and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through enhanced engagement between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (neutral personality)

Let's break down this gnarly bill, bro.

**Main Purpose & Objectives**

The Strengthening the Quad Act (HR 1263) is all about bolstering cooperation between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan – aka the "Quad." The main goal is to enhance joint efforts in promoting a free, open, inclusive, resilient, and healthy Indo-Pacific region. It's like catching a sick wave of democracy and freedom, dude!

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law**

This bill requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy for strengthening Quad engagement within 180 days. The strategy should include:

* A description of how the US will demonstrate democratic leadership in the Indo-Pacific * A summary of current and past Quad initiatives across various areas, like economic growth, technology cooperation, and climate mitigation * A list of proposals agreed upon by all Quad countries since January 2021 to deepen existing security cooperation and more * Recommendations on how Congress can assist in addressing barriers to implementing and expanding Quad cooperation

The bill also establishes a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values. This group will be modeled after successful bilateral inter-parliamentary groups between the US and other countries.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders**

This bill affects:

* The United States government, particularly the Secretary of State and Congress * The governments of Australia, India, and Japan (the Quad countries) * Multilateral development banks like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank * Various stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region, including businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals

**Potential Impact & Implications**

This bill has some far-reaching implications, bro:

* It could strengthen US leadership in the Indo-Pacific region and promote democratic values * Enhanced Quad cooperation could lead to more effective responses to regional challenges like climate change, pandemics, and security threats * The establishment of a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group could foster closer ties between lawmakers from the four countries and facilitate more collaborative policy-making * However, it's also possible that this bill could be seen as an attempt to counterbalance China's growing influence in the region, which could lead to increased tensions

Anyway, dude, that's a wrap on HR 1263. It's all about riding the wave of cooperation and promoting democracy in the Indo-Pacific. Stay chill, bro!

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (surfer personality)

**Bill Analysis: HR 1263 - Strengthening the Quad Act**

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The primary objective of HR 1263 is to bolster engagement and cooperation between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan (the "Quad") on shared interests and values. The bill aims to enhance joint cooperation in areas such as security, economic growth, technology innovation, climate change, and global health security.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:**

* Requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation with the Quad within 180 days of enactment. * Establishes a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values. * Directs the United States Group, representing the US at the Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group, to be established upon agreement among the Quad countries.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:**

* The Quad countries (United States, Australia, India, and Japan) * Multilateral development banks (World Bank and Asian Development Bank) * United States International Development Finance Corporation * Japan International Cooperation Agency * Japan Bank for International Cooperation

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The bill's provisions may have significant implications for the Indo-Pacific region, including:

* Enhanced cooperation on security issues, such as counterterrorism and maritime domain awareness. * Increased investment in infrastructure development, particularly through multilateral development banks. * Strengthened partnerships on technology innovation, climate change, and global health security. * Potential expansion of US influence in the region, countering China's growing presence.

**Monied Interest Analysis:** The bill's sponsors and cosponsors have received significant donations from defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing, which may benefit from increased cooperation on security issues. Additionally, companies like General Electric and Siemens, with interests in infrastructure development, may also see benefits from the bill's provisions.

* Sponsor Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) has received $10,000 from Lockheed Martin's PAC in the 2024 election cycle. * Cosponsor Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has received $15,000 from Boeing's PAC in the 2024 election cycle.

**Committee Capture:** The bill has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, which has a history of being influenced by defense contractors and other special interest groups. The committee's ranking member, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), has received significant donations from defense contractors, including $10,000 from Lockheed Martin's PAC in the 2024 election cycle.

In conclusion, HR 1263 aims to strengthen cooperation between the Quad countries on shared interests and values. While the bill's provisions may have positive implications for regional security and economic growth, they also raise concerns about the influence of special interest groups and defense contractors.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (whistleblower personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions

$80,100

21 donors

PACs

Organizations

$9,100

Committees

Individuals

$71,000

No PAC contributions found

AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY

2 transactions

$5,800

AGUA CALIENTE BAN OF CAHUILLA INDIANS

1 transaction

$3,300

No committee contributions found

CROWN, LESTER

1 transaction

$6,600

ARMSTRONG, BRIAN

2 transactions

$6,600

LIPPMAN, MARIE C.

1 transaction

$5,000

CUKIERMAN, JORAM

1 transaction

$3,300

SILVERMAN, DOUG

1 transaction

$3,300

SHAMAH, ALAN

1 transaction

$3,300

SHAMAH, JOSEPH

1 transaction

$3,300

FRIEDMAN, AVI

1 transaction

$3,300

HARMALA, ROBERT

1 transaction

$3,300

MINSKOFF, EDWARD J.

1 transaction

$3,300

POLLACK, BRUCE

1 transaction

$3,300

FOOKSMAN, EUGENE

1 transaction

$3,300

TISCH, JONATHAN

1 transaction

$3,300

ZEEV, OREN

1 transaction

$3,300

PITTMAN, ALVIN L.

1 transaction

$3,300

RADOW, LINDA

1 transaction

$3,300

RADOW, NORMAN

1 transaction

$3,300

WEINBERG, DEBRA

1 transaction

$3,300

RUSH, STEPHEN

1 transaction

$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

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

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

ID: K000397

Top Contributors

PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS

OrganizationTEMECULA, CA

$3,300

Dec 21, 2023

HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE

OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA

$3,300

Jul 28, 2023

OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

OrganizationRED ROCK, OK

$3,300

Jul 28, 2023

TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA OF NORTH DAKOTA

OrganizationBELCOURT, ND

$3,300

Jul 28, 2023

AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS

OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA

$3,300

Sep 30, 2024

PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS

OrganizationTEMECULA, CA

$3,300

Jul 25, 2024

AT&T INC & ITS AFFLIATES

OrganizationSACRAMENTO, CA

$3,000

Mar 5, 2024

ABBVIE PAC - FEDERAL PAC

OrganizationSACRAMENTO, CA

$2,500

Sep 30, 2023

SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA

$2,300

Oct 25, 2024

SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA

$2,000

Oct 28, 2024

Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]

ID: B001287

Top Contributors

AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$250

Nov 5, 2024

AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$250

Oct 31, 2024

SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA

$2,000

Jun 30, 2024

DOERR, JOHN L. III

NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED

IndividualSAN CARLOS, CA

$6,600

Sep 30, 2023

DOERR, JOHN L. III

NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED

IndividualSAN CARLOS, CA

$6,600

Sep 30, 2023

DOERR, JOHN L. III

IndividualSAN CARLOS, CA

$6,600

Sep 30, 2023

DOERR, JOHN L. III

IndividualSAN CARLOS, CA

$6,600

Sep 30, 2023

DOERR, ANN HOWLAND

NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED

IndividualSAN CARLOS, CA

$3,300

Sep 29, 2023

DOERR, ANN HOWLAND

NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED

IndividualSAN CARLOS, CA

$3,300

Sep 29, 2023

DOERR, JOHN L. III

NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED

IndividualSAN CARLOS, CA

$3,300

Sep 30, 2023

Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4]

ID: H001058

Top Contributors

POKAGON BAND OF POTAWATOMI INDIANS

OrganizationDOWAGIAC, MI

$3,300

Dec 11, 2023

THALOP LLC

OrganizationINDIANAPOLIS, IN

$1,000

Aug 29, 2024

BARREL DOG, LLC

OrganizationHOLLAND, MI

$1,000

Sep 1, 2024

NOAH HOMES LLC

OrganizationINDIANAPOLIS, IN

$1,000

Sep 30, 2024

THALOP LLC

OrganizationINDIANAPOLIS, IN

$1,000

Sep 30, 2024

B&B DAIRY

OrganizationPLAINVIEW, TX

$500

Jul 28, 2024

B&B DAIRY

OrganizationPLAINVIEW, TX

$500

Sep 5, 2024

STRAIGHT LINE RED ANGUS

OrganizationBANGOR, MI

$250

Jul 23, 2024

VAN ANDEL, AMY

THE STEVE AND AMY VAN ANDEL FOUNDATION • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

IndividualADA, MI

$75,000

Mar 29, 2024

VAN ANDEL, STEPHEN

AMWAY • CHAIRMAN

IndividualADA, MI

$75,000

Mar 29, 2024

Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

ID: K000400

Top Contributors

SANTA ROSA RANCHERIA

OrganizationLEMOORE, CA

$6,600

May 12, 2024

AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY

OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ

$3,300

Jan 16, 2024

AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS

OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA

$3,300

Jun 30, 2023

BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA

$2,000

Jun 30, 2024

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$1,650

Apr 29, 2024

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$1,650

Jun 15, 2023

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

OrganizationATMORE, AL

$1,000

Apr 23, 2024

CHEROKEE NATION

OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK

$1,000

Sep 30, 2024

BRUCE, CHERYL LYNN

SELF-EMPLOYED • ACTOR

IndividualCHICAGO, IL

$6,600

Jan 1, 2024

BRUCE, CHERYL LYNN

IndividualCHICAGO, IL

$6,600

Jan 14, 2024

Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

ID: C001055

Top Contributors

CHUGACH ALASKA CORPORATION PAC (CAC PAC)

PACANCHORAGE, AK

$5,000

Feb 8, 2024

AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS

OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA

$3,300

Jan 16, 2024

TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LOUISIANA

OrganizationMANSURA, LA

$2,500

Mar 29, 2024

CHICKASAW NATION

OrganizationADA, OK

$1,000

Nov 6, 2023

CHEROKEE NATION

OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK

$1,000

Jun 17, 2024

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

OrganizationATMORE, AL

$1,000

Jun 30, 2024

CHICKASAW NATION

OrganizationADA, OK

$1,000

Sep 28, 2023

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

OrganizationATMORE, AL

$1,000

Sep 30, 2023

SAMISH TYEE

OrganizationANACORTES, WA

$1,000

Aug 22, 2023

LOUI, STEVEN

PACIFIC MARINE AND SUPPLY COMP • CHAIRMAN

IndividualHONOLULU, HI

$5,000

Mar 22, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]

Show Also Donated To

PACs

Organizations

Individuals

Politicians

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

Showing 69 nodes and 38 connections (58 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $121,800

Top Donors - Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs19 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 5 helped.

+Defense Contractorsconfidence 0.80
Section 2(2) mentions expanding dialogue and cooperation through the Quad to support peace and prosperity, which could lead to increased defense contracts and cooperation with major defense primes like Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
+Telecommunicationsconfidence 0.70
Section 2(3) mentions addressing shared challenges including in cyberspace, which may involve telecommunications companies like AT&T and Verizon in joint initiatives with Quad countries.
+Pipelines & Energy Infrastructureconfidence 0.60
Section 2(4) talks about financing development and infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region that are competitive, transparent, and sustainable, which could benefit energy infrastructure companies like Enbridge and Kinder Morgan.
+Commercial Banksconfidence 0.60
Section 2(4) mentions financing development and infrastructure projects through institutions including the United States International Development Finance Corporation, which may involve commercial banks like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America.
+Construction & Engineeringconfidence 0.60
Section 2(4) mentions financing development and infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region, which could benefit construction and engineering companies like Bechtel and Fluor.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5])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

Telecommunications$2,500
from 1 contribution
- KLEIN, RONALD$2,500
Commercial Banks$1,000
from 1 contribution
- FRIEDMAN, ALLEN$1,000

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 State

Very Strong

Vector: 66%

Pages: 220-222AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The Strengthening the Quad Act directly supports Project 2025's Department of State objective to advance the U.S.-Indian partnership as a cornerstone of the Quad and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific through coordinated engagement with Japan and Australia. The bill mandates a State Department strategy to strengthen Quad cooperation, identifies barriers to implementation, and proposes a parliamentary working group—all aligning with Project 2025’s emphasis on institutionalizing Quad collaborati"

Key themes:Quad cooperationIndo-Pacific strategyU.S.-India partnershipcountering ChinaState Department leadership

— 188 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Europe of its dependence on China. However, there are also transatlantic trade tensions that disturb the U.S.–EU relationship and that have been evident across Administrations. The U.S. must undertake a comprehensive review of trade arrangements between the EU and the United States to assure that U.S. businesses are treated fairly and to build productive reciprocity. Outside the EU, trade with the post-Brexit U.K. needs urgent development before London slips back into the orbit of the EU. Third, in the wake of Brexit, EU foreign policy now takes place without U.K. input, which disadvantages the United States, given that the U.K. has historically been aligned with many U.S. positions. Therefore, U.S. diplomacy must be more attentive to inner-EU developments, while also developing new allies inside the EU—especially the Central European countries on the eastern flank of the EU, which are most vulnerable to Russian aggression. South and Central Asia Many key American interests and responsibilities are found in South and Central Asia. Specifically, continuing to advance the bilateral relationship with India to mutual benefit is a crucial objective for U.S. policy. India plays a crucial role in countering the Chinese threat and securing a free and open Indo–Pacific. It is a critical security guarantor for the key routes of air and sea travel linking East and West and an important emerging U.S. economic partner. For instance, the 2019 Department of Defense Indo–Pacific Strategy Report noted that the Indian Ocean area “is at the nexus of global trade and commerce, with nearly half of the world’s 90,000 commercial vessels and two thirds of global oil trade traveling through its sea lanes. The region boasts some of the fastest-growing economies on Earth.”14 Meanwhile, the threat of transnational terrorism remains acute. The humiliat- ing withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan after a 20-year military campaign has created new challenges. It has provided an opportunity to reset the deeply troubled U.S.–Pakistan relationship and reassess U.S. counterterrorism strategy in the region. The long-standing India–Pakistan rivalry and tensions regarding the disputed territory of Kashmir continue to pose risks to regional stability, especially because both countries are nuclear powers. The State Department’s role in strengthening the regional security and eco- nomic framework linking the U.S and India is crucial. In addition, the department has important functional responsibilities in dealing with a range of threats from nuclear proliferation to transnational proliferation. While American statecraft should also seek to improve bilateral relations throughout the region, U.S. policy must be clear-eyed and realistic about the perfidiousness of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and the military–political rule in Pakistan. There can be no expecta- tion of normal relations with either. — 189 — Department of State The priority for statecraft is advancing the U.S.–Indian role as a cornerstone of the Quad, a cooperative framework including the U.S., India, Japan, and Aus- tralia. The Quad is comprised of the key nations in coordinating efforts for a free and open Indo–Pacific. It is an overarching group that nests the key U.S. bilateral and trilateral cooperative efforts that facilitate U.S. collaborative efforts across the Indo–Pacific. The State Department should also encourage the “Quad-Plus” concept that allows other regional powers to participate in Quad coordination on issues of mutual interest. Further, the State Department must support an inte- grated federal effort to deliver a revamped regional strategy for South Asia, as well as leading the execution of key tasks to implement the strategy.15 The Arctic Because of Alaska, the U.S. is an Arctic nation. The Arctic is a vast expanse of land and sea rich in resources including fish, minerals, and energy. For example, the region is estimated to contain 90 million barrels of oil and one-quarter of the world’s undiscovered natural gas reserves.16 The Arctic is lightly populated: Only 4 million people in the world live above the Arctic Circle, with more than half of those living in Russia. Only around 68,000 people in Alaska live above the Arctic Circle.17 However, the sheer immensity of the Alaskan Arctic means its population density is less than one person per square mile.18 The United States has several strong interests in the Arctic region. The rate of melting ice during summer months has led to increased interest not only from shipping and tourism sectors, but also from America’s global competitors, who are interested in exploiting the region’s strategic importance and accessing its bounty of natural resources. In the not-too-distant future, there will be a growing interest in the Arctic from both state and non-state actors alike. China has been open about its interest in the region, primarily as a highway for trade but also for its rich natural resources. While the PRC’s increasing intervention in Arctic affairs is a bit strained because it does not have an Arctic coastline, Russia does—and Russia has made no secret of its view that the Arctic is vital for economic and military reasons. Russia has invested heavily in new and refurbished Arctic bases and cold-weather equipment and capabilities. The north star of U.S. Arctic policy should remain national sov- ereignty, safeguarded through robust capabilities as well as through diplomatic, economic, and legal attentiveness. The next Administration should embrace the view that NATO must acknowl- edge that it is, in part, an Arctic alliance. With the likely accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, every Arctic nation except for Russia will be a NATO member state. NATO has been slow to appreciate that the Arctic is a theater that it must defend, especially considering Russia’s brazen aggression against Ukraine. NATO must develop and implement an Arctic strategy that recognizes the importance of

Department of State

Strong

Vector: 62%

Pages: 220-222AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The Strengthening the Quad Act aligns closely with Project 2025's emphasis on strengthening U.S. strategic partnerships in South and Central Asia, particularly with India, to counter China's influence and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. Both prioritize deepening cooperation with key allies on security, economic, and democratic values without engaging in divisive cultural policies."

Key themes:Indo-Pacific strategycountering ChinaU.S.-India partnershipdemocratic cooperationregional security

— 187 — Department of State United States, but at least some of them would eventually try if allowed to consolidate their operations and plan such attacks. The immediate threat they pose lies in their abilities and willingness to strike American targets in their regions of operation or to harm U.S. interests in other ways. The U.S. should support capable African military and security operations through the State Department and other federal agencies responsible for granting foreign military education, training, and security assistance. l Build a coalition of the cooperative. Rather than thinning limited federal resources by spreading funds across all countries (including some that are unsupportive or even hostile to the United States,) the next Administration should focus on those countries with which the U.S. can expect a mutually beneficial relationship. After being designated focus countries by the State Department, such nations should receive a full suite of American engagement. That said, the next Administration should still maintain a baseline level of contact even with those countries with which it has less- than-fruitful relationships in order to encourage positive developments and to be in position to seize unexpected diplomatic opportunities as they arise. l Focus on core diplomatic activities, and stop promoting policies birthed in the American culture wars. African nations are particularly (and reasonably) non-receptive to the U.S. social policies such as abortion and pro-LGBT initiatives being imposed on them. The United States should focus on core security, economic, and human rights engagement with African partners and reject the promotion of divisive policies that hurt the deepening of shared goals between the U.S. and its African partners. Europe American foreign policy has long benefited from cooperation with the countries of Europe (generally, the EU), and any conservative Administration should build on this resource. Yet the transatlantic relationship is complex, with security, trade, and political dimensions. First, the Europe, Eurasia, and Russia region is made up of relatively wealthy and technologically advanced societies that should be expected to bear a fair share of both security needs and global security architecture: The United States cannot be expected to provide a defense umbrella for countries unwilling to contribute appropriately. At stake after 2024 will be examining the status of the Wales Pledge of 2 percent of gross domestic product toward defense by NATO members. The new Administration will also want to encourage nations to exceed that pledge. Second, transatlantic trade is a significant part of the global economy, and it is in the U.S. national interest to amplify it, especially because this means weaning — 188 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Europe of its dependence on China. However, there are also transatlantic trade tensions that disturb the U.S.–EU relationship and that have been evident across Administrations. The U.S. must undertake a comprehensive review of trade arrangements between the EU and the United States to assure that U.S. businesses are treated fairly and to build productive reciprocity. Outside the EU, trade with the post-Brexit U.K. needs urgent development before London slips back into the orbit of the EU. Third, in the wake of Brexit, EU foreign policy now takes place without U.K. input, which disadvantages the United States, given that the U.K. has historically been aligned with many U.S. positions. Therefore, U.S. diplomacy must be more attentive to inner-EU developments, while also developing new allies inside the EU—especially the Central European countries on the eastern flank of the EU, which are most vulnerable to Russian aggression. South and Central Asia Many key American interests and responsibilities are found in South and Central Asia. Specifically, continuing to advance the bilateral relationship with India to mutual benefit is a crucial objective for U.S. policy. India plays a crucial role in countering the Chinese threat and securing a free and open Indo–Pacific. It is a critical security guarantor for the key routes of air and sea travel linking East and West and an important emerging U.S. economic partner. For instance, the 2019 Department of Defense Indo–Pacific Strategy Report noted that the Indian Ocean area “is at the nexus of global trade and commerce, with nearly half of the world’s 90,000 commercial vessels and two thirds of global oil trade traveling through its sea lanes. The region boasts some of the fastest-growing economies on Earth.”14 Meanwhile, the threat of transnational terrorism remains acute. The humiliat- ing withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan after a 20-year military campaign has created new challenges. It has provided an opportunity to reset the deeply troubled U.S.–Pakistan relationship and reassess U.S. counterterrorism strategy in the region. The long-standing India–Pakistan rivalry and tensions regarding the disputed territory of Kashmir continue to pose risks to regional stability, especially because both countries are nuclear powers. The State Department’s role in strengthening the regional security and eco- nomic framework linking the U.S and India is crucial. In addition, the department has important functional responsibilities in dealing with a range of threats from nuclear proliferation to transnational proliferation. While American statecraft should also seek to improve bilateral relations throughout the region, U.S. policy must be clear-eyed and realistic about the perfidiousness of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and the military–political rule in Pakistan. There can be no expecta- tion of normal relations with either.

Trade

Strong

Vector: 60%

Pages: 849-851AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The Strengthening the Quad Act aligns closely with Project 2025's trade policy objective of using economic and diplomatic engagement to counter China's influence by promoting democratic norms, market-driven growth, and alliances in the Indo-Pacific, even though it does not directly address trade agreements like IPEF or TPP."

Key themes:countering China's influencepromoting democratic normsstrengthening alliancesmarket-driven economic growthIndo-Pacific engagement

— 816 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise countries are mostly China’s neighbors in Asia. Like the TPP, it seeks to create an alliance to push China toward the rule of law, but the Biden Administration so far has left trade entirely out of the agreement. Instead, the IPEF negotiations are focusing entirely on non-trade issues like climate and labor policy—issues that give progressives opportunities to impose their policies on other countries and provide rent-seeking opportunities for labor unions and politically connected businesses in renewable energy and other favored industries. IPEF has the potential to be a powerful diplomatic tool that helps to bring countries into America’s orbit and away from China’s. Beijing’s chauvinistic approach to foreign policy has alienated most of China’s neighbors and allies. They follow along because they lack alternatives. IPEF and the TPP could offer them a way out and make it easier for China’s smaller neighbors to stand up for themselves in a united front as they move toward American- style institutions that protect civil, political, and economic liberties. IPEF could do all that, and so could the TPP, but America currently has no voice in the TPP, and IPEF risks becoming little more than another tool that progressives can use to force their policy wish list on countries that don’t want it. From the perspective of IPEF’s members, the Biden Administration’s approach is little different from Beijing’s. The next Administration can give China’s neighbors a better choice by refocusing IPEF on trade, dropping most of its non-trade issues, and turning it into a forum to promote democracy and strengthen alliances while pressuring Beijing to make needed reforms. l Play the long game. It took two generations to win the Cold War, and there were many reasons for that success. The fact that the planned economy is inherently inferior to free-market capitalism played a role. So did diplomatic, military, and economic pressure from free countries. But culture was just as important, and it did not come from any government. Blue jeans and rock ’n’ roll helped to win the Cold War as much as any deliberate policy did. So did images of fashion and prosperity in American movies and television shows like Dallas. Such informal bottom-up processes will also play a vital role in helping to turn China from an authoritarian threat into a freer and less hostile power. It will take a long time, and the slow process will garner few headlines, but it can work. A conservative Administration will support efforts by ordinary Americans to engage with ordinary Chinese people through social networks, — 817 — Trade Internet memes, fashion, movies, student exchange programs, tourism, and more. China’s leaders are set in their ways, especially with Xi Jinping presumably now in power for life, but the younger generation is more open than their parents were—more individualistic and open to change. Effective outreach to the Chinese people will need the same humility that other sound trade policies require. Government-directed cultural and economic outreach risks being heavy-handed and could backfire. Everyone involved needs to know that the process is generational in scope and will not work overnight. At the very least, Washington should stay out of the way as much as possible when regular people want to contact each other across national, language, and cultural divides. Each of these many components, from tariffs to trade agreements to culture, is a small part of a larger China policy. Many are not attention-grabbing and cannot be put into sound bites. Cultural engagement is not something Washington can plan. China’s own demographic and debt problems, along with aging leadership and growing discontent over the zero-COVID policy, might even cause an internal collapse. American policy must therefore be prepared to face any contingency. CONCLUSION A conservative trade policy needs a conservative vision. America’s found- ing institutions, based on free trade and entrepreneurship, have made America the world’s leading economy and will help keep America strong through the next century. However, recent departures from those principles have hurt America’s econ- omy and weakened alliances that are necessary to contain threats from Russia and China. Reaffirming those principles through policies of openness, dynamism, and free trade will boost America’s economy, make us more resilient against crises, and remove opportunities for progressives and rent-seekers to use the levers of gov- ernment for their own purposes. Rediscovering conservative principles on trade policy and embracing America’s long history as the world’s leading commercial republic are an important part of restoring a government of, by, and for the people. AUTHOR’S NOTE: The preparation of this analysis could not have been completed without the valuable support of a small, sturdy, and principled community of trade policy experts. Among them, my colleagues at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Ryan Young, Iain Murray, and Ivan Osorio were essential. The author alone is responsible for this report. No views herein should be attributed to any other individual or institution.

21

Moderate

Vector: 61%

Pages: 699-701AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"Both the bill and the Project 2025 section aim to counter China's economic influence and promote fair, market‑driven competition, but the bill focuses on diplomatic/strategic Quad cooperation while Project 2025 centers on trade enforcement mechanisms like AD/CVD."

Key themes:China competitionmarket‑driven economic growthfair trade enforcementstrategic response to unfair practices

— 667 — Department of Commerce Day One to ensure the bureau is fully implementing Administration policy. An incoming Administration should ensure that Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assis- tant Secretary positions are staffed by appointees as quickly as possible. Enforcement and Compliance. Strong enforcement of trade agreements is an indispensable function of the ITA carried out by Enforcement & Compliance (E&C). Free and fair trade is impossible without energetic enforcement of exist- ing agreements and without strong defense against dumping and illegal subsidies. Many free trade advocates consider antidumping and countervailing duty laws (AD/CVD) to be protectionist and thus antithetical to the conservative free market position. In their view, AD/CVD laws are overused, abused by certain industries, and harmful to American economic competitiveness by increasing costs to down- stream industries. Other conservatives maintain that AD/CVD tariffs are not conventional tariffs, but rather corrective actions meant to address anti-free market activities by other governments—a scalpel, not a hammer. In the short term, this may mean higher costs for U.S. businesses and consumers on a limited number of products from cer- tain offending countries, but those higher prices correct existing price distortions in the marketplace and ultimately ensure the healthy operation of market forces in the long term and a level playing field for U.S. manufacturers. Whatever the case, improvements to the current system must be made to both protect U.S. consumers and companies from improperly applied duties and defend against trade-distorting actions by other governments. Procedures governing the day-to-day administration of proceedings, as well as policies driving critical deci- sions in proceedings, require a fresh look. Ultimately, E&C’s mandate is to conduct a rigorous but also fair, objective, and balanced review of the record in each pro- ceeding and to make decisions without bias. It is exceedingly unlikely that Congress would abolish or limit the activity of E&C. Therefore, the proposals below are made under the assumption that an incoming Administration will operate E&C within its current legal, institutional, and political confines and set a path forward to wield E&C’s considerable power to achieve the goals of a conservative Administration. These proposals can be broken into three categories: process, policy, and addressing China. Process l Re-establish and expand suspended in-person pandemic-related verifications, particularly regarding the People’s Republic of China. Ensure that verifications are rigorous. l Implement advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to identify opportunities for self-initiation, detect circumvention, and prevent bad actors from gaming the system. — 668 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise l Accelerate front-end work on reviews as opposed to constantly pushing against statutory deadlines. l Work with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other relevant agencies to address circumvention and duty evasion, and promote policies that encourage full duty collection to ensure the integrity of AD/CVD and circumvention orders. l Work with CBP, the Department of Justice, the Department of Treasury, and other relevant agencies to aggressively pursue importers of record and other beneficiaries for unpaid duties, and consider policy changes to reduce uncollected duties in the future. l Work, pursuant to the above, with interagency partners in AD/CVD cases to either require foreign importers of record (IORs) to make cash deposits far in excess of established duty rates at the time of entry of AD/CVD merchandise, require IORs to register sufficient U.S. assets to ensure timely payment of duties, or otherwise prohibit IORs from importing AD/CVD merchandise. l Conduct a regulatory capture audit and put guardrails in place to address improper exercise of bureaucratic prerogative. Policy l Ensure senior policy and decision-making positions are always held by political appointees. l Reverse the practice of giving the benefit of the doubt to foreign companies versus U.S. companies in AD/CVD proceedings. l Establish a policy for addressing companies that invest heavily in the U.S. and thus have large import volumes, exposing them to AD/CVD petitions. l Establish an effective, fair, and objective process for self-initiation of AD/ CVD proceedings when industry lacks the resources or ability to act. Addressing China l Revive the China-specific non-market economy unit. l Provide transparency in the surrogate country list development process.

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Minimal

Vector: 61%

Pages: 548-550AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The Strengthening the Quad Act focuses on foreign policy and Indo-Pacific cooperation among the U.S., Australia, India, and Japan, while the Project 2025 HUD policy addresses domestic housing reform, regulatory streamlining, and opposition to DEI/ESG initiatives in housing finance. There is no substantive thematic or policy overlap between the two."

— 515 — Department of Housing and Urban Development 25. Process must prioritize where political leadership can implement administrative reforms through regulatory action and subregulatory guidance reforms. 26. China and other foreign nations should not be able to disrupt our nation’s housing markets, including by artificially driving up prices and reducing affordability and access to housing for Americans who are crowded out of the market by such market participation. 27. These initiatives are maintained under such designations as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); critical race theory (CRT); black, indigenous, Pacific Islander, and other people of color (BIPOC); and environmental, social, and governance (ESG). 28. At a minimum, these efforts duplicate what the federal government already collects and assesses; at worst, they institute arbitrary procedures in real estate appraisal practices that undermine integrity and perversely introduce arbitrary biases into what should be an unbiased system for determining financial value. 29. Revise regulatory and subregulatory guidance, where applicable within statutory authorities, that adds unnecessary delay and costs to the construction and development of new housing and has been estimated to account for about 40 percent of new housing unit costs in multifamily housing. 30. The Biden Administration has issued a proposed rule to replace the Trump Administration’s “Preserving Community and Neighborhood Choice” rule that had repealed earlier rules expanding AFFH enforcement. See U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Fair Housing, “Preserving Community and Neighborhood Choice,” Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 85, No. 153 (August 7, 2020), pp. 47899–47912, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-08-07/pdf/2020-16320.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Secretary, “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing,” Proposed Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 88, No. 27 (February 9, 2023), pp. 8516–8590, https://www. govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2015-07-16/pdf/2015-17032.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). 31. Certain pilot initiatives may encourage greater take-up of loan products designed for faster equity accumulation, including loans with shorter terms and accelerated amortization schedules. In concept, the FHA’s Home Equity Accelerator Loan (HEAL) and Good Neighbor Next Door (GNND) pilot initiatives might lead to meaningful wealth generation for first-time buyers, but they should be available to all eligible households only when they do not arbitrarily discriminate based on race or other characteristics. 32. Housing supply does remain a problem in the U.S., but constructing more units at the low end of the market will not solve the problem. Investors and developers can deliver at more efficient cost new units that will allow for greater upward mobility of rental and ownership housing stock and better target increased construction of mid-tier rental units. Further, and more fundamental to the housing supply challenge in markets across the U.S., localities can consider revising land use, zoning, and building regulations that constrict new housing development, adding time delays and costs that impede construction. Federal housing policy should get out of the way where possible and minimize the distortive impact that stimulating greater demand through loose lending can have in driving up housing prices for households that are looking for affordable entry into the housing market. 33. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Secretary, “Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status,” Proposed Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 84, No. 91 (May 10, 2019), pp. 20589–20595, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-05-10/pdf/2019-09566.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). 34. Reforms should contemplate rent payment flexibilities, allow escrow savings, and set maximum term limits that can reduce implicit penalties for increasing household incomes over eligibility terms for housing assistance and reweight waiting-list prioritization for two-parent households. 35. Some PHAs have been able to implement work requirements and term limit policies in various congressionally authorized demonstration programs, notably the Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration program established in 1996 for 39 PHAs (Congress has since authorized another 100 PHAs) in which participating MTW PHAs were given authority to implement rent reforms, work requirements and other experimental policies in rental assistance programs along with flexibilities in the use of capital and operating appropriations. 36. The FSS program has a general five-year term with a possible two-year extension, which could be applied at the term limit for overall benefits, and certain PHAs have imposed five-year to seven-year term limits. Families in these programs build escrow savings during their term eligibility that helps to facilitate successful transitions to family self-sufficiency and unassisted housing. — 516 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 37. HUD should implement administrative changes in regulation and guidance and seek statutory authority to end all Housing First directives of Continuum of Care (CoC) grantees and contract homelessness providers in addition to establishing restrictions on local Housing First policies where HUD grant funds are used. 38. The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) was established in the 1990s, and numerous Administrations have devoted enormous resources to the Housing First model, experimenting with various ways to provide federally financed rapid rehousing and permanent housing opportunities. Housing First is a far-left idea premised on the belief that homelessness is primarily circumstantial rather than behavioral. The Housing First answer to homelessness is to give someone a house instead of attempting to understand the underlying causes of homelessness. Federal intervention centered on Housing First has failed to acknowledge that resolving the issue of homelessness is often a matter of resolving mental health and substance abuse challenges. Instead of the permanent supportive housing proffered by Housing First, a conservative Administration should shift to transitional housing with a focus on addressing the underlying issues that cause homelessness in the first place. 39. The Senate Low-Income First-Time Homebuyers (LIFT) Act would address this policy goal. See S. 2797, Low-Income First-Time Homebuyers Act of 2021 (LIFT Homebuyers Act of 2021), 117th Congress, introduced September 22, 2021, https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s2797/BILLS-117s2797is.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). 40. FHA did not facilitate the widespread use of 30-year mortgages until the 1950s when, interacting with Federal Reserve policies, federal agencies began broader adoption of the mortgages, which, despite lowering the monthly repayment terms, result in slow equity accumulation and wealth-building opportunities. 41. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 fundamentally revised the scope of federal regulation in the nation’s housing finance system, placing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under the purview of a newly established Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and establishing a Housing Trust Fund (HTF) that is administered in the HUD Office of Community Planning and Development. See H.R. 3221, Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, Public Law No. 110-289, 110th Congress, July 30, 2008, https://www.congress. gov/110/plaws/publ289/PLAW-110publ289.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). 42. Guiding questions: What reforms should be proposed that could be accomplished within five years? What reforms can be done administratively, and what reforms would need legislative authorization? Are there functions that HUD administers that could be achieved more effectively at another department or agency? What big-picture reforms should be proposed that might take more than five years that would reorganize HUD and its programs to meet the objectives in the vision or mission? What would occur in the absence of these public finance subsidies? How much crowd-out do these subsidies create in the market? Would America be a seriously underhoused nation without these subsidies? Who are the policies intended to benefit? What organizational changes must be made? 43. The Faircloth Amendment (Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998) amended the Housing Act of 1937 to maintain public housing units at 1999 levels, preventing housing authorities from maintaining more public housing than they did then. H.R. 4194, Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, Public Law No. 105-276, 105th Congress, October 21, 1998, Title V, https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ276/PLAW-105publ276.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). In recent years, the statutory restriction on new construction of public housing units has been circumvented through some narrow uses of preservation programs such as the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, initially authorized in 2012 and reauthorized several times since under higher program unit conversion caps. Congress also provided paths for renewal and continuation of a portion of existing public housing; project/site-based housing stock (refinancing with long-term HAP contract commitments); and Section 8 units through the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (MAHRA). H.R. 2158, Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998, Public Law No. 105-65, 105th Congress, October 27, 1997, Title V, https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ65/PLAW-105publ65.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). 44. As the evolution of HUD rental assistance transitions away from the public housing model toward housing choice vouchers, there should be adequate landlord participation to ensure that the supply of housing units for rent in these programs meets the demand for rent among eligible tenants. This issue has been addressed in various ways, including by a task force instituted at the department during the Trump Administration, but could likely remain a challenge in the administration of the program.

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.

Related Bills

Other Bills by Rep. Meeks, Gregory W.

Burma GAP Act

119/hr/4140

Ukraine Support Act

119/hr/2913

BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026

119/hr/8289

Back to All Bills