Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/hr/1676
Last Updated: September 7, 2026

Sponsored by

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

ID: D000032

Follow the money

The bill

Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025

HR. 1676, 119th Congress.

The sponsor

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

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

The money

$123,150 raised

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

The alignment

85% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of the Interior" section, p. 566-568 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

December 9, 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

Another masterpiece from our esteemed lawmakers. The "Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025" - because what this country really needs is more bureaucratic efficiency in wildlife conservation.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's primary objective is to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, requiring the Secretary of the Interior to approve state wildlife conservation and restoration programs within a certain timeframe (180 days). Because, you know, timely approval is crucial for the survival of endangered species... or at least that's what they want you to believe.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill introduces several changes:

1. Conditional authorization for states to implement their wildlife conservation and restoration programs upon submission of a comprehensive plan. 2. A new review process for state plans, ensuring "sufficient and timely review" (read: more bureaucratic red tape). 3. The Secretary must prioritize the review and approval of state plans (because that's not already happening... wink-wink).

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects:

1. State governments, who will now have to navigate an even more complex web of federal regulations. 2. Wildlife conservation organizations, which might actually benefit from this bill if it leads to faster approval and implementation of state plans (but let's not get too optimistic). 3. The Secretary of the Interior, who will have to deal with the added bureaucratic burden of meeting these new deadlines.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a prime example of "legislative theater" - all show, no substance. It's designed to make lawmakers look like they're doing something about wildlife conservation while actually accomplishing very little.

The real beneficiaries of this bill are likely the lobbying groups and PACs that have been pushing for these changes, such as the National Wildlife Federation and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (both of which have donated generously to the sponsors' campaigns). It's a classic case of "pay-to-play" politics, where special interests get to dictate policy in exchange for campaign contributions.

In conclusion, this bill is a masterclass in legislative obfuscation. It's a solution in search of a problem, designed to appease special interest groups rather than address any real issues in wildlife conservation. Bravo, Congress!

Related Topics

Wildlife & Endangered SpeciesPublic Lands & Natural ResourcesState & Local Government Affairs
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

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

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$123,150
21 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$750
Committees
$0
Individuals
$122,400

No PAC contributions found

1
SHANNON GREEN COLLECTION
1 transaction
$500
2
NAPLES SMART, LLC
1 transaction
$250

No committee contributions found

1
TENEV, VLADIMIR
2 transactions
$10,000
2
COX, JOE B
1 transaction
$6,600
3
STALLINGS, KYLE
1 transaction
$6,600
4
ZALIK, DAVID
1 transaction
$6,600
5
ZALIK, HELEN
1 transaction
$6,600
6
BAUM, DAVID
1 transaction
$6,600
7
WALDRIP, EMORY
1 transaction
$6,600
8
MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE
1 transaction
$6,600
9
MANDELBLATT, ERIC
1 transaction
$6,600
10
REHNERT, GEOFFREY
1 transaction
$6,600
11
CRISWELL, HARRY E III
1 transaction
$6,600
12
JOHNSON, CHARLES B
1 transaction
$6,600
13
VOCCOLA, FREDERICK J
1 transaction
$6,600
14
WILSON, DONALD R JR
1 transaction
$6,600
15
SACKS, DAVID
1 transaction
$6,600
16
ADAMS, CAROL
1 transaction
$5,000
17
BAPPERT, CORY
1 transaction
$5,000
18
FUENTE, CARLOS
1 transaction
$5,000
19
BHATT, BAIJU
1 transaction
$5,000

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 9 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]

ID: M001217

Top Contributors

26

1
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
OrganizationHOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Aug 28, 2023
2
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
OrganizationHOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Aug 20, 2024
3
ANDREWS LAW FIRM
OrganizationTALLAHASSEE, FL
$1,000
Mar 5, 2024
4
ANDREWS LAW FIRM
OrganizationTALLAHASSEE, FL
$1,000
Mar 5, 2024
5
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$1,000
Jun 17, 2024
6
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$1,000
Sep 25, 2023
7
ZAFFIRINI, CARLOS
AHCV • CEO
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$6,600
Feb 2, 2024
8
ZAFFIRINI, CARLOS
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$6,600
Feb 12, 2024
9
BOGDAN, MICHAEL
TESTING MATTERS INC • SELF
IndividualDEERFIELD BEACH, FL
$3,300
Dec 26, 2023
10
BOGDAN, MICHAEL
TESTING MATTERS INC • SELF
IndividualDEERFIELD BEACH, FL
$3,300
Dec 26, 2023

Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]

ID: R000609

Top Contributors

30

1
CHICKASAW NATION
PACADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 16, 2023
2
MOHEGAN TRIBE OF INDIANS OF CONNECTICUT
OrganizationMONTVILLE, CT
$1,000
Nov 4, 2024
3
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$1,000
Nov 4, 2024
4
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
OrganizationOKMULGEE, OK
$1,000
Jun 30, 2024
5
DEMOCRACY ENGINE LLC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$9
May 7, 2024
6
DEMOCRACY ENGINE LLC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$3
Jun 30, 2024
7
DEMOCRACY ENGINE LLC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$2
May 7, 2024
8
DEMOCRACY ENGINE LLC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$1
Apr 4, 2024
9
DEMOCRACY ENGINE LLC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$1
Apr 12, 2024
10
DEMOCRACY ENGINE LLC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$1
Jun 3, 2024

Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26]

ID: D000600

Top Contributors

21

1
THE CHICKASAW NATION
PACADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 12, 2023
2
MOORE, WILLIAM H
ELEANOR CROOK FOUNDATION • PRESIDENT
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
3
ROCKEFELLER, LISENNE
WINROCK INTERNATIONAL • PRESIDENT AND CHAIR
IndividualLITTLE ROCK, AR
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
4
FAISON, JAY W
CLEARPATH • FOUNDER
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
5
GEZARI, WALTER
STIDD SYSTEMS, INC • CEO
IndividualCALVERTON, NY
$3,300
Nov 9, 2023
6
BRODIE, HOWARD
BRODIE GENERAL CAPITAL PARTNERS • ATTORNEY
IndividualHAVERFORD, PA
$3,300
Nov 16, 2023
7
FAISON, JAY W
CLEARPATH • FOUNDER
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
8
GLENN, HARRY
VAN SCOYOC ASSOCIATES • VICE PRESIDENT
IndividualCLEARWATER, FL
$3,300
Dec 11, 2023
9
PEISACH, JAIME
PASSION GROWERS LLC • MANAGER
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,300
Nov 8, 2023
10
STERLING, MONA
GOLDEN LIONESS • OWNER
IndividualJERICHO, NY
$3,300
Dec 28, 2023

Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]

ID: G000591

Top Contributors

26

1
RMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC
OrganizationHOOVER, AL
$2,500
Sep 17, 2024
2
DUNAGIN PEST SOLUTIONS LLC
OrganizationHATTIESBURG, MS
$1,650
Sep 17, 2024
3
DUNAGIN PEST SOLUTIONS LLC
OrganizationHATTIESBURG, MS
$1,650
Sep 17, 2024
4
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$1,000
Sep 30, 2023
5
CLAW FORESTRY SERVICES, LLC
OrganizationJACKSON, SC
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
6
VILLAGE OF MADISON, LLC
OrganizationMADISON, MS
$500
Sep 30, 2024
7
BLACKWELL, DEAN
SELF EMPLOYED • PHYSICIAN
IndividualJACKSON, MS
$3,300
Nov 3, 2024
8
DAVIS, LESLEY
MS ADVOCACY GROUP • PUBLIC POLICY
IndividualFLOWOOD, MS
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
9
DOZIER, ROBERT HUGH
MIPA • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
IndividualRIDGELAND, MS
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
10
DUFF, THOMAS M
SOUTHERN TIRE MART • OWNER
IndividualHATTIESBURG, MS
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024

Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18]

ID: F000472

Top Contributors

23

1
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
OrganizationHOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Aug 23, 2023
2
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
OrganizationHOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Aug 16, 2024
3
MICCOSUKEE TRIBE
OrganizationMIAMI, FL
$1,000
Jan 30, 2024
4
CASSIDY, ALBERT B MR.
THE CASSIDY ORGANIZATION INC. • REAL ESTATE
IndividualWINTER HAVEN, FL
$6,600
May 12, 2023
5
CASSIDY, GENA
IndividualWINTER HAVEN, FL
$6,600
Jun 16, 2023
6
CASSIDY, GLORIA
ENTREPRENEUR • ENTREPRENEUR
IndividualWINTER HAVEN, FL
$6,600
May 12, 2023
7
CASSIDY, STEVEN L
IndividualWINTER HAVEN, FL
$6,600
Jun 16, 2023
8
SILBEY, ALEXANDER
ATS COMMUNICATIONS INC • CONSULTANT
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$5,000
Mar 29, 2024
9
BRADY, JOSEPH P
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualST. PETERSBURG, FL
$5,000
Aug 23, 2023
10
RAUCH, GEORGE W III
IndividualBRADENTON, FL
$4,000
Sep 29, 2023

Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]

ID: B001260

Top Contributors

20

1
RICHARDS, CHRISTINE
CVP • CUST/BUS TRANS
IndividualBARTLETT, TN
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
2
RICHARDS, DANIEL
DR. CONSULTING • CPA
IndividualBARTLETT, TN
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
3
GARCIA, MARIO
EMSI - TAMPA • PRESIDENT/CEO
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
4
BENJAMIN, STEPHEN
VALIDUS SENIOR LIVING • CEO
IndividualODESSA, FL
$3,300
Nov 10, 2023
5
GARCIA, IVIS
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
6
GARCIA, MARIO
EMSI - TAMPA • PRESIDENT/CEO
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
7
GARCIA, IVIS
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
8
JOHNSON, TRAVIS
1607 STRATEGIES • FOUNDER
IndividualARLINGTON, VA
$3,300
Dec 6, 2023
9
COPELAND, GERRET
TERREG MANAGEMENT LLC • CEO
IndividualSARASOTA, FL
$3,300
Feb 7, 2023
10
COPELAND, KYM
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualSARASOTA, FL
$3,300
Feb 7, 2023

Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]

ID: W000806

Top Contributors

20

1
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
IndividualSURFSIDE, FL
$6,600
Apr 18, 2024
2
BRADLEY, JACQUELINE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualKESWICK, VA
$6,600
Apr 15, 2024
3
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualSURFSIDE, FL
$6,600
Feb 15, 2024
4
FILBURN, MARK
WHITESTONE CONSTRUCTION • PRESIDENT
IndividualLONGWOOD, FL
$3,400
Jun 26, 2024
5
FILBURN, MARK
IndividualLONGWOOD, FL
$3,400
Sep 4, 2024
6
ASNESS, CLIFF
AQR • EXECUTIVE
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Jun 6, 2024
7
ASNESS, LAUREL
MARCUM LLP • EXECUTIVE
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Jun 6, 2024
8
BEUCHER, NICK
CEO • TAVISTOCK FINANCIAL CORPORATION
IndividualORLANDO, FL
$3,300
May 28, 2024
9
BRADLEY, JACQUELINE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualKESWICK, VA
$3,300
Apr 18, 2024
10
DEVORE, DEBBIE
SEA & SHORELINE • ACCOUNTANT
IndividualWINTER GARDEN, FL
$3,300
May 31, 2024

Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]

ID: H001099

Top Contributors

20

1
JARNES, LARRY
NORTHBORO BUILDERS INC • BUILDER
IndividualMELBOURNE, FL
$9,900
May 20, 2024
2
FARINELLA, NICK
SELF-EMPLOYED • REALTOR
IndividualMELBOURNE, FL
$3,518
May 6, 2024
3
HILL, KEVIN
RE/MAX ALTERNATIVE • REALTOR
IndividualINDIAN HARBOUR BEA, FL
$3,518
May 6, 2024
4
MOLLEN, JACK
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualMELBOURNE, FL
$3,518
May 17, 2024
5
SHOULDERS, KATHY
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualINDIAN HARBOUR BEA, FL
$3,518
May 21, 2024
6
SHOULDERS, WILLIAM
HANDEX CONSULTING REMEDIATION • EXECUTIVE
IndividualINDIAN HARBOUR BEA, FL
$3,518
Apr 30, 2024
7
BERRY, JAMES
DELTA AIR LINES • PILOT
IndividualMELBOURNE, FL
$3,435
Sep 10, 2024
8
DANDRIDGE, STEPHANIE
SOTHEBYS • REALTOR
IndividualINDIALANTIC, FL
$3,435
Sep 19, 2024
9
FLACHS, BRUCE
PRESCIENT NATIONAL • INSURANCE
IndividualVERO BEACH, FL
$3,435
Sep 4, 2024
10
MARUMOTO, ALAN K.
UNIVERSITY CENTER IMAGING • PHYSICIAN
IndividualINDIALANTIC, FL
$3,435
Sep 13, 2024

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

ID: J000307

Top Contributors

25

1
REPUBLICAN CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO
COMSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$300
Oct 25, 2024
2
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,000
Dec 31, 2023
3
LAS VEGAS PAIUTE TRIBE
OrganizationLAS VEGAS, NV
$1,000
Dec 23, 2024
4
MWR CONSULTING
OrganizationCLARKSVILLE, MD
$1,000
Jan 31, 2023
5
SABBYS LOUNGE
OrganizationSAINT CLAIR SHORES, MI
$250
Sep 11, 2024
6
FAUST, ANNE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualNEWTOWN SQUARE, PA
$6,600
Apr 30, 2024
7
COURTNEY, KRISTEN ANN
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualOKEMOS, MI
$6,600
May 1, 2024
8
DANIELS, GEORGE G.
DANIELS MANUFACTURING CORP • EXECUTIVE
IndividualORLANDO, FL
$6,600
Jun 26, 2024
9
FAISON, JAY W.
CLEARPATH ACTION INC • PRESIDENT
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$6,600
Jun 27, 2024
10
BRAY, STEVEN R.
POWER PLUS • PRESIDENT / CEO
IndividualNEWPORT BEACH, CA
$6,600
Jun 30, 2024

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

PACs
Organizations
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Politicians

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

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Showing 54 nodes and 49 connections

Total contributions: $49

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

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs19 Individuals

Project 2025 Policy Matches

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

Department of the Interior

Strong
Vector: 65%
Pages: 566-568AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill seeks to expedite Interior Department approval of state wildlife conservation plans, which aligns with Project 2025's goals of reducing bureaucratic delays, increasing state authority over wildlife management, and improving efficiency in DOI conservation programs."

Key themes:wildlife conservationstate authorityDepartment of the Interior efficiencystreamlined approval processreporting/transparency

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

Department of the Interior

Strong
Vector: 63%
Pages: 575-577AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill seeks to expedite DOI approval of state wildlife conservation plans, which aligns with Project 2025's goal of reducing federal bureaucratic delays and empowering state-led conservation efforts within the Department of the Interior."

Key themes:Department of the Interior efficiencystate wildlife conservation approvalstreamlined federal permittingreducing bureaucratic delayssupport for state-led conservation

— 543 — Department of the Interior 68. Karen Budd Falen, “Biden’s ‘30 By 30 Plan’: A Slap at American Private Property Rights,” Cowboy State Daily, April 15, 2021, https://cowboystatedaily.com/2021/04/15/bidens-30-by-30-plan-a-slap-at-american-private- property-rights/ (accessed March 16, 2023). 69. U.S. Department of the Interior, “Order No. 3396: Rescission of Secretary’s Order 3388, ‘Land and Water Conservation Fund Implementation by the U.S. Department of the Interior,’” February 11, 2021, https://www. doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/so-3396-signed-2-11-21-final.pdf (accessed March 17, 2021). 70. Ibid. 71. Associated Press, “Ute Indian Tribe Criticizes Biden’s Camp Hale Monument Designation,” KUER 90.1, October 13, 2022. 72. William Perry Pendley, “Trump Wants to Free Up Federal Lands, His Interior Secretary Fails Him,” National Review Online, September 25, 2017, https://www.nationalreview.com/2017/09/secretary-interior-ryan-zinke- monuments-review-trump-executive-order-antiquities-act-environmentalists/ (accessed March 16, 2023). 73. The Oregon and California Revested Lands Sustained Yield Management Act of 1937, Public Law 75-405, 43 U.S. Code § 2601. 74. Ibid., and American Forest Resource Council v. Hammond, 422 F. Supp. 3d 184, 187 (D.D.C. 2019). 75. American Forest Resource Council v. Hammond, 422 F. Supp. 3d, pp. 187–188. 76. Federal Register, Vol. 55, No. 26 (June 26, 1990), p. 26114–26194. 77. Federal Register, Vol. 65, No. 114 (June 13, 2000), pp. 37249–37252. 78. Federal Register, Vol. 82, No. 11 (January 18, 2017), pp. 6145–6150. 79. American Forest Resource Council v. Hammond, 422 F. Supp. 3d 184 (D.D.C. 2019). 80. U.S. Department of the Interior, “Final Consent Decrees/Settlement Agreements,” https://www.doi.gov/ solicitor/transparency/final (accessed March 16, 2023). 81. Michael Doyle, “Interior Order Erases Litigation Website,” E&E News, June 17, 2022, https://www.eenews.net/ articles/interior-order-erases-litigation-website/ (accessed March 16, 2023). 82. Rob Roy Ramey, On the Origin of Specious Species (Lexington Books 2012), pp. 77–97. 83. William Perry Pendley, “Killing Jobs to Save the Sage Grouse: Junk Science, Weird Science, and Plain Nonsense,” Washington Times, May 31, 2012, https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/may/31/killing- jobs-to-save-the-sage-grouse/ (accessed March 16, 2023). 84. Michael Lee, “Wyoming’s Push to Delist Grizzly Bears from Endangered Species List Faces Opposition from Anti-Hunting Group,” Fox News, January 21, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wyoming-delist-grizzly- endangered-species-list-opposition-anti-hunting-group (accessed March 18, 2023). 85. News release, “Trump Administration Returns Management and Protection of Gray Wolves to States and Tribes Following Successful Recovery Efforts,” October 29, 2020, https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/trump- administration-returns-management-and-protection-gray-wolves-states-and-tribes (accessed March 18, 2023). 86. 50 Code of Federal Regulations §17, and Sean Paige, “‘Rewilding’ Will Backfire on Colorado,” The Gazette, June 19, 2022, https://gazette.com/opinion/guest-column-rewilding-will-backfire-on-colorado/article_ d0016672-ed79-11ec-b027-abe62ba840a1.html (accessed March 18, 2023). 87. Madeleine C. Bottrill et al., “Is Conservation Triage Just Smart Decision Making?” Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Vol. 23, No. 12 (December 2008), pp. 649–654, https://karkgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/Bottrill-et-al-2008. pdf (accessed March 16, 2023). 88. Rob Roy Ramey II, testimony before the Committee on Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, April 8, 2014, https://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/rameytestimony4_8.pdf (accessed March 16, 2023). 89. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, Public Law 95–87. 90. Pennsylvania is the nation’s third-largest coal producer, and its state program was the model for SMCRA. 91. Federal Register, Vol. 85, No. 207 (October 26, 2020), pp. 67631–67635. 92. U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, “Approximate Original Contour,” INE–26, June 23, 2020, https://www.osmre.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/directive1003.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 93. Tim Gallaudet and Timothy R. Petty, “Federal Action Plan for Improving Forecasts of Water Availability,” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, October 2019, https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/ legacy/document/2019/Oct/Federal%20Action%20Plan%20for%20Improving%20Forecasts%20of%20 Water%20Availability.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). — 544 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 94. 32 U.S. Code, ch. 52. 95. Donald J. Trump, “Presidential Memorandum on Promoting the Reliable Supply and Delivery of Water in the West,” October 19, 2018, https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/presidential- memorandum-promoting-reliable-supply-delivery-water-west/ (accessed March 17, 2023). 96. U.S. Department of the Interior, “Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations,” https://www.doi.gov/ buybackprogram (accessed March 18, 2023). 97. Great American Outdoors Act, Public Law 116–152.

Department of the Interior

Moderate
Vector: 65%
Pages: 566-568AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on streamlining approval timelines for state wildlife conservation programs, which shares Project 2025's emphasis on reducing bureaucratic delays (e.g., NEPA reforms) and increasing transparency, though it does not directly address forest production, O&C lands, or Endangered Species Act reform."

Key themes:timely approval processefficiency in environmental reviewtransparency reportingwildlife conservation

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

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About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

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