JUDGES Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/hr/1702
Last Updated: July 16, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]

ID: I000056

Follow the money

The bill

JUDGES Act of 2025

HR. 1702, 119th Congress — read as touching Private Prisons & Immigration Detention.

The sponsor

Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]

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

The money

$88,150 raised

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

The alignment

70% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Justice" section, p. 605-607 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 11.

March 4, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

✅

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 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 brilliant piece of legislation from the esteemed members of Congress. The JUDGES Act of 2025, because what's more pressing than creating more judgeships? I mean, it's not like there are actual problems to solve in this country.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of this bill is to authorize additional district judges for the district courts and convert temporary judgeships. Wow, how exciting. The real objective here is to create more jobs for lawyers who couldn't hack it in private practice. I mean, who needs actual reform when you can just add more bodies to the bench?

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill authorizes 11 new district judgeships in 2025 and another 10 in 2027. Because, clearly, the solution to our judicial system's problems is to throw more judges at it. The bill also updates the tables in section 133(a) of title 28, United States Code, because who doesn't love a good table update? It's not like this is just a bunch of bureaucratic nonsense.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include the Judicial Conference of the United States, which requested these new judgeships. I'm sure they had nothing to do with lobbying for more jobs for their buddies. The stakeholders are, of course, the lawyers who will get to argue in front of these new judges and the politicians who will get to appoint them.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The potential impact is that our judicial system will become even more bloated and inefficient. I mean, who needs actual reform when you can just add more judges? The implications are that this bill will do nothing to address the real problems in our justice system, but hey, at least we'll have more judges to clog up the courts.

In conclusion, this bill is a perfect example of Congress's ability to diagnose the symptoms rather than the disease. They're treating the judicial system like a patient with a bad cold, throwing more and more medication at it without actually addressing the underlying issues. But hey, who needs actual solutions when you can just create more judgeships?

Related Topics

Judiciary & Legal Reform
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$88,150
25 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$35,350
Committees
$0
Individuals
$52,800

No PAC contributions found

1
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
2
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
3
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
4
MASHANTUCKET (WESTERN) PEQUOT TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
5
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND MIVOK INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
6
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
1 transaction
$3,300
7
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
8
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND MIWOK INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,000
9
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,500
10
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,000
11
WINRED
2 transactions
$150

No committee contributions found

1
KUTRIEH, TAREK
2 transactions
$6,600
2
DE MARTINO, MICHAEL
2 transactions
$6,600
3
ALTMAN, SAM
1 transaction
$3,300
4
GIBSON, JOSEPH H.
1 transaction
$3,300
5
FITZPATRICK, JENNIFER
1 transaction
$3,300
6
RAGHAVAN, PRABHAKAR
1 transaction
$3,300
7
GLAZIER, MITCH
1 transaction
$3,300
8
FRAZEE, ELIZABETH
1 transaction
$3,300
9
LEVY, EDWARD C
1 transaction
$3,300
10
FISHER, KENNETH
1 transaction
$3,300
11
FISHER, SHERRILYN
1 transaction
$3,300
12
DRESNER, LINDA
1 transaction
$3,300
13
MATHENY, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
14
KASSOUF, JAMES
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

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

Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15]

ID: L000597

Top Contributors

10

1
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (NABPAC)
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Oct 29, 2024
2
DREAM FINDERS HOMES
OrganizationJACKSONVILLE, FL
$6,600
Mar 27, 2024
3
DREAM FINDERS HOMES
OrganizationJACKSONVILLE, FL
$6,600
Mar 27, 2024
4
DREAM FINDERS HOMES
OrganizationJACKSONVILLE, FL
$3,300
Mar 27, 2024
5
MICCOSUKEE TRIBE
OrganizationMIAMI, FL
$3,000
May 13, 2024
6
RANNEY, TIM
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualSAINT PETERSBURG, FL
$6,600
Dec 10, 2023
7
BARNETT, HOYT R
PUBLIX • EXECUTIVE
IndividualLAKELAND, FL
$6,600
Feb 21, 2024
8
BOWDEN, VIRGINIA
STAR VIEW ADVISORS • MANAGING PARTNER
IndividualCLEARWATER, FL
$6,600
Mar 28, 2024
9
HOSSEINI, FOROUGH B
ICI HOMES • CEO
IndividualDAYTONA, FL
$6,600
Mar 29, 2024
10
HOSSEINI, MORTEZA
ICI HOMES • CHAIRMAN & CEO
IndividualDAYTONA BEACH, FL
$6,600
Mar 29, 2024

Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

ID: N000026

Top Contributors

10

1
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
COMLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
2
GONSOULIN, AL A
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualSUGAR LAND, TX
$6,600
Feb 26, 2024
3
FISHER, KENNETH
FISHER INVESTMENTS • EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
IndividualPLANO, TX
$6,600
May 23, 2024
4
FISHER, SHERRILYN
PLANO 6500 LLC • MEMBER
IndividualPLANO, TX
$6,600
May 23, 2024
5
MARCHELI, DANNY
CLEAR PAVE • PRESIDENT
IndividualRICHMOND, TX
$5,000
Sep 30, 2023
6
EMPARTIO, JOESPH
HERITAGE RANCH LLC • OWNER
IndividualRICHMOND, TX
$5,000
Sep 10, 2024
7
DOUDS, KENNETH
KBR BUILDERS • OWNER
IndividualSTAFFORD, TX
$5,000
Dec 3, 2024
8
GILL, EDWARD
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualHALLETTSVILLE, TX
$5,000
Dec 3, 2024
9
MARCHELI, DANIEL
CLEAR PAVE LLC • PRESIDENT
IndividualRICHMOND, TX
$5,000
Dec 3, 2024
10
DOUDS, ROBERT F JR.
SELF EMPLOYED • CONSTRUCTION
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$5,000
Dec 3, 2024

Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3]

ID: K000401

Top Contributors

10

1
WINRED
COMARLINGTON, VA
$30
Oct 24, 2024
2
WINRED
COMARLINGTON, VA
$10
Oct 29, 2024
3
BENNETT WEST ROSEVILLE LLC
NOT INCORPORATED
OrganizationORANGEVALE, CA
$3,000
Oct 21, 2024
4
NICHOLSON & OLSON, CPAS
UNINCORPORATED PARTNERSHIP
OrganizationROSEVILLE, CA
$750
Jun 28, 2023
5
NASH, JILL
N/A • NOT EMPLOYOED
IndividualLINCOLN, CA
$6,600
Jul 22, 2024
6
ROWE, SUSAN
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualBAKERSFIELD, CA
$6,600
May 20, 2024
7
BURKE, TIM
QUEST TECHNOLOGY • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualORANGEVALE, CA
$6,600
Oct 10, 2024
8
SMYTH, CHARLES
IndividualGRANITE BAY, CA
$6,600
Nov 3, 2024
9
FRANCK, KASI
SELF • DENTIST
IndividualROCKLIN, CA
$6,600
Dec 28, 2023
10
BRADLEY, KATHERINE
CITYBRIDGE FOUNDATION • BOARD CHAIR
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$5,000
Sep 11, 2024

Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]

ID: C001053

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$52,900
Dec 8, 2023
2
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$46,300
Oct 21, 2024
3
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$25,000
Oct 21, 2024
4
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationMT PLEASANT, MI
$5,000
Dec 26, 2024
5
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$5,000
May 13, 2024
6
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
May 13, 2024
7
ISBELL FARMS
OrganizationMUSCLE SHOALS, AL
$1,500
Sep 30, 2024
8
KANADY, MICHAEL C
ECHO • FOUNDER
IndividualNICHOLS HILLS, OK
$100,000
May 6, 2024
9
SPITZER, TERRY
GLOBAL TECHNICAL SYSTEMS • CEO
IndividualVIRGINIA BEACH, VA
$30,000
Jun 6, 2024
10
PEROT, ROSS MR. JR
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$13,200
Jun 3, 2024

Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

ID: P000608

Top Contributors

10

1
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Apr 19, 2024
2
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Apr 21, 2023
3
ARISON, MADELEINE
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualCORAL GABLES, FL
$3,300
Oct 27, 2023
4
ARISON, MICKY
CARNIVAL CRUISE • CHAIRMAN
IndividualCORAL GABLES, FL
$3,300
Oct 27, 2023
5
EMERSON, LANGSTON
MINDSET • POLICY ADVISOR LOBBYIST
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Oct 18, 2023
6
EPSTEIN, DANIEL J.
CONAM • REAL ESTATE EXECUTIVE
IndividualSAN DIEGO, CA
$3,300
Dec 20, 2023
7
GATES, WILLIAM H III
BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY • PHILANTHROPIST
IndividualREDMOND, WA
$3,300
Oct 19, 2023
8
GONZALEZ, JOHN MICHAEL
TIBER CREEK GROUP • PARTNER
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Dec 13, 2023
9
LINDEN, LAWRENCE
N/A • RETIRED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Nov 24, 2023
10
LINDEN, LAWRENCE
N/A • RETIRED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Nov 24, 2023

Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]

ID: V000130

Top Contributors

10

1
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023
2
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023
3
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023
4
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Apr 29, 2024
5
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$3,300
Jun 27, 2024
6
PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationPALA, CA
$2,900
Oct 16, 2024
7
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$1,000
Oct 7, 2024
8
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$700
Mar 6, 2023
9
KOHN, VICTOR
CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES INC. • FINANCIAL ANALYST
IndividualENCINO, CA
$3,300
Dec 6, 2023
10
DE TOLEDO, PHILIP
CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES • MANAGER
IndividualSHERMAN OAKS, CA
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023

Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]

ID: C001110

Top Contributors

10

1
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
COMWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jun 14, 2024
2
SANTA YENEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$5,000
Aug 19, 2024
3
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Aug 13, 2024
4
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
5
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
May 25, 2023
6
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
May 25, 2023
7
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Sep 15, 2023
8
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND MIWOK INDIANS
OrganizationSHINGLE SPRINGS, CA
$2,000
Sep 26, 2024
9
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$2,000
Apr 22, 2024
10
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$2,000
Sep 15, 2023

Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

ID: B001324

Top Contributors

10

1
DEMOCRACY ENGINE INC PAC
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$3,300
Mar 1, 2024
2
DEMOCRACY ENGINE INC PAC
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$3,300
Mar 12, 2024
3
DEMOCRACY ENGINE INC PAC
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$1,000
Mar 27, 2024
4
DEMOCRACY ENGINE INC PAC
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$1,000
Mar 27, 2024
5
DEMOCRACY ENGINE INC PAC
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$1,000
Feb 6, 2024
6
SUN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PACCORAL GABLES, FL
$1,000
Feb 16, 2024
7
DEMOCRACY ENGINE INC PAC
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$500
Mar 28, 2024
8
DEMOCRACY ENGINE INC PAC
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$500
Mar 29, 2024
9
DEMOCRACY ENGINE INC PAC
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$500
Mar 1, 2024
10
DEMOCRACY ENGINE INC PAC
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$500
Jan 25, 2024

Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

ID: B001257

Top Contributors

10

1
COOL MASTER PRO LLC
OrganizationTAMPA, FL
$6,600
Mar 8, 2023
2
ARTECHE, LEON
V-ME MEDIA INC. • CFO
IndividualDORAL, FL
$5,000
Jan 18, 2024
3
OF FLORIDA, SEMINOLE TRIBE
EMPLOYEE RECOGNIZED TRIBE
IndividualHOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Aug 2, 2024
4
LAGOS, JAMES H.
LAGOS LAGOS, PLL • ATTORNEY
IndividualSPRINGFIELD, OH
$3,300
Sep 9, 2024
5
RICE, WILLIAM LLOYD
FALFURRIAS CAPITAL PARTNERS
IndividualMINT HILL, NC
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
6
WANEK, RON
ASHLEY FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC • CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
7
WANEK, TODD
ASHLEY FURNITURE • CEO
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
8
WANEK, JOYCE
N/A • N/A
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
9
WANEK, KAREN
SUPERIOR FRESH • OWNER
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
10
HEPSCHER, WILLIAM S
RX MANAGE USA • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualTAMPA, FL
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024

Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

ID: S001229

Top Contributors

10

1
SASSO, APRIL
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualCARMEL, IN
$6,600
Oct 30, 2024
2
PONDER, JACQUELINE
BOWMAN FAMILY HOLDINGS • LAWYER
IndividualGREENWOOD, IN
$3,437
Oct 29, 2024
3
KING, CHRISTOPHER M.
RUNNEBOHM CONSTRUCTION, INC. • OWNER
IndividualSHELBYVILLE, IN
$3,300
Jun 7, 2024
4
CALDWELL, JORDAN
CALDWELL'S INC. • EXECUTIVE
IndividualSHELBYVILLE, IN
$3,300
Oct 20, 2024
5
DOPPELT, BRIAN
BAINBRIDGE COMPANIES • EXECUTIVE
IndividualBOCA RATON, FL
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
6
KING, KYLIE A.
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualSHELBYVILLE, IN
$3,300
Oct 20, 2024
7
SASSO, RICK C.
INDIANA SPINE GROUP • PHYSICIAN
IndividualCARMEL, IN
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
8
SCHUMACHER, AMY MAE
THE HERITAGE GROUP • CEO
IndividualCARMEL, IN
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
9
MCALLISTER, CHRIS
TARBERT PROPERTIES LP • PARTNER
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
10
ZINK, JAMES C.
ZINK DISTRIBUTING • CHAIRMAN / CEO
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Nov 2, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

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Showing 77 nodes and 45 connections (71 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $253,690

Top Donors - Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]

Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount

11 Orgs14 Individuals

Industry Impact

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

  • Section 6(b) discusses detention space needs and acquisition challenges, which could impact private prison operators like GEO Group and CoreCivic, potentially reducing their business opportunities.

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 Justice

Moderate
Vector: 62%
Pages: 605-607AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The JUDGES Act focuses on increasing federal district court judgeships to reduce case backlogs, which aligns broadly with the Department of Justice's interest in an efficient federal justice system, though it does not directly address DOJ-specific priorities such as enforcement priorities or internal reform."

Key themes:judicial efficiencycase backlog reductionaccess to justicefederal courtsjustice system

— 573 — Department of Justice ENDNOTES 1. Judiciary Act of 1789, ch. 20, sec. 35, 1 Stat. 73 (1789), https://judicial-discipline-reform.org/docs/Judiciary_ Act_1789.pdf (accessed February 3, 2023). 2. An Act to Establish the Department of Justice, Public Law No. 41-97, 16 Stat. 162 (1870), https://www.justice. gov/sites/default/files/jmd/legacy/2013/10/23/act-pl41-97.pdf (accessed February 3, 2023). 3. John F. Fox, Jr., “The Birth of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, “History,” July 2003, https://bit.ly/3G4LmD0 (accessed February 3, 2023). 4. Trafalgar Group, “Nationwide Issues Survey August 2022,” pp. 19, 22, and 25, https://www.thetrafalgargroup. org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/COSA-FBI_DOJ-Opinion-Full-Report-0824.pdf (accessed February 3, 2023). 5. John Solomon, “FBI Email Chain May Provide Most Damning Evidence of FISA Abuses Yet,” The Hill, December 5, 2018, https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/419901-fbi-email-chain-may-provide-most-damning-evidence-of-fisa- abuses-yet/ (accessed February 3, 2023); Post Editorial Board, “The FBI Knew RussiaGate Was a Lie—But Hid That Truth,” New York Post, June 11, 2022, https://nypost.com/2022/06/11/the-fbi-knew-russiagate-was-a-lie- but-hid-that-truth/ (accessed February 3, 2023). 6. John Solomon, “Collusion Bombshell: DNC Lawyers Met with FBI on Russia Allegations Before Surveillance Warrant,” The Hill, October 3, 2018, https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/409817-russia-collusion-bombshell-dnc- lawyers-met-with-fbi-on-dossier-before/ (accessed February 3, 2023); Eric Tucker, “Ex-FBI Lawyer Admits to False Statement During Russia Probe,” AP News, August 19, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/election-2020- b9b3c7ef398d00d5dfee9170d66cefec (accessed February 3, 2023). 7. Jesse O’Neill, “FBI Pressured Twitter, Sent Trove of Docs Hours Before Post Broke Hunter Laptop Story,” New York Post, December 19, 2022, https://nypost.com/2022/12/19/fbi-reached-out-to-twitter-before-post-broke- hunter-biden-laptop-story/ (accessed February 3, 2023). 8. Memorandum from Attorney General Merrick Garland to Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Director of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys; Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division; and United States Attorneys, “Subject: Partnership Among Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Law Enforcement to Address Threats Against School Administrators, Board Members, Teachers, and Staff,” October 4, 2021, https:// www.justice.gov/ag/page/file/1438986/download (accessed February 3, 2023) (cited hereafter as Garland Memorandum, October 4, 2021). 9. Dillon Burroughs, “25 States Have Now Left National School Boards Association as Nebraska Departs,” Daily Wire, June 13, 2022, https://www.dailywire.com/news/25-states-have-now-left-national-school-boards- association-as-nebraska-departs (accessed February 3, 2023). 10. Brianna Herlily, “FBI Met Weekly with Big Tech Ahead of the 2020 Election, Agent Testifies,” Fox News, December 3, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-weekly-big-tech-ahead-2020-election-agent- testifies (accessed February 3, 2023); Allie Griffin, “Latest ‘Twitter Files’ Show FBI Bullied Executives Over Not Reporting ‘State Propaganda’ Enough, New York Post, December 18, 2022, https://nypost.com/2022/12/18/ latest-twitter-files-show-fbi-questioned-executives-over-users-spouting-state-propaganda/ (accessed February 3, 2023). 11. Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD), “In the end, the FBI's influence campaign aimed at executives at news media, Twitter, & other social media companies worked: they censored & discredited the Hunter Biden laptop story. By Dec. 2020, Baker and his colleagues even sent a note of thanks to the FBI for its work,” Twitter, December 19, 2022, 1:35 PM), https://twitter.com/ShellenbergerMD/status/1604908212628598784 (accessed February 3, 2023). 12. Press release, “Eleven Charged with FACE Act Violations Stemming from 2021 Blockade of Mount Juliet Reproductive Health Clinic,” U.S. Department of Justice, United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Tennessee, October 5, 2022, https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdtn/pr/eleven-charged-face-act-violations- stemming-2021-blockade-mount-juliet-reproductive (accessed February 3, 2023); Kaelan Deese, “DOJ Official Touts Prosecution of Anti-Abortion Advocates While Vandalized Pregnancy Centers Await Justice,” Washington Examiner, December 14, 2022, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/doj-official- admits-to-prosecuting-pro-life-advocates (accessed February 3, 2023); S. 636, Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994, Public Law No. 103-259, 103rd Congress, May 26, 1994, https://www.congress.gov/103/ statute/STATUTE-108/STATUTE-108-Pg694.pdf (accessed February 5, 2023). — 574 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 13. Aruna Viswanatha and Sadie Gurman, “Almost Half of Federal Cases Against Portland Rioters Have Been Dismissed,” The Wall Street Journal, updated April 15, 2021), https://www.wsj.com/articles/almost-half- of-federal-cases-against-portland-rioters-have-been-dismissed-11618501979 (accessed February 3, 2023); Just the News Staff, “Antifa-led Portland Rioter Charged with Assault Police [sic] Has Case Dismissed After Community Service,” Just the News, updated December 30, 2021, https://justthenews.com/government/ courts-law/antifa-led-portland-rioter-charge-assault-police-has-case-dismissed-after (accessed February 3, 2023). 14. Press release, “Justice Department Sues Texas Over Senate Bill 8: Complaint Alleges Senate Bill 8 Violates the Constitution by Effectively Banning Most Abortions,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 9, 2021, https:// www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-texas-over-senate-bill-8 (accessed February 3, 2023). 15. Dorian Geiger, “DOJ Warns States Over Blocking Access to Gender-Affirming Treatment,” Axios, March 31, 2022, https://www.axios.com/2022/03/31/doj-warns-states-blocking-gender-affirming-care (accessed February 3, 2023). 16. Joyce White Vance, “The Justice Department Is Suing Georgia. Don’t Expect Garland to End There,” The Washington Post, June 29, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/06/29/merrick-garland- suing-georgia-voting/ (accessed February 3, 2023); David Nakamura and Devlin Barrett, “Justice Dept. Sues Texas Over State Redistricting Maps, Citing Discrimination Against Latinos,” The Washington Post, December 6, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/texas-maps-garland-latinos- justice/2021/12/06/4011ce78-56aa-11ec-9a18-a506cf3aa31d_story.html (accessed February 3, 2023); Holmes Lybrand and Paul LeBlanc, “Justice Department Sues Arizona Over New Election Law Requiring Proof of Citizenship,” CNN, updated July 5, 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/05/politics/arizona-election-law- justice-department/index.html (accessed February 3, 2023). 17. Zachary Pottle, “America’s Fentanyl Crisis Is Getting Worse,” Addiction Center, August 26, 2022, https://www. addictioncenter.com/news/2022/08/americas-fentanyl-crisis/ (accessed February 3, 2023). 18. Emily Jacobs, “Merrick Garland Speaks at DOJ Before Swearing-in by VP Kamala Harris,” New York Post, updated March 11, 2021, https://nypost.com/2021/03/11/merrick-garland-speaks-at-doj-before-swearing-in- by-kamala-harris/ (accessed February 3, 2023). 19. Eliot H. Lumbard, “State and Local Government Crime Control,” Notre Dame Law Review, Vol. 43, Issue 6 (1968), pp. 899–907, https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/cgi/viewcontent. cgi?httpsredir=1&article=3119&context=ndlr (accessed February 3, 2023). 20. Emma Colton, “Chip Roy Demands DOJ Explain Light Sentence for Floyd Riot Arsonist Who Killed Father of 5,” Fox News, February 10, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chip-roy-light-sentence-george-floyd- arsonist-riots-2020 (accessed February 3, 2023); Chris Enloe, “DOJ Asked for Lenient Sentence for 2020 Rioter Who Burned Down Pawn Shop, Killing One Man. Prosecutors Even Cited MLK,” Blaze Media News, January 29, 2022, https://www.theblaze.com/news/doj-lenient-sentence-rioter-arson#toggle-gdpr (accessed February 3, 2023); Chris Pandolfo, “House Republicans Release 1,000-Page Report Alleging Politicization in the FBI, DOJ,” Fox News, November 4, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republicans-release- 1000-page-report-alleging-politicization-fbi-doj (accessed February 3, 2023); Brooke Singman, “Cruz Slams ‘Politicized’ Biden DOJ for Appointing Trump Special Counsel: ‘Absolutely Disgraceful,’” Fox News, November19, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cruz-slams-biden-doj-appointing-special-counsel-investigate- trump-absolutely-disgraceful (accessed February 3, 2023). 21. 8 U.S. Code § 1324 (Bringing in and harboring certain aliens), https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1324 (accessed March 9, 2023); 8 U.S. Code § 1325 (Improper entry by alien), https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ text/8/1325 (accessed February 5, 2023); 8 U.S. Code § 1326 (Reentry of removed aliens), https://www.law. cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1326 (accessed February 5, 2023); 8 U.S. Code § 1327 (Aiding or assisting certain aliens to enter), https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1327 (accessed February 5, 2023); 8 U.S. Code § 1328 (Importation of alien for immoral purpose), https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1328 (accessed February 5, 2023; press release, “In Brief Filed with Supreme Court, AFL Hammers Biden Administration’s Termination of MPP—Cites Alarming Statistic That Biden Administration Has Already Released More Than 750,000 Illegal Aliens into the United States from the Border,” America First Legal Foundation, April 14, 2022, https://aflegal.org/ in-brief-filed-with-supreme-court-afl-hammers-biden-administrations-termination-of-mpp-citing-alarming- statistic-that-biden-administration-has-already-released-more-than-750000-ille/ (accessed February 5, 2023).

Department of Homeland Security

Weak
Vector: 62%
Pages: 177-179AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"Both the bill and the Project 2025 policy emphasize reducing backlogs and improving adjudicative efficiency, but the bill addresses federal district court judgeships while the policy focuses on USCIS immigration operations, resulting only a tangential connection."

Key themes:case backlog reductionadjudicative efficiencyjudicial/administrative capacity

— 145 — Department of Homeland Security l Management Directives and policies should realign to ensure that the workforce, while adaptable and able to handle the bulk of the USCIS mission, is not allowed to be pulled off mission work to focus on unlawful programs (DACA, mass parole for Afghans, Ukrainians, Venezuelans, etc.), which divert resources away from nuclear family and employment programs. The regulatory agenda should include the immediate submission of notices of proposed rulemaking for the Trump Administration’s public charge rule (includ- ing aspects from its original notice of proposed rulemaking), temporary work visa reform, employment authorization reform rules, asylum bars rule, and a third-country transit rule. At a minimum, an enhanced regulatory agenda should include rules strengthening the integrity of the asylum system, parole reform, and U visa reform that prioritizes relief for victims of heinous crimes and ensures that we protect the truest and most deserving victims of crime. Not all policy changes require formal rulemaking, however, as internal guidance documents are generally exempt under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).7 In this subregulatory space, USCIS policy memos and operational guidance should reduce the validity of employment authorization documents and end the COVID flexibilities, including the reliance on biometrics reuse. USCIS should also enforce existing regulations by rejecting incomplete applications and petitions, ensuring both that they are completed before accepted for filing and that FDNS signs off on all approved applications and petitions before approval notices are sent to the alien or petitioner. Other efforts should be focused on adjudication standards returning to nearly 100 percent interview requirements for all appropriate cases. The incoming Administration should spearhead an immigration legislative agenda focused on creating a merit-based immigration system that rewards high- skilled aliens instead of the current system that favors extended family–based and luck-of-the-draw immigration. To that end, the diversity visa lottery should be repealed, chain migration should be ended while focusing on the nuclear family, and the existing employment visa program should be replaced with a system to award visas only to the “best and brightest.” Internal efforts to limit employment authorization should be matched by con- gressional action to narrow statutory eligibility to work in the United States and mitigate unfair employment competition for U.S. citizens. The oft-abused H-1B program should be transformed into an elite program through which employers are vying to bring in only the top foreign workers at the highest wages so as not to depress American opportunities. Additionally, Congress should: l Improve the integrity of the temporary work visa programs; l Repeal Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations; — 146 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise l Permanently authorize and make mandatory E-Verify; and l End parole abuse by legislating specific parole standards. USCIS should make it clear that where no court jurisdiction exists, it will not honor court decisions that seek to undermine regulatory and subregulatory efforts. Finally, USCIS still requires access to all relevant national security and law enforce- ment databases in the same vein as any other agency in the intelligence space. This is a key concept that should be addressed as USCIS is returned to functioning primarily as a vetting agency. Budget USCIS is primarily fee-funded, operating on revenue derived by those who are seeking immigration benefits, work permits, and naturalization. The total agency budget requested for fiscal year (FY) 2023, including both fees and a small appropri- ation, is slightly less than $6 billion.8 The bulk of funds are derived from application fees through the Immigrant Examinations Fee Account. As a general principle, adju- dication of applications and petitions should be paid by applicants, not American taxpayers. It is critical that any changes in the budget, even in the wake of a realigned agency combined with ICE and CBP, should retain a fee-funded model. Given the Obama and Biden Administrations’ lack of will, fees should be increased agencywide to keep in step with inflation and the true cost of the adju- dications. The incoming Administration should immediately submit a fee rule that reflects such an increase. Aside from an increase in all fees, the rule should drastically limit the availability for fee waivers and should implement a fee for asylum applications. Additionally, Congress should allow for a 10 percent across- the-board increase in all fees for all fee rules to account for the fact that new fee rules always lag behind budget requirements. USCIS should strive to increase opportunities for premium processing, a ben- efit by which applicants can expedite their processing times. While this places time burdens on adjudicators, it provides an opportunity for a significant influx of money into the agency, which is not currently available. While simply raising fees to the necessary levels to make the agency run efficiently would be prefera- ble, without the need for expanded premium processing, this short-term measure should be utilized, particularly if longer-term fee rules are unsuccessful. At least until USCIS is caught up on all case backlogs, all applicants rejected for any benefit or status adjudication should be required to leave the U.S. immediately. Ordinary process can resume once all case backlogs have been adjudicated. Finally, USCIS should pause the intake of applications in a benefit category when backlogs in that category become excessive. Once USCIS adjudicators can decrease that caseload to a manageable number, application intake should resume.

Department of Justice

Weak
Vector: 62%
Pages: 599-601AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The JUDGES Act focuses on increasing district court judgeships to reduce overall case backlog, with no explicit connection to immigration enforcement or DOJ priorities. Any alignment is only tangential, as additional judges could indirectly affect immigration-related cases but the bill does not target the immigration objectives outlined in Project 2025."

Key themes:judicial capacitycase backlogimmigration adjudication

— 567 — Department of Justice Ensuring Proper Enforcement and Administration of Our Immigration Laws. Although its role has changed over the years, most notably following the passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002,93 the Department of Justice plays a crucial role in the enforcement and adjudication of our immigration laws.94 Its leadership and energy, however, have not always reflected the importance placed by Congress on the execution of that crucial mission. With a few notable exceptions, successful fulfillment of the department’s responsibilities with respect to immi- gration was largely neglected until the Trump Administration. The Department of Homeland Security may be the largest federal department with immigration responsibilities, but successful fulfillment of the responsibilities prescribed by the immigration laws is not possible without bold and dedicated action by the Department of Justice. The DOJ and its leadership must intentionally prioritize fulfillment of the department’s immigration-related responsibilities in the next conservative Admin- istration. This will be no small task, as these responsibilities play out across nearly every DOJ office and component. If they hope to fulfill their responsibilities as assigned by Congress and deliver results for the American people, the department and the Attorney General should: l Issue guidance to all U.S. Attorneys emphasizing the importance of prosecuting immigration offenses,95 and immigration-related offenses. The brunt of these offenses is born by districts along the southwestern border with Mexico, but the simple fact remains that immigration and immigration-related offenses are present in every district across the country. Successfully pursuing the priorities outlined in this chapter will require creative use of the various immigration and immigration-related authorities in close partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and other appropriate federal entities depending on the situation. l Pursue appropriate steps to assist the Department of Homeland Security in obtaining information about criminal aliens in jurisdictions across the United States, particularly those inside “sanctuary” jurisdictions. l Examine and consider the appropriateness of withdrawing or overturning every immigration decision rendered by Attorney General Garland (and any successor Attorney General during President Biden’s term). The Attorney General should pick up where the Attorneys General under President Trump left off and exercise his or her authority to adjudicate cases and provide guidance in appropriate cases to — 568 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise correct erroneous decisions, provide clarity, and align Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) decisions with the law. l At a minimum, pursue through rulemaking—and in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security where appropriate—the promulgation of every rule related to immigration that was issued during the Trump Administration. Such rulemakings include guidance on continuances in immigration court cases, eligibility for asylum, and other related matters. However, the DOJ should not stop there: It should continually evaluate its authorities and operational reality within the immigration court system and promulgate regulations accordingly. l Commit sufficient resources to the adjudication of cases in the immigration court system in different environments (for example, in the context of the Migrant Protection Protocols). l Pursue proactive litigation to advance the federal government’s interests in areas where erroneous precedent curtails authorities provided by Congress (for example, by pursuing the overturning of the Flores Settlement Agreement). l Pursue aggressive enforcement of the immigration laws within the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division to ensure that no American citizen is discriminated against in the employment context in favor of a temporary or foreign worker.96 l Ensure the deployment and use of appointees throughout the department who are committed to successful achievement of the department’s immigration-related missions. This includes personnel in or overseeing not only the EOIR, but also the Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Associate Attorney General, Office of the Solicitor General, and nearly every other component/ office throughout the department. l Pursue a more vigorous anti-fraud program within the EOIR. In perhaps no other area of law are there more attorneys who commit acts of fraud against their clients—advancing completely meritless arguments in exchange for exorbitant fees—than there are in the area of immigration. Fraud and unethical behavior are rampant in the immigration system and must be addressed—not only to ensure that the federal government is operating in a proper manner, but also for the sake of the aliens involved in

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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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