Words Matter Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/hr/3420
Last Updated: August 26, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

ID: S000250

Follow the money

The bill

Words Matter Act of 2025

HR. 3420, 119th Congress — read as touching Long-Term Care & Nursing Homes.

The sponsor

Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

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

The money

$90,500 raised

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

The alignment

70% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Health and Human Services" section, p. 533-535 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 Voice Vote.

March 25, 2026

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 masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. The "Words Matter Act of 2025" - because, apparently, that's all that matters here: words. Not actual substance, not meaningful change, just a fancy game of semantic twister.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** Oh, please, it's all about feeling good, not doing good. This bill aims to remove the terms "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation" from federal law, replacing them with the more palatable "intellectual disability." Because, you know, if we just change the words, the problems will magically disappear. It's like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill proposes a slew of amendments to various federal laws, all centered around this linguistic shell game. We've got changes to the way we refer to individuals with intellectual disabilities in contexts ranging from healthcare to crime and punishment. It's a veritable feast of euphemisms, designed to make everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** Ah, the usual suspects: politicians looking for a cheap PR win, special interest groups seeking to exploit the issue for their own gain, and voters who are too busy being distracted by the shiny object of "words mattering" to notice the lack of actual progress. Oh, and let's not forget the individuals with intellectual disabilities themselves, who will likely see little to no tangible improvement in their lives as a result of this bill.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** Well, aside from the obvious - that this bill will do nothing to address the real issues facing individuals with intellectual disabilities - we can expect a few things. First, politicians will get to pat themselves on the back for "doing something" about the issue. Second, special interest groups will continue to exploit the situation for their own benefit. And third, voters will remain blissfully ignorant of the fact that they've been sold a bill of goods that's all sizzle and no steak.

In short, this bill is a classic case of legislative placebo effect: it looks like something is being done, but in reality, it's just a sugar pill designed to make everyone feel better without actually addressing the underlying problems. And that, my friends, is the real disease - one of cowardice, corruption, and a fundamental disregard for the well-being of those who need help most. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch this farce unfold.

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

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$90,500
22 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$17,600
Committees
$0
Individuals
$72,900

No PAC contributions found

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
4 transactions
$16,600
2
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
HOWARD, RONALD VANCE
1 transaction
$5,000
2
HOWARD, KAREN
1 transaction
$5,000
3
SINGH, PRITPAL
1 transaction
$5,000
4
KAUR, MANJIT
1 transaction
$5,000
5
BEHRINGER, TODD
1 transaction
$3,400
6
CARMICHAEL, JEFF
1 transaction
$3,300
7
OBERHELMAN, DIANE
1 transaction
$3,300
8
SHELTON, WALLACE
1 transaction
$3,300
9
SIMMONS, HARRIS
1 transaction
$3,300
10
CURRY, ALICIA
1 transaction
$3,300
11
CURRY, PATRICK
1 transaction
$3,300
12
BEKTAS, MELIH
1 transaction
$3,300
13
JOHNSON, WALTER
1 transaction
$3,300
14
ROLAND, JAMES
1 transaction
$3,300
15
PATTERSON, DAN
1 transaction
$3,300
16
DEASON, DARWIN
1 transaction
$3,300
17
WINN, MELINDA
1 transaction
$3,300
18
WINN, STEPHEN
1 transaction
$3,300
19
MOUNTAIN, ROCKY MR.
1 transaction
$3,300
20
PEROT, H. ROSS MR. , JR.
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

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

Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]

ID: P000607

Top Contributors

25

1
FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI COMMUNITY
OrganizationCRANDON, WI
$3,300
Jun 23, 2023
2
FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI COMMUNITY
OrganizationCRANDON, WI
$3,300
Jun 26, 2024
3
HO CHUNK NATION
OrganizationBLACK RIVER FALLS, WI
$3,300
Oct 16, 2024
4
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Jun 13, 2024
5
ONEIDA ONEIDA TRIBE OF INDIANS OF WISCONSI
OrganizationONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
6
MILLER, JOHN W.
ARENBERG HOLDINGS • PRINCIPAL
IndividualFOX POINT, WI
$5,800
Aug 4, 2023
7
MANOCHERIAN, GREG
SELF • REAL ESTATE
IndividualPOUND RIDGE, NY
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
8
MANOCHERIAN, JED
SELF • REAL ESTATE
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
9
MANOCHERIAN, JENNIFER
SELF • WRITER
IndividualSCARSDALE, NY
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
10
HARRINGTON, HOPE
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Mar 29, 2024

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

ID: N000147

Top Contributors

20

1
DONOHOE, BERT
THE DONOHOE COMPANIES INC. • EVP, REAL ESTATE
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$3,300
May 2, 2024
2
OTONI, RAFAELA
HILTON CORPORATION • PRESIDENT & CEO
IndividualMC LEAN, VA
$3,300
May 3, 2024
3
REID, JACK
RAM CUSTOM SERVICES • PRESIDENT
IndividualCHESAPEAKE BEACH, MD
$3,300
May 6, 2024
4
LEWIS, JACQUELINE
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Jul 10, 2023
5
LEWIS, JACQUELINE
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Jul 10, 2023
6
BARRY, DAVID E. JR
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualBEALLSVILLE, MD
$2,500
May 12, 2024
7
POLASKI, MICHAEL
THE DONOHOE COMPANIES INC. • EXECUTIVE
IndividualBROADLANDS, VA
$2,500
May 13, 2024
8
GRUNLEY, KENNETH
GRUNLEY CONSTRUCTION • CEO
IndividualPOTOMAC, MD
$2,500
Jun 23, 2023
9
BRUCH, CHRIS
THE DONOHOE COMPANIES INC. • CEO
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$2,300
Apr 30, 2024
10
EARNEST, JAMES M.
SELF-EMPLOYED • REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$2,300
May 10, 2024

Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9]

ID: H001067

Top Contributors

23

1
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
2
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
3
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
OrganizationROCK HILL, SC
$1,500
Mar 5, 2024
4
HENDRICK, JOSEPH RIDDICK III
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS • CHAIRMAN
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$50,000
Dec 12, 2023
5
GROSS, MARK J.
OAK GROVE TECHNOLOGIES • CEO
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$50,000
Feb 27, 2023
6
WARLICK, ANDERSON D. MR.
PARKDALE MILLS • CEO
IndividualGASTONIA, NC
$50,000
Mar 16, 2023
7
BARNHILL, ROBERT E. MR. JR.
BARNHILL CONTRACTING COMPANY • PRESIDENT
IndividualROCKY MOUNT, NC
$50,000
May 14, 2024
8
HUNTER, FRED NEAL
KNOW BIO LLC • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualDURHAM, NC
$35,000
Mar 31, 2023
9
SULLIVAN, SCOTT C.
CAMERON MANAGEMENT • CO-FOUNDER
IndividualBANNER ELK, NC
$25,000
Dec 29, 2023
10
ALLISON, DENNIS KEITH MR.
SYSTEL • PRESIDENT/CEO
IndividualFAYETTEVILLE, NC
$25,000
Mar 3, 2023

Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]

ID: Z000018

Top Contributors

46

1
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
OrganizationTUCSON, AZ
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
2
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Feb 5, 2024
3
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Feb 5, 2024
4
THE TULALIP TRIBES OF WASHINGTON
OrganizationTULALIP, WA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
5
PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationPALA, CA
$2,500
Jun 6, 2023
6
CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD NATION
OrganizationPABLO, MT
$2,350
Mar 20, 2023
7
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$2,000
Oct 28, 2024
8
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND MIWOK INDIANS
OrganizationPLACERVILLE, CA
$2,000
Jan 16, 2024
9
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$2,000
Mar 5, 2024
10
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$2,000
Sep 30, 2024

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

ID: S000522

Top Contributors

21

1
WALL REPUBLICAN CLUB
OrganizationWALL, NJ
$1,100
Mar 5, 2023
2
CLAYTON, WILLIAM MR.
RALPH CLAYTON & SONS • OWNER
IndividualBRIELLE, NJ
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024
3
DUNCAN, JAN L. MRS.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Oct 29, 2024
4
HARRIS, MARY ELLEN MRS.
HARRIS FRC CORPORATION • CEO
IndividualHOLMDEL, NJ
$3,300
Oct 29, 2024
5
KOLBER, GEORGE MR.
KOLBER PROPERTIES • OWNER
IndividualRUMSON, NJ
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
6
OBERHELMAN, DIANE MRS.
CULLINAN PROPERTIES • CHAIRMAN
IndividualEDWARDS, IL
$3,300
Dec 6, 2024
7
HOLMES, WILLIAM MR.
SELF • OIL & GAS
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
8
HOLMES, WILLIAM MR.
SELF • OIL & GAS
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
9
DEANGELIS, MARK MR.
SELF • FINANCE
IndividualHOLMDEL, NJ
$3,300
Sep 25, 2023
10
ADJMI, HARRY MR.
ONE STEP UP LTD • CEO
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023

Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

ID: M000871

Top Contributors

22

1
PRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI NATION
OrganizationMAYETTA, KS
$3,300
Jul 18, 2023
2
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$2,500
Sep 9, 2024
3
DEMETREE, MARK
DEMETREE SALT LLC • CEO
IndividualLEAWOOD, KS
$13,200
Nov 3, 2023
4
CORDES, SHANE L.
MIDWEST ATC • CEO
IndividualCHERRY HILLS VILLA, CO
$13,200
Nov 3, 2023
5
FLOYD, MARTIE
SELF-EMPLOYED • FARMER
IndividualJOHNSON, KS
$6,600
Dec 8, 2023
6
HEBENSTREIT, JAMES
BARTLETT AND COMPANY • PRESIDENT
IndividualKANSAS CITY, MO
$6,600
Dec 4, 2023
7
FLOYD, MARTIE
SELF-EMPLOYED • FARMER
IndividualJOHNSON, KS
$6,600
Dec 8, 2023
8
BARTON, TIMOTHY
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$6,600
Nov 2, 2023
9
HURD, MATTHEW D.
INSCO • PRESIDENT
IndividualWELLSVILLE, KS
$6,600
Dec 11, 2023
10
OLSEN, LINDSAY
MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST CORPORATION • PRESIDENT
IndividualPRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS
$6,600
Mar 16, 2023

Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

ID: H001093

Top Contributors

24

1
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Aug 3, 2023
2
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationRED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Aug 3, 2023
3
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA OF NORTH DAKOTA
OrganizationBELCOURT, ND
$3,300
Aug 3, 2023
4
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Dec 19, 2023
5
BANKE, BARBARA
JACKSON FAMILY FOUNDATION • EXECUTIVE
IndividualGEYSERVILLE, CA
$6,600
Dec 7, 2023
6
SCHWARZMAN, CHRISTINE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Mar 6, 2024
7
GRIFFIN, KENNETH
CITADEL LLC • FOUNDER CEO
IndividualMIAMI BEACH, FL
$6,600
Apr 10, 2023
8
ROWAN, CAROLYN
CAROLYN ROWAN COLLECTION LLC • EXECUTIVE
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Jun 28, 2023
9
ROWAN, MARC
APOLLO MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS • EXECUTIVE
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Jun 28, 2023
10
KIESLER, DOUGLAS M MR.
KIESLER POLICE SUPPLY, INC. • CEO
IndividualGREENVILLE, IN
$6,600
Feb 22, 2023

Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5]

ID: L000595

Top Contributors

32

1
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
PACMANSURA, LA
$2,500
May 26, 2023
2
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
PACMANSURA, LA
$2,500
Jul 7, 2024
3
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationCATOOSA, OK
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
4
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Dec 26, 2024
5
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Nov 9, 2023
6
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
7
UNITED STATES MARSHAL SERVICE
OrganizationNEW YORK, NY
$2,900
Mar 17, 2023
8
CHRIS STANT, LLC
OrganizationMANDEVILLE, LA
$2,800
Jan 28, 2023
9
FORTE AND TABLADA
OrganizationBATON ROUGE, LA
$2,500
Oct 2, 2024
10
ALISON BEEBE SADLER DANOS QSST TRUST
OrganizationRIDGELAND, MS
$2,500
Sep 6, 2024

Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

ID: V000138

Top Contributors

22

1
LUX FOR VIRGINIA
OrganizationLADYSMITH, VA
$500
Mar 29, 2024
2
LUX FOR VIRGINIA
OrganizationLADYSMITH, VA
$500
Mar 31, 2024
3
FORSTER-BURKE, DIANE
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualCOTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT
$4,000
Apr 20, 2024
4
FORSTER-BURKE, DIANE
IndividualCOTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT
$4,000
May 5, 2024
5
VON STEIN, THOMSON
IndividualROCKVILLE, MD
$3,500
Aug 7, 2024
6
HULL, MEGAN
SELF • ACTIVIST
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Nov 2, 2024
7
KAISER, GEORGE
GBK CORPORATION • EXECUTIVE
IndividualTULSA, OK
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024
8
PARSONS, KATHLEEN
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualPOTOMAC, MD
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
9
STAPLE, HARISE
SELF • MD
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
10
HOLMES, LAURA
SELF • REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
IndividualBOCA RATON, FL
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024

Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36]

ID: B001291

Top Contributors

23

1
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023
2
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$3,300
Sep 27, 2024
3
TIGUA INDIAN RESERVATION - YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO
OrganizationYSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO, TX
$2,500
Jun 13, 2023
4
WORTHAM, ROBERT JUDGE
JEFFERSON COUNTY • DISTRICT ATTORNEY
IndividualBEAUMONT, TX
$6,600
Jul 14, 2023
5
WORTHAM, ROBERT J. JUDGE
IndividualBEAUMONT, TX
$6,600
Jul 20, 2023
6
BARTLETT, BRUCE
BARTLETT GROUP • TREASURER
IndividualRANCHO SANTA FE, CA
$3,300
Oct 24, 2023
7
MCINGVALE, JAMES F.
GALLERY FURNITURE • FOUNDER/CEO
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Nov 3, 2023
8
MCINGVALE, LINDA
GALLERY FURNITURE/WESTSIDE TENNIS CLUB • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Nov 3, 2023
9
OZMEN, FATIH M. MRS.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualSPARKS, NV
$3,300
Nov 17, 2023
10
ALLEN, ROGER
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualPASADENA, TX
$3,300
Jul 3, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

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Showing 44 nodes and 50 connections

Total contributions: $50

Top Donors - Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

Showing top 22 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs20 Individuals

Industry Impact

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

  • Section 2(b) amends the National Housing Act to replace 'the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled' with 'individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities' in mortgage insurance provisions for nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and board and care homes, which benefits long-term care providers by updating terminology without changing coverage.

  • Section 2(k) amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to replace 'the mentally retarded' with 'individuals with intellectual disabilities' in long-term care facility provisions, which benefits hospitals and health systems by aligning terminology with current standards without altering eligibility or coverage.

  • +Biotech & Researchconfidence 0.80

    Section 2(l) amends Title XVII of the Social Security Act to replace references to 'mental retardation' with 'intellectual disabilities' in grants for planning comprehensive action, which benefits biotech firms involved in research and development for intellectual disabilities by updating terminology in grant programs.

Project 2025 Policy Matches

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

Department of Health and Human Services

Moderate
Vector: 63%
Pages: 533-535AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The Words Matter Act aligns with Project 2025's focus on civil rights enforcement and nondiscrimination in health programs, particularly through updating stigmatizing language in federal health and social service statutes. While not directly tied to the specific rules cited in the Project 2025 excerpt, it supports broader goals of equitable treatment and dignity in HHS-administered programs."

Key themes:nondiscriminationdisability rightshealth equitylanguage reformHHS program integrity

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

Department of Health and Human Services

Weak
Vector: 62%
Pages: 533-535AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The Words Matter Act focuses on updating stigmatizing language in federal law to promote dignity and inclusivity for individuals with intellectual disabilities, while the Project 2025 HHS section emphasizes Medicaid reform, managed care oversight, abortion policy, and healthcare regulation—topics not directly addressed in the bill. There is minimal thematic overlap beyond a general concern for healthcare-related language and disability inclusion."

Key themes:healthcare terminologydisability inclusionfederal law reform

— 500 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 32. Owcharenko Schaefer, “Medicaid at 55: Understanding the Design, Trends, and Reforms Needed to Improve the Health Care Safety Net.” 33. Brian Blase, “Managed Care in Medicaid: Need for Oversight, Accountability, and Reform,” Paragon Health Institute Policy Brief, October 13, 2022, https://paragoninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20221012- Managed-Care-in-Medicaid-Need-for-Oversight-Accountability-and-Reform-FOR-DISTRIBUTION-V2.pdf (accessed February 13, 2023). 34. Owcharenko Schaefer, “Medicaid at 55: Understanding the Design, Trends, and Reforms Needed to Improve the Health Care Safety Net.” 35. 42 U.S. Code § 1315, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1315 (accessed March 17, 2023). 36. Chad D. Savage and Lee S. Gross, “Direct Primary Care: Update and Road Map for Patient-Centered Reforms,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3635, June 28, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/ files/2021-06/BG3635.pdf. 37. H.R. 133, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law No. 116-260, 116th Congress, December 27, 2020, Division BB, Title I, https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ260/PLAW-116publ260.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 38. Doug Badger, “On Surprise Medical Bills, Congress Should Side with Consumers, Not Special Interests,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, January 31, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/health-care-reform/ commentary/surprise-medical-bills-congress-should-side-consumers-not-special. 39. Edmund F. Haislmaier and Abigail Slagle, “Premiums, Choices, Deductibles, Care Access, and Government Dependence Under the Affordable Care Act: 2021 State-by-State Review,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3668, November 2, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/BG3668.pdf. 40. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service; U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Transparency in Coverage,” Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 85, No. 219 (November 12, 2020), pp. 72158–72310, https://www.govinfo.gov/ content/pkg/FR-2020-11-12/pdf/2020-24591.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 41. David N. Bernstein and Robert E. Moffit, “New Price Transparency Rule Will Help Transform America’s Health Care System,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, November 1, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/health-care- reform/commentary/new-price-transparency-rule-will-help-transform-americas-health-care. 42. Sluzala and Haislmaier, “Lessons from COVID-19: How Policymakers Should Reform the Regulation of Clinical Testing.” 43. Ibid. 44. Most recently enacted in H.R. 2471, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Public Law No. 117-103, 117th Congress, March 15, 2022, Division H, Title V, §§ 506–507, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ103/ PLAW-117publ103.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 45. President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Executive Order 14079, “Securing Access to Reproductive and Other Healthcare Services,” August 3, 2022, in Federal Register, Vol. 87, No. 154 (August 11, 2022), pp. 49505–49507, https:// www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-08-11/pdf/2022-17420.pdf (accessed March 16, 2023). 46. Planned Parenthood, 2020–2021 Annual Report, p. 27, https://www.plannedparenthood.org/uploads/ filer_public/40/8f/408fc2ad-c8c2-48da-ad87-be5cc257d370/211214-ppfa-annualreport-20-21-c3-digital.pdf (accessed March 22, 2023). 47. Ibid., pp. 30 and 31. Total revenue of $1,714.4 million (p. 30) minus $1,580.7 million in total expenses (p. 31) yields $133,7 million. 48. Ibid., p. 28. 49. Ibid., p. 30. 50. H.R. 372, Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2023, 118th Congress, introduced January 17, 2023, https://www. congress.gov/118/bills/hr372/BILLS-118hr372ih.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 51. 42 U.S. Code § 18023, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/18023 (accessed March 17, 2023). 52. H.R. 3128, Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, Public Law No. 99-272, 99th Congress, April 7, 1986, Title IX, Subtitle A, Part 1, Subpart B, § 9121, https://www.congress.gov/99/statute/STATUTE-100/ STATUTE-100-Pg82.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 53. H.R. 8070, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law No. 93-112, 93rd Congress, September 26, 1973, https://www. congress.gov/93/statute/STATUTE-87/STATUTE-87-Pg355.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). — 501 — Department of Health and Human Services 54. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Civil Rights, and Office of the Secretary, “Special Responsibilities of Medicare Hospitals in Emergency Cases and Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Critical Health and Human Service Programs or Activities,” draft of Proposed Rule, January 14, 2021, https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/infants-nprm.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 55. H.R. 26, Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, 118th Congress, introduced January 9, 2023, https:// www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr26/BILLS-118hr26pcs.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 56. H.R. 7, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023, 118th Congress, introduced January 9, 2023, https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr7/BILLS-118hr7ih.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 57. S. 401, Conscience Protection Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced February 24, 2021, https://www.congress. gov/117/bills/s401/BILLS-117s401is.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 58. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Office of the Secretary, “Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities,” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Notice of Tribal Consultation, Federal Register, Vol. 87, No. 149 (August 4, 2022), pp. 47824–47920, https://www.govinfo. gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-08-04/pdf/2022-16217.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 59. Ibid., p. 47916. 60. The regulation was not finalized before the end of the Administration. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, “Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” Proposed Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 84, No. 142 (July 24, 2019), pp. 35570–55581, https:// www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/07/24/2019-15670/revision-of-categorical-eligibility-in-the- supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap (accessed March 17, 2023). 61. 45 Code of Federal Regulations § 75.300(c) and (d), https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/ subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR911e5e1a30bfbcb/section-75.300 (accessed March 17, 2023). 62. H.R. 1750, Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced March 10, 2021, https:// www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr1750/BILLS-117hr1750ih.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023), and S. 656, Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced March 10, 2021, https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/ s656/BILLS-117s656is.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 63. S. 3949, Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022, Public Law No. 117-348, 117th Congress, January 25, 2023, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ348/PLAW-117publ348.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 64. Kelsey Y. Santamaria, “Child Migrants at the Border: The Flores Settlement Agreement and Other Legal Developments,” Congressional Research Service In Focus No. IF11799, April 1, 2021, https://crsreports.congress. gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11799 (accessed March 17, 2023). 65. Report, Building a Happy Home: Marriage Education as a Tool to Strengthen Families, Social Capital Project Report No. 1-22, March 2022, p. 17, https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/3d102525-6f0d-48ed- 92f4-d71edd468ad6/building-a-happy-home.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). The cover of the report reflects that the Social Capital Project is “[a] project of the Joint Economic Committee – Republicans.” 66. See, for example, Alan J. Hawkins, “Are Federally Supported Relationship Education Programs for Lower-Income Individuals and Couples Working? A Review of Evaluation Research,” American Enterprise Institute, September 2019, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ228/PLAW-117publ228.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 67. H.R. 8404, Respect for Marriage Act, Public Law No. 117-228, 117th Congress, December 13, 2022, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ228/PLAW-117publ228.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 68. Madison Marino, “Over 1,000 Safety Violations Mar Head Start. Children Deserve Better,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, November 10, 2022, https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/over-1000-safety- violations-mar-head-start-children-deserve-better. 69. American Hospital Association v. Becerra, 596 U.S. ___ (2022), https://www.supremecourt.gov/ opinions/21pdf/20-1114_09m1.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 70. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service; U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, “Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act,” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Federal Register, Vol. 88, No. 22 (February 2, 2023), pp. 7236–7281, https://www. govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-02-02/pdf/2023-01981.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023).

Department of Education

Weak
Vector: 62%
Pages: 368-370AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The Words Matter Act focuses on replacing stigmatizing language for intellectual disability, whereas the Project 2025 Education section aims to rescind equity‑based regulations and oppose disparate‑impact standards; both touch disability and education policy but pursue different objectives."

Key themes:disabilityeducationIDEAterminology

— 336 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise on civil rights, the next conservative Administration should take sweeping action to assure that the purpose of the Civil Rights Act is not inverted through a disparate impact standard to provide a pretext for theoretically endless federal meddling. Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities; Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities (Equity in IDEA) l Effective January 18, 2017, the department issued final regulations under Part B of IDEA that require states to consider race and ethnicity in the identification, placement, and discipline of students with disabilities. The new Administration should rescind this regulation. Students should never be denied access to special education services because of their race or ethnicity, but this is happening in school districts across the country thanks to the Obama Administration’s Equity in IDEA regulation. This was not the intent of the regulation, but it is an inevitable byproduct of its flawed assumptions. The Obama Administration looked at the racial statistics on special education assignment and made two assumptions: that African American students were dis- proportionately overrepresented, and that this overrepresentation constituted a harm that required federal pressure to ameliorate. School districts deemed to overrepresent minority students in special education assignment, or in discipline amongst special education students, are tagged by their state education agencies as engaging in “significant disproportionality,” and are required to reallocate 15 percent of their IDEA Part B money into coordinated early intervening services that are intended to address the “root causes of dispro- portionality.” In practice, this can mean raiding special education funding to pay for CRT-inspired “equity” consultants and professional development. This is especially problematic given that both of the assumptions behind Equity in IDEA are flawed. Special education services provide extra assistance to students; they do not harm them. And according to the most rigorous research on the subject, conducted by Penn State’s Paul Morgan, black students are actually underrep- resented in special education once adequate statistical controls are made. That means that this regulation effectively further depresses the provision of valuable services to an already underserved group. l The next Administration should immediately commence rulemaking to rescind the Equity in IDEA regulation. No replacement regulation is required. l The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) should prepare a digest of the best research on this subject and share — 337 — Department of Education it directly with state superintendents and state special education leaders across the country, who have been led by this regulation to believe a false problem diagnosis. Every effort should be made to dissuade states from continuing to operate on the assumption that overrepresentation requires state intervention after the federal pressure is rescinded. Provide School Meals to Children in Need; Do Not Use Federal Meals to Support Radical Ideology In May 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tried to advance a radical political agenda using the federal school meal program. Nearly a century ago, federal lawmakers adopted the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) and other services that provide meals for K–12 students to give children from low-income families access to food while at school. Since the 1940s, federal lawmakers have greatly expanded these meal programs, creating an entitlement for nearly all students, regardless of family income levels, and have turned the meal programs into some of the most wasteful federal pro- grams in Washington. Now, the USDA is threatening to withhold federal taxpayer spending for these meals from schools that do not implement Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 so that the term “sex” is replaced with “sexual orientation and gender identity” (SOGI). l The next Administration should prohibit the USDA or any other federal agency from withholding services from federal or state agencies—including but not limited to K–12 schools—that choose not to replace “sex” with “SOGI” in that agency’s administration of Title IX. The Administration will have significant support for this policy change among state officials and Members of Congress. Twenty-two state attorneys general filed a lawsuit after the USDA’s announcement that the agency intended to withhold spending from schools that do not replace sex with SOGI. Members of Congress also introduced legislation in 2022 that would prohibit the agency from carrying out its intentions regarding Title IX. Phase Out Existing Income-Driven Repayment Plans While income-driven repayment (IDR) of student loans is a superior approach relative to fixed payment plans, the number of IDR plans has proliferated beyond reason. And recent IDR plans are so generous that they require no or only token repayment from many students. l The Secretary should phase out all existing IDR plans by making new loans (including consolidation loans) ineligible and should implement

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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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