Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/5366
Last Updated: September 13, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

ID: S001214

Follow the money

The bill

Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act

HR. 5366, 119th Congress — read as touching Insurance (P&C and Life).

The sponsor

Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

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

The money

$72,600 raised

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

The alignment

70% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Agriculture" section, p. 344-346 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Signed by President.

September 10, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

Passed Congress

Presidential Action

📍 Current Status

Next: If the President signs the bill, it becomes law.

⚖️

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 intellectually bankrupt minds in Congress. Let's dissect this trainwreck, shall we?

The "Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act" - what a mouthful of meaningless words. This bill is a perfect example of how politicians use disasters as an excuse to line their own pockets and those of their corporate donors.

New regulations being created or modified? Oh boy, where do I even start? Section 2 of this abomination amends the Internal Revenue Code to codify and extend rules for personal casualty losses arising from major disasters. Because, you know, the current system wasn't already a Byzantine nightmare. Now, we get to add more complexity and loopholes for the wealthy to exploit.

Affected industries and sectors? Well, it's not like this bill is actually designed to help people affected by disasters. No, no. It's all about providing tax breaks for corporations and wealthy individuals who can afford to donate to politicians' campaigns. The insurance industry will love this, as they'll get to keep their profits while the government subsidizes their losses.

Compliance requirements and timelines? Ha! This bill is a joke. The effective date is set for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, because who needs immediate relief when you can wait a few years for the bureaucracy to kick in? And don't even get me started on the "coordination with superceded provisions" - it's like they're trying to create a puzzle that only their lobbyist friends can solve.

Enforcement mechanisms and penalties? *crickets* There are none. Because, of course, this bill is designed to be toothless. The politicians who sponsored this monstrosity know that the real goal is to provide a PR boost, not actual relief or accountability.

Economic and operational impacts? Let's just say that this bill will have all the impact of a placebo on a patient with a terminal illness. It'll make some people feel good for a few minutes, but ultimately, it'll do nothing to address the underlying issues. The only ones who'll benefit are the politicians who get to claim they "did something" and the corporations that get to exploit the loopholes.

In conclusion, this bill is a symptom of a deeper disease: the corruption and incompetence that plagues our political system. It's a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, a token gesture designed to distract from the real problems. And we're all just pawns in their game of legislative theater. How quaint. How utterly, mind-numbingly quaint.

Related Topics

Healthcare & Insurance Reform
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$72,600
16 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$72,600

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
SCHWARZMAN, CHRISTINE
2 transactions
$9,900
2
SCHWARZMAN, STEPHEN
2 transactions
$9,900
3
OBERHELMAN, DIANE A.
2 transactions
$6,600
4
DOUGLAS, GREGORY P
2 transactions
$6,600
5
HOLDERNESS, MICHAEL S. JR.
1 transaction
$3,300
6
MCGILLICUDDY, DENNIS J.
1 transaction
$3,300
7
MCGILLICUDDY, GRACIELA
1 transaction
$3,300
8
TWOHIG, STEPHEN
1 transaction
$3,300
9
BATMASIAN, JAMES
1 transaction
$3,300
10
LIGORI, CHRISTOPHER
1 transaction
$3,300
11
TEMPLETON, STEVEN
1 transaction
$3,300
12
GINSBURG, RON
1 transaction
$3,300
13
HALE, DARWIN R SR.
1 transaction
$3,300
14
TAYLOR, MARGARET J
1 transaction
$3,300
15
TAYLOR, MARGARETTA
1 transaction
$3,300
16
STEPHENS, WARREN A
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

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

Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]

ID: T000460

Top Contributors

43

1
ACTBLUE
COMSOMERVILLE, MA
$500
Oct 27, 2024
2
ACTBLUE
COMSOMERVILLE, MA
$30
Nov 3, 2024
3
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS
OrganizationSHINGLE SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
4
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
OrganizationBROOKS, CA
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023
5
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
OrganizationBROOKS, CA
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023
6
EASTERN BANK OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Feb 7, 2024
7
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Jun 23, 2024
8
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
May 23, 2023
9
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
May 23, 2023
10
MOORETOWN RANCHERIA
OrganizationOROVILLE, CA
$3,300
Sep 28, 2024

Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]

ID: L000578

Top Contributors

25

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
2
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
3
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
OrganizationCASS LAKE, MN
$2,000
Nov 4, 2024
4
VANN BROTHERS
UNINCORPORATED • PARTNERSHIP
OrganizationWILLIAMS, CA
$1,500
Jun 27, 2023
5
ONEIDA NATION
OrganizationONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Oct 31, 2024
6
SANTA ROSA RANCHERIA, .
SOVEREIGN NATION • INDIAN TRIBE
IndividualLEMORE, CA
$6,600
May 6, 2024
7
NECHAY, JULIA
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualROSEVILLE, CA
$5,000
Oct 26, 2024
8
OSAGE NATION, .
SOVEREIGN NATION • INDIAN TRIBE
IndividualPAWHUSKA, OK
$3,300
Oct 8, 2024
9
MCLAUGHLIN, RANDY
OLD DURHAM WOOD • ORCHARD TEMOVAL
IndividualDURHAM, CA
$3,300
Oct 13, 2024
10
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA, .
SOVEREIGN NATION • INDIAN TRIBE
IndividualDURANT, OK
$3,300
Oct 16, 2024

Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

ID: P000613

Top Contributors

28

1
ACROSS THE AISLE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Jan 12, 2023
2
ACROSS THE AISLE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Mar 23, 2023
3
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Apr 12, 2023
4
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Apr 12, 2023
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Apr 12, 2023
6
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Oct 16, 2024
7
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$2,500
Nov 9, 2023
8
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$1,700
Apr 12, 2023
9
CROWN, LESTER
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$6,600
Aug 9, 2024
10
KIM, SOON
IndividualSANTA CRUZ, CA
$4,300
Sep 30, 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. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

ID: N000191

Top Contributors

24

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
2
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$2,500
Oct 13, 2024
3
YUROK TRIBE
OrganizationKLAMATH, CA
$1,000
Feb 1, 2023
4
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$1,000
Jun 9, 2024
5
EKLUND, PAUL
IndividualBOULDER, CO
$6,400
Oct 3, 2023
6
EKLUND, PAUL
P.N. EKLUND INTERESTS INC. • REAL ESTATE
IndividualBOULDER, CO
$6,400
Sep 30, 2023
7
KLARMAN, SETH
THE BAUPOST GROUP • CEO
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
8
GROSS, DAVID
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO • INSTRUCTOR
IndividualBOULDER, CO
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
9
WEAVER, LINDSAY
SELF • ENGINEER
IndividualPAGOSA SPRINGS, CO
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
10
BLOOM, BRADLEY
BERKSHIRE PARTNERS LLC • INVESTMENTS
IndividualWELLESLEY, MA
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024

Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]

ID: M001241

Top Contributors

32

1
SYCUAN BANK OF KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
2
SANTA ROSA RANCHERIA
OrganizationLEMOORE, CA
$3,300
Jun 11, 2024
3
SANTA ROSA RANCHERIA
OrganizationLEMOORE, CA
$3,300
Jun 11, 2024
4
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
OrganizationBROOKS, CA
$3,300
Sep 25, 2023
5
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
OrganizationBROOKS, CA
$3,300
Jul 11, 2024
6
BARONA BANK OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$2,500
Jun 30, 2023
7
VIEJAS BANK OF KUMEYAAY INDIANS
OrganizationALPINE, CA
$2,500
Jun 30, 2023
8
SYCUAN BANK OF KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$2,000
Jun 30, 2023
9
SYCUAN BANK OF KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$1,300
Jun 30, 2023
10
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$1,000
Aug 5, 2024

Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]

ID: C001121

Top Contributors

20

1
TOLLEY, RUSSELL C
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualMANHATTAN, KS
$6,600
Jan 26, 2024
2
ALVARADO, LINDA
ALVARADO CONSTRUCTION • PRESIDENT
IndividualDENVER, CO
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024
3
ALVARADO, ROBERT L. JR
ALVARADO RESTAURANT NATION • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualGREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024
4
ASARCH, CHAD
MONROE GROUP • REAL ESTATE
IndividualDENVER, CO
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
5
CATTO, JOHN H
SELF-EMPLOYED • BUSINESS
IndividualBASALT, CO
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
6
DIXON, PETER
SECOND FRONT SYSTEMS • FOUNDER
IndividualPORTOLA VALLEY, CA
$3,300
Oct 27, 2024
7
HARING-SMITH, WHITNEY
ANZU PARTNERS • MANAGING PARTNER
IndividualMARLBOROUGH, NH
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
8
LAMBERT, RYAN
RYAN LAMBERT • ENTREPRENEUR
IndividualMCLEAN, VA
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
9
RESNICK, ERIC
KSL CAPITAL PARTNERS • CEO
IndividualVAIL, CO
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024
10
RESNICK, SARA
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualVAIL, CO
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024

Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

ID: T000487

Top Contributors

30

1
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,500
Jun 21, 2023
3
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,000
Mar 27, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 27, 2023
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
May 9, 2024
6
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$1,000
Jun 27, 2024
7
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$1,000
Aug 28, 2024
8
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$500
Sep 18, 2023
9
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$300
Mar 27, 2024
10
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$200
Mar 27, 2024

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

ID: D000032

Top Contributors

22

1
SHANNON GREEN COLLECTION
OrganizationNAPLES, FL
$500
Dec 28, 2023
2
NAPLES SMART, LLC
OrganizationNAPLES, FL
$250
Jun 4, 2024
3
COX, JOE B
NELSON MULLINS • ATTORNEY
IndividualNAPLES, FL
$6,600
Dec 30, 2023
4
STALLINGS, KYLE
DESERT ROYALTY COMPANY • FOUNDER/CEO
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$6,600
Mar 9, 2023
5
ZALIK, DAVID
GOLDMAN SACHS • EXECUTIVE
IndividualMARIETTA, GA
$6,600
Jan 3, 2024
6
ZALIK, HELEN
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualATLANTA, GA
$6,600
Jan 6, 2024
7
BAUM, DAVID
ENTREPRENEUR • ENTREPRENEUR
IndividualSANIBEL, FL
$6,600
Feb 13, 2024
8
WALDRIP, EMORY
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualNAPLES, FL
$6,600
May 20, 2023
9
MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE
DMM PROPRIETA MANAGEMENT • MANAGER
IndividualASPEN, CO
$6,600
Jun 7, 2024
10
MANDELBLATT, ERIC
SOROBAN CAPITAL PARTNERS LP • MANAGING PARTNER
IndividualASPEN, CO
$6,600
Jun 7, 2024

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

ID: B001257

Top Contributors

21

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

Donor Network - Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

Loading...

Showing 40 nodes and 51 connections

Total contributions: $51

Top Donors - Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount

16 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.

  • Section 2(b) amends the dollar limitation for personal casualty losses, which could increase insurance payouts for disaster-related claims, benefiting the insurance industry.

  • +Real Estateconfidence 0.70

    Section 2(c) allows individuals to deduct qualified net disaster losses without itemizing, potentially helping homeowners and real estate investors affected by disasters.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent — they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

  • from 6 contributions
    • ERTZ, JOHN$1,000
    • FOYT, JIM$1,000
    • KILPATRICK, EDWARD$1,000
    • LAWHON, MICHAEL$1,000
    • VANDEVELDE, RUSSELL$1,000

Project 2025 Policy Matches

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

Department of Agriculture

Moderate
Vector: 57%
Pages: 344-346AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill provides tax relief for individuals affected by major disasters, including wildfires, which aligns with USDA's disaster assistance objectives for agricultural and rural communities, though it operates through the tax code rather than direct USDA programs."

Key themes:disaster reliefwildfire assistancetax reliefagricultural resiliencefederal support

— 311 — Department of Agriculture ENDNOTES 1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Summary, p.1, https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/ files/documents/2023-usda-budget-summary.pdf (accessed December 14, 2022). 2. See, for example, U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Transforming the U.S. Food System,” https://www.usda. gov/fst (accessed December 14, 2022). 3. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Summary, p.1. 4. U.S. Department of Agriculture, “USDA Celebrates 150 Years,” https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/ history (accessed December 16, 2022). 5. The law stated, “[T]here is hereby established at the seat of government of the United States a Department of Agriculture, the general designs and duties of which shall be to acquire and to diffuse among the people of the United States useful information on subjects connected with agriculture in the most general and comprehensive sense of that word, and to procure, propagate, and distribute among the people new and valuable seeds and plants.” Gladys L. Baker et al., Century of Service: The First 100 Years of the United States Department of Agriculture, (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1963) p. 13, https://babel. hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4254098&view=1up&seq=33 (accessed December 16, 2022). 6. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Summary, p. 2. 7. Ibid., p. 2. 8. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2022–2026, p. 3, https://www.usda.gov/sites/ default/files/documents/usda-fy-2022-2026-strategic-plan.pdf (accessed December 14, 2022). 9. News release, “USDA Announces Framework for Shoring Up the Food Supply Chain and Transforming the Food System to Be Fairer, More Competitive, More Resilient,” U.S. Department of Agriculture, June 1, 2022, https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2022/06/01/usda-announces-framework-shoring-food-supply- chain-and-transforming (accessed December 14, 2022). 10. U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Transforming the U.S. Food System.” 11. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2022–2026, pp. 1–2. 12. U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Background on the U.S. Approach to the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit,” August 4, 2021, https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Background-on-US-approach-2021-UN- Food-Systems-Summit.pdf (accessed December 14, 2022). 13. U.S. Department of Agriculture, “UN Food Systems Summit,” https://www.usda.gov/oce/sustainability/un- summit (accessed December 14, 2022). 14. Mark Bittman et al., “How a National Food Policy Could Save Millions of American Lives,” The Washington Post, November 7, 2014, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-a-national-food-policy-could- save-millions-of-american-lives/2014/11/07/89c55e16-637f-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.html (accessed December 14, 2022); Daren Bakst and Gabriella Beaumont-Smith, “No, We Don’t Need to Transform the American Food System,” The Daily Signal, February 26, 2021, https://www.dailysignal.com/2021/02/26/ no-we-dont-need-to-transform-the-american-food-system/ (accessed December 14, 2022); and Daren Bakst, “Biden’s Food Conference Should Put People First, Not Environmental Extremism,” The Daily Signal, September 22, 2022, https://www.dailysignal.com/2022/09/22/bidens-food-conference-should-put-people- first-not-environmental-extremism/ (accessed December 14, 2022). 15. News release, “USDA to Invest Up to $300 Million in New Organic Transition Initiative,” U.S. Department of Agriculture, August 22, 2022, https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2022/08/22/usda-invest-300- million-new-organic-transition-initiative (accessed December 14, 2022). 16. Gary Baise, “Sri Lanka’s Green New Deal Was a Disaster,” Farm Futures, November 14, 2022, https://www. farmprogress.com/commentary/sri-lankas-green-new-deal-was-disaster (accessed December 16, 2022). 17. See, for example, Catherine Greene et al., “Growing Organic Demand Provides High-Value Opportunities for Many Types of Producers,” Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, February 6, 2017, https://www. ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2017/januaryfebruary/growing-organic-demand-provides-high-value-opportunities- for-many-types-of-producers/#:~:text=ERS%20research%20shows%20that%20many,flavor%20desired%20 by%20the%20consumer (accessed December 14, 2022), and Andrea Carlson, “Investigating Retail Price Premiums for Organic Foods,” Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, May 24, 2016, https://www.ers. usda.gov/amber-waves/2016/may/investigating-retail-price-premiums-for-organic-foods/ (accessed December 16, 2022). Further, there are many myths, such as those regarding the alleged health benefit of organic food. One — 312 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise meta study found that “[t]he published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods.” Crystal Smith-Spangler et al., “Are Organic Foods Safer or Healthier Than Conventional Alternatives,” Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 157, No. 5 (September 4, 2012), pp. 348–366, https:// www.acpjournals.org/doi/epdf/10.7326/0003-4819-157-5-201209040-00007 (accessed December 16, 2022). 18. Steve Savage, “USDA Data Confirm Organic Yields Significantly Lower Than With Conventional Farming,” Genetic Literacy Project, February 16, 2018, https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/02/16/usda-data-confirm- organic-yields-dramatically-lower-conventional-farming/ (accessed December 16, 2022). 19. See, for example, U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Notice: Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Partnership Program, Request for Comments,” USDA–2021–0010, October 21, 2021, https://www.regulations. gov/document/USDA-2021-0010-0001 (accessed December 16, 2022). 20. Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Public Law 117–169. 21. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, “Productivity Growth in U.S. Agriculture (1948–2019),” https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/agricultural-productivity-in-the-u-s/productivity- growth-in-u-s-agriculture-1948-2019/ (accessed December 14, 2022). 22. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, “Total Food Budget Share Increased from 9.4 Percent of Disposable Income to 10.3 Percent in 2021,” July 15, 2022, https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/ chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=76967 (accessed December 14, 2022). 23. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Quintiles of Income Before Taxes: Annual Expenditure Means, Shares, and Standard Errors, and Coefficients of Variation, Consumer Expenditure Surveys,” 2021, Table 1101, https://www.bls.gov/cex/tables/calendar-year/mean-item-share-average-standard-error/cu- income-quintiles-before-taxes-2021.pdf (accessed December 16, 2022), and Daren Bakst and Patrick Tyrrell, “Big Government Policies That Hurt the Poor and How to Address Them,” Heritage Foundation Special Report No.176, April 5, 2017, p. 7, https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/files/2017-04/SR176.pdf. 24. Daren Bakst and Joshua Sewell, “Congress Should Stop Abrogating Its Spending Power and Rein in the USDA Slush Fund,” Heritage Foundation Issue Brief No. 6052, February 19, 2021, p. 2, https://www.heritage.org/ budget-and-spending/report/congress-should-stop-abrogating-its-spending-power-and-rein-the-usda. 25. Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act of 1948, Public Law 80–806. 26. Bakst and Sewall, “Congress Should Stop Abrogating Its Spending Power.” 27. Ibid., p. 3. 28. Daren Bakst, “Comment from Bakst, Darren” on “Notice: Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Partnership Program, Request for Comments,” USDA–2021–0010, October 21, 2021,” November 1, 2021, https://www. regulations.gov/document/USDA-2021-0010-0001/comment?filter=bakst (accessed December 16, 2022). 29. U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Notice: Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Partnership Program.” 30. Megan Stubbs, “The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC),” Congressional Research Service Report for Congress, updated January 14, 2021, https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R44606 (accessed December 16, 2022). 31. “Overall, 34 percent of all farms reported receiving some type of Government payment in 2021,” and “[o]verall, 14 percent of U.S. farms participated in Federal crop insurance programs.” Christine Whitt, Noah Miller, and Ryan Olver, “America’s Farms and Ranches at a Glance: 2022 Edition,” U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, pp. 24 and 26, https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/105388/eib-247. pdf?v=527.4 (accessed March 18, 2023). This data, which apparently does not cover crop insurance, included payments beyond just commodity payments, such as conservation payments. 32. Randy Schnepf, “Farm Safety-Net Payments Under the 2014 Farm Bill: Comparison by Program Crop,” Congressional Research Service Report for Congress, August 11, 2017, https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44914.pdf (accessed December 14, 2022). 33. Although livestock and specialty crop producers do receive some subsidies, former American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman captured the subsidy issue well. He “dismisse[d] outright the claim that farmers couldn’t survive without subsidy money. ‘Why does the livestock industry survive without subsidies?’ he ask[ed]. ‘Why does the specialty crop [fruit and vegetable] industry survive?’” Tamar Haspel, “Why Do Taxpayers Subsidize Rich Farmers?” The Washington Post, March 15, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost. com/lifestyle/food/why-do-taxpayers-subsidize-rich-farmers/2018/03/15/50e89906-27b6-11e8-b79d- f3d931db7f68_story.html (accessed March 18, 2023).

Department of Homeland Security

Weak
Vector: 58%
Pages: 186-188AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill offers tax relief to individuals affected by disasters, whereas Project 2025's FEMA section emphasizes structural reforms, cost‑share adjustments, and reducing federal involvement in disaster assistance; both address disaster recovery but through different mechanisms, resulting in only a tangential connection."

Key themes:disaster relieffederal assistancewildfirestax policy

— 153 — Department of Homeland Security l 287(g) program. Issue a memo prohibiting any jurisdiction that applies from being denied access to the program unless good cause is shown. l Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) priorities. Issue Department Management Directive (and ICE companion Directive) to refocus HSI on immigration offenses and criminal offenses typically associated with immigration (for example, human trafficking). All criminal investigative work without a clear nexus to the border or otherwise to Title 8 should be turned over to the appropriate federal agency. l Blackie’s Warrants. ICE OPLA, ERO, and HSI should issue a joint internal memo on operationalizing Blackie’s Warrants for immediate use on worksite enforcement and other appropriate investigations and operations. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) Needed Reforms FEMA is the lead federal agency in preparing for and responding to disasters, but it is overtasked, overcompensates for the lack of state and local preparedness and response, and is regularly in deep debt. After passage of the 1988 Stafford Act,12 the number of declared federal disasters rose dramatically as most disaster costs were shifted from states and local governments to the federal government. In addition, state-friendly FEMA regulations, such as a “per capita indicator,” failed to maintain the pace of inflation and made it easy to meet disaster declaration thresholds. This combination has left FEMA unprepared in both readiness and funding for the truly catastrophic disasters in which its services are most needed. Reform of FEMA requires a greater emphasis on federalism and state and local preparedness, leaving FEMA to focus on large, widespread disasters. Under the Stafford Act, FEMA has the authority to adjust the per capita indi- cator for damages, which creates a threshold under which states and localities are not eligible for public assistance. FEMA should raise the threshold because the per capita indicator has not kept pace with inflation, and this over time has effectively lowered the threshold for public assistance and caused FEMA’s resources to be stretched perilously thin. Alternatively, applying a deductible could accomplish a similar outcome while also incentivizing states to take a more proactive role in their own preparedness and response capabilities. In addition, Congress should change the cost-share arrangement so that the federal government covers 25 per- cent of the costs for small disasters with the cost share reaching a maximum of 75 percent for truly catastrophic disasters. FEMA is also responsible for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), nearly all of which is issued by the federal government. Washington provides — 154 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise insurance at prices lower than the actuarially fair rate, thereby subsidizing flood insurance. Then, when flood costs exceed NFIP’s revenue, FEMA seeks taxpay- er-funded bailouts. Current NFIP debt is $20.5 billion, and in 2017, Congress canceled $16 billion in debt when FEMA reached its borrowing authority limit. These subsidies and bailouts only encourage more development in flood zones, increasing the potential losses to both NFIP and the taxpayer. The NFIP should be wound down and replaced with private insurance starting with the least risky areas currently identified by the program. Budget Issues FEMA manages all grants for DHS, and these grants have become pork for states, localities, and special-interest groups. Since 2002, DHS/FEMA have provided more than $56 billion in preparedness grants for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. For FY 2023, President Biden requested more than $3.5 billion for federal assistance grants.13 Funds provided under these programs do not provide measurable gains for preparedness or resiliency. Rather, more than any objective needs, political interests appear to direct the flow of nondisaster funds. The principles of federalism should be upheld; these indicate that states better understand their unique needs and should bear the costs of their particularized programs. FEMA employees in Washington, D.C., should not determine how bil- lions of federal tax dollars should be awarded to train local law enforcement officers in Texas, harden cybersecurity infrastructure in Utah, or supplement migrant shelters in Arizona. DHS should not be in the business of handing out federal tax dollars: These grants should be terminated. Accomplishing this, however, will require action by Members of Congress who repeatedly vote to fund grants for political reasons. The transition should focus on building resilience and return on investment in line with real threats. Personnel FEMA currently has four Senate-confirmed positions. Only the Administrator should be confirmed by the Senate; other political leadership need not be con- firmed by the Senate. Additionally, FEMA’s “springing Cabinet position” should be eliminated, as this creates significant unnecessary challenges to the functioning of the whole of DHS at points in time when coordinated responses are most needed. CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY (CISA) Needed Reforms CISA is supposed to have two key roles: (1) protection of the federal civilian government networks (.gov) while coordinating the execution of national cyber defense and sharing information with non-federal and private-sector partners

Department of Homeland Security

Weak
Vector: 57%
Pages: 186-188AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill provides tax relief for disaster victims, while the Project 2025 excerpt focuses on DHS immigration enforcement and FEMA structural reforms; both touch on disaster response but address different mechanisms."

Key themes:disaster relieffederal assistancetax policyFEMAindividual support

— 153 — Department of Homeland Security l 287(g) program. Issue a memo prohibiting any jurisdiction that applies from being denied access to the program unless good cause is shown. l Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) priorities. Issue Department Management Directive (and ICE companion Directive) to refocus HSI on immigration offenses and criminal offenses typically associated with immigration (for example, human trafficking). All criminal investigative work without a clear nexus to the border or otherwise to Title 8 should be turned over to the appropriate federal agency. l Blackie’s Warrants. ICE OPLA, ERO, and HSI should issue a joint internal memo on operationalizing Blackie’s Warrants for immediate use on worksite enforcement and other appropriate investigations and operations. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) Needed Reforms FEMA is the lead federal agency in preparing for and responding to disasters, but it is overtasked, overcompensates for the lack of state and local preparedness and response, and is regularly in deep debt. After passage of the 1988 Stafford Act,12 the number of declared federal disasters rose dramatically as most disaster costs were shifted from states and local governments to the federal government. In addition, state-friendly FEMA regulations, such as a “per capita indicator,” failed to maintain the pace of inflation and made it easy to meet disaster declaration thresholds. This combination has left FEMA unprepared in both readiness and funding for the truly catastrophic disasters in which its services are most needed. Reform of FEMA requires a greater emphasis on federalism and state and local preparedness, leaving FEMA to focus on large, widespread disasters. Under the Stafford Act, FEMA has the authority to adjust the per capita indi- cator for damages, which creates a threshold under which states and localities are not eligible for public assistance. FEMA should raise the threshold because the per capita indicator has not kept pace with inflation, and this over time has effectively lowered the threshold for public assistance and caused FEMA’s resources to be stretched perilously thin. Alternatively, applying a deductible could accomplish a similar outcome while also incentivizing states to take a more proactive role in their own preparedness and response capabilities. In addition, Congress should change the cost-share arrangement so that the federal government covers 25 per- cent of the costs for small disasters with the cost share reaching a maximum of 75 percent for truly catastrophic disasters. FEMA is also responsible for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), nearly all of which is issued by the federal government. Washington provides

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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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