Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/5490
Last Updated: July 21, 2026

Sponsored by

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

ID: S001229

Follow the money

The bill

Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act

HR. 5490, 119th Congress — read as touching Crypto & Fintech.

The sponsor

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

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

The money

$67,837 raised

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

The alignment

66% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Introduction" section, p. 254-256 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 in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.

December 2, 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 masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the geniuses in Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act (HR 5490) claims to target transnational criminal syndicates perpetuating online scams against Americans, specifically the "pig butchering" scams that have allegedly robbed thousands of their life savings. How noble. The real purpose, of course, is to create a new bureaucracy, expand government powers, and provide a platform for politicians to grandstand about fighting cybercrime.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill establishes an interagency Task Force, led by the Secretary of State, to "dismantle and shut down" these scam syndicates. Because, you know, creating another task force is always the solution to complex problems. The Task Force will develop a comprehensive strategy, coordinate with various agencies, and share information. Wow, how original. The bill also authorizes the intelligence community to provide support, because who doesn't love a good surveillance state?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: the Department of State, Justice, Homeland Security, Treasury, and various regulatory agencies. Oh, and let's not forget the "stakeholder organizations" that will be consulted quarterly, because their expertise in combatting online scams is undoubtedly invaluable. Meanwhile, the real stakeholders – the American people – will continue to be scammed, because this bill does nothing to address the root causes of these scams or provide meaningful protections.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The impact will be negligible, except for the expansion of government powers and the creation of new bureaucratic positions. The bill's proponents claim it will "disrupt and dismantle" transnational criminal entities, but we all know how well that's worked in the past (see: War on Drugs, War on Terror). In reality, this bill is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, designed to appease voters and provide a talking point for politicians. The scammers will adapt, the victims will continue to be victimized, and the government will continue to pretend it's doing something about it.

In conclusion, HR 5490 is a textbook example of legislative placebo effect: it looks good on paper, sounds good in press releases, but ultimately accomplishes nothing meaningful. It's a cynical attempt to exploit public concern about online scams for political gain, while ignoring the underlying issues and perpetuating the same failed policies that have allowed these scams to thrive. Bravo, Congress. You've done it again.

Related Topics

National Security & IntelligenceCybersecurity & Data Privacy
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

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

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$67,837
20 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$67,837

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
SASSO, APRIL
1 transaction
$6,600
2
PONDER, JACQUELINE
1 transaction
$3,437
3
KING, CHRISTOPHER M.
1 transaction
$3,300
4
CALDWELL, JORDAN
1 transaction
$3,300
5
DOPPELT, BRIAN
1 transaction
$3,300
6
KING, KYLIE A.
1 transaction
$3,300
7
SASSO, RICK C.
1 transaction
$3,300
8
SCHUMACHER, AMY MAE
1 transaction
$3,300
9
MCALLISTER, CHRIS
1 transaction
$3,300
10
ZINK, JAMES C.
1 transaction
$3,300
11
BARRETT, WILLIAM W.
1 transaction
$3,300
12
JONES, JERRY
1 transaction
$3,300
13
BEDEL, ELAINE
1 transaction
$3,300
14
ELWOOD, MARK
1 transaction
$3,300
15
JOHNSON, RICHARD L JR.
1 transaction
$3,300
16
MARTZ, GREG
1 transaction
$3,300
17
MILLER, TADD
1 transaction
$3,300
18
PRICE, FRANCIS
1 transaction
$3,300
19
KITTLE, JEFFREY
1 transaction
$2,500
20
LECHLEITER, SARAH L.
1 transaction
$2,500

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

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

Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]

ID: M001194

Top Contributors

10

1
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Aug 30, 2023
2
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Aug 30, 2023
3
POKAGON BAND OF POTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationDOWAGIAC, MI
$3,300
Aug 30, 2023
4
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA INDIAN TRIBE TRIBAL OPERATIONS
OrganizationMOUNT PLEASANT, MI
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
5
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS
OrganizationSHINGLE SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
6
NOTTAWASEPPI HURON BAND OF THE POTAWATOMI
OrganizationFULTON, MI
$3,300
Mar 12, 2024
7
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Jun 20, 2024
8
SAULT STE. MARIE TRIBE CHIPPEWA INDIANS
OrganizationSAULT SAINTE MARIE, MI
$2,900
Dec 19, 2023
9
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$2,500
Mar 4, 2024
10
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS
OrganizationSHINGLE SPRINGS, CA
$2,500
Sep 30, 2024

Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]

ID: R000619

Top Contributors

10

1
10SIX CONSUTLING
OrganizationHUDSON, WI
$10,000
Mar 29, 2024
2
10SIX CONSUTLING
OrganizationHUDSON, WI
$10,000
Mar 31, 2024
3
10SIX CONSUTLING
OrganizationHUDSON, WI
$6,000
Mar 28, 2024
4
10SIX CONSUTLING
OrganizationHUDSON, WI
$6,000
Mar 31, 2024
5
BUCKEYE JUNCTION LLC
OrganizationCOLUMBUS, OH
$1,000
Dec 20, 2023
6
LEHMAN PUBLIC POLICY LLC
OrganizationNEWARK, OH
$500
Dec 12, 2023
7
NELSON GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES LLC
OrganizationCOLUMBUS, OH
$350
Dec 12, 2023
8
SMITH, GREGORY B. MR. SR.
COMPCOCHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
IndividualCOLUMBIANA, OH
$6,600
Mar 11, 2024
9
MILLER, SAMUEL
TRUMBULL INDUSTRIESOWNER
IndividualYOUNGSTOWN, OH
$6,600
Mar 15, 2024
10
SMITH, GREGORY B. MR. SR.
IndividualCOLUMBIANA, OH
$6,600
Mar 14, 2024

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

ID: H001058

Top Contributors

10

1
POKAGON BAND OF POTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationDOWAGIAC, MI
$3,300
Dec 11, 2023
2
THALOP LLC
OrganizationINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$1,000
Aug 29, 2024
3
BARREL DOG, LLC
OrganizationHOLLAND, MI
$1,000
Sep 1, 2024
4
NOAH HOMES LLC
OrganizationINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
5
THALOP LLC
OrganizationINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
6
B&B DAIRY
OrganizationPLAINVIEW, TX
$500
Jul 28, 2024
7
B&B DAIRY
OrganizationPLAINVIEW, TX
$500
Sep 5, 2024
8
STRAIGHT LINE RED ANGUS
OrganizationBANGOR, MI
$250
Jul 23, 2024
9
VAN ANDEL, AMY
THE STEVE AND AMY VAN ANDEL FOUNDATIONEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
IndividualADA, MI
$75,000
Mar 29, 2024
10
VAN ANDEL, STEPHEN
AMWAYCHAIRMAN
IndividualADA, MI
$75,000
Mar 29, 2024

Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

ID: S001201

Top Contributors

10

1
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Aug 3, 2024
2
SCOTTO LLC
OrganizationWOODBURY, NY
$1,650
Aug 30, 2024
3
PATROON OPERATING CO. LLC
OrganizationNEW YORK, NY
$1,000
May 13, 2024
4
THE KLAR ORGANIZATION
OrganizationEAST MEADOW, NY
$1,000
Aug 8, 2024
5
TERIAN, OLIVIA
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$9,400
May 2, 2024
6
TERIAN, OLIVIA
OLIVIA TERIAN ART & DESIGNBUSINESS OWNER
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Mar 8, 2024
7
MORAN, MARY
NOT EMPLOYEDRETIRED
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Mar 28, 2024
8
MORAN, MARY
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$6,600
May 2, 2024
9
FAIVUS, HARRY E.
MOUNT SINAIPHYSICIAN
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$5,000
Oct 31, 2024
10
SOSNICK, AARON
IndividualRENO, NV
$3,392
Jun 25, 2024

Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]

ID: Y000067

Top Contributors

10

1
POKAGON BAND OF POTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationDOWAGIAC, MI
$8,300
Apr 25, 2023
2
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
3
MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION
OrganizationMASHANTUCKET, CT
$3,300
Oct 27, 2023
4
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Mar 16, 2024
5
POKAGON BAND OF POTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationDOWAGIAC, MI
$3,300
Apr 25, 2023
6
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
7
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
8
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA TRIBE OF MICHIGAN
OrganizationMT. PLEASANT, MI
$2,000
Oct 27, 2023
9
POKAGON BAND OF POTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationDOWAGIAC, MI
$1,700
Apr 27, 2023
10
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$1,650
Dec 31, 2023

Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]

ID: M001240

Top Contributors

10

1
FLOW, MEGHAN
HOMEMAKERHOMEMAKER
IndividualLEWISVILLE, NC
$6,600
Mar 1, 2024
2
FLOW, MEGHAN
IndividualLEWISVILLE, NC
$6,600
Feb 29, 2024
3
KING, SEBASTIAN
SELF EMPLOYEDCONSULTANT
IndividualPFAFFTOWN, NC
$3,435
May 28, 2024
4
JOHNSON, BRIAN
IndividualALEXANDRIA, VA
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
5
BROWN, THOMAS
MINDSETPARTNER
IndividualCHEVY CHASE, MD
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
6
TOWNSEND, JOHN
PAY TEL COMMUNICATIONSOWNER
IndividualKERNERSVILLE, NC
$3,300
Oct 20, 2024
7
BRAUER, CAMILLA
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualBRIDGETON, MO
$3,300
Sep 20, 2024
8
BRAUER, STEPHEN
HUNTER ENGINEERINGCHAIRMAN
IndividualBRIDGETON, MO
$3,300
Sep 18, 2024
9
SHAHEEN, LAWRENCE
SELF-EMPLOYEDATTORNEY
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$3,300
Jul 16, 2024
10
CANNON, CRAIG
KILPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTONATTORNEY
IndividualWINSTON SALEM, NC
$3,300
Dec 31, 2024

Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]

ID: M001219

Top Contributors

10

1
EYE OF THE TIGER PAC
PACARLINGTON, VA
$5,000
Sep 20, 2024
2
JOHNSON FOR LOUISIANA
CCMMETARIE, LA
$2,000
Oct 18, 2024
3
ROBERT J. TORRES TRUST
OrganizationTAMUNING, GU
$250
Feb 19, 2024
4
MOYLAN, JUDITH A.
MOYLAN'S INSURANCEPRESIDENT
IndividualBARRIGADA HEIGHTS, GU
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
5
ANDERSON, KIM FELL
SECURITY TITLEVICE PRESIDENT
IndividualTAMUNING, GU
$3,300
Sep 20, 2024
6
HABECK, TERRY W
AVIATION CONCEPTS INC.CEO
IndividualBARRIGADA, GU
$3,300
Aug 20, 2024
7
YSRAEL, MICHAEL
YTANO TA PARTNERSCEO
IndividualTUMON, GU
$3,300
Aug 20, 2024
8
YSRAEL, THERESA
Y TANO TA PARTNERSVICE PRESIDENT
IndividualTAMUNING, GU
$3,300
Aug 20, 2024
9
FLORES, PHILIP J.
BANK PACIFICPRESIDENT
IndividualHAGATNA, GU
$3,000
Jun 13, 2024
10
SGRO, ANTHONY P
PARADISE FITNESSPRESIDENT
IndividualHAGATNA, GU
$3,000
Jun 20, 2024

Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

ID: G000583

Top Contributors

10

1
AMERICAN EXPRESS
OrganizationNEWARK, NJ
$22,941
Apr 12, 2024
2
AMERICAN EXPRESS
OrganizationNEWARK, NJ
$10,621
May 10, 2024
3
PAYROLL DATA PROCESSING
OrganizationTAMPA, FL
$6,337
May 15, 2024
4
PAYROLL DATA PROCESSING
OrganizationTAMPA, FL
$6,337
Apr 15, 2024
5
PAYROLL DATA PROCESSING
OrganizationTAMPA, FL
$6,337
Apr 30, 2024
6
PAYROLL DATA PROCESSING
OrganizationTAMPA, FL
$5,751
Apr 1, 2024
7
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
8
SEKAS LAW GROUP LLC
OrganizationENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ
$1,500
Apr 12, 2024
9
SANDOR F. GENET & ASSOCIATES, P.A.
OrganizationNORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL
$250
Apr 12, 2024
10
FIRESTONE MILKEN, SARAH
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualPACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$13,200
Jul 2, 2024

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

ID: V000138

Top Contributors

10

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 EMPLOYEDNOT 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
SELFACTIVIST
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Nov 2, 2024
7
KAISER, GEORGE
GBK CORPORATIONEXECUTIVE
IndividualTULSA, OK
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024
8
PARSONS, KATHLEEN
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualPOTOMAC, MD
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
9
STAPLE, HARISE
SELFMD
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
10
HOLMES, LAURA
SELFREAL ESTATE INVESTOR
IndividualBOCA RATON, FL
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024

Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

ID: R000622

Top Contributors

10

1
HOPE SPRINGS FARM
OrganizationROXBURY, NY
$3,300
Aug 20, 2024
2
THE PLANTSMEN NURSERY
OrganizationGROTON, NY
$500
Oct 11, 2024
3
FLOWERS BY ORZEL
OrganizationWHITNEY POINT, NY
$300
May 6, 2024
4
FLOWERS BY ORZEL
OrganizationWHITNEY POINT, NY
$300
Jun 5, 2024
5
HOPE SPRINGS FARM
OrganizationROXBURY, NY
$50
Sep 13, 2024
6
KIRK, CLAY KENAN
SELF-EMPLOYEDINVESTOR
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Sep 23, 2024
7
KIRK, GARRETT JR
SELF-EMPLOYEDINVESTOR
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Sep 23, 2024
8
TRONE, DAVID J.
IndividualPOTOMAC, MD
$6,600
Jan 21, 2024
9
LANDEGGGER, GEORGE F.
IndividualRYE BROOK, NY
$5,000
Jul 31, 2024
10
FAIVUS, HARRY
SELF-EMPLOYEDPHYSICIAN
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$5,000
Oct 28, 2024

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

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

Loading...

Showing 53 nodes and 35 connections (41 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $129,887

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

Showing top 20 donors by contribution amount

20 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 1 helped, 3 harmed.

  • Crypto & Fintechconfidence 0.90

    The bill targets transnational criminal syndicates using cryptocurrency investment schemes (pig butchering) and includes provisions to sanction foreign persons involved in online financial scams, which would disrupt crypto-related illicit activities. Section 4(g)(3) mentions consulting with cryptocurrency exchanges to disrupt scam infrastructure, and Section 7 imposes sanctions on entities responsible for online financial scams, many of which use crypto. This imposes costs on crypto firms that m

  • Big Tech Platformsconfidence 0.85

    Section 4(g)(3) explicitly lists social media platforms, online dating applications, internet service providers, application stores, search engines, and search optimization companies as private sector actors to partner with for disrupting scam infrastructure. This indicates potential regulatory scrutiny, data sharing demands, or content moderation obligations, imposing costs on big tech platforms.

  • Telecommunicationsconfidence 0.80

    Section 4(g)(3) includes telecommunication carriers among private sector actors the Task Force shall develop partnerships with to disrupt scam infrastructure. This implies potential regulatory or cooperative pressure on telecoms to block or monitor scam-related traffic, imposing compliance costs or operational changes.

  • +Labor Unionsconfidence 0.70

    Section 8 authorizes programs to support victims of forced criminality (human trafficking) within scam centers, including trauma-informed care and reintegration. This could benefit labor unions by aiding victims who may be workers, though indirect. However, the bill's focus on rescuing trafficking victims aligns with labor union interests in combating forced labor, suggesting a potential benefit.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6])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 HARMS

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.

Introduction

Moderate65.8%
Pages: 254-256

— 222 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise forward-leaning in sharing cyber threat intelligence with private-sector partners and the public, emphasizing that the protective nature of such information is of value only if put into the right hands at the right time. Since critical infrastructure and services are overwhelmingly owned, managed, and defended by the private sector in the United States, there has been an increasing emphasis on declassify- ing intelligence and sharing actionable information with private-sector partners, often through industry-specific Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs); regional meetings of government and private-sector experts called InfraGard, run by the FBI; direct public notification from the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and (increasingly) the NSA; and more discreet one-on-one engagements led by the collecting agencies. These programs properly recognize the private sector’s role in providing cyber- security for Americans; in practice, however, the intelligence shared by the U.S. government through these venues is too often already known or no longer relevant by the time it makes its way through the downgrade process for sharing. In addition, government-shared information often needs to take advantage of the opportunity to provide contexts, such as attribution, trends, and size of the observed cyber problem. As warranted, additional context should be provided to the private sector as a matter of routine. To continue improving the U.S. government’s ability to defend the country’s most vital networks, the IC must adopt an “obligation to share” policy process, including the capacity for “write to release” intelligence products whereby newly discovered technical indicators, targeting, and other intelligence relevant to cyber defense are automatically provided either to the public or to targeted entities within 48 hours of their collection—which is how counterterrorism intel- ligence has been managed for years when it comes to a “duty to warn.” Under this policy, agency heads should still have the flexibility to withhold intelligence for operational or counterintelligence reasons but would need to report regularly to Congress on the number of and justification for exceptions. This policy would make sharing intelligence and defending networks the default, as it already is in the rest of the cybersecurity community outside the IC, to improve the quantity, relevance, and timeliness of defensive information while ensuring accountability for top leaders when they must withhold this information. One of the most significant challenges within the IC is presented by the need to share information promptly among the 18 elements of the intelligence enterprise. The only long-term solution to the understandable tension between the need to share information and the need to protect intelligence sources and methods is a robust real-time auditing capability that electronically flags unauthorized access. Under an identity management system with real-time audit, even the most sensi- tive information acquired by America’s intelligence agencies can be shared, and the access to and use of that information are appropriately monitored. Establishing — 223 — Intelligence Community a real-time auditing capability is essential to decreasing the risk for the heads of intelligence agencies in meeting their statutory requirements to ensure that they protect sources and methods associated with the classified information their agen- cies collect. Overclassification. There is broad consensus across the U.S. government and among stakeholders that the system for classifying, declassifying, and otherwise marking and handling sensitive information is at a crossroads. Exorbitant amounts of classified data are created daily, and agency personnel often mistakenly choose classification as the default selection to ensure national security. At the same time, the effectiveness of downgraded and carefully declassified information to support foreign policy efforts has been borne out in, for example, alerting the broader world of Russia’s buildup and likely plans for its invasion of Ukraine. Two executive orders principally govern how the U.S. government handles clas- sified and sensitive information. l Executive Order 13526, “Classified National Security Information,” issued in 2009,38 prescribes the classification levels and procedures for declassification. l Executive Order 13556, “Controlled Unclassified Information,” issued in 2010,39 aimed to establish a uniform program for managing all unclassified information that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls. The current system for declassifying classified national security information (CNSI) is extraordinarily analog, requiring experts’ review of individual records. Declassification policies are based on human review of paper and need to con- template and handle the proliferation and volume of digital records created by agencies. The U.S. government will soon reach the point at which manual review is impossible. The declassification of CNSI should support key U.S. national security objectives, reflect mission priorities, and not serve solely as a necessary procedural function. Reforms should include: l Tighter definitions and greater specificity for categories of information requiring protection. l More stringent policies to effect significant reductions in the number of Original Classification Authorities (OCAs). l Stricter accountability measures at the OCA level and more detailed security classification guides.

Introduction

Moderate62.5%
Pages: 229-231

— 196 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Simultaneously, Russia, China, and lesser adversaries exploit the more open networks of countries like the U.S. to undermine democracy through disinformation and propaganda. They have attempted to influence U.S. elections; enabled or encouraged actors to exploit cyber vulnerabilities to commit theft of real or intellectual property; and have challenged U.S. governmental, military, and critical infrastructure networks with targeted malware. In short, the cyberspace era has gradually evolved from one of exploration, innovation, and cooperation to one that retains these features but is also marked by aggressive competition and persistent threats. To meet this reality, the State Department must move beyond its traditional model of attempting to establish non-binding, informal world standards of acceptable cyberspace behavior. The State Department should work with allies to establish a clear framework of enforceable norms for actions in cyberspace, moving beyond the voluntary norms of the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts.26 The State Department should also assist the Department of Defense to go “on offence” against adversaries. “Deterrence as a strategic approach has not stemmed the onslaught of cyber aggression below the level of armed conflict.”27 The traditional U.S. defensive approach based on deterrence followed by reaction to crossed “red lines” is no longer effective. Adversaries can evade this strategy through multiple tactical lines of action below the level of armed conflict, and such actions have a cumulative strategic effect. The State Department’s role should be to work with allies and engage with adversaries when necessary to draw clear lines of unacceptable conduct. Global financial infrastructure, nuclear controls, and public health are particularly important areas in which consensus may even be found across ideological lines. These mission-essential institutional initiatives should be joined with others to establish a presidentially directed and durable U.S. foreign policy. CONCLUSION The next conservative President has the opportunity and the duty to restructure the creation and execution of U.S. foreign policy so that it is focused on his or her vision for the nation's role in the world. The policy ideas and reform recommen- dations outlined in this chapter provide guidance about how the State Department can contribute to this objective. In the main, this chapter refocuses attention away from the special interests and social experiments that are used in some quarters to capture U.S. foreign policy.

Introduction

Moderate62.5%
Pages: 229-231

— 196 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Simultaneously, Russia, China, and lesser adversaries exploit the more open networks of countries like the U.S. to undermine democracy through disinformation and propaganda. They have attempted to influence U.S. elections; enabled or encouraged actors to exploit cyber vulnerabilities to commit theft of real or intellectual property; and have challenged U.S. governmental, military, and critical infrastructure networks with targeted malware. In short, the cyberspace era has gradually evolved from one of exploration, innovation, and cooperation to one that retains these features but is also marked by aggressive competition and persistent threats. To meet this reality, the State Department must move beyond its traditional model of attempting to establish non-binding, informal world standards of acceptable cyberspace behavior. The State Department should work with allies to establish a clear framework of enforceable norms for actions in cyberspace, moving beyond the voluntary norms of the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts.26 The State Department should also assist the Department of Defense to go “on offence” against adversaries. “Deterrence as a strategic approach has not stemmed the onslaught of cyber aggression below the level of armed conflict.”27 The traditional U.S. defensive approach based on deterrence followed by reaction to crossed “red lines” is no longer effective. Adversaries can evade this strategy through multiple tactical lines of action below the level of armed conflict, and such actions have a cumulative strategic effect. The State Department’s role should be to work with allies and engage with adversaries when necessary to draw clear lines of unacceptable conduct. Global financial infrastructure, nuclear controls, and public health are particularly important areas in which consensus may even be found across ideological lines. These mission-essential institutional initiatives should be joined with others to establish a presidentially directed and durable U.S. foreign policy. CONCLUSION The next conservative President has the opportunity and the duty to restructure the creation and execution of U.S. foreign policy so that it is focused on his or her vision for the nation's role in the world. The policy ideas and reform recommen- dations outlined in this chapter provide guidance about how the State Department can contribute to this objective. In the main, this chapter refocuses attention away from the special interests and social experiments that are used in some quarters to capture U.S. foreign policy. — 197 — Department of State The ideas and recommendations herein are premised on the belief that a rigorous adherence to the national interest is the most enduring foundation for U.S. grand strategy in the 21st century. AUTHOR’S NOTE: Thanks to the entire State Department chapter team, the leaders and staff of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, and my colleagues at The Heritage Foundation’s Davis Center. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the following colleagues: Russell Berman, Sarah Calvis, James Carafano, Spencer Chretien, Wesley Coopersmith, Paul Dans, Steven Groves, Simon Hankinson, Joseph Humire, Michael Pillsbury, Max Primorac, Reed Rubenstein, Brett Schaefer, Jeff Smith, Hillary Tanoff, Erin Walsh, and John Zadrozny.

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Policy matches are calculated using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text. A score of 60% or higher indicates meaningful thematic overlap. This does not imply direct causation or intent, but highlights areas where legislation aligns with Project 2025 policy objectives.

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