RESTRAIN Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/5894
Last Updated: July 16, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

ID: T000468

Follow the money

The bill

RESTRAIN Act

HR. 5894, 119th Congress — read as touching Nuclear Power.

The sponsor

Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

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

The money

$78,850 raised

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

The alignment

55% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Defense" section, p. 158-160 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4779-4780)

November 18, 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 exercise in legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The RESTRAIN Act (Renewing Efforts to Suspend Testing and Reinforce Arms-control Initiatives Now Act) claims to prohibit explosive testing of nuclear weapons conducted by the United States. How noble. In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to appease the anti-nuclear crowd while maintaining a convenient loophole for "subcritical" tests.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends Section 4210 of the Atomic Energy Defense Act, striking subsection (a) and inserting a new prohibition on explosive testing. It also adds two new subsections: one limiting funds for such testing and another defining subcritical nuclear tests as exempt from this prohibition.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved in this charade:

* The Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will be tasked with enforcing this new "prohibition." * The defense industry, which has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, will likely find ways to exploit the subcritical test loophole. * Anti-nuclear activists will pretend this bill is a victory, while ignoring the gaping hole that allows for continued testing under a different name.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a masterclass in legislative sleight of hand. By prohibiting explosive testing while allowing subcritical tests, Congress can claim to be addressing nuclear proliferation concerns while actually doing nothing to hinder the development of new nuclear capabilities.

The real impact will be on the wallets of defense contractors and the egos of politicians who get to tout their "commitment to disarmament" without actually achieving anything. Meanwhile, the American public will remain blissfully ignorant of the fact that this bill is little more than a PR stunt.

Diagnosis: This bill suffers from a severe case of "Legislative Lip Service Syndrome," where lawmakers pay lip service to a popular cause while secretly undermining its intent. Treatment involves a healthy dose of skepticism and a strong stomach for the hypocrisy on display in Washington, D.C.

Prognosis: The RESTRAIN Act will likely pass with flying colors, hailed as a victory by those who don't bother to read the fine print. Meanwhile, the nuclear arms race will continue unabated, fueled by the very same politicians who claim to be working towards disarmament.

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

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$78,850
24 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$12,850
Committees
$0
Individuals
$66,000

No PAC contributions found

1
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$5,800
2
LAS VEGAS PAIUTE TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
3
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,500
4
RENO-SPARKS INDIAN COLONY
1 transaction
$1,000
5
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,000
6
NET2LINK, LLC
1 transaction
$250

No committee contributions found

1
ALSOP, JOSEPH W
2 transactions
$6,600
2
BROWN, JAY H.
2 transactions
$6,600
3
CHANG, RONIE
1 transaction
$3,300
4
PRITZKER, JAY
1 transaction
$3,300
5
SCHMIDT, ERIC
1 transaction
$3,300
6
CASHMAN, MARYKAYE
1 transaction
$3,300
7
GREENSPUN, MYRA S
1 transaction
$3,300
8
HAAS, GENE
1 transaction
$3,300
9
KELLNER, PETER
1 transaction
$3,300
10
SANDBERG, SHERYL
1 transaction
$3,300
11
SCOTT, MARIE RAY
1 transaction
$3,300
12
SUSSMAN, S. DONALD S
1 transaction
$3,300
13
TRONE, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
14
JURVETSON, KARLA
1 transaction
$3,300
15
SAMUELSON, MARTHA S
1 transaction
$3,300
16
SAMUELSON, PAUL
1 transaction
$3,300
17
BEKENSTEIN, ANITA
1 transaction
$3,300
18
BEKENSTEIN, JOSHUA
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

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

Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]

ID: G000559

Top Contributors

10

1
SAN PABLO LYTTON
OrganizationSAN PABLO, CA
$5,000
Aug 28, 2024
2
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
OrganizationBROOKS, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
3
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
OrganizationBROOKS, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
4
ONE LAKE HOLDING,LLC
OrganizationWALNUT CREEK, CA
$2,500
Nov 6, 2023
5
UNITED AUBURN INDIAN COMMUNITY OF AUBURN RANCHERIA
OrganizationSACRAMENTO, CA
$2,500
Oct 22, 2024
6
SAN PABLO LYTTON
OrganizationSAN PABLO, CA
$1,700
Aug 28, 2024
7
NAPA SOLANO BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL
OrganizationFAIRFIELD, CA
$1,500
May 13, 2024
8
BAINS FARMING LP
OrganizationYUBA CITY, CA
$1,000
May 15, 2024
9
GRUPE, GREENLAW JR.
THE GRUPE CO. • REAL ESTATE
IndividualLODI, CA
$5,800
Nov 7, 2023
10
HALL, CRAIG
HALL FINANCIAL GROUP • INVESTOR
IndividualFRISCO, TX
$3,683
Dec 5, 2023

Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

ID: M000312

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
2
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Oct 20, 2023
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Apr 30, 2024
5
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$2,900
Sep 30, 2023
6
HANEY, WILLIAM M III
DRAGONFLY • CEO
IndividualWAYLAND, MA
$6,600
Nov 29, 2023
7
DEMPSEY, BRIAN S
DEMPSEY LUCEY & ASSOCIATES • PRESIDENT
IndividualHAVERHILL, MA
$3,300
Nov 8, 2023
8
ESLER, JOHN K.
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualSUTTON, MA
$3,300
Oct 24, 2023
9
HANEY, WILLIAM M III
IndividualWAYLAND, MA
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
10
TANG, KEVIN
TANG CAPITAL • CEO
IndividualSAN DIEGO, CA
$3,300
Nov 8, 2024

Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

ID: L000582

Top Contributors

10

1
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Sep 24, 2024
2
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Dec 19, 2023
3
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jun 4, 2024
4
DEMOCRACY ENGINE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$2,000
May 19, 2024
5
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$2,000
Jun 21, 2024
6
ONEIDA NATION
OrganizationONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Oct 8, 2024
7
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$1,000
Sep 28, 2024
8
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$1,000
Aug 20, 2024
9
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$1,000
Dec 27, 2023
10
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$1,000
Oct 3, 2023

Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]

ID: D000399

Top Contributors

10

1
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE OF TEXAS
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Oct 1, 2024
2
DENNISON, ROBERT A. III
SELF-EMPLOYED • ATTORNEY
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Jun 28, 2024
3
WEBER, THOMAS M
MCELROY, SULLIVAN, MILLER, & WEBER LLP • ATTORNEY
IndividualWEST LAKE HILLS, TX
$3,300
Apr 19, 2024
4
CONYNGHAM, JIM
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Jun 28, 2024
5
BARNES, BEN F.
BEN BARNES GROUP • CONSULTANT
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Apr 24, 2024
6
LOOK JAMESON, MARION
N/A • RETIRED
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Sep 1, 2023
7
MOK, AMY WONG
ASIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER • EDUCATION
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Aug 29, 2023
8
LINEBARGER, DALE
N/A • RETIRED
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Sep 18, 2023
9
VARNEY, LANA K.
KING & SPALDING • ATTORNEY
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Sep 17, 2023
10
YANCY, HOWARD CHARLES
ZYDECO DEVELOPMENT • REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Aug 28, 2023

Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14]

ID: S001193

Top Contributors

10

1
HOLDING LLC, M13
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
OrganizationWEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
$1,650
Mar 31, 2023
2
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$1,000
Oct 21, 2024
3
DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION PAC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Aug 9, 2024
4
JORDAN, WAYNE D.
JORDAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS • PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
IndividualOAKLAND, CA
$6,600
Jun 24, 2023
5
DURST, DOUGLAS
ROYAL REALTY • REAL ESTATE
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,000
Aug 23, 2023
6
FASS, DANIEL
IndividualPRINCETON, NJ
$5,300
Oct 16, 2024
7
ANDERSON, KIMBALL
WINSTON & STRAWN LLP • ATTORNEY
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$4,200
Oct 24, 2023
8
KEHALY, WILLIAM
SNOW SUMMIT LLC • SKI PATROLLER
IndividualLAS VEGAS, NV
$4,200
Feb 21, 2023
9
KEHALY, WILLIAM
IndividualLAS VEGAS, NV
$4,200
Mar 2, 2023
10
ALPERT, HERB
SELF EMPLOYED • MUSICIAN
IndividualSANTA MONICA, CA
$3,700
Jan 30, 2024

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

ID: T000487

Top Contributors

10

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. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

ID: T000481

Top Contributors

10

1
ANH MANAGEMENT LLC
OrganizationPATERSON, NJ
$2,500
Jun 30, 2023
2
FALAH VENTURES LLC
OrganizationTAMPA, FL
$2,000
Mar 31, 2024
3
LAW OFFICE OF AFFAR BAKSH LLC
OrganizationJAMAICA, NY
$1,000
Mar 2, 2024
4
A. ARMUSANDNEEBOM CONSULTING LLC
OrganizationJACKSONVILLE, FL
$1,000
Mar 31, 2024
5
NADIM ISLAM EMERGENCY SERVICES, PLLC
OrganizationHOUSTON, TX
$1,000
Mar 31, 2024
6
KHALAF LLC
OrganizationTROY, MI
$1,000
Mar 31, 2024
7
MEHRIZI PROPERTIES LLC
OrganizationSACRAMENTO, CA
$500
Feb 4, 2024
8
MR AND MOSTAK LLC
OrganizationJAMAICA, NY
$500
Mar 31, 2024
9
MAHMOUD, ANNA F.
MAYO CLINIC • PHYSICIAN
IndividualPHOENIX, AZ
$13,200
Nov 17, 2023
10
MALAS, MOHANNAD
IndividualLAGUNA BEACH, CA
$9,300
Dec 31, 2023

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

ID: N000147

Top Contributors

10

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. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

ID: B001292

Top Contributors

10

1
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
OrganizationMARKSVILLE, LA
$3,300
Nov 10, 2023
2
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
OrganizationMARKSVILLE, LA
$1,700
Nov 10, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Mar 26, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 7, 2023
5
CAFRITZ, JANE
CALVIN CAFRITZ ENTERPRISES • MANAGER
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Oct 2, 2024
6
HIRST, THOMSON M
N/A • RETIRED
IndividualALEXANDRIA, VA
$3,300
Oct 11, 2024
7
MURTAGH, PAUL
PRECISION X-RAY INC. • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualALEXANDRIA, VA
$3,300
Oct 5, 2024
8
TOMPKINS, GRAVES
GENERAL ATLANTIC • FINANCE
IndividualBROOKLYN HGTS, NY
$3,300
Sep 29, 2024
9
MALLOY, GEOFFREY
MALLOY AUTO GROUP • PRESIDENT
IndividualMCLEAN, VA
$3,300
Jul 10, 2024
10
ARNOLD, LAURA
ARNOLD VENTURES • CO-FOUNDER
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Aug 16, 2024

Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]

ID: G000587

Top Contributors

10

1
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$1,500
Jun 28, 2023
2
ALABAMA COUSHATTA TRIB E
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Aug 2, 2023
3
GARCIA, ROLAND JR
GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP • ATTORNEY
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Feb 18, 2023
4
MCLANE, DRAYTON JR.
MCLANE GROUP • CHAIRMAN
IndividualTEMPLE, TX
$3,300
Oct 18, 2023
5
BAKER, DEBRA TSUCHIYAMA
BAKER WOTRING LLP • ATTORNEY
IndividualBELLAIRE, TX
$3,300
May 23, 2023
6
BODE, JEFFREY
CLICK N' CLOSE INC • MORTGAGE BANNKER
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$3,300
May 19, 2023
7
LOEB, MARGERY
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
May 25, 2023
8
MILLER, WILLIAM J
HILLCO PARTNERS LLC • LOBBYIST
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Jun 1, 2023
9
GONZALEZ, EDWARD
GONZALEZ & ASSOC. INC. • PRESIDENT
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
10
GUINDON, KATHLEEN
KATIES SEAFOOD • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualGALVESTON, TX
$3,300
Sep 4, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

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Showing 83 nodes and 42 connections (70 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $121,500

Top Donors - Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

Showing top 24 donors by contribution amount

6 Orgs18 Individuals

Industry Impact

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

  • −Nuclear Powerconfidence 0.90

    Section 2(a) prohibits explosive testing of nuclear weapons, which could limit research and development activities relevant to nuclear power technology and fuel cycle, imposing a cost on the nuclear power industry.

  • −Defense Contractorsconfidence 0.85

    Section 2(c) prohibits use of funds authorized for FY 2026 or otherwise made available for any fiscal year to conduct explosive nuclear testing, which could affect defense contractors involved in nuclear weapons testing 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 Defense

Weak
Vector: 63%
Pages: 158-160AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The RESTRAIN Act seeks to prohibit explosive nuclear testing, which directly conflicts with Project 2025's goal of restoring readiness to test nuclear weapons at the Nevada National Security Site. While both address nuclear deterrence and arms control, the bill's restriction on testing undermines Project 2025's emphasis on maintaining testing capability for deterrence and technological surprise response."

Key themes:nuclear deterrencearms controlnuclear testing policy

— 125 — Department of Defense 1. Accelerate the effort to restore plutonium pit production, which is essential both for modern warhead programs and for recapitalizing the stockpile. 2. Continue to invest in rebuilding infrastructure, including facilities at the National Laboratories that support nuclear weapons development. 3. Restore readiness to test nuclear weapons at the Nevada National Security Site to ensure the ability of the U.S. to respond quickly to asymmetric technology surprises. l Correctly orient arms control. The U.S. should agree to arms control agreements only if they help to advance the interests of the U.S. and its allies. 1. Reject proposals for nuclear disarmament that are contrary to the goal of bolstering deterrence. 2. Pursue arms control as a way to secure the national security interests of the U.S. and its allies rather than as an end in itself. 3. Prepare to compete in order to secure U.S. interests should arms control efforts continue to fail. MISSILE DEFENSE Missile defense is a critical component of the U.S. national security architecture. It can help to deter attack by instilling doubt that an attack will work as intended, take adversary “cheap shots” off the table, and limit the perceived value of mis- siles as tools of coercion. It also allows space for diplomacy during a crisis and can protect U.S. and allied forces, critical assets, and populations if deterrence fails.41 Adversaries are relying increasingly on missiles to achieve their aims. l China and Russia, in addition to their vast and growing ballistic missile inventories, are deploying new hypersonic glide vehicles and investing in new ground-launched, air-launched, and sea-launched cruise missiles that uniquely challenge the United States in different domains. l North Korea has pursued an aggressive missile testing program and is becoming increasingly belligerent toward South Korea and Japan. l Iran continues to maintain a missile arsenal that is capable of striking U.S. and allied assets in the Middle East and Europe, and its rocket launches demonstrate that it either has or is developing the ability to build ICBMs. — 126 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Missile defense has been underprioritized and underfunded in recent years. In light of these growing threats, the incoming Administration should treat missile defense as a top priority. Needed Reforms l Champion the benefits of missile defense. Despite its deterrence and damage-limitation benefits, opponents argue incorrectly that U.S. missile defense is destabilizing because it threatens Russian and Chinese second- strike capabilities. 1. Reject claims made by the Left that missile defense is destabilizing while acknowledging that Russia and China are developing their own advanced missile defense systems. 2. Commit to keeping homeland missile defense off the table in any arms control negotiations with Russia and China.42 l Strengthen homeland ballistic missile defense. The United States currently deploys 44 Ground-Based Interceptors (GBIs) as part of its Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system to defend the homeland against North Korea, but as North Korea improves its missile program, this system is at risk of falling behind the threat.43 1. Buy at least 64 of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), which is more advanced than the GBI, for an eventual uniform fleet of interceptors.44 The Biden Administration currently plans to buy only 20. 2. Consider additional steps to strengthen the GMD system such as a layered missile defense or a third interceptor site on the East Coast. l Increase the development of regional missile defense. As the Ukraine conflict amply demonstrates, U.S. regional missile defense capabilities are very limited. The United States has been unable to supply our partners reliably with any capabilities, and the number and types of regional missile defense platforms are less than the U.S. needs for its own defense. The U.S. should prioritize procurement of more regional defense systems such as Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Standard Missile-3, and Patriot missiles. l Change U.S. missile defense policy. Historically, the U.S. has chosen to rely solely on deterrence to address the Russian and Chinese ballistic

Department of Defense

Weak
Vector: 63%
Pages: 158-160AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The RESTRAIN Act seeks to prohibit explosive nuclear testing, which directly conflicts with Project 2025's goal of restoring readiness to test nuclear weapons at the Nevada National Security Site. While both address nuclear deterrence and arms control, the bill's restriction on testing undermines Project 2025's emphasis on maintaining testing capability for deterrence and technological surprise response."

Key themes:nuclear deterrencearms controlnuclear testingnational security

— 125 — Department of Defense 1. Accelerate the effort to restore plutonium pit production, which is essential both for modern warhead programs and for recapitalizing the stockpile. 2. Continue to invest in rebuilding infrastructure, including facilities at the National Laboratories that support nuclear weapons development. 3. Restore readiness to test nuclear weapons at the Nevada National Security Site to ensure the ability of the U.S. to respond quickly to asymmetric technology surprises. l Correctly orient arms control. The U.S. should agree to arms control agreements only if they help to advance the interests of the U.S. and its allies. 1. Reject proposals for nuclear disarmament that are contrary to the goal of bolstering deterrence. 2. Pursue arms control as a way to secure the national security interests of the U.S. and its allies rather than as an end in itself. 3. Prepare to compete in order to secure U.S. interests should arms control efforts continue to fail. MISSILE DEFENSE Missile defense is a critical component of the U.S. national security architecture. It can help to deter attack by instilling doubt that an attack will work as intended, take adversary “cheap shots” off the table, and limit the perceived value of mis- siles as tools of coercion. It also allows space for diplomacy during a crisis and can protect U.S. and allied forces, critical assets, and populations if deterrence fails.41 Adversaries are relying increasingly on missiles to achieve their aims. l China and Russia, in addition to their vast and growing ballistic missile inventories, are deploying new hypersonic glide vehicles and investing in new ground-launched, air-launched, and sea-launched cruise missiles that uniquely challenge the United States in different domains. l North Korea has pursued an aggressive missile testing program and is becoming increasingly belligerent toward South Korea and Japan. l Iran continues to maintain a missile arsenal that is capable of striking U.S. and allied assets in the Middle East and Europe, and its rocket launches demonstrate that it either has or is developing the ability to build ICBMs.

Department of Defense

Weak
Vector: 62%
Pages: 155-157AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"Both the bill and Project 2025 address nuclear weapons policy, but the RESTRAIN Act’s ban on explosive testing conflicts with Project 2025’s focus on maintaining a reliable, modernized nuclear deterrent through life‑extension programs and testing confidence. Overlap is limited to the general topic of the U.S. nuclear arsenal."

Key themes:nuclear deterrencenuclear modernizationarms controlnonproliferation

— 123 — Department of Defense 3. Employ a “name and shame” approach by making information regarding the names of entities that target democratic processes and international norms available in a transparent manner. 4. Work with the Interagency to employ economic warfare, lawfare, and diplomatic pressure against hostile state and nonstate actors. 5. Maintain the authorities necessary for an aggressive counterterrorism posture against threats to the homeland. NUCLEAR DETERRENCE Nuclear deterrence is one of the most critical elements of U.S. national security, as it forms a backstop to U.S. military forces. Every operational plan relies on the assumption that nuclear deterrence holds. Ever since the U.S. first acquired nuclear weapons, Administrations of both parties have pursued a strategy designed to deter nuclear and non-nuclear attack; assure allies; and, in the event of nuclear employ- ment, restore deterrence at the lowest possible cost to the U.S. Today, however, America’s ability to meet these goals is increasingly challenged by the growing nuclear threats posed by our adversaries. l China is pursuing a strategic breakout of its nuclear forces, significantly shifting the nuclear balance and forcing the U.S. to learn how to deter two nuclear peer competitors (China and Russia) simultaneously for the first time in its history. l Russia is expanding its nuclear arsenal and using the threat of nuclear employment as a coercive tactic in its war on Ukraine. l North Korea is advancing its nuclear capabilities. l Iran is inching closer to nuclear capability. Meanwhile, all U.S. nuclear capabilities and the infrastructure on which they rely date from the Cold War and are in dire need of replacement. The next Admin- istration will need to focus on continuing the effort to modernize the nuclear triad while updating our strategy and capabilities to meet the challenges presented by a more threatening nuclear environment. Needed Reforms l Prioritize nuclear modernization. All components of the nuclear triad are far beyond their intended lifetimes and will need to be replaced over the next — 124 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise decade. This effort is required for the U.S. to maintain its nuclear triad—and will be the bare minimum needed to maintain U.S. strategic nuclear deterrence. 1. Accelerate the timelines of critical modernization programs including the Sentinel missile, Long Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO), Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, B-21 bomber, and F-35 Dual Capable Aircraft. 2. Reject any congressional proposals that would further extend the service lives of U.S. capabilities such as the Minuteman III ICBM. 3. Ensure sufficient funding for warhead life extension programs (LEP), including the B61-12, W80-4, W87-1 Mod, and W88 Alt 370. l Develop the Sea-Launched Cruise Missile-Nuclear (SLCM-N). In 2018, the Trump Administration proposed restoring the SLCM-N to help fill a growing gap in U.S. nonstrategic capabilities and improve deterrence against limited nuclear attack.39 The Biden Administration canceled this program in its 2022 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR).40 The next President should support and accelerate funding for development of the SLCM-N with the goal of deployment by the end of the decade. l Account for China’s nuclear expansion. To ensure its ability to deter both Russia and the growing Chinese nuclear threat, the U.S. will need more than the bare minimum of nuclear modernization. President Biden’s 2022 NPR described the problem but proposed no recommendations to restore or maintain nuclear deterrence. 1. Consider procuring more modernized nuclear systems (such as the Sentinel missile or LRSO) than currently planned. 2. Improve the ability of the U.S. to utilize the triad’s upload capacity in case of a crisis. 3. Review what capabilities in addition to the SLCM-N (for example, nonstrategic weapons or new warhead designs) are needed to deter the unique Chinese threat. l Restore the nuclear infrastructure. The United States must restore its necessary nuclear infrastructure so that it is capable of producing and maintaining nuclear weapons.

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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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