A bill to designate six creeks in North Carolina in honor of the lives lost in a plane crash in Carteret County, North Carolina, on February 13, 2022, and for other purposes.
Download PDFSponsored by
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
ID: T000476
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
December 9, 2025
Introduced
Committee Review
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.
Floor Action
Passed Senate
House 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 Senators Tillis and Budd. Let's dissect this exercise in futility, shall we?
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The "Down East Remembrance Act" (because who doesn't love a good title?) aims to designate six creeks in North Carolina in honor of the lives lost in a plane crash on February 13, 2022. How touching. I'm sure the families of the victims are just thrilled that their loved ones' memories will be immortalized in a bill that's about as meaningful as a participation trophy.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill designates six creeks with new names, because apparently, the existing names weren't good enough. It also updates any references to these creeks in federal laws, regulations, and documents. Wow, I can barely contain my excitement. This is clearly a pressing issue that requires immediate attention from our esteemed lawmakers.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include the families of the victims (who will likely be exploited for photo ops and campaign fodder), local residents who might actually care about the creek names, and the good people at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) who'll have to update their maps. Oh, and let's not forget the real stakeholders: the politicians who get to grandstand on this non-issue.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** The impact of this bill will be precisely zero. Zilch. Nada. It won't create jobs, stimulate economic growth, or address any pressing national issue. But hey, it'll give Senators Tillis and Budd a nice press release to tout their "commitment to honoring the fallen." Meanwhile, the real issues facing North Carolina – like education, healthcare, and infrastructure – will continue to languish.
Now, let's take a look at the financials. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that Senator Tillis has received significant campaign contributions from the National Association of Realtors ($10,000) and the National Federation of Independent Business ($5,000). I mean, who wouldn't want to honor the memories of plane crash victims by renaming some creeks? It's not like there are more pressing issues that require attention... or funding.
In conclusion, this bill is a perfect example of legislative malpractice. It's a waste of time, resources, and taxpayer dollars. But hey, at least it'll give our politicians something to tweet about.
Related Topics
💰 Campaign Finance Network
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No organization contributions found
No committee contributions found
Donor Network - Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 16 nodes and 20 connections
Total contributions: $66,100
Top Donors - Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Showing top 15 donors by contribution amount
Project 2025 Policy Matches
This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document. Higher similarity scores indicate stronger thematic connections.
Introduction
— 543 — Department of the Interior 68. Karen Budd Falen, “Biden’s ‘30 By 30 Plan’: A Slap at American Private Property Rights,” Cowboy State Daily, April 15, 2021, https://cowboystatedaily.com/2021/04/15/bidens-30-by-30-plan-a-slap-at-american-private- property-rights/ (accessed March 16, 2023). 69. U.S. Department of the Interior, “Order No. 3396: Rescission of Secretary’s Order 3388, ‘Land and Water Conservation Fund Implementation by the U.S. Department of the Interior,’” February 11, 2021, https://www. doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/so-3396-signed-2-11-21-final.pdf (accessed March 17, 2021). 70. Ibid. 71. Associated Press, “Ute Indian Tribe Criticizes Biden’s Camp Hale Monument Designation,” KUER 90.1, October 13, 2022. 72. William Perry Pendley, “Trump Wants to Free Up Federal Lands, His Interior Secretary Fails Him,” National Review Online, September 25, 2017, https://www.nationalreview.com/2017/09/secretary-interior-ryan-zinke- monuments-review-trump-executive-order-antiquities-act-environmentalists/ (accessed March 16, 2023). 73. The Oregon and California Revested Lands Sustained Yield Management Act of 1937, Public Law 75-405, 43 U.S. Code § 2601. 74. Ibid., and American Forest Resource Council v. Hammond, 422 F. Supp. 3d 184, 187 (D.D.C. 2019). 75. American Forest Resource Council v. Hammond, 422 F. Supp. 3d, pp. 187–188. 76. Federal Register, Vol. 55, No. 26 (June 26, 1990), p. 26114–26194. 77. Federal Register, Vol. 65, No. 114 (June 13, 2000), pp. 37249–37252. 78. Federal Register, Vol. 82, No. 11 (January 18, 2017), pp. 6145–6150. 79. American Forest Resource Council v. Hammond, 422 F. Supp. 3d 184 (D.D.C. 2019). 80. U.S. Department of the Interior, “Final Consent Decrees/Settlement Agreements,” https://www.doi.gov/ solicitor/transparency/final (accessed March 16, 2023). 81. Michael Doyle, “Interior Order Erases Litigation Website,” E&E News, June 17, 2022, https://www.eenews.net/ articles/interior-order-erases-litigation-website/ (accessed March 16, 2023). 82. Rob Roy Ramey, On the Origin of Specious Species (Lexington Books 2012), pp. 77–97. 83. William Perry Pendley, “Killing Jobs to Save the Sage Grouse: Junk Science, Weird Science, and Plain Nonsense,” Washington Times, May 31, 2012, https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/may/31/killing- jobs-to-save-the-sage-grouse/ (accessed March 16, 2023). 84. Michael Lee, “Wyoming’s Push to Delist Grizzly Bears from Endangered Species List Faces Opposition from Anti-Hunting Group,” Fox News, January 21, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wyoming-delist-grizzly- endangered-species-list-opposition-anti-hunting-group (accessed March 18, 2023). 85. News release, “Trump Administration Returns Management and Protection of Gray Wolves to States and Tribes Following Successful Recovery Efforts,” October 29, 2020, https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/trump- administration-returns-management-and-protection-gray-wolves-states-and-tribes (accessed March 18, 2023). 86. 50 Code of Federal Regulations §17, and Sean Paige, “‘Rewilding’ Will Backfire on Colorado,” The Gazette, June 19, 2022, https://gazette.com/opinion/guest-column-rewilding-will-backfire-on-colorado/article_ d0016672-ed79-11ec-b027-abe62ba840a1.html (accessed March 18, 2023). 87. Madeleine C. Bottrill et al., “Is Conservation Triage Just Smart Decision Making?” Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Vol. 23, No. 12 (December 2008), pp. 649–654, https://karkgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/Bottrill-et-al-2008. pdf (accessed March 16, 2023). 88. Rob Roy Ramey II, testimony before the Committee on Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, April 8, 2014, https://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/rameytestimony4_8.pdf (accessed March 16, 2023). 89. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, Public Law 95–87. 90. Pennsylvania is the nation’s third-largest coal producer, and its state program was the model for SMCRA. 91. Federal Register, Vol. 85, No. 207 (October 26, 2020), pp. 67631–67635. 92. U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, “Approximate Original Contour,” INE–26, June 23, 2020, https://www.osmre.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/directive1003.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 93. Tim Gallaudet and Timothy R. Petty, “Federal Action Plan for Improving Forecasts of Water Availability,” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, October 2019, https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/ legacy/document/2019/Oct/Federal%20Action%20Plan%20for%20Improving%20Forecasts%20of%20 Water%20Availability.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). — 544 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 94. 32 U.S. Code, ch. 52. 95. Donald J. Trump, “Presidential Memorandum on Promoting the Reliable Supply and Delivery of Water in the West,” October 19, 2018, https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/presidential- memorandum-promoting-reliable-supply-delivery-water-west/ (accessed March 17, 2023). 96. U.S. Department of the Interior, “Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations,” https://www.doi.gov/ buybackprogram (accessed March 18, 2023). 97. Great American Outdoors Act, Public Law 116–152.
Introduction
— xxvi — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Patrick T. Brown, Ethics and Public Policy Center Robert Burkett, ACLJ Action Michael Burley, American Cornerstone Institute David R. Burton, The Heritage Foundation Jonathan Butcher, The Heritage Foundation Mark Buzby, Buzby Maritime Associates, LLC Margaret Byfield, American Stewards of Liberty David Byrd, Korn Ferry Anthony Campau, Center for Renewing America James Jay Carafano, The Heritage Foundation Frank Carroll, Professional Forest Management Oren Cass, American Compass Brian J. Cavanaugh, American Global Strategies Spencer Chretien, The Heritage Foundation Claire Christensen, American Cornerstone Institute Victoria Coates, The Heritage Foundation Ellie Cohanim, Independent Women’s Forum Ezra Cohen Elbridge Colby, Marathon Initiative Earl Comstock Lisa Correnti, Center for Family and Human Rights (C-Fam) Monica Crowley, The Nixon Seminar Laura Cunliffe, Independent Women’s Forum Tom Dans, Amberwave Partners Sergio de la Peña Chris De Ruyter, National Center for Urban Operations Corey DeAngelis, American Federation for Children Caroline DeBerry, Paragon Health Institute Arielle Del Turco, Family Research Council Irv Dennis, American Cornerstone Institute David Deptula, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Donald Devine, The Fund for American Studies Chuck DeVore, Texas Public Policy Foundation C. Wallace DeWitt James Di Pane, The Heritage Foundation Matthew Dickerson, The Heritage Foundation Michael Ding, America First Legal Foundation David Ditch, The Heritage Foundation Natalie Dodson, Ethics and Public Policy Center Dave Dorey, The Fairness Center Max Eden, American Enterprise Institute Troy Edgar
Introduction
— xxvi — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Patrick T. Brown, Ethics and Public Policy Center Robert Burkett, ACLJ Action Michael Burley, American Cornerstone Institute David R. Burton, The Heritage Foundation Jonathan Butcher, The Heritage Foundation Mark Buzby, Buzby Maritime Associates, LLC Margaret Byfield, American Stewards of Liberty David Byrd, Korn Ferry Anthony Campau, Center for Renewing America James Jay Carafano, The Heritage Foundation Frank Carroll, Professional Forest Management Oren Cass, American Compass Brian J. Cavanaugh, American Global Strategies Spencer Chretien, The Heritage Foundation Claire Christensen, American Cornerstone Institute Victoria Coates, The Heritage Foundation Ellie Cohanim, Independent Women’s Forum Ezra Cohen Elbridge Colby, Marathon Initiative Earl Comstock Lisa Correnti, Center for Family and Human Rights (C-Fam) Monica Crowley, The Nixon Seminar Laura Cunliffe, Independent Women’s Forum Tom Dans, Amberwave Partners Sergio de la Peña Chris De Ruyter, National Center for Urban Operations Corey DeAngelis, American Federation for Children Caroline DeBerry, Paragon Health Institute Arielle Del Turco, Family Research Council Irv Dennis, American Cornerstone Institute David Deptula, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Donald Devine, The Fund for American Studies Chuck DeVore, Texas Public Policy Foundation C. Wallace DeWitt James Di Pane, The Heritage Foundation Matthew Dickerson, The Heritage Foundation Michael Ding, America First Legal Foundation David Ditch, The Heritage Foundation Natalie Dodson, Ethics and Public Policy Center Dave Dorey, The Fairness Center Max Eden, American Enterprise Institute Troy Edgar — xxvii — Contributors Joseph Edlow, The Heritage Foundation Jen Ehlinger, Booz Allen Hamilton John Ehrett, Office of Senator Josh Hawley Kristen Eichamer, The Heritage Foundation Robert S. Eitel, Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies Will Estrada, Parents Rights Foundation Jon Feere, Center for Immigration Studies Baruch Feigenbaum, Reason Foundation Travis Fisher, The Heritage Foundation George Fishman, Center for Immigration Studies Leslie Ford, The Heritage Foundation Aharon Friedman, Federal Policy Group Bruce Frohnen, Ohio Northern University College of Law Joel Frushone Finch Fulton Diana Furchtgott-Roth, The Heritage Foundation Caleigh Gabel, American Cornerstone Institute Christopher Gacek, Family Research Council Alexandra Gaiser, River Financial Inc. Mario Garza Patty-Jane Geller, The Heritage Foundation Andrew Gillen, Texas Public Policy Foundation James S. Gilmore III, Gilmore Global Group LLC Vance Ginn, Economic Consulting, LLC Alma Golden, The Institute for Women’s Health Mike Gonzalez, The Heritage Foundation Chadwick R. Gore, Defense Forum Foundation David Gortler, Ethics and Public Policy Center Brian Gottstein, The Heritage Foundation Dan Greenberg, Competitive Enterprise Institute Rob Greenway, Hudson Institute Rachel Greszler, The Heritage Foundation DJ Gribbin, Madrus Consulting Garrison Grisedale, American Cornerstone Institute Joseph Grogan, USC Schaeffer School for Health Policy and Economics Andrew Guernsey Jeffrey Gunter, Republican Jewish Coalition Joe Guy, Club for Growth Joseph Guzman Amalia Halikias, The Heritage Foundation Gene Hamilton, America First Legal Foundation Richard Hanania, Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology
Showing 3 of 5 policy matches
About These Correlations
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.