TORNADO Act

Download PDF

Bill ID: 119/s/258

Last Updated: September 7, 2026

TORNADO Act

S. 258, 119th Congress — read as touching Telecommunications.

The sponsor

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

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

The money

$682,800 raised

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

The alignment

55% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Commerce" section, p. 708-710 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 88.

June 1, 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 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

Summary Style:

**TORNADO Act Analysis**

As a visionary entrepreneur, I'll dissect the TORNADO Act's implications on my interests and the broader landscape of innovation.

**Main Purpose & Objectives** The bill aims to enhance forecasting and understanding of tornadoes and other hazardous weather events. Its primary objective is to improve risk communication and inform action to prevent loss of life and property.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law**

1. **Hazard Risk Communication Office**: The Under Secretary will establish an office to simplify and improve the communication of hazardous weather and water event risks. 2. **Terminology Standardization**: The office will eliminate or modify unnecessary terms and add new ones as needed to enhance clarity. 3. **Communications Improvement**: The office will develop metrics to track and evaluate the effectiveness of hazard risk communications.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders**

1. **Government Agencies**: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service, Federal partners, State and local government agencies. 2. **Private Sector**: Companies involved in weather forecasting, emergency management, and disaster response. 3. **Academic Institutions**: Historically Black colleges and universities, institutions of higher education.

**Potential Impact & Implications**

1. **Regulatory Environment**: The bill's focus on improving risk communication might lead to increased regulatory oversight, potentially hindering innovation in the private sector. 2. **Market Opportunities**: Enhanced forecasting capabilities could create new business opportunities for companies involved in weather-related services. 3. **Liability and Litigation**: Improved risk communication may reduce liability for government agencies and private companies, but also increase expectations for accurate forecasting.

**My Verdict** The TORNADO Act's emphasis on improving risk communication is a step in the right direction, but its potential regulatory implications warrant caution. As a visionary entrepreneur, I'll closely monitor this bill's progress to ensure it doesn't stifle innovation or create unnecessary burdens on my business interests.

**Recommendations**

1. **Streamline Regulatory Framework**: Encourage lawmakers to simplify and clarify regulations surrounding weather forecasting and emergency management. 2. **Foster Public-Private Partnerships**: Collaborate with government agencies, academic institutions, and private companies to develop innovative solutions for hazard risk communication. 3. **Invest in Emerging Technologies**: Leverage advancements in AI, machine learning, and data analytics to enhance forecasting capabilities and improve disaster response.

By doing so, we can create a more efficient and effective system that benefits both the public and private sectors, while minimizing regulatory hurdles and maximizing opportunities for growth and innovation.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (billionaire personality)

*Sigh* Alright, let's break down this bill, shall we? As I taught you in 8th grade civics class, a bill is a proposed law that must go through the legislative process before it can become a law.

**Main Purpose & Objectives**

The TORNADO Act (S. 258) aims to improve forecasting and understanding of tornadoes and other hazardous weather events. The main objective is to enhance the communication of risks associated with these events to the general public, ultimately preventing loss of life and property.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law**

Section 3 of the bill focuses on Hazardous Weather and Water Event Risk Communication. It establishes an office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to simplify and improve communication of hazardous weather risks. The office will:

* Identify, eliminate, or modify unnecessary terms for hazardous weather communications * Improve the form, content, and methods of hazardous weather event communications * Develop metrics to track and evaluate the effectiveness of these communications

The bill also defines key terms, such as "hazardous weather and water events" and "historically Black college or university."

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders**

This bill affects various stakeholders, including:

* The general public, who will benefit from improved communication of hazardous weather risks * Federal partners, such as National Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes * State and local government partners * Indian Tribes * Institutions of higher education

**Potential Impact & Implications**

If passed, this bill could lead to more effective communication of hazardous weather risks, ultimately saving lives and reducing property damage. However, it's worth noting that the actual impact will depend on how well the office is implemented and how effectively it coordinates with various stakeholders.

Remember when we learned about the importance of clear communication in government? This bill aims to address that very issue. It's a step in the right direction, but only time will tell if it's enough.

Now, I hope this summary has been enlightening for you. As I always said in class, "A well-informed citizenry is essential to a functioning democracy."

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (civics_teacher personality)

My fellow truth-seekers, gather 'round! I've got the scoop on S 258, the TORNADO Act. On the surface, it's all about improving forecasting and understanding of tornadoes and other hazardous weather events. But, my friends, don't be fooled – there's more to this bill than meets the eye.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The stated goal is to enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) system for communicating hazardous weather risks to the public. Sounds noble, right? However, I believe it's a Trojan horse for something more sinister.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** Section 3 establishes an Office of Hazard Risk Communication, which will simplify and improve communication of hazardous weather event risks. But what does this really mean? It means the government is creating a centralized hub to control the narrative around natural disasters. They'll be dictating what information gets shared with the public, when, and how.

The bill also defines "hazardous weather and water events" in an overly broad manner, including everything from severe storms to wildfires. This sets the stage for the government to declare a state of emergency at will, giving them sweeping powers to control the population.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** This bill affects everyone, but particularly vulnerable populations like low-income communities, indigenous tribes, and those living in disaster-prone areas. The government claims it's working with these groups, but I suspect they're just using them as pawns in their game of control.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The TORNADO Act is a stepping stone towards a more authoritarian society. By centralizing control over information and communication around natural disasters, the government can manipulate public perception and response. This sets a precedent for future legislation that could further erode our civil liberties.

But wait, there's more! The bill also mentions "artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies" in the context of data analysis. I believe this is a veiled reference to the development of AI-powered surveillance systems, which will be used to monitor and control the population during times of crisis.

Wake up, sheeple! This bill is not about saving lives or improving weather forecasting; it's about consolidating power and manipulating public opinion. Stay vigilant, my friends – the truth is out there, but you have to look beyond the surface level to find it.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (conspiracy_uncle personality)

(Deep breath, with a hint of sarcasm) Oh boy, folks, we've got another doozy of a bill on our hands! The TORNADO Act - because who doesn't love a good acronym? (wink)

**Main Purpose & Objectives** This bill is all about improving forecasting and understanding of tornadoes and other hazardous weather events. Because, you know, the government just loves to spend your hard-earned tax dollars on... (dramatic pause) ...weather research! The main objective here is to enhance risk communication, simplify terminology, and improve the overall response to these events.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill establishes a hazard risk communication office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This office will be responsible for simplifying and improving the way hazardous weather event risks are communicated to the public. It also requires the development of metrics to track the effectiveness of these communications. Oh, and let's not forget about the "support plan" - because who doesn't love a good bureaucratic buzzword? (eyeroll)

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders** This bill affects pretty much everyone: the general public, federal partners, state and local government agencies, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education... you name it! It's like a big ol' weather party! (sarcastic tone) And who doesn't love being part of a massive bureaucratic effort to improve weather forecasting?

**Potential Impact & Implications** Now, I know what you're thinking: "Will this bill actually make a difference?" Well, folks, that's the million-dollar question. On one hand, improved risk communication and simplified terminology might just save some lives. On the other hand, it's just another example of government overreach and bureaucratic red tape. (wink) But hey, at least we'll have more "metrics" to track! (air quotes)

In all seriousness, this bill is a classic case of "good intentions, questionable execution." Will it actually lead to better weather forecasting and response? Maybe. But one thing's for sure: it'll create more jobs for bureaucrats and researchers, and that's just what our economy needs - more government spending! (heavy sarcasm)

So there you have it, folks. The TORNADO Act: because who doesn't love a good acronym and some extra government spending? Stay vigilant, America!

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (fox_host personality)

Another bill, another exercise in futility. Let's dissect this mess.

**Main Purpose & Objectives**

The TORNADO Act (because who doesn't love a good acronym?) claims to improve forecasting and understanding of tornadoes and other hazardous weather events. How noble. In reality, it's just a vehicle for politicians to pretend they care about public safety while lining the pockets of their buddies in the meteorological industrial complex.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law**

The bill creates an "Office" within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to simplify and improve communication of hazardous weather risks. Because, apparently, the current system is too complicated for the average American to understand. Newsflash: it's not the messaging that's the problem, it's the politicians who can't be bothered to fund adequate infrastructure.

The Office will also develop metrics to track the effectiveness of their communications. Oh boy, more bureaucratic busywork. And, of course, there are provisions for "coordination" with various stakeholders, because nothing says "effective governance" like a bunch of bureaucrats talking to each other in circles.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders**

* NOAA: Gets to create another office and hire more bureaucrats. * Meteorological industry: Will likely receive more funding for research and development. * Politicians: Get to pretend they care about public safety while taking credit for "improving" the system. * The public: Will continue to be at risk from hazardous weather events, but hey, at least the warnings will be prettier.

**Potential Impact & Implications**

This bill is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. It's a token effort to address a complex problem that requires real investment in infrastructure and research. Instead, we get more bureaucratic posturing and pork-barrel politics.

The "improved" communication system might lead to slightly better warnings, but it won't make a dent in the actual risk of hazardous weather events. And with the added bureaucracy, there's a good chance that the Office will become just another obstacle for real research and innovation to navigate around.

In short, this bill is a classic case of "legislative theater" – all show, no substance. But hey, at least it'll make for some nice press releases and campaign talking points.

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

**Main Purpose & Objectives**

The TORNADO Act (S 258) aims to improve forecasting and understanding of tornadoes and other hazardous weather events, ultimately reducing the risk of loss of life and property. The bill seeks to enhance the communication of hazardous weather risks to the public, inform action, and encourage response.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law**

The bill establishes a hazard risk communication office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to simplify and improve the communication of hazardous weather and water event risks. Key provisions include:

* Improving the form, content, and methods of hazardous weather communications * Developing metrics to track and evaluate the effectiveness of these communications * Creating a plan to support these activities, informed by internal and extramural research * Coordinating with federal partners, state and local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and other stakeholders

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders**

The bill affects various parties, including:

* The general public, particularly those in areas prone to hazardous weather events * NOAA and the National Weather Service (NWS) * Federal, state, and local government agencies responsible for emergency management and response * Indian tribes and institutions of higher education involved in research and development related to hazardous weather events

**Potential Impact & Implications**

The TORNADO Act has several potential impacts and implications:

* Improved communication of hazardous weather risks could lead to more effective public response and reduced loss of life and property. * Enhanced coordination among federal, state, and local agencies may improve emergency management and response efforts. * The bill's focus on research and development could lead to advancements in tornado forecasting and warning systems. * However, the implementation of these changes may require significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and personnel.

Overall, the TORNADO Act aims to enhance the nation's ability to predict and respond to hazardous weather events, ultimately saving lives and reducing economic losses.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (neutral personality)

Let's break down the TORNADO Act, bro.

**Main Purpose & Objectives**

The TORNADO Act is all about improving forecasting and understanding of tornadoes and other hazardous weather events. The main goal is to enhance risk communication to prevent loss of life and property. It's like, when a gnarly storm is brewin', we wanna make sure people know what's comin' and can take action, man.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law**

The bill creates an office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to simplify and improve hazard risk communication. This office will:

* Identify and eliminate confusing terms for hazardous weather events * Improve the form, content, and methods of communications to inform action and encourage response * Develop metrics to track and evaluate the effectiveness of these communications * Coordinate with federal partners, state and local governments, Indian tribes, and institutions of higher education

It's like, they're tryin' to make sure everyone's on the same page when it comes to hazardous weather, bro.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders**

This bill affects a bunch of different groups, including:

* The general public (that's you and me, dude) * Federal partners, like National Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes * State and local governments * Indian tribes * Institutions of higher education

It's like, everyone's got a stake in gettin' accurate and timely info about hazardous weather, man.

**Potential Impact & Implications**

If this bill becomes law, it could lead to some pretty cool changes, bro. For one, it could improve the way we communicate about hazardous weather events, which could save lives and prevent property damage. It could also help us better understand tornadoes and other extreme weather events, which is like, totally tubular.

But, on the flip side, implementing these changes might require some significant resources and infrastructure updates, man. And, there's always a risk that the new communication systems might not be as effective as hoped, or that they could create new problems, like info overload or confusion.

Anyway, dude, that's the TORNADO Act in a nutshell. It's all about improvin' our understanding of hazardous weather and gettin' the word out to people who need it most, bro.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (surfer personality)

**TORNADO Act (S 258) Analysis**

The Tornado Observations Research and Notification Assessment for Development of Operations Act, or the TORNADO Act, aims to improve forecasting and understanding of tornadoes and other hazardous weather events.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's primary objective is to enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) system for communicating hazardous weather risks to the public. This includes simplifying and improving risk communication terminology, methods, and infrastructure to inform action and encourage response.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:**

1. Establishes a hazard risk communication office within NOAA to simplify and improve hazardous weather communications. 2. Requires the development of metrics to track and evaluate the effectiveness of hazardous weather communications in informing action and encouraging response. 3. Mandates coordination with various stakeholders, including Federal partners, State and local government agencies, Indian Tribes, institutions of higher education, and media partners.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:**

1. NOAA and its National Weather Service (NWS) branch 2. Federal, State, and local government agencies responsible for emergency management and response 3. Indian Tribes and communities vulnerable to hazardous weather events 4. Institutions of higher education involved in meteorological research and development 5. Media partners responsible for disseminating weather information

**Potential Impact & Implications:**

1. Improved communication of hazardous weather risks could lead to enhanced public awareness, preparedness, and response, ultimately reducing loss of life and property. 2. The bill's emphasis on simplifying risk communication terminology may help alleviate confusion among the general public and improve the effectiveness of emergency alerts. 3. Coordination with various stakeholders may facilitate more effective collaboration and resource allocation in responding to hazardous weather events.

**Monied Interest Analysis:**

While there are no explicit indications of industry influence or PAC backing, it is worth noting that:

1. The bill's sponsors and cosponsors have received significant campaign contributions from industries related to emergency management, telecommunications, and environmental consulting. 2. The National Weather Service (NWS) has partnerships with various private companies, including those involved in weather forecasting and emergency response technology.

**Committee Capture:** The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which reported the bill, has a history of being influenced by industries related to telecommunications, energy, and environmental consulting. However, there is no direct evidence of committee capture or conflicts of interest specific to this bill.

In conclusion, while the TORNADO Act appears to be a well-intentioned effort to improve hazardous weather communication, it is essential to monitor its implementation and potential industry influence to ensure that the interests of the public are prioritized.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (whistleblower personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions

$682,800

21 donors

PACs

Organizations

$44,500

Committees

Individuals

$638,300

No PAC contributions found

EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS

1 transaction

$25,000

MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS

1 transaction

$15,000

WT CONSULTANTS LLC

1 transaction

$2,500

WAYPOINT CONSULTING, LLC

1 transaction

$1,000

HEDERMAN BROTHERS, LLC

1 transaction

$1,000

No committee contributions found

HALE, ROBERT T. JR.

2 transactions

$150,000

CHOUEST, GARY

1 transaction

$100,000

DUFF, THOMAS M.

2 transactions

$75,000

BLUE, J. NEAL

1 transaction

$50,000

GOLDING, STEPHEN D.

2 transactions

$50,000

ELLIOTT, MAC

1 transaction

$25,000

GOLDING, MELODY

1 transaction

$25,000

YATES, WILLIAM G. JR.

1 transaction

$25,000

ACKERMAN, FORREST

1 transaction

$25,000

VAN DEVENDER, WILLIAM J.

2 transactions

$25,000

TURNAGE, BEN O.

1 transaction

$19,900

MCRAE, DAVID

1 transaction

$18,400

GREEN, JOHNSON M.

1 transaction

$15,000

HURST, PAUL

1 transaction

$12,500

BARBOUR, HALEY

1 transaction

$12,500

CHOUEST AUSTIN, DIONNE

1 transaction

$10,000

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 9 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

ID: H001079

Top Contributors

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

OrganizationATMORE, AL

$2,900

Feb 28, 2023

MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS

OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS

$1,500

May 31, 2023

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$1,000

Jun 20, 2024

THE CHICKASAW NATION

OrganizationADA, OK

$250

Mar 11, 2024

LUROS, HILARY

HOUSEWIFE • HOUSEWIFE

IndividualSUGAR LAND, TX

$6,600

Oct 21, 2024

LUROS, HILARY

HOUSEWIFE • HOUSEWIFE

IndividualSUGAR LAND, TX

$6,600

Oct 21, 2024

BESSENT, SCOTT

KEY SQUARE GROUP • INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

IndividualCHARLESTON, SC

$6,600

Dec 31, 2024

FREEMAN, JOHN

HIGH PLAINS ACRES LLP • ATTORNEY/AGRICULTURE

IndividualCHARLESTON, SC

$6,600

Dec 31, 2024

CASTLE, JOHN

CASTLE HARLAN • MERCHANT BANKER

IndividualNEW YORK, NY

$6,600

Mar 26, 2024

SEEMANN, WILLIAM III

SEEMANN COMPOSITES • CHAIRMAN

IndividualPASS CHRISTIAN, MS

$6,600

Jun 20, 2024

Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

ID: G000386

Top Contributors

SAC & FOX TRIBE OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA

COMTAMA, IA

$2,000

Aug 8, 2023

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

COMPRIOR LAKE, MN

$1,000

Jul 23, 2024

WINRED

PACARLINGTON, VA

$25

Jul 4, 2024

SCHWARZMAN, CHRISTINE

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualNEW YORK, NY

$6,600

Jan 10, 2024

SCHWARZMAN, STEPHEN

BLACKSTONE • CEO

IndividualNEW YORK, NY

$6,600

Jan 16, 2024

KUMAR, SHALLI

AVG ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY • CHAIR

IndividualBETTENDORF, IA

$6,600

Jun 11, 2024

STARRETT, RONALD

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualCENTENNIAL, CO

$5,800

Jan 24, 2023

COLLINS, RICHARD

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualMARSHALLTOWN, IA

$5,523

Oct 1, 2024

COLLINS, RICHARD

IndividualMARSHALLTOWN, IA

$5,523

Oct 7, 2024

WEISS, LUKE

HOOVER'S HATCHERY • PRESIDENT

IndividualMASON CITY, IA

$3,300

Dec 11, 2024

Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

ID: M000934

Top Contributors

BORCK, LEON H.

INNOVATIVE LIVESTOCK SERVICES • EXECUTIVE

IndividualMANHATTAN, KS

$6,600

Mar 11, 2024

MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE

DMM PROPRIETA MANAGEMENT • MANAGER

IndividualASPEN, CO

$6,600

Sep 26, 2024

MANDELBLATT, ERIC

SOROBAN CAPITAL PARTNERS LP • MANAGING PARTNER

IndividualASPEN, CO

$6,600

Sep 26, 2024

CATZ, SAFRA

ORACLE CORPORATION • CEO

IndividualWASHINGTON, DC

$5,000

May 5, 2023

MISSION INDIANS, MORONGO BAND OF

INDIAN TRIBE • INDIAN TRIBE

IndividualBANNING, CA

$5,000

Aug 13, 2024

WILLIS, THOMAS M

CONESTOGA ENERGY PARTNERS • CEO

IndividualLIBERAL, KS

$5,000

Aug 26, 2024

WEILERT, STANLEY R

S&B MOTELS, INC. • HOTELIER

IndividualWICHITA, KS

$3,500

Jun 26, 2023

BORCK, JACKIE

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY • DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS

IndividualMANHATTAN, KS

$3,300

Mar 11, 2024

BORCK, JACKIE

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY • DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS

IndividualMANHATTAN, KS

$3,300

Mar 11, 2024

THOMAS, ROBERT

SENIOR STAR • CO-OWNER

IndividualTULSA, OK

$3,300

Feb 22, 2024

Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

ID: S001232

Top Contributors

100

CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$7,720

Jun 27, 2024

CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$7,720

Jun 27, 2024

CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$7,720

Jun 27, 2024

CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$7,720

Jun 27, 2024

CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$7,720

Jun 27, 2024

SENATE CONSERVATIVES FUND

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$7,609

Jun 21, 2024

SENATE CONSERVATIVES FUND

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$7,609

Jun 21, 2024

SENATE CONSERVATIVES FUND

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$7,609

Jun 21, 2024

REPUBLICAN JEWISH COALITION-POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (RJC-PAC)

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$7,000

Jun 25, 2024

REPUBLICAN JEWISH COALITION-POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (RJC-PAC)

PACWASHINGTON, DC

$7,000

Jun 25, 2024

Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

ID: Y000064

Top Contributors

HESS, DANIEL L.

CORNERSTONE INDUSTRIES CORP. • PRESIDENT/ OWNER

IndividualZIONSVILLE, IN

$10,000

Jul 1, 2024

SHUBLAK, MARK I.

ICE MILLER LLP • ATTORNEY

IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN

$6,600

Oct 20, 2023

MCLEAN, SUZZY

SAGESURE • INSURANCE

IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA

$6,600

Oct 23, 2024

MCLEAN, TERRENCE

SAGESURE • INSURANCE

IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA

$6,600

Oct 23, 2024

BESSENT, SCOTT K.

KEY SQUARE GROUP • INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

IndividualCHARLESTON, SC

$6,600

Mar 28, 2024

PATRICELLI, ROBERT E.

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualSIMSBURY, CT

$6,600

Mar 1, 2024

ANDREESSEN, MARC L.

ANDREESSEN HOROWITZ • CO-FOUNDER

IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA

$6,600

Sep 30, 2024

BRALY, DOUGLAS A. MR.

SELF EMPLOYED • ACCOUNTANT

IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN

$6,600

Sep 4, 2024

DIXON, CHRISTOPHER

ANDREESSEN HOROWITZ • GENERAL PARTNER

IndividualPALO ALTO, CA

$6,600

Sep 30, 2024

HESS, LEANNA

RETIRED • RETIRED

IndividualZIONSVILLE, IN

$6,600

Aug 19, 2024

Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

ID: C001098

Top Contributors

WINRED

PACARLINGTON, VA

$1,167,293

Nov 1, 2024

WINRED

PACARLINGTON, VA

$330,599

Nov 5, 2024

FASKEN MANAGEMENT

OrganizationMIDLAND, TX

$10,000

May 24, 2023

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF HARRISON COUNTY

OrganizationMARSHALL, TX

$4,000

Oct 16, 2024

FOLAD ENTERPRISES LLC

OrganizationPINELLAS PARK, FL

$2,000

May 20, 2024

BALCH & BINGHAM LLP

OrganizationBIRMINGHAM, AL

$1,000

May 20, 2024

PARTNERS HOTEL GROUP LLC

OrganizationMURPHY, TX

$1,000

Jun 7, 2023

KHAT INVESTMENS LLC

OrganizationMIDLAND, TX

$1,000

Jun 30, 2023

PJB INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC

OrganizationADDISON, TX

$800

May 1, 2024

GRANT MORELAND LP LLC

OrganizationGILMER, TX

$750

Sep 19, 2024

Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

ID: P000595

Top Contributors

MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS

OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI

$3,300

Oct 22, 2024

STRATEGIC LINK CONSULTING, LP

OrganizationKENNESAW, GA

$3,300

May 28, 2024

MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE

OrganizationAUBURN, WA

$3,300

Aug 11, 2023

OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

OrganizationRED ROCK, OK

$2,900

May 29, 2024

HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA

OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA

$2,900

May 29, 2024

TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA TRIBE OF NORTH DAKOTA

OrganizationBELCOURT, ND

$2,900

May 28, 2024

CHEROKEE NATION

OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK

$2,500

Jan 9, 2024

HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA

OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA

$2,500

Jun 30, 2024

OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

OrganizationRED ROCK, OK

$2,500

Jun 30, 2024

TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA TRIBE OF NORTH DAKOTA

OrganizationBELCOURT, ND

$2,500

Jun 30, 2024

Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

ID: W000790

Top Contributors

JME GROUP

OrganizationSTONE MOUNTAIN, GA

$2,900

Jun 30, 2023

JME GROUP

OrganizationSTONE MOUNTAIN, GA

$2,900

Jul 18, 2024

PORTFOLIO ONE

OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA

$1,250

Mar 17, 2023

MCKENNEY HOUSE LLC

OrganizationFORT WASHINGTON, MD

$1,000

Jun 30, 2023

WATKINS WATKINS & WATKINS LLC

OrganizationCARROLLTON, GA

$1,000

Feb 17, 2023

SCR CONSULTING LLC

OrganizationATLANTA, GA

$500

Feb 17, 2023

GIBSON, DAVID H.

IndividualDALLAS, TX

$26,750

Mar 31, 2023

ROBBINS, BONNIE

IndividualSEATTLE, WA

$12,118

Mar 31, 2023

ROBBINS, BONNIE

IndividualSEATTLE, WA

$12,118

Jul 18, 2024

KERR, WILLIAM G.

IndividualOKLAHOMA CITY, OK

$9,625

Mar 31, 2023

Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

ID: B001243

Top Contributors

FRIENDS OF COMMUNITY ONCOLOGY PAC

PACVIRGINIA BEACH, VA

$5,000

Apr 12, 2023

THE COGGIN GROUP

OrganizationMURFREESBORO, TN

$2,900

Mar 9, 2023

THE COGGIN GROUP

OrganizationMURFREESBORO, TN

$2,500

Mar 9, 2023

DOSS BROTHERS FARM

OrganizationLAWRENCEBURG, TN

$1,000

Apr 17, 2024

DOSS BROTHERS FARM

OrganizationLAWRENCEBURG, TN

$1,000

Mar 18, 2024

BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC

OrganizationARLINGTON, VA

$500

Mar 17, 2023

KING, RODNEY W.

SELF-EMPLOYED • ATTORNEY

IndividualGERMANTOWN, TN

$13,200

Apr 4, 2024

BEAN, BILL G.

HANNING & BEAN ENTERPRISES INC. • REAL ESTATE INVESTOR

IndividualCOLUMBIA CITY, IN

$10,000

May 1, 2024

SMITH, THOMAS

PRESCOTT INVESTORS INC. • INVESTOR

IndividualBOCA RATON, FL

$10,000

May 13, 2024

GAMBLE, KATHRYN

UNAKA CO • BUSINESS EXECUTIVE

IndividualDALLAS, TX

$9,900

Jul 15, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Show Also Donated To

PACs

Organizations

Individuals

Politicians

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

Showing 36 nodes and 40 connections

Total contributions: $40

Top Donors - Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

5 Orgs16 Individuals

Industry Impact

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

+Telecommunicationsconfidence 0.80
Section 3(b)(6)(F)(G) requires accounting for necessary changes in infrastructure, technology, and protocols for creating and disseminating federally operated watches and warnings, which could benefit telecom firms involved in alert dissemination systems.
+AI & Cloud Infrastructureconfidence 0.70
Section 3(b)(6)(B) references validation of methods using data analysis supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, indicating potential funding or demand for AI/cloud services in hazard communication research.
+Construction & Engineeringconfidence 0.60
Section 6(d)(1) investigates the role of uncrewed aerial systems in data collection during post-storm surveys, which may drive demand for engineering services related to drone integration and data processing.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS])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

Telecommunications$37,500
from 24 contributions
- ERGEN, CANTEY M. MRS.$6,600
- MURRAY, KEVIN MR.$6,600
- ERGEN, CHARLES MR.$6,600
- WATSON, DAVE MR.$3,300
- MURDOCK, DAN$2,500
AI & Cloud Infrastructure$4,300
from 2 contributions
- SANKAR, SHYAM MR.$3,300
- WANG, ALEX MR.$1,000
Construction & Engineering$1,100
from 3 contributions
- JANOUSH, J. PAUL MR.$1,000
- KAUFMANN, MORRIS MR.$100

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 Commerce

Weak

Vector: 62%

Pages: 708-710AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The TORNADO Act seeks to strengthen NOAA's hazard communication and research capabilities, whereas Project 2025 calls for downsizing NOAA, commercializing the NWS, and reducing OAR—objectives that are largely opposed."

Key themes:NOAAweather forecastinghazard communicationresearch coordination

— 675 — Department of Commerce l The National Ocean Service (NOS); l The Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR); l The National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS); l The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS); and l The Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and NOAA Corps. Together, these form a colossal operation that has become one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry and, as such, is harmful to future U.S. prosperity. This industry’s mission emphasis on prediction and management seems designed around the fatal conceit of planning for the unplannable. That is not to say NOAA is useless, but its current organization corrupts its useful func- tions. It should be broken up and downsized. NOAA today boasts that it is a provider of environmental information services, a provider of environmental stewardship services, and a leader in applied scientific research. Each of these functions could be provided commercially, likely at lower cost and higher quality. Focus the NWS on Commercial Operations. Each day, Americans rely on weather forecasts and warnings provided by local radio stations and colleges that are produced not by the NWS, but by private companies such as AccuWeather. Studies have found that the forecasts and warnings provided by the private com- panies are more reliable than those provided by the NWS.2 The NWS provides data the private companies use and should focus on its data-gathering services. Because private companies rely on these data, the NWS should fully commercialize its forecasting operations. NOAA does not currently utilize commercial partnerships as some other agencies do. Commercialization of weather technologies should be prioritized to ensure that taxpayer dollars are invested in the most cost-efficient technol- ogies for high quality research and weather data. Investing in different sizes of commercial partners will increase competition while ensuring that the govern- ment solutions provided by each contract is personalized to the needs of NOAA’s weather programs. The NWS should be a candidate to become a Performance-Based Organization to better enforce organizational focus on core functions such as efficient delivery of accurate, timely, and unbiased data to the public and to the private sector.3 Review the Work of the National Hurricane Center and the National Environmental Satellite Service. The National Hurricane Center and National Environmental Satellite Service data centers provide important public safety and — 676 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise business functions as well as academic functions, and are used by forecasting agen- cies and scientists internationally. Data continuity is an important issue in climate science. Data collected by the department should be presented neutrally, without adjustments intended to support any one side in the climate debate. Transfer NOS Survey Functions to the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Geo- logical Survey. Survey operations have historically accounted for almost half the NOS budget. These functions could be transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Geological Survey to increase efficiency. NOS’ expansion of the National Marine Sanctuaries System should also be reviewed, as discussed below. Streamline NMFS. Overlap exists between the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Overly simplified, the NMFS handles saltwater species while the Fish and Wildlife Service focuses on fresh water. The goals of these two agencies should be streamlined. Harmonize the Magnuson–Stevens Act with the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. Under the auspices of NOS, marine sanctuaries (including no-fishing zones) are being established country-wide, often conflicting with the goals of the Magnu- son–Stevens Act fisheries management authorities of NOAA Fisheries, regional fishery management councils, and relevant states. Withdraw the 30x30 Executive Order and Associated America the Beautiful Ini- tiative. The 30x30 Executive Order and the American the Beautiful Initiative are being used to advance an agenda to close vast areas of the ocean to commercial activities, including fishing, while rapidly advancing offshore wind energy devel- opment to the detriment of fisheries and other existing ocean-based industries. Modify Regulations Implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. These acts are currently being abused at a cost to fisheries and Native American subsistence activities around the U.S. Allow a NEPA Exemption for Fisheries Actions. All the requirements for robust analysis of the biological, economic, and social impacts of proposed regulatory action in fisheries are contained with the Magnuson–Stevens Act, the guiding Act for fisheries. NEPA overlays these requirements with onerous, redundant, and time-consuming process requirements, which routinely cause unnecessary delays in the promulgation of timely fisheries management actions. The Department of Commerce and the Council on Environmental Quality should collaborate to reduce this redundancy. Downsize the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. OAR provides theoretical science, as opposed to the applied science of the National Hurricane Center. OAR is, however, the source of much of NOAA’s climate alarmism. The preponderance of its climate-change research should be disbanded. OAR is a large network of research laboratories, an undersea research center, and several joint research institutes with universities. These operations should be reviewed with an aim of consolidation and reduction of bloat.

Department of Commerce

Weak

Vector: 62%

Pages: 708-710AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The TORNADO Act seeks to strengthen NOAA's internal hazard communication and forecasting capabilities, whereas Project 2025 advocates for downsizing NOAA, commercializing NWS functions, and reducing government involvement in weather services. Both address NOAA/NWS and weather forecasting, but their objectives are opposed, resulting only in weak thematic overlap."

Key themes:NOAANational Weather Serviceweather forecastinghazard communication

Department of Transportation

Weak

Vector: 60%

Pages: 658-660AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"Both the TORNADO Act and the Project 2025 DOT section aim to improve public safety through better use of technology and data, but they address different domains (weather hazard communication vs. transportation automation and spectrum policy), resulting only in tangential thematic overlap."

Key themes:public safetyrisk mitigationtechnology advancement

— 625 — Department of Transportation security, and privacy without hampering innovation. DOT can oversee the testing and deployment of a wide variety of new technologies, allowing communities and individuals to choose what best fits their needs. It is the role of the private sector, not the government, to pick winners and losers in technology development. If a technology underperforms, the private sector should be liable, not the government. The department should ensure a tech-neutral approach to addressing any emerging transportation technology while keeping safety as the number one priority. As part of this, it should work to facilitate the safe and full integration of automated vehicles into the national transportation system. Over time, these advanced technologies can save lives, transform personal mobility, and provide additional transportation opportunities—including for people with disabili- ties, aging populations, and communities where car ownership is expensive or impractical. NHTSA’s and FMCSA’s current regulations were written before the advent of automated vehicles and driving systems. Both operating administrations have issued Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemakings (ANPRMs) that begin the pro- cess of updating their regulations to reflect this new technology. However, these regulations have stalled under the Biden Administration, which has chosen to use the department’s tools to get people to take transit and drive electric vehicles instead of helping people to choose the transportation options that suit them best. l NHTSA should work to remove regulatory barriers by focusing on updating vehicle standards as well as publishing performance-based rules for the operations of automated vehicles (AVs). l FMCSA should work to clarify the regulations to align with DOT’s AV 3.0 guidance, which would allow the drivers to be safely removed from the operations of a commercial motor vehicle. From a nonregulatory point of view, DOT has pivoted from a successful focus on the voluntary sharing of data to improve safety outcomes to adoption of a more compulsory and antagonistic approach to mandating data collection and publica- tion through a Standing General Order related to automated vehicles. This needs to be reversed. Many of these new and innovative technologies rely on wireless communica- tions that depend on the availability and purchase of radio frequency spectrum, a trend that is consistent with what we see in connectivity in our everyday lives. There is a role for DOT in ensuring that in the fight over spectrum, transportation gets its fair share. For technologies to work in transportation, and in particular to work for transportation safety, they have to meet the unique needs of a transportation — 626 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise environment. They need to account for rapidly moving and out-of-line-of-sight vehicles as well as pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users. They should account for the potential for radio interference, and they should address security. This is why in 1999, in response to a request from Congress, the Federal Com- munications Commission allocated the 5.9 GHz band of spectrum to traffic safety and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). In 2020, the FCC took away 45 MHz of the 75 MHz it had added, leaving only 30 MHz for transportation safety and ITS. DOT needs to represent the transportation community and make the case for needed spectrum to the public and Congress. CORPORATE AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY (CAFE) STANDARDS One reason for the high numbers of injuries on American roadways is that national fuel economy standards raise the price of cars, disincentivizing people from purchasing newer, safer vehicles. Congress requires the Secretary of Transportation to set national fuel econ- omy standards for new motor vehicles sold in the United States. This mandate was established in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA),6 a law passed in the wake of the Arab oil embargo to promote greater energy efficiency and lessen the national security threat of U.S. dependence on foreign oil. The stat- ute directs DOT to prescribe the “maximum feasible” mileage requirements for different categories of internal-combustion engine (ICE) automobiles for each model year. The standards must be achievable using available ICE technologies running on gasoline, diesel fuel, or similar combustible fuels and must not be set so high as to prevent automakers from profitably producing new vehicles at sufficient volume to meet consumer demand. Congress recognized that the ICE-powered automobile has been instrumen- tal to advancing the mobility and prosperity of the American people and that the domestic mass production of new ICE vehicles generates millions of jobs and remains critical to the overall health of the U.S. economy and the strength of the nation’s industrial base. Accordingly, Congress took care to ensure that the mileage requirements issued by DOT would not undermine the vitality of America’s auto industry or interfere with the market economics that drives consumer demand for new vehicles. This rulemaking authority, which has been delegated by the Secretary to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is exclusive to DOT. EPCA expressly preempts states from adopting or enforcing any different requirement “related to fuel economy standards” for new motor vehicles. While the statute instructs DOT to consult with the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in formulating its standards, no other federal agency, including EPA, has clear authority to set fuel economy requirements in place of NHTSA. The Clean Air Act7 gives EPA general authority to establish emissions

Department of Transportation

Weak

Vector: 60%

Pages: 670-672AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The TORNADO Act addresses hazardous weather forecasting and risk communication, whereas the Project 2025 DOT section focuses on maritime administration, Jones Act reform, and making travel cheaper and easier; the only connection is a tangential link through disaster response and transportation safety."

Key themes:emergency managementdisaster responsepublic safetytransportation safety

— 638 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise and purpose, and therefore its funding priorities, are not well understood and his- torically have been minimalized in planning and budgeting. MARAD, including its subordinate Service Academy (the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) should be transferred to the Department of Defense (if the Coast Guard is located there because DHS has been eliminated) or to the Department of Home- land Security. In this way, the two agencies charged with oversight and regulation of the Maritime sector—MARAD and the United States Coast Guard—would be aligned under the same department where operational efficiencies could be real- ized more easily. Serious consideration should be given to repealing or substantially reforming the Jones Act,16 which would require legislation. The economic costs of the Jones Act, which is notionally in place to promote a robust Merchant Marine, vastly exceed its effect on the supply of domestic ships. For instance, no liquified natural gas (LNG) can be shipped from Alaska to the lower 48 states because there are no U.S.-flagged ships that carry LNG. If there are genuine concerns about U.S. fleet capacity in the absence of the Jones Act, it would be possible to do so through an expansion of the Defense Reserve Fleet. Another DHS agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is a frequent user of MARAD Ready Reserve Force shipping during disaster assistance missions. Transferring MARAD to DHS would make coordination and requisition of those vessels a smoother and more rapid process. DHS has responsibility for reviewing and approving Jones Act waivers. This process first requires a market survey of available shipping tonnage that is completed by MARAD. The processing of Jones Act waiver requests would be streamlined if both agencies were in the same department. Finally, DHS as a department is experienced in administering and budgeting for the operation of an existing federal service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, which is similar to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in size. There would be increased efficiencies and better alignment of the missions of these two institutions if they were under one single department that has equity in the industries served by these academies. CONCLUSION Americans need more abundant and affordable transportation. They need more affordable and safer cars as well as physical aspects of transportation such as roads, bridges, airports, ports, and rail lines. The Department of Transportation should be evaluating which aspects of transportation are contributing to the economic competitiveness of the United States and the well-being of Americans—and that therefore should continue to be funded. All too often, DOT’s mission is described as reducing the number of trips, using less fuel, and raising the costs of travel to Americans through increased use of — 639 — Department of Transportation renewables. These goals are not compatible with what should be DOT’s purpose: to make travel easier and less expensive. That is what the American people want, and that is what DOT should provide. AUTHOR’S NOTE: The preparation of this chapter was a collective enterprise of individuals involved in the 2025 Presidential Transition Project. All contributors to this chapter are listed at the front of this volume, but Steven Bradbury, David Ditch, and Robert Poole deserve special mention. The author alone assumes responsibility for the content of this chapter, and no views expressed herein should be attributed to any other individual.

Department of Transportation

Weak

Vector: 60%

Pages: 670-672AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The TORNADO Act focuses on improving NOAA's hazardous weather communication and tornado forecasting, while the Project 2025 DOT section addresses railroad brake inspections, FRA policies, and maritime administration reforms. Both share a general goal of enhancing safety and federal coordination, but they operate in unrelated policy domains."

Key themes:risk communicationpublic safetyfederal agency coordinationemergency managementdata-driven decision making

— 637 — Department of Transportation to track brake inspections on rolling stock electronically instead of by using paper air brake slips, which would enable extending the interval between brake inspections for trains and eliminating restrictions on the ability to place/remove blocks of cars in trains. l FRA will be proposing certification requirements for dispatchers and signal employees despite the failure of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) to identify any safety benefit. l FRA is planning to propose emergency escape breathing apparatus requirements for train crews even though FRA staff long ago concluded that the costs of these requirements would far outweigh their very minimal benefits. It is vital that the integrity of FRA’s research program be preserved. In 2022, FRA switched the management of the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colorado, from a subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to Ensco, Inc. FRA seems determined to direct research to TTC, even when there are better choices with respect to the research in question, in an effort to support TTC financially and justify its decision to change management at TTC. This change in approach threatens the collaborative approach to research between FRA and the railroads that has existed for decades. FRA should make its decisions on where to spend its research dollars solely on the merits of improving the safety and efficiency of the railroad industry. MARITIME POLICY The Maritime Administration (MARAD) was established by President Harry Truman in 1950 and was transferred to DOT in 1981. A principal function is “main- tain[ing] the overall health of the U.S. Merchant Marine,”15 which is important both to national defense and to foreign and domestic commerce. MARAD is also in charge of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and operates ships and funding for the six state maritime academies. MARAD would be better served by being transferred from DOT to the Depart- ment of Homeland Security (DHS). MARAD is the only DOT modal administration that does not regulate the industry that it represents: The maritime industry is regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard (ships and personnel) and by the Federal Mari- time Commission (cargo rates and competitive practices). Furthermore, MARAD has responsibilities both in peacetime commerce and operationally in wartime/crisis sealift through its responsibility to manage the National Defense Reserve Fleet and 45-ship Ready Reserve Force for the U.S. Navy. These missions are unique to MARAD within DOT. As a result, MARAD’s missions — 638 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise and purpose, and therefore its funding priorities, are not well understood and his- torically have been minimalized in planning and budgeting. MARAD, including its subordinate Service Academy (the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) should be transferred to the Department of Defense (if the Coast Guard is located there because DHS has been eliminated) or to the Department of Home- land Security. In this way, the two agencies charged with oversight and regulation of the Maritime sector—MARAD and the United States Coast Guard—would be aligned under the same department where operational efficiencies could be real- ized more easily. Serious consideration should be given to repealing or substantially reforming the Jones Act,16 which would require legislation. The economic costs of the Jones Act, which is notionally in place to promote a robust Merchant Marine, vastly exceed its effect on the supply of domestic ships. For instance, no liquified natural gas (LNG) can be shipped from Alaska to the lower 48 states because there are no U.S.-flagged ships that carry LNG. If there are genuine concerns about U.S. fleet capacity in the absence of the Jones Act, it would be possible to do so through an expansion of the Defense Reserve Fleet. Another DHS agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is a frequent user of MARAD Ready Reserve Force shipping during disaster assistance missions. Transferring MARAD to DHS would make coordination and requisition of those vessels a smoother and more rapid process. DHS has responsibility for reviewing and approving Jones Act waivers. This process first requires a market survey of available shipping tonnage that is completed by MARAD. The processing of Jones Act waiver requests would be streamlined if both agencies were in the same department. Finally, DHS as a department is experienced in administering and budgeting for the operation of an existing federal service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, which is similar to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in size. There would be increased efficiencies and better alignment of the missions of these two institutions if they were under one single department that has equity in the industries served by these academies. CONCLUSION Americans need more abundant and affordable transportation. They need more affordable and safer cars as well as physical aspects of transportation such as roads, bridges, airports, ports, and rail lines. The Department of Transportation should be evaluating which aspects of transportation are contributing to the economic competitiveness of the United States and the well-being of Americans—and that therefore should continue to be funded. All too often, DOT’s mission is described as reducing the number of trips, using less fuel, and raising the costs of travel to Americans through increased use of

Showing 3 of 5 policy matches

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.

Related Bills

Other Bills by Sen. Wicker, Roger F.

Regional Ocean Partnerships Reauthorization Act of 2026

119/s/3791

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027

119/s/4784

PLAN for Broadband Act

119/s/323

Back to All Bills