Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/2898

Last Updated: August 9, 2026

Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

S. 2898, 119th Congress — read as touching Hospitals & Health Systems.

The sponsor

Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK]

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

The money

$78,800 raised

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

The alignment

55% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Health and Human Services" section, p. 533-535 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Star Print ordered on the bill.

October 7, 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:

**Bill Analysis: S 2898 - Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2025**

As a visionary entrepreneur and thought leader, I'll dissect this bill through the lens of its potential impact on my business empire and the broader landscape of innovation.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The primary objective of S 2898 is to reauthorize the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program, which aims to improve surveillance, prevention, and treatment of TBI. The bill seeks to enhance data collection, identify high-risk populations, and promote evidence-based practices for concussion management.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill makes several key changes to existing law:

1. **Expanded Surveillance:** Amends Section 393B of the Public Health Service Act to include prevalence data and associated injuries/fatalities. 2. **National Program for TBI Surveillance and Registries:** Updates Section 393C to focus on identifying high-risk populations, collecting data on causes/risk factors, and promoting evidence-based practices. 3. **Authorization of Appropriations:** Extends funding for the TBI program from 2020-2024 to 2026-2030.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The primary stakeholders affected by this bill include:

1. **Healthcare Providers:** Will be required to report TBI data and implement evidence-based practices. 2. **State Governments:** Will receive funding for TBI-related programs and be expected to maintain non-Federal expenditures. 3. **American Indian Consortia:** Eligible for grants to support TBI-related activities.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** From a business perspective, this bill has limited direct implications for my empire. However, I'll highlight potential opportunities and concerns:

1. **Data Collection:** Enhanced surveillance and data collection may create new opportunities for innovative healthcare solutions. 2. **Regulatory Compliance:** Healthcare providers will need to adapt to new reporting requirements, potentially driving demand for compliance services. 3. **Funding Allocation:** The extension of funding for the TBI program may divert resources away from other areas, such as research and development.

In conclusion, S 2898 is a relatively narrow bill focused on reauthorizing the TBI program. While it has limited direct implications for my business empire, I'll continue to monitor its progress and assess potential opportunities for innovation and growth.

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions

$432,800

204 donors

PACs

Organizations

$66,900

Committees

Individuals

$365,900

No PAC contributions found

HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE INDIAN TRIBE

2 transactions

$6,600

MIAMI TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

2 transactions

$6,600

SNOQUALMIE TRIBE

2 transactions

$6,600

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

2 transactions

$6,000

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

2 transactions

$5,000

MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION

1 transaction

$3,300

THE CHICKASAW NATION

1 transaction

$3,300

OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

1 transaction

$3,000

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

2 transactions

$3,000

AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS

1 transaction

$2,900

AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY

1 transaction

$2,900

PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

1 transaction

$2,900

THE UTE INDIAN TRIBE

1 transaction

$2,800

SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

1 transaction

$2,500

SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION

1 transaction

$2,500

ONEIDA NATION

1 transaction

$2,000

PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS

2 transactions

$2,000

MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

1 transaction

$1,500

SENECA NATION OF INDIANS

1 transaction

$1,000

CHOCTAW NATION

1 transaction

$500

No committee contributions found

KIMBER, SHELDON

4 transactions

$12,000

GARVER, C M

3 transactions

$10,300

NAGEL, RICK R. MR.

2 transactions

$8,300

GAYLOR, JOHN R.

2 transactions

$7,100

MILLER, JEFFREY

2 transactions

$7,100

BUERGER, ALAN

2 transactions

$6,600

CROTTY, THOMAS

2 transactions

$6,600

EVANS, ROGER

2 transactions

$6,600

MCCALL, CHARLES

2 transactions

$6,600

MCCALL, CHARLES A.

2 transactions

$6,600

MCCALL, CLAY

2 transactions

$6,600

MCDAVID, CARLY

2 transactions

$6,600

MCKNIGHT, DREW

2 transactions

$6,600

PEMBERTON, LEWIS PECK

2 transactions

$6,600

STONE, SHELDON

2 transactions

$6,600

WALTON, S. ROBSON

2 transactions

$6,600

WEBB, DAN

2 transactions

$6,600

WEINER, KANE

2 transactions

$6,600

GRAY, C. BOYDEN

2 transactions

$5,000

MARTIN, JOHN

2 transactions

$5,000

MACKINNON, JEFFREY M MR.

3 transactions

$3,500

BURRAGE, STEVE MR.

1 transaction

$3,300

BURRAGE, STEVEN MARK

1 transaction

$3,300

FIELDS, JACK

1 transaction

$3,300

HOLLAND, LUCAS

1 transaction

$3,300

LANCE, BILL G. MR.

1 transaction

$3,300

MAYER, TONY

1 transaction

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MCCALL, CARSON HAYS

1 transaction

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MCCALL, CHARLES IV

1 transaction

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MCKEE, JACK MR.

1 transaction

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NIXON, DENNIS

1 transaction

$3,300

NORMAN, DAVID

1 transaction

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OSTER, ROBERT

1 transaction

$3,300

LAZARSKI, ANTHONY J. MR.

2 transactions

$3,000

BODE, JOHN MR.

1 transaction

$2,900

CAI, PING

1 transaction

$2,900

DU, ZHENG

1 transaction

$2,900

FLATT, RAYMOND

1 transaction

$2,900

FLINN, ELDON MR.

1 transaction

$2,900

FLOWERS, CHRIS MR.

1 transaction

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GUO, MEIRONG

1 transaction

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HATTON, DAVID DWAYNE MR.

1 transaction

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LEVINSON, LEE I. MR.

1 transaction

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LIU, HUIYING

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NI, YUN FENG

1 transaction

$2,900

TAYLOR, BRUCE

1 transaction

$2,900

WILEY, LAWRENCE

1 transaction

$2,900

ZHOU, YUAN

1 transaction

$2,900

BUERGE, ROBIN

1 transaction

$2,500

CURTIS, CHANDA

1 transaction

$2,500

DERDERIAN, JAMES MR.

1 transaction

$2,500

GEDULDIG, SAM MR.

1 transaction

$2,500

HAUCK, MEGAN

1 transaction

$2,500

JOHNSON, H. FISK

1 transaction

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RICHARDS, JIM

1 transaction

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RITTER, RYAN MR.

1 transaction

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SMITH, LARRY

1 transaction

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STERNFELS, ROBERT

1 transaction

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STIPICEVIC, JOHN

1 transaction

$2,500

FIELD, MARSHALL

1 transaction

$2,000

FORBES, ANDREW

1 transaction

$2,000

GUIDA, ALFONSO MR. JR.

2 transactions

$2,000

JOYCE, SEAN

2 transactions

$2,000

LINK, TUCKER

1 transaction

$2,000

MARSHALL, MICHAEL

1 transaction

$2,000

POPP, MONICA

2 transactions

$2,000

SHUMWAY, CHAD

1 transaction

$2,000

ARNDT, MICHAEL

1 transaction

$1,500

BARKER, GUY

1 transaction

$1,500

BOLIN, BILL

1 transaction

$1,500

BRAVO, MATTHEW

1 transaction

$1,500

GAILEY, MARK M. MR.

1 transaction

$1,500

HILER, JONATHAN

2 transactions

$1,500

HIRSHEY, KEN

1 transaction

$1,500

JACKSON, RYAN

1 transaction

$1,500

MAGALLANES, NICOLAS

1 transaction

$1,500

PAC, SNC

1 transaction

$1,500

WHITE, JOEL MR.

1 transaction

$1,500

WOLF, JOSEPH

1 transaction

$1,500

WRIGHT, ALLEN

1 transaction

$1,500

BARBER, SHONNA

2 transactions

$1,000

BARBY, ALLEN

1 transaction

$1,000

BEALL, DONALD R.

1 transaction

$1,000

BUCKALEW, ADAM L

1 transaction

$1,000

CALLAHAN, KENNETH III

1 transaction

$1,000

CANTRELL, MIKE

1 transaction

$1,000

CARON, CHRISTOPHER

1 transaction

$1,000

COOPER, JILL

1 transaction

$1,000

COPELAND, GERRET VANSWERINGEN JR.

1 transaction

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COX, ROBERT MR. AND MR

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DOWNS, RAISSA

1 transaction

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FOWLER, KATHY

1 transaction

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GUNN, ASHLEY

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HARROZ, JOE

1 transaction

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HATZIS, LUKE

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HENKE, FRAZIER

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HODGSON, CHRIS

1 transaction

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KING, ANDREW

1 transaction

$1,000

LAMB, MONICA

1 transaction

$1,000

100

LASS, CON

1 transaction

$1,000

101

LOPER, GINGER

2 transactions

$1,000

102

LUCAS, JANE

1 transaction

$1,000

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MCDONALD, MIKE

1 transaction

$1,000

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MCDOUGALL, CHAD T. MR.

1 transaction

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105

MILLER, BRIAN

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106

NIELSEN, MIKE

2 transactions

$1,000

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OSBORN, WILLIAM MR. AND MR

1 transaction

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PATAKI, TIM

1 transaction

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PAUP, SPIVEY

1 transaction

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110

PEARSON, DUANNE

1 transaction

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POLAK, ERIN

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POTEET, PAUL

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RADY, PAUL

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114

REID, RANDI

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$1,000

115

RIPLINGER, SCOTT

1 transaction

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116

SCOFIELD, JOHN

1 transaction

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SHAW, RHOD

1 transaction

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118

STEIN, MARTIN

1 transaction

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119

STRUNK, JEFFREY

1 transaction

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120

SZAFRANSKI, JOHN

1 transaction

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121

THROCKMORTON, CHRIS

1 transaction

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122

TRYSLA, TIM

1 transaction

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123

WILLCOX, DARREN

1 transaction

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124

WITCHEY, DEBBIE

1 transaction

$1,000

125

ALSPACH, ROBERT

1 transaction

$500

126

BAKER, GEORGE D MR.

1 transaction

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127

BARTLETT, DOYLE

1 transaction

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128

BILL, TERESA

1 transaction

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129

BRAATEN, TYLER

1 transaction

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130

BRANDT, KIMBERLY

1 transaction

$500

131

BUCKALEW, ADAM L.

1 transaction

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132

CARAM, GEORGE

1 transaction

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133

CARD, BRAD

1 transaction

$500

134

CATANZARO, MIKE

1 transaction

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135

CHOE, YONG

1 transaction

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136

COLE, KELLY

1 transaction

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137

DELGADO, MARTIN

1 transaction

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138

DEMERITT, DARYN

1 transaction

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139

DIAZ DE LA RUBIO, TOMAS

1 transaction

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140

DILLINGHAM, DON

1 transaction

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141

DOBIAS, MATTHEW

1 transaction

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142

EDATTEL, PAUL

1 transaction

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143

FINCH, MICHAEL

1 transaction

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144

HALITI, BESNIK

1 transaction

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145

HALL, HUNTER

1 transaction

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HAMBY, JAMES

1 transaction

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HAWKS, T.A.

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HEAFITZ, JONATHAN

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HENRY, VALERIE

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HUNT, HOLLYE

1 transaction

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IRIZARRY, STEVEN

1 transaction

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152

KEATING, FRANK

1 transaction

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KEISER, ANDREW

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154

LAMP, DAVE

1 transaction

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155

LANAGAN, LINDSAY

1 transaction

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156

LEPORE, JOHN

1 transaction

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LONG, CHARLES

1 transaction

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158

LOUGHRAN, TIM

1 transaction

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159

LUKAWSKI, JENNIFER MS.

1 transaction

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160

MANDEL, JESSICA

1 transaction

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161

MARSHALL, HAZEN

1 transaction

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162

MAY, ELIZABETH

1 transaction

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163

MCELROY, MICHAEL

1 transaction

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164

MERCER, K. ELAINE

1 transaction

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165

MOOREHEAD, PAUL MR.

1 transaction

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166

MURRAY, JOSEPH

1 transaction

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167

NELSON, TYLER MR.

1 transaction

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168

PAYNE, WILLIAM II

1 transaction

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169

POWELL, ROBERT

1 transaction

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170

ROSS, THOMAS

1 transaction

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171

SANDGREN, MATT

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172

SCHWARTZ, DOUG

1 transaction

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173

SMERUD, RICHARD

1 transaction

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174

SMITH, WILL

1 transaction

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SPERLING, ANDREW

1 transaction

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176

SPIVEY, LAWRENCE

1 transaction

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177

THORNHILL, BARRETT

1 transaction

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178

TRYON, WARREN

1 transaction

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179

TYLER, TONY J.

1 transaction

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180

WARNER, FREDERIC C MR. JR

1 transaction

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181

WELLS, BRYAN

1 transaction

$500

182

WILLIAMS, DENNIS

1 transaction

$500

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 5 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

ID: K000394

Top Contributors

THE CHICKASAW NATION

OrganizationADA, OK

$6,600

Sep 11, 2024

THE CHICKASAW NATION

OrganizationADA, OK

$3,300

Sep 30, 2024

JSTREETPAC

CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD

OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC

$1,000

Feb 15, 2024

JSTREETPAC

CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD

OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC

$1,000

Feb 15, 2024

JSTREETPAC

CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD

OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC

$500

Jan 11, 2024

COUNCIL FOR A LIVABLE WORLD

CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD

OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC

$500

Oct 11, 2023

GIVE CHANCES

OrganizationNORTHVALE, NJ

$300

Jul 10, 2023

GIVE CHANCES

OrganizationNORTHVALE, NJ

$300

Apr 26, 2023

JSTREETPAC

CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD

OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC

$250

Feb 15, 2024

KIM, ANTHONY

CENTERVIEW PARTNERS • FINANCE

IndividualNEW YORK, NY

$6,600

Sep 30, 2023

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

ID: C001056

Top Contributors

WINRED

COMARLINGTON, VA

$47

Jul 10, 2024

WEEKLEY, RICHARD W

WEEKLEY PROPERTIES • REAL ESTATE BROKER/DEVELOPER

IndividualHOUSTON, TX

$100,000

Dec 27, 2023

MCINGVALE, JAMES F

GALLERY FURNITURE • OWNER/OPERATOR

IndividualHOUSTON, TX

$50,000

Feb 27, 2023

MCINGVALE, LINDA

IndividualHOUSTON, TX

$50,000

Feb 27, 2023

DUNN, TIMOTHY

CROWN QUEST OPERATING • EXECUTIVE

IndividualMIDLAND, TX

$45,000

Apr 4, 2023

MARTIN, KIMBERLY R

IndividualHOUSTON, TX

$20,000

Mar 13, 2023

BLAINE, JAY C.

N/A • N/A

IndividualROCKWALL, TX

$16,478

Oct 11, 2024

THOMPSON, JERE W. MR. JR.

AMBIT ENERGY • CEO

IndividualDALLAS, TX

$13,200

Mar 15, 2023

MIDDLETON, MAYES

MIDDLETON OIL CO • OIL AND GAS

IndividualGALVESTON, TX

$12,500

Jan 7, 2023

MIDDLETON, MACEY

IndividualGALVESTON, TX

$12,500

Jan 7, 2023

Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

ID: P000145

Top Contributors

CHEROKEE NATION

OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK

$5,000

Dec 24, 2024

MOORETOWN RANCHERIA

OrganizationOROVILLE, CA

$3,300

Oct 7, 2024

TOLOWA DEE-NI' NATION

OrganizationSMITH RIVER, CA

$3,300

May 7, 2024

TULE RIVER TRIBAL COUNCIL

OrganizationPORTERVILLE, CA

$3,300

Aug 12, 2024

THE CHICKASAW NATION

OrganizationADA, OK

$2,500

Nov 22, 2023

ONEIDA NATION

OrganizationONEIDA, WI

$1,000

Oct 3, 2023

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$1,000

Jun 5, 2023

ONEIDA INDIAN NATION

OrganizationONEIDA, WI

$1,000

Jun 21, 2024

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$1,000

May 16, 2024

KIMBER, SHELDON

INTERSECT POWER • CEO

IndividualTRUCKEE, CA

$5,000

Apr 27, 2023

Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

ID: C001113

Top Contributors

LAS VEGAS PAIUTE TRIBE

OrganizationLAS VEGAS, NV

$3,300

Nov 28, 2023

MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS

OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS

$2,500

Dec 20, 2023

ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE

OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX

$1,500

Oct 2, 2024

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$1,000

Apr 26, 2024

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$1,000

Jul 11, 2023

MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION

OrganizationOKMULGEE, OK

$1,000

Sep 18, 2024

MOHEGAN TRIBE OF INDIANS OF CONNECTICUT

OrganizationUNCASVILLE, CT

$1,000

Aug 12, 2024

CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA

OrganizationDURANT, OK

$550

Oct 2, 2023

LONGTIN, LUANN

IndividualPOTOMAC, MD

$17,325

Jun 30, 2024

SLIFKA, ROSALYN

IndividualWALTHAM, MA

$5,800

Jun 30, 2024

Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

ID: O000174

Top Contributors

THOMAS, TORI

IndividualMCLEAN, VA

$9,100

Jun 30, 2024

MCCLURE, RODERICK

RODFATHER PRODUCTIONS • BUSINESS OWNER

IndividualALPHARETTA, GA

$6,600

Nov 25, 2024

MCCLURE, RODERICK

IndividualALPHARETTA, GA

$6,600

Dec 23, 2024

HOLLANDER, ELLEN

NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED

IndividualROSWELL, GA

$5,000

Oct 6, 2024

HOLLANDER, ELLEN

IndividualROSWELL, GA

$5,000

Oct 14, 2024

MILLER, KRISTIE

SELF EMPLOYED • WRITER

IndividualWASHINGTON, DC

$3,300

Jun 5, 2024

RECHNITZ, JOAN

NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED

IndividualRED BANK, NJ

$3,300

Apr 22, 2024

HOPPER, HEIDI

NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED

IndividualMENLO PARK, CA

$3,300

May 3, 2024

BRASCH, JOHN

NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED

IndividualLINCOLN, NE

$3,300

Apr 16, 2024

ARNOLD, JOHN

ARNOLD VENTURES • CO-FOUNDER

IndividualHOUSTON, TX

$3,300

Apr 2, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK]

Show Also Donated To

PACs

Organizations

Individuals

Politicians

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

Showing 72 nodes and 86 connections

Total contributions: $86

Top Donors - Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK]

Showing top 22 donors by contribution amount

20 Orgs2 Individuals

Industry Impact

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

+Hospitals & Health Systemsconfidence 0.90
Section 2(a)(3) inserts 'and other relevant Federal departments and agencies' into subsection (c) of Section 393B of the Public Health Service Act, which could increase coordination and funding for TBI-related health services, benefiting hospitals and health systems that provide such care.
+Biotech & Researchconfidence 0.80
Section 5 authorizes a study on long-term symptoms of TBI, including correlations with dementia and mental health conditions, which could drive research funding and opportunities for biotech firms involved in neuroscience and neurodegeneration.
+Medical Devicesconfidence 0.70
Section 2(b)(5) adds 'and evidence-based practices to identify and address concussion' to subsection (b) of Section 393C, which may increase demand for diagnostic and monitoring devices related to concussion and TBI.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK])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

Biotech & Research$2,000
from 2 contributions
- MAGALLANES, NICOLAS$1,500
- LEPORE, JOHN$500

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 Health and Human Services

Weak

Vector: 60%

Pages: 533-535AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on reauthorizing a Traumatic Brain Injury program with emphasis on surveillance, data collection, research, and state grant funding, while the Project 2025 HHS section primarily addresses Medicaid reform, managed care oversight, abortion policy, and healthcare regulations—showing minimal thematic overlap."

Key themes:healthcarepublic healthdata collection

— 500 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 32. Owcharenko Schaefer, “Medicaid at 55: Understanding the Design, Trends, and Reforms Needed to Improve the Health Care Safety Net.” 33. Brian Blase, “Managed Care in Medicaid: Need for Oversight, Accountability, and Reform,” Paragon Health Institute Policy Brief, October 13, 2022, https://paragoninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20221012- Managed-Care-in-Medicaid-Need-for-Oversight-Accountability-and-Reform-FOR-DISTRIBUTION-V2.pdf (accessed February 13, 2023). 34. Owcharenko Schaefer, “Medicaid at 55: Understanding the Design, Trends, and Reforms Needed to Improve the Health Care Safety Net.” 35. 42 U.S. Code § 1315, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1315 (accessed March 17, 2023). 36. Chad D. Savage and Lee S. Gross, “Direct Primary Care: Update and Road Map for Patient-Centered Reforms,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3635, June 28, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/ files/2021-06/BG3635.pdf. 37. H.R. 133, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law No. 116-260, 116th Congress, December 27, 2020, Division BB, Title I, https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ260/PLAW-116publ260.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 38. Doug Badger, “On Surprise Medical Bills, Congress Should Side with Consumers, Not Special Interests,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, January 31, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/health-care-reform/ commentary/surprise-medical-bills-congress-should-side-consumers-not-special. 39. Edmund F. Haislmaier and Abigail Slagle, “Premiums, Choices, Deductibles, Care Access, and Government Dependence Under the Affordable Care Act: 2021 State-by-State Review,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3668, November 2, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/BG3668.pdf. 40. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service; U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Transparency in Coverage,” Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 85, No. 219 (November 12, 2020), pp. 72158–72310, https://www.govinfo.gov/ content/pkg/FR-2020-11-12/pdf/2020-24591.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 41. David N. Bernstein and Robert E. Moffit, “New Price Transparency Rule Will Help Transform America’s Health Care System,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, November 1, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/health-care- reform/commentary/new-price-transparency-rule-will-help-transform-americas-health-care. 42. Sluzala and Haislmaier, “Lessons from COVID-19: How Policymakers Should Reform the Regulation of Clinical Testing.” 43. Ibid. 44. Most recently enacted in H.R. 2471, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Public Law No. 117-103, 117th Congress, March 15, 2022, Division H, Title V, §§ 506–507, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ103/ PLAW-117publ103.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 45. President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Executive Order 14079, “Securing Access to Reproductive and Other Healthcare Services,” August 3, 2022, in Federal Register, Vol. 87, No. 154 (August 11, 2022), pp. 49505–49507, https:// www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-08-11/pdf/2022-17420.pdf (accessed March 16, 2023). 46. Planned Parenthood, 2020–2021 Annual Report, p. 27, https://www.plannedparenthood.org/uploads/ filer_public/40/8f/408fc2ad-c8c2-48da-ad87-be5cc257d370/211214-ppfa-annualreport-20-21-c3-digital.pdf (accessed March 22, 2023). 47. Ibid., pp. 30 and 31. Total revenue of $1,714.4 million (p. 30) minus $1,580.7 million in total expenses (p. 31) yields $133,7 million. 48. Ibid., p. 28. 49. Ibid., p. 30. 50. H.R. 372, Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2023, 118th Congress, introduced January 17, 2023, https://www. congress.gov/118/bills/hr372/BILLS-118hr372ih.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 51. 42 U.S. Code § 18023, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/18023 (accessed March 17, 2023). 52. H.R. 3128, Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, Public Law No. 99-272, 99th Congress, April 7, 1986, Title IX, Subtitle A, Part 1, Subpart B, § 9121, https://www.congress.gov/99/statute/STATUTE-100/ STATUTE-100-Pg82.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 53. H.R. 8070, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law No. 93-112, 93rd Congress, September 26, 1973, https://www. congress.gov/93/statute/STATUTE-87/STATUTE-87-Pg355.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). — 501 — Department of Health and Human Services 54. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Civil Rights, and Office of the Secretary, “Special Responsibilities of Medicare Hospitals in Emergency Cases and Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Critical Health and Human Service Programs or Activities,” draft of Proposed Rule, January 14, 2021, https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/infants-nprm.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 55. H.R. 26, Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, 118th Congress, introduced January 9, 2023, https:// www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr26/BILLS-118hr26pcs.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 56. H.R. 7, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023, 118th Congress, introduced January 9, 2023, https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr7/BILLS-118hr7ih.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 57. S. 401, Conscience Protection Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced February 24, 2021, https://www.congress. gov/117/bills/s401/BILLS-117s401is.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 58. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Office of the Secretary, “Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities,” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Notice of Tribal Consultation, Federal Register, Vol. 87, No. 149 (August 4, 2022), pp. 47824–47920, https://www.govinfo. gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-08-04/pdf/2022-16217.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 59. Ibid., p. 47916. 60. The regulation was not finalized before the end of the Administration. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, “Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” Proposed Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 84, No. 142 (July 24, 2019), pp. 35570–55581, https:// www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/07/24/2019-15670/revision-of-categorical-eligibility-in-the- supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap (accessed March 17, 2023). 61. 45 Code of Federal Regulations § 75.300(c) and (d), https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/ subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR911e5e1a30bfbcb/section-75.300 (accessed March 17, 2023). 62. H.R. 1750, Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced March 10, 2021, https:// www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr1750/BILLS-117hr1750ih.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023), and S. 656, Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced March 10, 2021, https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/ s656/BILLS-117s656is.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 63. S. 3949, Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022, Public Law No. 117-348, 117th Congress, January 25, 2023, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ348/PLAW-117publ348.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 64. Kelsey Y. Santamaria, “Child Migrants at the Border: The Flores Settlement Agreement and Other Legal Developments,” Congressional Research Service In Focus No. IF11799, April 1, 2021, https://crsreports.congress. gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11799 (accessed March 17, 2023). 65. Report, Building a Happy Home: Marriage Education as a Tool to Strengthen Families, Social Capital Project Report No. 1-22, March 2022, p. 17, https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/3d102525-6f0d-48ed- 92f4-d71edd468ad6/building-a-happy-home.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). The cover of the report reflects that the Social Capital Project is “[a] project of the Joint Economic Committee – Republicans.” 66. See, for example, Alan J. Hawkins, “Are Federally Supported Relationship Education Programs for Lower-Income Individuals and Couples Working? A Review of Evaluation Research,” American Enterprise Institute, September 2019, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ228/PLAW-117publ228.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 67. H.R. 8404, Respect for Marriage Act, Public Law No. 117-228, 117th Congress, December 13, 2022, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ228/PLAW-117publ228.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 68. Madison Marino, “Over 1,000 Safety Violations Mar Head Start. Children Deserve Better,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, November 10, 2022, https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/over-1000-safety- violations-mar-head-start-children-deserve-better. 69. American Hospital Association v. Becerra, 596 U.S. ___ (2022), https://www.supremecourt.gov/ opinions/21pdf/20-1114_09m1.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 70. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service; U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, “Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act,” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Federal Register, Vol. 88, No. 22 (February 2, 2023), pp. 7236–7281, https://www. govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-02-02/pdf/2023-01981.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023).

Department of Health and Human Services

Weak

Vector: 59%

Pages: 533-535AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The TBI reauthorization bill focuses on surveillance, research, and state grant programs for traumatic brain injury, while the Project 2025 HHS section emphasizes abortion-related policies, conscience protections, and civil rights guidance. Both fall under the Department of Health and Human Services, but they address distinct policy areas with minimal substantive overlap."

Key themes:Department of Health and Human Serviceshealth programsfederal funding

— 501 — Department of Health and Human Services 54. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Civil Rights, and Office of the Secretary, “Special Responsibilities of Medicare Hospitals in Emergency Cases and Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Critical Health and Human Service Programs or Activities,” draft of Proposed Rule, January 14, 2021, https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/infants-nprm.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 55. H.R. 26, Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, 118th Congress, introduced January 9, 2023, https:// www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr26/BILLS-118hr26pcs.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 56. H.R. 7, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023, 118th Congress, introduced January 9, 2023, https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr7/BILLS-118hr7ih.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 57. S. 401, Conscience Protection Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced February 24, 2021, https://www.congress. gov/117/bills/s401/BILLS-117s401is.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 58. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Office of the Secretary, “Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities,” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Notice of Tribal Consultation, Federal Register, Vol. 87, No. 149 (August 4, 2022), pp. 47824–47920, https://www.govinfo. gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-08-04/pdf/2022-16217.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 59. Ibid., p. 47916. 60. The regulation was not finalized before the end of the Administration. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, “Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” Proposed Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 84, No. 142 (July 24, 2019), pp. 35570–55581, https:// www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/07/24/2019-15670/revision-of-categorical-eligibility-in-the- supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap (accessed March 17, 2023). 61. 45 Code of Federal Regulations § 75.300(c) and (d), https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/ subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR911e5e1a30bfbcb/section-75.300 (accessed March 17, 2023). 62. H.R. 1750, Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced March 10, 2021, https:// www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr1750/BILLS-117hr1750ih.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023), and S. 656, Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021, 117th Congress, introduced March 10, 2021, https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/ s656/BILLS-117s656is.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 63. S. 3949, Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022, Public Law No. 117-348, 117th Congress, January 25, 2023, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ348/PLAW-117publ348.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 64. Kelsey Y. Santamaria, “Child Migrants at the Border: The Flores Settlement Agreement and Other Legal Developments,” Congressional Research Service In Focus No. IF11799, April 1, 2021, https://crsreports.congress. gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11799 (accessed March 17, 2023). 65. Report, Building a Happy Home: Marriage Education as a Tool to Strengthen Families, Social Capital Project Report No. 1-22, March 2022, p. 17, https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/3d102525-6f0d-48ed- 92f4-d71edd468ad6/building-a-happy-home.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). The cover of the report reflects that the Social Capital Project is “[a] project of the Joint Economic Committee – Republicans.” 66. See, for example, Alan J. Hawkins, “Are Federally Supported Relationship Education Programs for Lower-Income Individuals and Couples Working? A Review of Evaluation Research,” American Enterprise Institute, September 2019, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ228/PLAW-117publ228.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 67. H.R. 8404, Respect for Marriage Act, Public Law No. 117-228, 117th Congress, December 13, 2022, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ228/PLAW-117publ228.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 68. Madison Marino, “Over 1,000 Safety Violations Mar Head Start. Children Deserve Better,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, November 10, 2022, https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/over-1000-safety- violations-mar-head-start-children-deserve-better. 69. American Hospital Association v. Becerra, 596 U.S. ___ (2022), https://www.supremecourt.gov/ opinions/21pdf/20-1114_09m1.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 70. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service; U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, “Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act,” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Federal Register, Vol. 88, No. 22 (February 2, 2023), pp. 7236–7281, https://www. govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-02-02/pdf/2023-01981.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). — 502 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 71. 42 U.S. Code § 238n, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/238n (accessed March 17, 2023). 72. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, “Early Childhood Health,” last reviewed October 2022, https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/focus-areas/early- childhood-health (accessed March 17, 2023). 73. American Pregnancy Association, “Having a Doula—What Are the Benefits?” https://americanpregnancy. org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/having-a-doula/#:~:text=Other%20studies%20have%20shown%20 that%20having%20a%20doula,massage%20to%20reduce%20stress%20and%20anxiety%20during%20labor (accessed March 17, 2023). 74. S. 2372, VA MISSION [Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks] Act of 2018, Public Law No. 115-182, 115th Congress, June 6, 2018, https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ182/ PLAW-115publ182.pdf (accessed March 17, 2023). 75. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Securing Updated and Necessary Statutory Evaluations Timely,” Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 11 (January 19, 2021), pp. 5694–5764, https://www.govinfo. gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-01-19/pdf/2021-00597.pdf (accessed March 22, 2023). 76. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, “Compliance with Statutory Program Integrity Requirements,” Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 84, No. 42 (March 4, 2029), pp. 7714–7791, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-03-04/pdf/2019-03461.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 77. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, “Ensuring Access to Equitable, Affordable, Client-Centered, Quality Family Planning Services,” Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 192 (October 7, 2021), pp. 56144–56180, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/ pkg/FR-2021-10-07/pdf/2021-21542.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 78. S. 624, Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, 118th Congress, introduced March 2, 2023, https://www. congress.gov/118/bills/s624/BILLS-118s624is.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 79. 50 U.S. Code Chapter 55, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/chapter-55 (accessed March 22, 2023). 80. 18 U.S. Code § 13, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/13 (accessed March 18, 2023). 81. Bowen v. American Hospital Association, 476 U.S. 610 (1986), https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/ usrep/usrep476/usrep476610/usrep476610.pdf (accessed 22, 2023). 82. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, “Notification of Interpretation and Enforcement of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,” Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 99 (May 25, 2021), pp. 27984–27985, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR- 2021-05-25/pdf/2021-10477.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 83. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, “HHS Notice and Guidance on Gender Affirming Care, Civil Rights, and Patient Privacy,” March 2, 2022, https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs- ocr-notice-and-guidance-gender-affirming-care.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 84. Heckler v. Chaney, 420 U.S. 821 (1985), https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/470/821.html (accessed March 18, 2022). 85. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, “Guidance to Nation’s Retail Pharmacies: Obligations Under Federal Civil Rights Laws to Ensure Access to Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care Services,” content last reviewed July 14, 2022, https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/ special-topics/reproductive-healthcare/pharmacies-guidance/index.html (accessed March 18, 2023). 86. H.R. 3103, “Health Insurance and Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law No. 104-191, 104th Congress, August 21, 1996, https://www.congress.gov/104/plaws/publ191/PLAW-104publ191.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). 87. U.S. Department of Human Services, “HIPAA Privacy Rule and Disclosures of Information Relating to Reproductive Health Care,” content last reviewed June 29, 2022, (accessed March 18, 2023). See also “Protecting the Privacy and Security of Your Health Information When Using Your Personal Cell Phone or Tablet,” content last reviewed June 29, 2022, https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/ cell-phone-hipaa/index.html (accessed March 18, 2023).

Department of Veterans Affairs

Weak

Vector: 58%

Pages: 682-684AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill addresses traumatic brain injury surveillance and state grant programs, which is only tangentially related to the Project 2025 VA focus on streamlining disability claims, automation, and private-sector tools; any alignment is indirect and limited to potential veteran TBI overlap."

Key themes:traumatic brain injuryveterans healthdata surveillancegrant funding

— 649 — Department of Veterans Affairs approaches and technology tools that currently exist in the private sector could be employed to improve existing VBA activities. This problem is most pronounced in the disability claims process, which needs more and better management attention focused on streamlining the procedures involved in processing claims and administering benefits. The VA must improve timeliness of claim adjudication and benefits delivery: Veterans want the VBA to provide timely responses to requests for benefits support, render empathetic customer service and understandable explanations of those benefits, and deliver those benefits without frustrating delays (weeks, not months). l Identify performance targets for benefits, report publicly on actual performance each quarter, and use these metrics to drive consistent improvement. l Develop a new pilot “Express 30” commitment for a veteran’s first fully developed disability compensation claim and organize the VBA to complete the first claim in 30 days. l Hire more private companies to perform disability medical examinations. Delays in completing the examinations could be eliminated with more external capacity. l Increase automation. Hiring additional staff to process claims is costly, is inflexible, and has yielded mixed results. Attempting to change laws and regulations simply to adjudicate claims would be a herculean effort given their complexity. The best way to provide benefits faster and more accurately is by using technology to perform most of the work. Technology currently exists in the private sector, but the VBA lacks the expertise to use it. This would be more of an organizational challenge than a technology hurdle. l Reduce improper payment and fraud. About $500 million is improperly paid out each year. Better tools, training, and management could reduce this substantially, but rule changes at the departmental level would be needed. Budget The VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) has assigned disability ratings to a growing number of health conditions over time; some are tenuously related or wholly unrelated to military service. The further growth in presumptive service-connected medical conditions pursued by Congress and Veteran Service Organizations, begun with Agent Orange and most recently for Burn Pits/Airborne — 650 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Toxins, has led to historic increases in mandatory VBA spending in recent years. The VA has a time-phased plan to reassess the VASRD and its ratings for com- pensation, but this internal process can be slow and laborious, requires Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approvals, and can become politically charged both in Congress and with VSOs. l The next Administration should explore how VASRD reviews could be accelerated with clearance from OMB to target significant cost savings from revising disability rating awards for future claimants while preserving them fully or partially for existing claimants. l The VBA’s Information Technology top-line budget should be reexamined and reassessed in light of the need for expanded automation across the enterprise. l Traditionally, VHA captures the large majority of VA IT funding. The VBA needs to make the case for a larger IT budget with clear requirements to support that request. Personnel l Pursue reforms of the Human Capital Management process and operations within the VBA to build a more blended workforce with more contractors to process claims. This would free federal employees to perform other duties and be involved solely with the final decision to award benefits. l Improve the VBA acquisition workforce. The VBA needs more world-class contractor support. Currently, few of the top companies have contracts with the VBA, and the VBA needs to conduct more outreach to the private sector through senior leader engagement and industry conferences. l To identify more effective and efficient ways to complete claims, establish a knowledge exchange program with top-tier private-sector companies that do similar work. The VBA is fundamentally a financial services organization. A significant amount of its work has a private-sector analogue that could be leveraged to improve service to veterans. l For most of its existence, the VBA has been a risk-averse, insular, paper-based organization, implementing technology only over the past decade. This insularity has led to a predominantly “build it ourselves” approach, partly because VBA staff has limited experience or insight into current private- sector tools and methods and partly because the VBA struggles to compete

Small Business Administration

Minimal

Vector: 60%

Pages: 786-788AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill addresses traumatic brain injury surveillance, state grant programs, and research funding, which are unrelated to the Small Business Administration policies on disaster loans, religious eligibility, or SBIR/STTR programs outlined in Project 2025."

— 754 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Disaster Loan Program and Direct Lending. The SBA’s disaster loan pro- gram provides low-interest loans to personal, business, and nonprofit borrowers following a federally declared disaster. The program suffers from problems of coordination with Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) disas- ter assistance. For example, disaster relief applicants have an incentive to avoid being approved for SBA disaster loans in order to increase the amount of FEMA assistance for which they are eligible. Moreover, the availability of disaster loans reduces individuals’ incentives to purchase disaster-related insurance. More than 90 percent of SBA disaster loans are loans to individuals such as homeowners, not to small businesses. In view of the challenges the SBA has experienced in its administration of this program, as well as the fraud and abuse in the EIDL COVID-19–related program and the IG’s concern that the systemic problems within this lending program undermine the SBA’s work, the next Administration should: l Work with Congress to assess the extent to which disaster loans should be offered by another agency rather than the SBA and explore private-sector channels for administering the loans. l Specify clearly that no new direct lending programs will be developed at the SBA. Eligibility of Religious Entities for SBA Loans. Current SBA regulations46 and SBA Form 197147 make certain religious entities ineligible to participate in several SBA loan programs. The Trump Administration proposed a rule that would remove the provisions on the ground that they violate the First Amendment.48 Subsequent Supreme Court decisions have made their unconstitutionality clearer.49 In an April 3, 2020, letter to Congress pursuant to 28 U.S. Code § 530D,50 the Trump Administration SBA advised that two such provisions violate the Free Exer- cise Clause of the First Amendment and that it therefore would not enforce them. On January 19, 2021, the Trump Administration SBA proposed a rule to remove all of the unconstitutional religious exclusions from its regulations.51 The SBA has not acted on the proposed rule. A similar religious exclusion once appeared in the regulation governing eligibil- ity for SBA Business Loan Programs,52 but it was removed in a June 2022 final rule that noted tension with the First Amendment and Supreme Court precedent.53 That final rule announced that the SBA would nonetheless continue to make religious eligibility determinations for business loan applicants to comply with putative Establishment Clause requirements,54 but Supreme Court precedent and Office of Legal Counsel memoranda refute the notion that large government-backed loan programs raise any Establishment Clause concerns.55 — 755 — Small Business Administration The SBA uses the same “Religious Eligibility Worksheet,” SBA Form 1971, to make eligibility determinations for all affected programs, including the Business Loan Programs. Thus, the SBA continues to act as though the unconstitutional regulation were still in place, and there is no Establishment Clause basis for doing so. The next Administration should immediately: l Notify Congress under 28 U.S. Code § 530D that it will not enforce these unconstitutional regulations. l Take down SBA Form 1971. l Finalize the Trump Administration’s proposed rule or publish its own updated proposed rule to remove the unconstitutional regulations. Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs. The SBA “coordinates and monitors the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) pro- grams for all federal agencies with extramural budgets for research or research and development (R/R&D) in excess of the expenditures established in sections 9(f) and 9(n) of the Small Business Act.”56 The SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 extended these programs from September 30, 2022, through September 30, 2025.57 SBIR requires that 3.2 percent of spending by agencies with extramural R&D budgets of $100 million or more must be directed to small businesses. STTR allo- cates 0.45 percent of federal research spending to small firms.58 Research has shown that this small portion of federal R&D spending is disproportionately effective.59 The SBIR program has consistently demonstrated its ability to fund advanced technologies through to private-market viability and invests more in America’s heartland than venture capital invests.60 SBIR and STTR have overcome the tendency of federal contracting officers to deal only with large firms that are familiar to them and have the expertise and lobbying clout to navigate the federal procurement process. The next Adminis- tration should: l Continue the SBIR and SBTT programs as they successfully fund the next wave of technological innovation to compete with Big Tech. l Urge Congress to expand the amount that other agencies are required to set aside from their general R&D budgets for the SBIR program. l Ensure the enactment of stricter rules requiring that SBIR funds must be expended on capital investments in the United States.

Small Business Administration

Minimal

Vector: 58%

Pages: 795-797AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on reauthorizing a traumatic brain injury program for public health surveillance, research, and state grants, while the Project 2025 policy excerpt concerns the Small Business Administration's efforts to ensure equal treatment for faith-based organizations in loan and disaster assistance programs. There is no thematic or policy overlap between the two."

— 762 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 29. U.S. Small Business Administration, “Ensuring Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations in SBA’s Loan and Disaster Assistance Programs,” Proposed Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 11 (January 19, 2021), pp. 5036–5040, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/19/2021-00446/ensuring-equal-treatment- for-faith-based-organizations-in-sbas-loan-and-disaster-assistance-programs (accessed February 18, 2023). 30. President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Executive Order 14019, “Promoting Access to Voting,” March 7, 2021, in Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 45 (March 10, 2021), pp. 13623–13627, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/ FR-2021-03-10/pdf/2021-05087.pdf (accessed February 19, 2023). See also press release, “Small Business Committee Republicans: The SBA Should Stay Out of Elections and Focus on Our Small Businesses,” Small Business Committee Republicans, Committee on Small Business, U.S. House of Representatives, April 4, 2022, https://republicans-smallbusiness.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=404061 (accessed February 18, 2023). 31. Press release, “SBA Administrator Guzman, Biden–Harris Administration Announce Community Navigator Pilot Program Grantees,” U.S. Small Business Administration, October 28, 2021, https://www.sba.gov/ article/2021/oct/28/sba-administrator-guzman-biden-harris-administration-announce-community-navigator- pilot-program (accessed February 18, 2023). 32. John Reosti, “SBA Hasn’t Given Up on Direct Lending,” American Banker, May 2, 2022, https://www. americanbanker.com/creditunions/news/sba-hasnt-given-up-on-direct-lending (accessed February 18, 2023). 33. Goldman Sachs, 10,000 Small Businesses Voices, “22 Years Is Too Long: Support Small Businesses. Reauthorize the SBA,” Open Letter to Congress, November 16, 2022, https://www.goldmansachs.com/ citizenship/10000-small-businesses/US/voices/reauthorize-the-sba-letter/index.html (accessed February 18, 2023). According to Goldman Sachs, the letter “was published in Politico on Wednesday, November 16 to kick of a broader campaign to prioritize small businesses and modernize the SBA in the next Congress” and “was signed by over 3,000 small business owners from all 50 states.” Ibid. 34. See, for example, “Challenge 3: SBA Faces Significant Challenges in IT Investment, System Development, and Security Controls,” in U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Small Business Administration in Fiscal Year 2023, Report 23-01, October 14, 2022, pp. 16–19, https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/SBA%20OIG%20Report%2023-01_0.pdf (accessed February 18, 2023). 35. Ibid., p. iv. 36. Appendix M, “Office of Advocacy’s Legislative Priorities,” and Appendix Q, “Memorandum of Understanding Between the Small Business Administration and the Office of Advocacy,” in U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, Background Paper, Office of Advocacy, 2017–2020, January 2021, pp. 192 and 197, https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/09101916/Background-Paper-Office-of- Advocacy-2017-2020-web.pdf (accessed February 18, 2023). 37. President Donald J. Trump, Executive Order 13771, “Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs,” January 30, 2017, in Federal Register, Vol. 82, No. 22 (February 3, 2017), pp. 9339–9341, https://www.govinfo. gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-02-03/pdf/2017-02451.pdf (accessed February 19, 2023), and President Donald J. Trump, Executive Order 13777, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,” February 24, 2017, in Federal Register, Vol. 82, No. 39 (March 1, 2017), pp. 12285–12287, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-03- 01/pdf/2017-04107.pdf (accessed February 19, 2023). 38. U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, What Small Businesses Are Saying and What Advocacy Is Doing About It: Progress Report on the Office of Advocacy’s Regional Regulatory Reform Roundtables, June 2017–September 2018, December 2018, https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/ uploads/2018/12/20091536/What-Small-Businesses-Are-Saying-What-Advocacy-Is-Doing.pdf April 2020, https://advocacy.sba.gov/regulatory-reform/ (accessed February 18, 2023December 10, 2022). See also U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, Reforming Regulations and Listening to Small Business: Second Progress Report on the Office of Advocacy’s Regional Regulatory Roundtables, June 2017–December 2019, https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20141200/2nd-Progress-Report-on-Reg- Reform-Roundtables.pdf (accessed February 18, 2023). 39. U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, What Small Businesses Are Saying and What Advocacy Is Doing About It: Progress Report on the Office of Advocacy’s Regional Regulatory Reform Roundtables, June 2017–September 2018, pp. 32 and 43. — 763 — Small Business Administration 40. U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Small Business Administration in Fiscal Year 2023, p. iv. 41. H.R. 748, CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, Public Law No. 116-136, 116th Congress, March 27, 2020, https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ136/PLAW-116publ136.pdf (accessed February 19, 2023). 42. Sarah McCammon, “Planned Parenthood Asked to Return Funds from Paycheck Protection Program,” NPR, May 21, 2020, https://www.npr.org/2020/05/21/859991359/planned-parenthood-asked-to-return-funds- from-paycheck-protection-program (accessed February 18, 2023). 43. Letter from William Manger, Associate Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration, to Laura Meyers, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, “Re: Notice of Investigation and Request for Records,” May 19, 2020, https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/6922122/SBA-Letter-Planned-Parenthood-DC.pdf (accessed February 18, 2023). 44. Press release, “Lankford, HSGAC Republicans Demand Details on Illegal PPP Loans to Planned Parenthood Affiliates,” Office of U.S. Senator James Lankford, April 28, 2022, https://www.lankford.senate.gov/news/press- releases/lankford-hsgac-republicans-demand-details-on-illegal-ppp-loans-to-planned-parenthood-affiliates (accessed February 18, 2023). 45. Press release, “Romney, Colleagues Request Information from SBA Administrator Guzman on Illegal PPP Loans Given to Planned Parenthood Affiliates,” Office of U.S. Senator Mitt Romney, April 28, 2022, https:// www.romney.senate.gov/romney-colleagues-request-information-from-sba-administrator-guzman-on- illegal-ppp-loans-given-to-planned-parenthood-affiliates/ (accessed February 18, 2023). 46. 13 C.F.R. §§ 109.400(b)(11), https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/13/109.400; 123.301(g), https://www.law. cornell.edu/cfr/text/13/123.301; 123.502(n), https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/13/123.502; and 123.702(b)(6), https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/13/123.702 (all accessed February 19, 2023). 47. U.S. Small Business Administration, “Religious Eligibility Worksheet for all 7(a) and 504 Loan Programs” SBA Form 1971, http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/sba-form-1971.pdf (accessed February 18, 2023). 48. U.S. Small Business Administration, “Ensuring Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations in SBA’s Loan and Disaster Assistance Program.” 49. See, for example, Carson v. Makin, 596 U.S. ___ (2022), https://www.supremecourt.gov/ opinions/21pdf/20-1088_dbfi.pdf (accessed February 19, 2023). 50. 28 U.S. Code § 530d, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/530D (accessed February 19, 2023). 51. U.S. Small Business Administration, “Ensuring Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations in SBA’s Loan and Disaster Assistance Program.” 52. 13 CFR 120.110(k), https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/13/120.110 (accessed February 19, 2023). 53. U.S. Small Business Administration, “Regulatory Reform Initiative: Streamlining and Modernizing the 7(a), Microloan, and 504 Loan Programs to Reduce Regulatory Burden,” Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 87, No. 125 (June 30, 2022), pp. 38900–38910, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/06/30/2022-13483/ regulatory-reform-initiative-streamlining-and-modernizing-the-7a-microloan-and-504-loan-programs-to (accessed February 18, 2023). 54. Ibid. 55. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Legal Counsel “Religious Restrictions on Capital Financing for Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” Memorandum Opinion for the Acting General Counsel, Department of Education, August 15, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opinions/ attachments/2021/01/01/2019-08-15-hbcu-capfin-2.pdf. (accessed February 18, 2023). 56. U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Investment and Innovation, SBIR and STTR Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2019, p. 8, https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/SBA_Final_FY19_SBIR_STTR_Annual_Report.pdf (accessed February 18, 2023). 57. S. 4900, SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022, Public Law No. 117–183, 117th Congress, September 30, 2022, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ183/PLAW-117publ183.pdf (accessed February 18, 2023). 58. U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Investment and Innovation, SBIR and STTR Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2019, pp. 6, 40, and 108.

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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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