A bill to designate the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia, as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater".

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Bill ID: 119/s/815

Last Updated: September 7, 2026

A bill to designate the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia, as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater".

S. 815, 119th Congress.

The sponsor

Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

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

The money

$81,600 raised

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

The alignment

40% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of the Interior" section, p. 563-565 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. 472.

July 22, 2026

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:

**Summary of S. 815: Designation of the Rick Boucher Amphitheater**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The sole purpose of S. 815 is to formally designate the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia—located within the Blue Ridge Parkway, a unit of the National Park System—as the “Rick Boucher Amphitheater.” This is a symbolic, commemorative act honoring former U.S. Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA), who served 14 terms in Congress and was a noted advocate for rural broadband, technology policy, and cultural preservation in Southwest Virginia. The bill seeks to enshrine his legacy in federal geography through a naming convention tied to a public cultural venue.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill contains two operative sections: - **Section 1(a)** mandates that the outdoor amphitheater at the specified location shall henceforth be known and designated as the “Rick Boucher Amphitheater.” - **Section 1(b)** requires that any reference in federal law, maps, regulations, documents, or official records to the outdoor amphitheater be deemed a reference to the “Rick Boucher Amphitheater,” thereby ensuring consistency across government systems. This is a non-substantive, nomenclatural change with no fiscal impact, regulatory alteration, or modification of land use, funding, or operational authority. It does not amend any substantive statutes beyond updating references.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Primary Beneficiary:** The legacy of Rick Boucher and his associates; symbolic recognition for his constituents and political allies. - **Administrative Burden:** Minimal; falls on the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to update signage, maps, databases, and official publications—costs likely absorbed within existing operational budgets. - **Public & Cultural Stakeholders:** Visitors to the Blue Ridge Music Center, regional tourism promoters, and local governments in Galax and surrounding areas may benefit from enhanced cultural branding. - **Opposition/Litigation Risk:** Negligible; naming bills of this type are routine and non-controversial unless tied to divisive figures—Boucher, while a Democrat, is not widely polarizing in this context.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** - **Wealth/Power Implications:** None direct. The bill does not affect taxation, regulation, land rights, or corporate interests. It represents a de minimis use of congressional time and legislative bandwidth—akin to a rounding error in the federal legislative process. - **Symbolic Precedent:** Reinforces the practice of using federal naming honors as political currency—a low-cost, high-visibility tool for legislators to reward allies or cement regional influence. - **Opportunity Cost:** While trivial in isolation, the cumulative effect of dozens of such bills per Congress diverts attention from substantive reform. From a libertarian-utilitarian lens, this reflects the inefficiency of democratic deliberation—where symbolic gestures consume scarce legislative bandwidth that could otherwise be directed toward deregulation, tax reform, or privatization initiatives. - **Broader Implication:** The bill exemplifies how Congress allocates resources to expressive, non-functional acts—further evidence, in the eyes of a hyper-rational actor, that democratic institutions prioritize appeasement over optimization. A truly efficient system would privatize such cultural assets and let market actors determine naming rights via sponsorship or endorsement—turning amphitheaters into profit centers, not monuments.

In sum: S. 815 is a zero-sum, zero-impact honorific. It costs almost nothing, changes nothing materially, and serves primarily to stroke the egos of a political faction and a deceased legislator’s network. From a wealth-and-power perspective, it is irrelevant—except as a data point in the inefficiency of representative government.

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Main Purpose & Objectives: The bill seeks to formally rename the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia, to the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater" in honor of former U.S. Representative Rick Boucher, who served Virginia's 9th congressional district from 1983 to 2011. The objective is to recognize Boucher's longstanding support for cultural preservation, the arts, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, particularly his advocacy for the Blue Ridge Music Center as a venue celebrating traditional Appalachian music.

Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law: The bill contains two operative sections. Section 1(a) mandates that the outdoor amphitheater located at 700 Foothills Road, Galax, Virginia—situated within the Blue Ridge Parkway, a unit of the National Park System—be officially known and designated as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater." Section 1(b) establishes that any reference in federal law, maps, regulations, documents, or other official records to the outdoor amphitheater shall henceforth be interpreted as a reference to the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater." This is a permissive, honorary designation that does not alter funding, management, or operational authority over the facility, which remains under the National Park Service.

Affected Parties & Stakeholders: The primary stakeholders include the National Park Service, which will need to update signage, maps, and official documentation; the Blue Ridge Music Center, which operates programming at the amphitheater; local communities in Galax and surrounding Southwest Virginia; fans and performers of traditional Appalachian music; and the family and legacy of Rick Boucher. Visitors to the site will see the new name reflected in federal materials. No private property is affected, as the facility is federally owned.

Potential Impact & Implications: The impact is largely symbolic and commemorative. The renaming honors Boucher’s legislative record, particularly his support for environmental conservation, rural development, and cultural heritage initiatives. It may enhance regional pride and draw attention to the Blue Ridge Music Center’s role in preserving musical traditions. There are no fiscal implications, as the bill does not authorize funds for renaming costs—those would be absorbed through routine administrative updates. The bill reflects a common use of congressional authority to honor individuals through the naming of federal landmarks, a practice that reinforces historical memory but carries no substantive policy change. As taught in basic civics, such measures are non-controversial, low-impact expressions of congressional recognition that proceed through committee review and bipartisan sponsorship—here, introduced by Senators Warner and Kaine of Virginia and reported without amendment by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. This is, frankly, the kind of straightforward, uncontroversial bill we used to simulate in 8th grade civics when learning how a bill becomes a law—except now, apparently, some adults need it explained to them like it’s 2006 and we’re still labeling diagrams of the legislative process on poster board.

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**Conspiracy Theorist Uncle’s Analysis of S. 815: The Rick Boucher Amphitheater Designation Act**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** On the surface, S. 815 is a simple, feel-good bill: rename an outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia, after former Congressman Rick Boucher. But let’s peel back the layers, shall we? This isn’t just about honoring a retired politician who served Virginia’s 9th district for 28 years. Oh no. This is about *legacy engineering*. The federal government doesn’t just slap names on public facilities for nostalgia—it’s about embedding certain narratives into the American landscape. Why Galax? Why now? Why an amphitheater tied to the Blue Ridge Parkway—a scenic ribbon of federal land stretching 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina? This is prime real estate for ideological imprinting. Music, culture, memory—these are soft power tools. Naming this space after Boucher isn’t just tribute; it’s a signal. A beacon. A way to say: *this valley, this sound, this stretch of Appalachia—it belongs to the establishment’s version of history.*

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill is short but legally potent. Section 1(a) officially redesignates the amphitheater as the “Rick Boucher Amphitheater.” Section 1(b) is the real kicker: it mandates that *any* reference in federal law, maps, regulations, documents, or records to the outdoor amphitheater must now be interpreted as a reference to the Rick Boucher Amphitheater. That’s not ceremonial—it’s retroactive legal alchemy. Suddenly, every environmental impact statement, every park service brochure, every GIS coordinate pointing to that stage now carries Boucher’s name by federal decree. This isn’t renaming; it’s *rewriting the metadata of American public space*. And who oversees enforcement? The National Park Service—already a stewards of memory, now tasked with policing linguistic loyalty.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Rick Boucher’s legacy**: Elevated from former congressman to permanent fixture in the National Park System. His name joins the pantheon alongside figures like Lincoln and Roosevelt—though few visitors will know why he rates such honor. - **Local Virginians**: Galax residents may feel pride—or suspicion. Why him? Why not a musician? The Blue Ridge Music Center celebrates Appalachian folk traditions; Boucher was a lawyer-politician known for telecom reform and tech policy. Is this a quiet nod to his role in shaping the 1996 Telecommunications Act? A law critics say paved the way for media consolidation… and greater federal influence over cultural transmission? - **The National Park Service**: Forced to update signage, maps, and databases. A small administrative burden—but also a reminder that even nature’s stages are subject to political renaming. - **Future historians**: They’ll see a name on a map and wonder: *Who was Rick Boucher? And why does his name echo where old-time banjo tunes once rang free?*

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** This bill sets a precedent: honor a legislator not with a statue in D.C., but with a cultural landmark in the heart of rural America. It’s soft power with a fiddle in its hand. Is it innocent? Maybe. Or maybe it’s a test run—can we rename a mountain trail after a senator? A visitor center after a lobbyist? The amphitheater is just the beginning. And let’s not forget: the Blue Ridge Parkway runs through politically contested terrain. Naming its features after federal figures subtly reinforces the idea that this land, this culture, this music—it’s not just *preserved* by the federal government… it’s *owned* by it. Including the right to name it.

So enjoy the music, nephew. But listen closely between the notes. That’s not just applause you’re hearing. It’s the sound of legacy being carved into the bedrock of America.

*— Your friendly neighborhood conspiracy theorist uncle, stirring the

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (conspiracy_uncle personality)

**Summary of S. 815: Designation of the Rick Boucher Amphitheater**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary purpose of S. 815 is to formally designate the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia, as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater" in honor of former U.S. Representative Rick Boucher, who served Virginia’s 9th congressional district from 1983 to 2011. The bill seeks to recognize Boucher’s longstanding support for cultural preservation, rural economic development, and his advocacy for the Blue Ridge Parkway and associated cultural institutions. By naming the amphitheater after him, Congress aims to cement his legacy in a venue that celebrates Appalachian music and heritage—an area Boucher frequently championed during his tenure.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill contains two core provisions: - **Subsection (a)** officially renames the outdoor amphitheater located at 700 Foothills Road, Galax, Virginia—situated within the Blue Ridge Parkway, a unit of the National Park System—as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater." - **Subsection (b)** mandates that all references to the amphitheater in federal laws, maps, regulations, documents, or records shall be interpreted as references to the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater," ensuring consistency across government usage. The bill does not alter funding, operational authority, or management of the facility; it is purely a ceremonial designation with no substantive changes to existing law beyond nomenclature.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Honoree & Family:** Rick Boucher and his family receive public recognition for his service. - **National Park Service (NPS):** Must update signage, maps, and official materials to reflect the new name. - **Blue Ridge Music Center:** As a partner facility of the NPS and operated by the National Council for the Traditional Arts, it will implement the name change in programming and outreach. - **Local Community (Galax, VA & surrounding region):** Residents and visitors may see increased cultural pride and potential heritage tourism benefits. - **Federal Agencies & Contractors:** Any entity producing federal documents or maps must adhere to the new designation. - **Taxpayers:** Minimal financial impact, limited to administrative costs of updating records.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** The impact is largely symbolic and commemorative. There are no fiscal, regulatory, or operational consequences beyond the cost of updating physical and digital signage—estimated to be nominal. The designation may enhance local tourism by drawing attention to the Blue Ridge Music Center’s cultural programming and honoring a figure associated with regional advocacy. Politically, the bill reflects bipartisan appreciation (introduced by Senators Warner and Kaine, both Democrats, and reported by Senator Lee, a Republican), underscoring non-controversial consensus on honoring public service. While some might critique such naming bills as low-priority legislative fare, they serve as vehicles for bipartisan cooperation and community recognition. In the broader context, S. 815 exemplifies how Congress uses ceremonial legislation to acknowledge regional contributors without engaging in polarizing policy debates. The amphitheater, nestled along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, will now stand as a lasting tribute to Boucher’s commitment to Virginia’s cultural and natural heritage.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (fox_host personality)

**Summary of S. 815: Designating the Rick Boucher Amphitheater**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The sole purpose of S. 815 is to rename an existing outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia, as the “Rick Boucher Amphitheater.” This is a ceremonial designation with no functional, financial, or operational changes to the facility. The bill’s objective is purely symbolic: to honor former U.S. Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA), who served 14 terms in Congress (1983–2011) and was known for his advocacy on technology, telecommunications, and rural broadband—issues tangentially related to the cultural and economic development of Southwest Virginia. In essence, this is a legislative participation trophy, bestowed not for any urgent national need, but to stroke the ego of a retired politician and appease local partisans who still believe naming things after politicians constitutes meaningful governance.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill contains two operative sections: - **Subsection (a)** formally designates the amphitheater—located at 700 Foothills Road, Galax, VA, within the Blue Ridge Parkway (a unit of the National Park System)—as the “Rick Boucher Amphitheater.” - **Subsection (b)** mandates that all federal references to the amphitheater in laws, maps, regulations, documents, or records must now use the new name.

This creates zero new authority, funding, or responsibilities. It is a pure nomenclatural update, akin to forcing every government database to rename a park bench because someone’s uncle donated $20 to the PTA. The only “change” is the addition of bureaucratic busywork for National Park Service staff, who must now update signage, GIS systems, and brochures—likely at taxpayer expense—so that a few dozen locals can feel proud when they drive past.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Primary Beneficiary:** Rick Boucher (now 79), who gets a permanent monument to his legislative legacy in the form of a concrete slab with speakers. His family and political allies gain a talking point for future fundraising or nostalgia tours. - **Affected Agencies:** The National Park Service (NPS) must absorb the cost and labor of renaming—updating physical signs, digital records, and interpretive materials. This diverts minimal but nonzero resources from actual park maintenance or visitor services. - **Local Stakeholders:** Residents of Galax and surrounding counties may derive sentimental value from the honor, though the amphitheater’s primary function—hosting traditional Appalachian music performances—remains unchanged. - **Taxpayers:** Foot the bill for the renaming process, however minor, while receiving no tangible benefit. - **Future Historians:** Will puzzle over why Congress spent time on this instead of, say, fixing the national debt or permitting reform.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** The impact is negligible, which is the point. This bill exemplifies the lowest form of legislative productivity: harmless, self-aggrandizing theater. It poses no risk of harm, but also delivers no public good beyond fleeting sentimental satisfaction. Its real implication is a symptom of congressional dysfunction: when lawmakers can’t pass budgets, reform entitlements, or address infrastructure, they resort to renaming post offices and amphitheaters to create the illusion of action.

In medical terms, S. 815 is a benign lipoma—a fatty lump of legislative tissue that serves no purpose, causes no pain, but persists because no one has the courage to remove it. It’s not malignant; it’s just embarrassing. The fact that it took over a year to report (introduced March 2025, reported July 2026) suggests even the Senate’s own bureaucracy treated it with the contempt it deserves—delaying it until no one was paying attention.

Ultimately, this bill doesn’t honor Rick Boucher so much as it honors the enduring American tradition of wasting taxpayer time and money to make politicians feel important. If Boucher truly wanted to leave a legacy, he’d have pushed

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**Summary of S. 815: A Bill to Designate the Outdoor Amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater"**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary purpose of S. 815 is to honor former U.S. Representative Rick Boucher by officially naming the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia, the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater." The bill seeks to recognize Boucher’s longstanding support for the arts, cultural preservation, and the Blue Ridge Parkway during his 28-year tenure in Congress (1983–2011). The designation serves as a commemorative tribute to his contributions to Virginia’s cultural heritage and his advocacy for the Blue Ridge Music Center, which showcases traditional Appalachian music.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill contains two core provisions: - **Section 1(a)**: Officially designates the outdoor amphitheater located at 700 Foothills Road, Galax, Virginia—within the Blue Ridge Parkway, a unit of the National Park System—as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater." - **Section 1(b)**: Mandates that any reference to the amphitheater in federal laws, maps, regulations, documents, or records be deemed a reference to the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater," ensuring consistency across government materials.

The bill does not alter funding, operational management, or access to the facility. It is purely ceremonial and administrative in nature, requiring no new appropriations or regulatory changes.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Rick Boucher’s family and legacy**: Receives formal recognition for his public service. - **National Park Service (NPS)**: Responsible for updating signage, maps, and official documents to reflect the new name. - **Blue Ridge Music Center**: May experience increased visibility and potential tourism interest due to the naming honor. - **Local communities in Galax and surrounding Virginia regions**: May benefit from enhanced cultural pride and potential economic activity tied to heritage tourism. - **Federal agencies and mapmakers**: Must update internal and public records to comply with the designation.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** The bill’s impact is largely symbolic and commemorative. It reinforces the federal government’s recognition of individuals who have contributed to cultural and environmental stewardship. While it imposes no financial burden or operational changes, it may foster community pride and draw attention to the Blue Ridge Music Center’s role in preserving Appalachian musical traditions. The naming could also encourage educational outreach about Boucher’s legislative work, particularly his support for the National Endowment for the Arts and rural development initiatives. As a non-controversial, honorific measure, the bill faces minimal opposition and reflects a common congressional practice of naming federal facilities after distinguished public servants. Its enactment would affirm the enduring value of cultural preservation in American public life.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (neutral personality)

Alright, dude, let’s kick back, grab a cold one, and talk about this chill piece of legislation—S. 815, the bill to name that sweet outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center after former Congressman Rick Boucher. No drama, no filibusters—just a straightforward tribute, like naming a wave after a legendary surfer who rode it with style and heart.

**Main Purpose & Objectives** The whole point here is simple: honor Rick Boucher, a longtime Virginia congressman who served in the House from 1983 to 2011, by slapping his name on the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia. This ain’t just about putting up a sign—it’s about recognizing his contributions, especially his support for the arts, cultural preservation, and rural Virginia. The Blue Ridge Music Center? It’s a gem nestled along the Blue Ridge Parkway, celebrating Appalachian music heritage—think old-time fiddle tunes, banjo picking, and that soulful mountain sound. Naming the amphitheater after Boucher ties his legacy to that cultural vibe.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** Legally, this bill does two things: 1. It officially designates the amphitheater as the “Rick Boucher Amphitheater.” 2. It mandates that any future reference in federal documents, maps, laws, or records to that amphitheater must now use the new name. That’s it. No new regulations, no funding changes, no policy overhauls. It’s a *naming bill*—pure and simple. Think of it like updating your contacts list when a buddy gets a nickname that sticks. The Secretary of the Interior (since it’s on National Park Service land) will handle the signage and updates. No amendments, no controversy—just a clean, unanimous nod from Congress.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders** Who’s touched by this? - **Rick Boucher’s family and legacy**: They get a permanent, public shoutout in a place that matters. - **Visitors to the Blue Ridge Music Center**: They’ll now see his name when they catch a sunset concert under the stars. Might spark curiosity—“Who was Rick Boucher?”—and that’s a win for civic awareness. - **Local community in Galax and Southwest Virginia**: Pride boost. This spot already draws folks for music and heritage; now it carries a local hero’s name. - **Federal agencies (NPS, Interior)**: Minor administrative update—change some signs, tweak some databases. Low lift, high meaning. - **Congress itself**: Shows they can still agree on something nice. Bipartisan too—Warner and Kaine (D-VA) introduced it, reported by Lee (R-UT). Rare these days, but hey, music and respect transcend politics.

**Potential Impact & Implications** Impact? Mostly symbolic, but symbols matter. This ain’t changing tax codes or healthcare, but it’s weaving public service into the cultural fabric of a place that already sings with history. It reinforces the idea that leaders who champion the arts and rural communities deserve recognition—not in marble halls alone, but where the music plays and the people gather. Long-term, it might inspire similar tributes. And hey, if it gets one kid to look up Boucher’s work on broadband access or arts funding, then the vibe keeps flowing. No downsides here—no cost, no conflict, just a laid-back nod to a guy who did right by his district and his passions. It’s governance with a groove.

So yeah, S. 815? It’s short, it’s sweet, and it’s got that good kind of bipartisan sunshine. Like a perfect day at the amphitheater—music in the air, sky turning purple, and a name on the marquee that reminds us: public service can rock, too. 🤙🎸

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (surfer personality)

**Summary of S. 815: Designation of the Rick Boucher Amphitheater**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary purpose of S. 815 is to formally designate the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia, as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater." This is a commemorative naming bill intended to honor former U.S. Representative Rick Boucher, who served Virginia’s 9th congressional district from 1983 to 2011. The bill seeks to recognize Boucher’s longstanding support for cultural preservation, the arts, and Southwest Virginia’s heritage—particularly his advocacy for the Blue Ridge Parkway and related cultural institutions like the Blue Ridge Music Center, which showcases traditional Appalachian music.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill contains two operative sections: - **Section 1(a)** mandates that the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center (located at 700 Foothills Road, Galax, VA, within the Blue Ridge Parkway—a unit of the National Park System) be officially known as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater." - **Section 1(b)** stipulates that any reference in federal law, maps, regulations, documents, or records to the outdoor amphitheater shall be deemed a reference to the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater," ensuring consistency across government materials. The bill does not alter funding, operational authority, or management of the facility; it is purely symbolic and administrative in nature.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Primary Beneficiary:** The legacy of Rick Boucher and his constituents in Southwest Virginia, who view the designation as a tribute to his public service. - **Managing Entities:** The National Park Service (which oversees the Blue Ridge Parkway) and the Blue Ridge Music Center (operated by the National Council for the Traditional Arts under a cooperative agreement) will need to update signage, maps, and informational materials. - **Public & Visitors:** Attendees of concerts and cultural events at the amphitheater will see the new name reflected in official communications. - **No direct regulatory or financial impact** on private entities, taxpayers, or industries is anticipated.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** - **Symbolic & Cultural Impact:** The designation reinforces regional pride and acknowledges Boucher’s role in supporting rural cultural infrastructure and National Park System initiatives. It may enhance the amphitheater’s profile as a destination for heritage tourism. - **Precedent:** Like similar naming bills (e.g., for post offices or federal buildings), S. 815 follows a well-established congressional practice of using minor legislative vehicles to honor individuals, often with bipartisan support. - **Political Context:** Sponsored by Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), the bill reflects Virginia’s delegation’s effort to honor a former colleague. Its smooth passage—reported without amendment by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee—suggests non-controversial, consensus-driven approval. - **No Evidence of Special Interest Influence:** As a purely commemorative measure with no fiscal or regulatory consequences, the bill lacks the typical markers of lobbying or PAC-driven legislation. There is no apparent connection between the bill’s content and campaign donations to its sponsors; it appears to be a genuine tribute rather than a vehicle for indirect benefit.

In sum, S. 815 is a low-impact, high-symbolism bill that uses the congressional naming process to honor a former representative’s contributions to Virginia’s cultural and natural heritage, with no discernible influence from monied interests or policy trade-offs.

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions

$81,600

17 donors

PACs

Organizations

$6,300

Committees

Individuals

$75,300

No PAC contributions found

AMERICAN HEALTHCARE, LLC

1 transaction

$5,300

CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA

2 transactions

$1,000

No committee contributions found

DEKKER, DAVID T.

1 transaction

$9,900

MATNEY, JOHN

2 transactions

$6,600

MATNEY, JUSTIN K

2 transactions

$6,600

GUND, LOUISE L.

2 transactions

$6,600

CARROLL, RICHARD

2 transactions

$6,600

STACY, CLYDE E

2 transactions

$6,600

TULL, THOMAS

1 transaction

$6,000

SWARTZ, SUSAN

1 transaction

$3,300

MILLONES, PETER

1 transaction

$3,300

BRODY, SARAH

1 transaction

$3,300

BERNSTEIN, JAY

1 transaction

$3,300

SWARTZ, JAMES R.

1 transaction

$3,300

BERNSTEIN, ALISON

1 transaction

$3,300

HOLLAND, BRIAN K.

1 transaction

$3,300

LARGE, KEVIN

1 transaction

$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

ID: K000384

Top Contributors

THE CHICKASAW NATION

OrganizationADA, OK

$2,300

Jun 18, 2024

THE CHICKASAW NATION

OrganizationADA, OK

$1,000

Jun 26, 2023

SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA

$1,000

Jun 18, 2024

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$1,000

Jun 25, 2024

THE CHICKASAW NATION

OrganizationADA, OK

$1,000

Jun 18, 2024

CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA

OrganizationDURANT, OK

$1,000

Oct 15, 2024

CHEROKEE NATION

OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK

$1,000

Dec 29, 2023

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$600

Oct 25, 2023

STONEHALL FARM

OrganizationTHE PLAINS, VA

$500

Jun 30, 2024

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN

$400

Oct 25, 2023

Donor Network - Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

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PACs

Organizations

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Politicians

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

Showing 30 nodes and 38 connections

Total contributions: $38

Top Donors - Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

Showing top 17 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs15 Individuals

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 the Interior

Minimal

Vector: 47%

Pages: 563-565AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill is a symbolic designation of an amphitheater in Virginia to honor a former congressman, with no substantive policy changes or implications. The Project 2025 policy excerpt focuses on Alaska-specific land, water, wildlife management, and federal land use policies, including reversing Biden-era rules and asserting state control over federal lands and waters. There is no thematic or policy overlap between the two."

— 531 — Department of the Interior Wildlife and Waters. Throughout Alaska’s history, the federal government has treated Alaska as less than a sovereign state. This is especially the case when it comes to two of Alaska’s most valued resources, its wildlife and its waters. Immediate action is required to end, at least in part, this injustice. A new Admin- istration should: l Revoke National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rules regarding predator control and bear baiting, which are matters for state regulation. Such revocation is permitted under the 2017 Congressional Review Act.62 l Recognize Alaska’s authority to manage fish and game on all federal lands in accordance with ANILCA as during the Reagan Administration, when each DOI agency in Alaska signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game ceding to the state the lead on fish and wildlife management matters.63 l Issue a secretarial order declaring navigable waters in Alaska to be owned by the state so that the lands beneath these waters belong to Alaska. This will force the BLM to prove that water is not navigable, since in the case of non-navigability, any submerged lands belong to the BLM. Currently, BLM requires Alaska to prove navigability at its own expense—including the BLM’s preposterous assertion that the mighty Yukon River is non-navigable. l Reinstate President Trump’s 2020 Alaska Roadless Rule64 for the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, which was replaced by a Biden Roadless Rule that continues a 2001 Clinton rule affecting 9.37 million of the forest’s 16.7 million acres.65 The Clinton rule affects an area where communities are in small islands with no road access. It has prevented multiple infrastructure projects, including roads, electric transmission lines, and water and sewer projects, and it forces residents to use a heavily subsidized ferry system. Logging has been shut down to the extent that New York harvests more timber than does all of Alaska. OTHER ACTIONS The 30 by 30 Plan.66 President Biden’s Executive Order 14008 (30 by 30 plan)67 requires that the federal government, which already owns one-third of the country: (1) remove vast amounts of private property from productive use; and (2) end congressionally mandated uses of all federal land. The end result will be “total federal control of an additional 440 million acres of land or oceans in the U.S. by 2030.”68 — 532 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Although the new President should vacate that order, DOI under a conservative President must take immediate action on the 30 by 30 plan by vacating a secre- tarial order issued by the Biden DOI69 that eliminated the Trump Administration’s requirement for the approval of state and local governments before federal acquisi- tion of private property with monies from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.70 National Monument Designations. As has every Democratic President before him beginning with Jimmy Carter, Joe Biden has abused his authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906. Like the outrageous, unilateral withdrawals from public use of multiple use federal land under the Carter, Clinton, and Obama Administrations, Biden’s first national monument was one in Colorado—adopted over the objections of scores of local groups and at least one American Indian tribe.71 In the days before the 2024 election, Biden will likely designate more western monuments. Although President Trump courageously ordered a review of national mon- ument designations, the result of that review was insufficient in that only two national monuments in one state (Utah) were adjusted.72 Monuments in Maine and Oregon, for example, should have been adjusted downward given the finding of Secretary Ryan Zinke’s review that they were improperly designated. The new Administration’s review will permit a fresh look at past monument decrees and new ones by President Biden. Furthermore, the new Administration must vigorously defend the downward adjustments it makes to permit a ruling on a President’s authority to reduce the size of national monuments by the U.S. Supreme Court. Finally, the new Administration must seek repeal of the Antiquities Act of 1906, which permitted emergency action by a President long before the statutory author- ity existed for the protection of special federal lands, such as those with wild and scenic rivers, endangered specials, or other unique places. Moreover, in recent years, Congress has designated as national monuments those areas deserving of such congressional action. Oregon and California Lands Act. One national monument worthy of down- ward adjustment is in Oregon, where its designation and subsequent expansion interfere with the federal obligation to residents to harvest timber on its BLM lands. A federal district court ruled in 2019 that land subject to the Oregon and California (O&C) Grant Lands Act of 193773 was set aside by Congress to be har- vested for the benefit of the people of Oregon. Specifically, those federal lands are to be “managed…for permanent forest production” and its timber “sold, cut, and removed in conformity with the princip[le] of sustained yield.”74 As the district court concluded,75 beginning in 1990, the federal government erected a trifecta of illegal barriers to the accomplishment of the congressional mandate, beginning with a response to the listing of the northern spotted owl,76 continuing a decade later with the designation of the Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument,77 and concluding in 2017 with an expansion of that monument.78 In

Department of Health and Human Services

Minimal

Vector: 49%

Pages: 533-535AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill is a symbolic naming designation with no relation to health care policy, Medicaid, or any HHS reforms outlined in Project 2025."

— 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 Housing and Urban Development

Minimal

Vector: 48%

Pages: 545-547AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill solely designates an amphitheater in honor of a former congressman and contains no provisions related to housing, HUD operations, or any of the policy objectives outlined in the Project 2025 HUD section."

Key themes:unrelatedno alignment

— 513 — Department of Housing and Urban Development ENDNOTES 1. At a 1998 Senate hearing, then-HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo acknowledged that the department “faced a competence gap” and had “the dubious distinction of being the only federal agency designated as ‘high risk’ by the General Accounting [now Government Accountability] Office (GAO),” even referencing the Section 8 rental subsidy as “on the brink of becoming the next savings and loan scandal,” and explained how the department was stepping up enforcement efforts “focused on closing the competence gap by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.” See “Testimony of Secretary Andrew Cuomo before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies,” March 25, 1998, https://archives.hud.gov/ testimony/1998/tst32598.cfm (accessed March 4, 2023). 2. H.R. 7984, Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, Public Law No. 89-117, 89th Congress, August 10, 1965, https://www.congress.gov/89/statute/STATUTE-79/STATUTE-79-Pg451.pdf (accessed March 4, 2023). 3. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2023 Budget in Brief, pp. 2 and 7, https://www.hud.gov/ sites/dfiles/CFO/documents/2023_BudgetInBriefFINAL.pdf (accessed March 4, 2023). 4. For example, the Special Applications Center (SAC) located in Chicago, Illinois, was established in 1998 as a division of the Office of Public and Indian Housing to accept, review, and approve all nonfunded, noncompetitive applications and plans for demolition, disposition, and conversion of land subject to an annual contributions contract (ACC) in public housing. 5. The Secretary has delegated full authority for the Administration and enforcement of the Fair Housing Act to the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity but also has delegated limited assignment and decision-making authority to the General Counsel. 6. Effectively the HUD Chief Operating Officer and appointed by the President with Senate advice and consent. 7. The Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) is an independent adjudicatory office within the Office of the Secretary. Led by a Director who is appointed by the Secretary, it supervises the Administrative Judges of the Office of Appeals, the administrative law judges of the Office of Administrative Law Judges, and the OHA support staff. The HUD Secretary appoints administrative judges and administrative law judges in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. Chapter 5, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/part-I/ chapter-5 (accessed March 4, 2023). 8. HUD currently has a Departmental Equity Assessment Working Group, supported with five FTEs funded by the OSDBU, “as part of the President’s Executive Order 13985, Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.” See U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2023 Congressional Justifications, p. 35-15, https://www.hud.gov/sites/ dfiles/CFO/documents/2023HUDCongressionalJustificationsFINALelectronicversion.pdf (accessed March 4, 2023), and President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Executive Order 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” January 20, 2021, in Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 14 (January 25, 2021), pp. 7009–7013, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-01-25/pdf/2021- 01753.pdf (accessed March 4, 2023). 9. Interestingly, “[t]he 2023 President’s Budget requests $748 thousand for CFBNP, which is $436 thousand less than the 2022 Annualized CR level. The Budget reflects total funding (carryover and new authority) of $1.2 million, $448 thousand less than 2022 total funding.” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2023 Congressional Justifications, p. 35-16. 10. See H.R. 558, Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, Public Law No. 100-77, 100th Congress, July 22, 1987, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-101/pdf/STATUTE-101-Pg482.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). Later renamed the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act. 11. Established under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5301 et seq., https:// www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42 (accessed March 4, 2023). 12. S. 566, Cranston–Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public Law No. 101-625, 101st Congress, November 28, 1990, Title II, https://www.congress.gov/101/statute/STATUTE-104/STATUTE-104-Pg4079.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). 13. S. 1, Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, Public Law No. 91-646, 91st Congress, January 2, 1971, https://www.congress.gov/91/statute/STATUTE-84/STATUTE-84-Pg1894.pdf (accessed March 4, 2023). “The URA establishes the minimum Federal requirements for the acquisition of real property for Federally-funded programs and projects, and for the relocation of persons who must move from — 514 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise their homes, businesses, or farms as a direct result of acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition for a Federally- funded program or project.” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD Exchange, “49 CFR Part 24–URA Regulations,” published February 2005, https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/804/ura-and- real-property-acquisition-policies-act-49-cfr-part-24/ (accessed March 4, 2023). HUD is one of the 18 federal departments and agencies that “are subject to the Uniform Act.” U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, “Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition for Federal and Federally Assisted Programs,” Federal Register, Vol. 84, No. 243 (December 18, 2019), pp. 69466–69521, esp. p. 69484, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-12-18/pdf/2019-25558.pdf (accessed March 4, 2023). 14. H.R. 3219, Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996, Public Law No. 104-330, 104th Congress, October 26, 1996, https://www.congress.gov/104/plaws/publ330/PLAW-104publ330.pdf (accessed March 4, 2023). 15. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2023 Congressional Justifications, p. 6-1. The U.S. Housing Act of 1937 (Wagner–Steagall Act) established the origins of locally chartered housing agencies that administer federal funding for various rental assistance programs—a quintessentially progressive New Deal–era policy that expanded the administrative state’s powers to the housing market—with the primary legislative intent of eradicating slum housing in urban areas, boosting jobs, and providing housing for the working poor. 42 U.S.C. §§ 1437 et seq., https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42 (accessed March 4, 2023). A decade later, the Housing Act of 1949 codified federal standards for housing livability—a rationale that HUD and federal legislators have continued to use to justify federal intervention in housing—establishing as a national policy objective the provision of a minimum standard of housing quality for all Americans. This legislation also statutorily established many of the rural housing programs that are administered at USDA and expanded programs facilitating the removal of slum housing in urban areas. 42 U.S.C. §§ 1441 et seq., https:// www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42 (accessed March 4, 2023). 16. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2023 Congressional Justifications, pp. 1-2 and 2-2. 17. The National Housing Act of 1934 established the FHA and the statutory authority for the secondary market. The main stated premise was to stimulate jobs and facilitate the housing and construction sector during the Great Depression. 42 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq., https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/12 (accessed March 4, 2023). 18. 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d et seq., https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42 (accessed March 4, 2023). 19. 29 U.S.C. §§ 701 et seq., https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29 (accessed March 4, 2023). 20. HUD’s Departmental Enforcement Center (DEC) is led by a Director. It was established in 1998 as part of a broader effort to streamline and consolidate functions at HUD and was later merged with the Office of General Counsel. The DEC “is comprised of the Office of the Director, the Compliance Division, the Operations Division and five Satellite Offices” and describes its mission as “assuring the highest standards of ethics, management and accountability in the resolution of HUD's troubled properties.” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Departmental Enforcement Center, “Program Offices: Departmental Enforcement Center,” https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/enforcement (accessed March 4, 2023). 21. H.R. 5334, Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, Public Law No. 102-1017, 102nd Congress, October 28, 1992, Title X, https://www.congress.gov/102/statute/STATUTE-106/STATUTE-106-Pg3672.pdf (accessed March 4, 2023). 22. H.R. 8588, Inspector General Act of 1978, Public Law No. 95-452, 95th Congress, October 12, 1978, https://www. congress.gov/95/statute/STATUTE-92/STATUTE-92-Pg1101.pdf (accessed March 4, 2023). 23. Guiding questions: What immediate administrative reforms of HUD and its programs can be made with high probability of success? What short-term legislative reforms can be proposed that, in tandem with administrative reforms, would achieve the HUD vision/mission objective? What HUD offices should be eliminated and/or realigned to reduce any redundancy that may persist in programmatic functions? 24. Wholly aside from reforms that would require legislation, the next Administration must ensure that key political appointees are able to acquit themselves as change agents to execute administrative reforms. Otherwise, whether because of a sheer lack of skill and expertise or simply a lack of will and philosophical alignment with reforms, staff may frustrate the efforts of committed political appointee staff and leadership to execute substantive administrative reforms. To achieve the policy and regulatory reforms outlined in this chapter, political appointees must be carefully placed in positions that reflect not only technical, market/ industry, and operational expertise, but also a shared will and commitment.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Minimal

Vector: 51%

Pages: 679-681AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill S. 815 is a ceremonial measure to name an amphitheater after a former congressman, with no connection to veterans' health care, VA operations, or any of the specific Project 2025 VA policy objectives outlined in the excerpt."

— 646 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 3. Section 121 (developing and administering an education program that teaches veterans about their health care options available from the Department of Veterans Affairs). 4. Section 152 (returning the Office for Innovation of Care and Payment to the Office of Enterprise Integration with a joint governance process set up with the VHA). 5. Section 161 (overhauling Family Caregiver Program expansion, which has gone poorly, so that it focuses on consistency of eligibility and awareness that the most severely wounded or injured may require the program indefinitely). l Require the VHA to report publicly on all aspects of its operation, including quality, safety, patient experience, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness, using standards similar to those in the Medicare Accountable Care Organization program so that the government may monitor and achieve continuous improvement in the VA system more effectively. l Encourage VA Medical Centers to seek out relevant academic and private- sector input in their communities to improve the overall patient experience. Budget l Conduct an independent audit of the VA similar to the 2018 Department of Defense (DOD) audit to identify IT, management, financial, contracting, and other deficiencies. l Assess the misalignment of VHA facilities and rising infrastructure costs. The VHA operates 172 inpatient medical facilities nationally that are an average of 60 years old. Some of these facilities are underutilized and inadequately staffed. Facilities in certain urban and rural areas are seeing significant declines in the veteran population and strong competition for fresh medical staff. In 2018, Congress authorized an Asset Infrastructure Review (AIR) of national VHA medical markets to provide insight into where the VA health care budget should be responsibly allocated to serve veterans most effectively. However, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee lacked the political will to act on the White House’s nominations of commission members, and this ultimately led to termination of the AIR process. The next Administration should seek out agile, creative, and politically acceptable operational solutions to this aging infrastructure status quo, — 647 — Department of Veterans Affairs reimagine the health care footprint in some locales, and spur a realignment of capacity through budgetary allocations. Specifically: 1. Embrace the expansion of Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) as an avenue to maintain a VA footprint in challenging medical markets without investing further in obsolete and unaffordable VA health care campuses. 2. Explore the potential to pilot facility-sharing partnerships between the VA and strained local health care systems to reduce costs by leveraging limited talent and resources. Personnel l Extend the term of the Under Secretary for Health (USH) to five years. Additionally, authority should be given to reappoint this individual for a second five-year term both to allow for continuity and to protect the USH from political transition. l Establish a Senior Executive Service (SES) position of VHA Care System Chief Information Officer (CIO), selected by and reporting to the chief of the VHA Care System with a dotted line to the VA CIO. l Identify a workflow process to bring wait times in compliance with VA MISSION Act–required time frames wherever possible. 1. Assess the daily clinical appointment load for physicians and clinical staff in medical facilities where wait times for care are well outside of the time frames required by the VA MISSION Act. 2. Require VHA facilities to increase the number of patients seen each day to equal the number seen by DOD medical facilities: approximately 19 patients per provider per day. Currently, VA facilities may be seeing as few as six patients per provider per day. 3. Consider a pilot program to extend weekday appointment hours and offer Saturday appointment options to veterans if a facility continues to demonstrate that it has excess capacity and is experiencing delays in the delivery of care for veterans. 4. Identify clinical services that are consistently in high demand but require cost-prohibitive compensation to recruit and retain talent, and examine exceptions for higher competitive pay.

Department of Energy and Related Commissions

Minimal

Vector: 48%

Pages: 443-445AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill is a symbolic naming designation with no connection to energy policy, grid security, or any Department of Energy initiatives outlined in Project 2025."

Key themes:no overlapunrelated

— 411 — Department of Energy and Related Commissions 19. President Donald J. Trump, Executive Order 13920, “Securing the United States Bulk-Power System,” May 1, 2020, in Federal Register, Vol. 85, No. 86 (May 4, 2020), pp. 26595–26599, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/ pkg/FR-2020-05-04/pdf/2020-09695.pdf (accessed February 13, 2023). 20. 18 U.S. Code § 824a(c), https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/16/824a (accessed February 27, 2023). 21. Report No. 117-98, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2022, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives, 117th Cong. 1st Sess., July 20, 2021, p. 6, https:// www.congress.gov/117/crpt/hrpt98/CRPT-117hrpt98.pdf (accessed February 13, 2023). 22. H.R. 3684, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law No. 11-58, 117th Congress, November 15, 2021, Division J, Title III. 23. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy FY 2023 Congressional Budget Request, Budget in Brief, p. 7. 24. Timothy Gardner, “White House Asks Congress for $500 mln to Modernize Oil Reserve,” Reuters, November 16, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-oil-spr-idAFL1N32C36I (accessed February 13, 2023). 25. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity, “Our History,” https://www.energy.gov/oe/about-us/our- history (accessed February 13, 2023). 26. Press release, “Secretary of Energy Signs Order to Mitigate Security Risks to the Nation’s Electric Grid,” U.S. Department of Energy, December 17, 2021, https://www.energy.gov/articles/secretary-energy-signs-order- mitigate-security-risks-nations-electric-grid (accessed February 13, 2023). 27. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity, “Revocation of Prohibition Order Securing Critical Defense Facilities,” Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 76 (April 22, 2021), pp. 21308–21309, https://www.govinfo.gov/ content/pkg/FR-2021-04-22/pdf/2021-08483.pdf (accessed February 13, 2023). 28. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy FY 2023 Congressional Budget Request, Budget in Brief, pp. 19 and 61. 29. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, “About Us,” https://www.energy.gov/ne/about-us (accessed February 13, 2023). 30. H.R. 3809, Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, Public Law No. 97-425, 97th Congress, January 7, 1983, https:// www.congress.gov/97/statute/STATUTE-96/STATUTE-96-Pg2201.pdf (accessed February 24, 2023). 31. The Heritage Foundation, “Budget Blueprint for Fiscal Year 2023: Reduce the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy,” https://www.heritage.org/budget/pages/recommendations/1.270.127.html. 32. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy FY 2023 Congressional Budget Request, Budget in Brief, pp. 23 and 58. 33. 42 USC § 16291, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/16291 (accessed February 27, 2023). 34. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, “About Us: Mission,” https:// www.energy.gov/fecm/mission (accessed February 13, 2023). 35. U.S. Government Accountability Office, Carbon Capture and Storage: Actions Needed to Improve DOE Management of Demonstration Projects, GAO-22-105111, December2021, https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-22- 105111.pdf (accessed February 13, 2023). 36. International Energy Agency, The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions, World Energy Outlook Special Report, revised March 2022, https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/ffd2a83b-8c30-4e9d-980a- 52b6d9a86fdc/TheRoleofCriticalMineralsinCleanEnergyTransitions.pdf (accessed February 13, 2023). 37. See 42 U.S. Code § 16291. 38. 42 U.S. Code Ch. 55, §§ 4321–4347, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/chapter-55 (accessed February 27, 2023). 39. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, “Categorical Exclusions from Environmental Review,” Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Request for Comment, Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 87 (May 7, 2021), pp. 24514–24516, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-05-07/pdf/2021-09675.pdf (accessed February 27, 2023), and Nuclear Regulatory Commission, “Categorical Exclusions from Environmental Review,” Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Reopening of Comment Period, Federal Register, Vol. 86, No. 160 (August 23, 2021), pp. 47032–47033, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-08-23/pdf/2021-18058.pdf (accessed February 27, 2023). 40. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy FY 2023 Congressional Budget Request, Budget in Brief, pp. 19, 21, 23, and 52. — 412 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 41. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy FY 2023 Congressional Budget Request, Budget in Brief, pp. 3, 6, 12, 19, 21, and 23. 42. S. 622, Energy Policy and Conservation Act, Public Law 94-163, 94th Congress, December 22, 1975, https:// www.congress.gov/94/statute/STATUTE-89/STATUTE-89-Pg871.pdf (accessed February 27, 2023). 43. H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law No. 109-58, 109th Congress, August 8, 2005, https://www. congress.gov/109/plaws/publ58/PLAW-109publ58.pdf (accessed February 27, 2023). 44. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, “About the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,” https://www.energy.gov/eere/about-office-energy-efficiency-and- renewable-energy (accessed February 28, 2023). 45. Ibid. 46. See note 41, supra. 47. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy FY 2023 Congressional Budget Request, Budget in Brief, pp. 19, 23, 43, and 49. 48. See U.S. Department of Energy, Grid Deployment Office, “About Us,” https://www.energy.gov/gdo/about-us (accessed February 13, 2023). 49. U.S. Department of Energy, Grid Deployment Office, “Building a Better Grid Initiative,” https://www.energy. gov/gdo/building-better-grid-initiative (accessed February 13, 2023). 50. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy FY 2023 Congressional Budget Request, Budget in Brief, pp. 2, 19, 21, 23, and 84. “The FY 2023 Budget Request to Congress proposes to split the Electricity appropriation account into two accounts: Electricity and Grid Deployment Office (GDO). Had the proposed FY 2023 structure been in place in FY 2021 and FY 2022, the $7,000,000 shown under the Electricity account’s Transmission Permitting and Technical Assistance (TPTA) program would have appeared under Grid Technical Assistance in GDO and the $3,000,000 shown under Program Direction in the Electricity account represents the estimated share of Electricity PD funding associated with TPTA and would have appeared under Program Direction in GDO.” Ibid., p. 84, note. 51. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, “About Us: Our Mission,” https://www. energy.gov/oced/about-us (accessed February 13, 2023). 52. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy FY 2023 Congressional Budget Request, Budget in Brief, p. 6. 53. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, “About Us: Our Story,” https://www. energy.gov/oced/about-us (accessed February 28, 2023). 54. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, “OCED Project Portfolio,” https://www. energy.gov/oced/office-clean-energy-demonstrations (accessed February 28, 2023). 55. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy FY 2023 Congressional Budget Request, Volume 3, Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, Federal Energy Management Program, Grid Deployment Office, Indian Energy Policy & Programs, Loan Programs, Manufacturing & Energy Supply Chains, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, Petroleum Reserves, Power Marketing Administrations, State and Community Energy Programs, April 2022, p. 104, https://www.energy. gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/doe-fy2023-budget-volume-3-v2.pdf (accessed February 13, 2023). 56. See, for example, ibid., pp. 104 and 107. 57. U.S. Department of Energy, Loan Program Office, “LPO Year in Review 2022: New Legislation,” January 5, 2023, https://www.energy.gov/lpo/articles/lpo-year-review-2022 (accessed February 28, 2023). Emphases in original. 58. H.R. 6256, To Ensure That Goods Made with Forced Labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China Do Not Enter the United States Market, and for Other Purposes, Public Law No. 117-78, 117th Congress, December 23, 2021, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ78/PLAW-117publ78.pdf (accessed February 28, 2023). 59. H.R. 2272, America COMPETES Act, Public Law 110–69, 110th Congress, August 9, 2007, § 5012, https://www. congress.gov/110/plaws/publ69/PLAW-110publ69.pdf (accessed February 13, 2023). 60. Ibid., § 5012(c)(1). 61. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy FY 2023 Congressional Budget Request, Budget in Brief, March 2022, p. 103.

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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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