Secret Memo Heralds Tax Increase

Secret Memo

Heralds

Tax Increases



Contents

Introduction. 4

Chapter 1 – The Memo Body. 6

Chapter 2  - How These Changes Exacerbate Problems for Most Americans While Benefitting the Rich   86

Chapter 3 – Benefits Concentrated at the Top. 92

Chapter 4 – analysis of items that may draw money from necessary scientific endeavors, disadvantage vulnerable populations, or enrich special interests at the expense of the broader public good   97

Chapter 5 – Eliminating Medicare Coverage. 103

Chapter 6 – Eliminating Emergency Funds for Oil Spills. 104

Chapter 7 – Eliminating the Estate Tax. 108

Chapter 8 – Homeland Security Wants One Hundred Millions Dollars for Retention Bonuses  114

Chapter 9 – No Tax Tips and Hungry Children. 121

Chapter 10 – Two Different Tax Structures and Public Welfare Provisions  127

Chapter 11 – Tip Taxes and Universal School Meals. 133

Chapter 12 – Trash Talking About Slush Funds. 137

Chapter 13 – Ancient Money Interfering with Modern Life. 141

Chapter 14 – Twentieth Century Rejects. 145

Chapter 15 – Legacy of Undoing. 151

Chapter 16 – Secret Memo in Plain Talk. 154

Chapter 17 - SALT Note. 164

Chapter 18 - Life Without SALT – One of Many Worst Case Scenarios  166

Chapter 19 – Wholesale Passage and the Following Disaster. 171

Part 1. 171

Part 2. 176

Part 3. 185

 


 

Introduction

 

Be clear that my stance on this mass of issues is based on principles, not party loyalty.

The title of the article says it all :

"Secret Memo Heralds Tax Increases"

When we see a political movement, or a small segment of some political party, consistently engaging in harmful behavior, then calling it out is not partisanship—it’s responsibility. In this case a small band of Republicans have gone off the rails of the Party's Public Position and have adopted, secretly, a series of ideas of their own that undermine the very people who voted them into office. Such a situation cannot go unnoticed or ignored by anyone.

Below please find a list of items that the present leadership of the Republican Party seems interested in.  Please keep in mind this is not a list that represents the desires, needs and goals of the entire Republican Party – just a select few.  I hope that you will take a look at them and contact your elected officials about those you agree with or disagree with – otherwise they will be left alone to decide or be encouraged by lobbyists.

As times goes on - it will be necessary to be aware of whom are responsible for these sorts of things, so that, they may be held accountable.

The American government should always have the goal to uphold integrity, accountability, and the public good.  In light of that I would call my fellow Americans to take a look at the following document now being circulated in Washington, DC among Members of Congress, both the Senate and the House.

I want to ensure them that the truth is known and that those responsible for harmful actions are and will be held accountable for them.

In the following document you will find examples of taking funds away from some work and then, two pages later, suggesting they give it right back.  Very strange.

Raising taxes across the board, with the exception of those making MORE than $350,000.

Electrification of Native American Indian Reservations will be shut off.

Preferential treatment is to be awarded to Electrical Vehicle manufacturers.

Money and support is to be withdrawn from the only organization that ensures giant banks do not dabble in stocks and that stock brokers do not mix their work with any banking arms they may have.

There is no intention of canonizing the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’.  It is not mentioned at all, yet, some people are reportedly repeatedly raiding government offices with the intention of seizing sensitive and private information.

There are plans for Federal Land to be sold and Federal Buildings to be sold.

There is clear indication that lumbering will be permitted across Federal lands at an increased rate, yet, the perceived gain for the government would only be $2 Billion (USD).  That’s a lot of money but no where near what the lumber is worth, nor the cost in water quality issues for the regions impacted.

Recently it was announced that oil would be added Petroleum Reserve, which will reportedly take 15 years to complete.  According to the following document the votes are to be on intending to guarantee income from selling oil from that Petroleum Reserve.

The mass of material indicates that income for the Federal Government will rise, families will be further pressured with tax increases, drug prices will rise, school breakfast and lunch is to be cut, school operations are to be interfered with and more, including at least three major supportive notes made concerning a single industry – the Electric Vehicle industry.

 


 

Chapter 1 – The Memo Body

 

WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

 

Health

 

Limit Federal Health Program Eligibility Based on Citizenship Status

Up to $35 billion 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Currently, many non-citizens who entered the country illegally are eligible for federal health care programs including advance premium tax credits and Medicaid. This policy would remove specified categories of non-citizens from eligibility for federal health care programs.

Eliminate Medicare Coverage of Bad Debt

Up to $42 billion 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Medicare currently reimburses hospitals at 65 percent of bad debt (uncollected cost-sharing that beneficiaries fail to pay), while private payers do not typically reimburse providers for bad debt. This policy brings Medicare more in line with the private sector by gradually reducing the amount that Medicare reimburses providers for bad debt.

 

Medicare Site Neutrality

Up to $146 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Currently, Medicare and beneficiaries pay more for the SAME health care service furnished in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) than in physician offices. The budget supports Medicare site neutral payments by equalizing Medicare payments for health care services that can be safely delivered in a physician’s office.

 

Improve Uncompensated Care

Up to $229 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Medicare currently provides additional financial support to hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of low-income patients related to uncompensated care. These payments are limited to hospitals, which fails to acknowledge the amount of uncompensated care delivered in non-hospital settings. This policy reforms uncompensated care payments by removing the payment from the Medicare Trust Fund and establishing a new uncompensated care fund that will equitably distribute payments to providers based on their true share of charity care and non-Medicare bad debt.

 

Prevent Dual Classification for Hospitals Under Medicare

Up to $10 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Prevent dual reclassifications for hospitals under Medicare to eliminate double dipping of benefits.

Other Reforms to Obamacare Subsidies

Up to $5 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Reform Obamacare subsidies in the individual market to: lower premiums, lower out-of-pocket costs, direct subsidies to patients over health insurers, and target Premium Tax Credits to the most needy Americans.

Reform Graduate Medical Education (GME) Payments

Up to $10 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Reform Medicare graduate medical education (GME) payments. Enact H.R. 8235, Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act reported out of the Ways and Means Committee on May 8, 2024. The bill would ensure that 10 percent of newly enacted GME slots would go to truly rural teaching hospitals. Also include a policy that would decrease excess GME payments to “efficient” teaching hospitals.

 

Geographic Integrity in Medicare Wage Index

Up to $15 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Enact geographic integrity in Medicare’s Wage Index calculations to reduce overpayments to urban hospitals.

Repeal DACA Obamacare Subsidies Final Rule

$6 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● In May 2024, the Biden Administration finalized a rule that would allow DACA recipients to enroll in subsidized marketplace and basic health program (BHP) plans. The rule expands eligibility by modifying the definition of “lawfully present” to include DACA recipients.

 

Codify Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) Rule

No budgetary effects

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Codify the Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA)

Treasury rule to allow companies to offer their employees defined benefit contributions towards qualified health plans. Enact H.R. 3799, the Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense Arrangement Act reported out of the Ways and Means Committee on June 7, 2023.

 

Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act (H.R. 8246)

Up to $10 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Increase access to rural emergency care services and facilitate better discharges to post-acute care for patients. Ensure patients can expeditiously access emergency and post-hospital care in long-term care hospitals, nursing homes, and home health programs. Enact H.R. 8246, the Second Chances for Rural

Hospitals Act reported out of the Ways and Means Committee on May 8, 2024.

 

Eliminate Inpatient-only List

Up to $10 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Eliminate the inpatient-only list so more same-day surgeries and procedures can be performed in lower cost, outpatient settings. Improve Senior Access to Innovation and Telehealth

Up to $20 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Enact H.R. 8261, the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access

Act reported out of the Ways and Means Committee on May 8, 2024. Enact H.R. 2407, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (JCA bill), H.R. 8816, the American Medical Innovation and Investment Act, H.R. 1691, the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act of 2023, and H.R. 4818, the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 reported out of the Ways and Means Committee on June 26, 2024.

 

Reform IRA’s Drug Policies

Up to $20 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Reform the Inflation Reduction Act’s prescription drug policies to discourage price setting on innovative drugs treating rare patient populations.

 

Reform Medicare Physician Payments

Up to $10 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Reform Medicare’s physician payment system to encourage more predictability and certainty.

 

Reform Obamacare Market Plan Design and Eligibility

Up to $10 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Reform Obamacare market plan design and eligibility rules such as actuarial value calculations and open enrollment periods.

 

Recapture excess Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies

Up to $46 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Currently, an individual can receive advance payments of the premium tax credit to coincide when health insurance premiums are due each month, based on an estimate of income. If the tax credit is paid in advance, the taxpayer must reconcile the advance credit payments with actual income filed on the tax return and repay any excess tax credits. For individuals with incomes below 400 percent of FPL, any repayment amount is capped. The budget removes limits on repayments of excess premium tax credit payments so any individual who was overpaid in tax credits would have to repay the entire excess amount, regardless of income.

 

Block Grant GME at CPI-M

Up to $75 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Federal Government spends more than $20 billion annually in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to train medical residents with little accountability for outcomes. GME reform has been recommended by the independent Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and included in past presidential budgets. This policy streamlines GME payments to hospitals, while providing greater flexibility for teaching institutions and states to develop innovative and cost-effective approaches to better meet our nation’s medical workforce needs.

 

Repeal Obamacare Subsidies “Family Glitch” Final Rule

Up to $35 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The text of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) made it clear that individuals with affordable employer coverage (as defined in the law) are not eligible to receive Obamacare subsidies for ACA plans. The affordability standard in Obamacare specifically applied only to individuals and not to the cost of family coverage overall. The provision was written this way to reduce the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score for this provision. In October 2022, the Biden Administration illegally altered the ACA by creating a new affordability standard to both employees and their dependents, running afoul of the text and Congressional intent of the law, resulting in individuals leaving employer coverage and onto ACA plans.

 

Energy

 

Repeal Title I of IRA (Excluding: 45Q Carbon Sequestration, 45U Nuclear Power,

45Z Clean Fuels, and EV Tax Credit)

$404.7 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Reducing 45Q, 45U, and 45Z would streamline and reduce government intervention in the energy industry that props up the green energy sector and distorts market competition.

 

Close the EV credit leasing loophole

$50 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Closing the EV credit leasing loophole ensures that only EV buyers, not lessees, receive tax credits, preserving integrity of the program and preventing misuse of taxpayer dollars.

 

Tax

 

Repeal Green Energy Tax Credits

Up to $796 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would repeal credits created and expanded under the Inflation Reduction Act. These credits are related to clean vehicles, clean energy, efficient building and home energy, carbon sequestration, sustainable aviation fuels, environmental justice, biofuel, and more. The full cost of the IRA provisions is about $329 billion, which becomes about $800 billion when paired with the tailpipe emission rule designed to dramatically increase the uptake of EVs and EV credit use. Based on political will, there are several smaller reform options available (starting as low as $3 billion) that would repeal a smaller portion of these credits.

 

End Employee Retention Tax Credit

$70-75 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is a refundable tax credit aimed at encouraging employers to keep employees on payroll during economic hardships, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Ending the ERTC would extend the current moratorium on claims processing and eliminate the credit for claims submitted after January 31, 2024, along with introducing stricter penalties for fraud. These changes align with the House-passed Tax Relief for American

 

Families and Workers Act.

SSN Requirement for Child Tax Credit

$27.7 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would better ensure program integrity by requiring claimants (children and parents) to have a Social Security number to be eligible for the CTC. This change enforces a clear eligibility requirement based on Social Security numbers valid for employment, directly aligning these credits with the principle of supporting those who contribute to the economy through work. This measure not only streamlines administration, potentially reducing fraud, but also reinforces the idea that tax-based benefits should reward work and support families genuinely eligible under the law. TCJA included a provision that required a SSN for each child to claim the CTC which is expiring in 2025.

 

Endowment Tax Expansion to 14 Percent Rate

$10 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) imposed a new tax on a small group of private nonprofit colleges and universities. Institutions enrolling at least 500 students that have endowment assets exceeding $500,000 per student (other than those assets which are used directly in carrying out the institution’s exempt purpose) pay a tax of 1.4 percent on their net investment income. In 2022, the tax raised $244 million from 58 institutions. This would raise that rate to 14%.

 

H.R. 8913, Increase Applicability of Endowment Tax

$275 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● H.R. 8913 adjusts the criteria for which students are counted when determining whether a private college or university is subject to an excise tax on its net investment income. This bill incentivizes universities that receive generous U.S. federal tax benefits to either enroll more American students or spend more of their endowment funds on those students to avoid being subject to the endowment tax. This bill would subject roughly 10 to 12 additional schools to the Endowment Tax, all of which could avoid the tax by admitting more American students or spending down their endowments.

 

H.R. 8914, University Accountability Act

No budgetary effects

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● H.R. 8914, marked up by the Ways and Means Committee on July 9, 2024, would enact penalties for colleges and universities that violate students’ rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (which applies to educational institutions and protects against discrimination). It was ordered reported favorably by a vote of 24 yeas (you and 23 other Republicans) and 12 nays (all Democrats).

 

Repeal SALT Deduction

$1.0 trillion in 10-year savings relative to TCJA extension

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would eliminate both the individual and business State and Local Tax deduction. Currently, the cap is $10,000. After 2025, this limitation will expire.

 

Make $10k SALT Cap Permanent, but Double for Married Couples

$100-$200 billion cost relative to TCJA extension

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would extend the $10k SALT cap but double it for married couples.

 

$15k/$30k SALT Cap

$500 billion cost relative to TCJA extension

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would cap the SALT deduction at $15k for individuals and $30k for married couples.

 

Eliminate Income/Sales Tax Deduction Portion of SALT

$300 billion cost relative to TCJA extension

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would eliminate deductibility of state and local income or sales taxes from the SALT deduction, making only property taxes SALT deductible. The $10k SALT cap would expire as scheduled in current law.

 

Eliminate Business SALT Deduction

$310 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would eliminate the business SALT deduction. The individual SALT deduction would be unchanged from current law.

 

Eliminate the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction

About $1.0 trillion in 10-year savings relative to TCJA extension

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would fully repeal the deduction for mortgage interest on primary residences. This is a Tax Foundation score.

 

Lower Home Mortgage Interest Deduction Cap to $500k

About $50 billion in 10-year savings relative to TCJA extension

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would lower the cap on the home mortgage interest deduction from the TCJA level of $750k to $500k. This is a Tax Foundation score.

 

Eliminate Nonprofit Status for Hospitals

$260 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● More than half of all income by 501(c)(3) nonprofits is generated by nonprofit hospitals and healthcare firms. This option would tax hospitals as ordinary for-profit businesses. This is a CRFB score.

 

Eliminate Exclusion of Interest on State and Local Bonds

$250 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Interest earned on municipal bonds is currently excluded from taxable income. This option would end the exclusion, making income from municipal bond interest taxable.

 

End Tax Preferences for Other Bonds

$114 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would eliminate the exclusion of interest earned on private activity bonds, Build America bonds, and other non-municipal bonds.

 

Eliminate Head of Household Filing Status

$192 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Head of Household filing status provides a larger standard deduction for unmarried individuals who have children. This option would eliminate the Head of Household filing status.

 

Eliminate the American Opportunity Credit

$59 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The American opportunity tax credit (AOTC) is a credit for qualified education expenses paid for an eligible student for the first four years of higher education.

Taxpayers can get a maximum annual credit of $2,500 per eligible student. This option would repeal the credit.

 

Eliminate the Lifetime Learning Credit

$26 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Lifetime Learning Credit (“LLC”) provides a nonrefundable tax credit equal to 20 percent of qualified tuition and related expenses of the taxpayer that do not exceed $10,000. This option would repeal the credit.

 

Replace HSA’s with a $9,100 Roth-Style USA Indexed to Inflation

$110 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would replace Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with a $9,100 Universal Savings Account indexed to inflation. While it would raise revenue by $110 billion in the budget window, it would have a small cost outside of the budget window. This is a Tax Foundation score.

 

End Treatment of Meals and Lodging (Other than Military)

$87 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Employer-provided meals and lodging are generally excluded from taxable income if they are for the employer's convenience. This option would eliminate this exclusion for all employees except military personnel, making these benefits taxable and saving $87 billion over 10 years.

 

Eliminate Deduction for Charitable Contributions to Health Organizations

$83 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Taxpayers can deduct contributions to qualifying health organizations (patient advocacy groups, professional medical associations, and other U.S.-based charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status) from their taxable income. This option would remove the deduction for contributions to health organizations, generating $83 billion in savings over 10 years.

 

Eliminate Credit for Child and Dependent Care

$55 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Taxpayers can claim a credit for a portion of their child and dependent care expenses (up to $2,100). This option would remove the child and dependent care credit, yielding $55 billion in savings over 10 years.

 

Eliminate Exclusion of Scholarship and Fellowship Income

$54 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Qualified scholarships and fellowships are generally excluded from taxable income if used for tuition and related expenses. This option would make all scholarship and fellowship income taxable, increasing revenue by $54 billion over 10 years.

 

Eliminate Employer Paid Transportation Benefits

$50 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Employer-provided transportation benefits (up to $315 per month), like transit passes and parking, are excluded from taxable income. This option would eliminate the tax exclusion for these benefits, generating $50 billion in savings over 10 years.

 

Eliminate Exemption of Credit Union Income

$30 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Credit unions are exempt from federal income taxes on their earnings. This option would subject credit unions to the federal income tax.

 

Eliminate Exclusion of Employer Provided On-Site Gyms

$20 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Employer-provided on-site gym facilities intended for employees and their families are excluded from taxable income. This option would make the value of on-site gyms taxable.

 

Eliminate Deduction of Interest on Student Loans

$30 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Taxpayers can deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid on student loans from their taxable income. This option would eliminate the deduction for student loan interest.

 

Federal Excise Tax on Federal Unions’ Non-Representation Spending

$7 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would impose a federal excise tax on non-representation spending by federal unions.

 

Make DEI Union Expenses Non-Deductible

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Currently, federal unions are able to deduct all expenses on DEI training because they are “educational.” This proposal would impose new limits, likely raising some revenue.

 

Increase Electric Vehicle Fees

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Electric vehicles do not currently contribute to the Highway Trust Fund, which is largely funded by the federal gas tax. This option would assess a new fee on electric vehicles.

 

Border Adjustment Tax

$1.2 trillion+ in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option creates a new tax on goods where they are consumed, not produced. This shift from an origin-based tax to a destination-based tax.

 

H.R. 5688, Improvements to Health Savings Accounts

$10 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● H.R. 5688 allows individuals who utilize key health services such as direct primary care arrangements and worksite health clinics to use their own resources to contribute to health savings account funds. The bill also eliminates a prohibition against an individual establishing an HSA if their spouse has an existing flexible spending arrangement and allows individuals to convert their own flexible spending or health reimbursement arrangement dollars into a health savings account.

 

Eliminate Tax on Tips

$106 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Tips received by employees are subject to income and payroll taxes. This option would eliminate the income tax on tips.

 

Eliminate Tax on Overtime

$750 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This blanket exemption would prevent overtime earnings from being taxed. This is a Tax Foundation score.

 

Exempt Americans Abroad from Income Tax

$100 billion 10-year cost

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Currently, the foreign earned income exclusion offers tax benefits to Americans residing overseas. Adjusted annually for inflation, the exclusion amount reached $126,500 for 2024. It is unclear whether this proposal intends to raise this limit or fully eliminate U.S. taxation on individual foreign income. This is a Tax Foundation score.

 

Auto Loan Interest Deduction

$61 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This would allow Americans to deduct their auto loan interest payments from their taxes. The specifics are unclear at the moment. This is a Tax Foundation score.

 

Repeal IRA’s Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax

$222 billion 10-year in costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) imposes a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax on adjusted financial statement income for corporations. This option would repeal the IRA's corporate AMT.

 

Eliminate the Death Tax

$370 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Estates exceeding a certain value are subject to federal tax. The TCJA doubled the estate tax exclusion. The 2023 exclusion amount is $12.9 million per person ($25.8 million for married couples). This option would eliminate the federal estate tax.

 

Cancel Amortization of R&D Expenses

$169 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Prior to TCJA, research and development (R&D) costs could be immediately expensed. TCJA replaced R&D expensing with amortization. This option would return to the pre-TCJA treatment of R&D.

 

Implement Neutral Cost Recovery for Structures

$10 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● While TCJA improved the tax treatment of short-term investments with the temporary 100 percent Bonus Depreciation provision, it did not improve the treatment of long-term investments in buildings and structures. This policy would allow businesses to index the value of deductions to inflation and a real rate of return (to address the time value of money). Experts believe this would preserve the economic benefits of full expensing for long-term structures at a fraction of the cost. Has a large cost outside of the budget window. This is a Tax Foundation score.

 

Lower the Corporate Rate to 15 Percent

$522 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● TCJA permanently lowered the corporate income tax rate from a globally uncompetitive 35 percent to 21 percent. This option would further lower the corporate rate to 15 percent.

Lower the Corporate Rate to 20 Percent

$73 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● TCJA permanently lowered the corporate income tax rate from a globally uncompetitive 35 percent to 21 percent. This option would further lower the corporate rate to 20 percent.

 

Repeal IRA’s IRS Enforcement Funding

$46.6 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Over the FY25-FY34 period, that rescission is estimated to reduce outlays by $20 billion, reduce revenues by $66.6 billion, and as result increase the deficit by $46.6 billion. This estimate is relative to the 2024 baseline.

 

Restructure the EITC to Reduce Improper Payments

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● In 2023, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) had an estimated improper payment rate of 33.5 percent, totalling $22 billion dollars. This policy option would simplify the EITC by breaking it out into a “worker credit” and a “child credit,” allowing for more accurate eligibility verifications and reducing improper payments.

 

Trade

 

Codify and Increase 301 Tariffs on China

$100 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The current 301 tariffs bring in approximately $40 billion per year. This option would codify the 301 tariffs in addition to increasing the tariffs on products already subject to 301.

 

10 Percent Tariff

$1.9 trillion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would create a 10% across the board tariff on all imports.

 

H.R. 7679, End China’s De Minimis Abuse Act

$24 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Legislation requiring de minimis value shipments to also pay any existing 301 tariffs would reduce the volume of de minimis shipments from China by half.

 

Welfare

 

Codify the Chained CPI-U for Poverty Programs

$5 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Codifying the Chained CPI-U will limit the Executive Branch’s ability to change the federal poverty line, which determines eligibility and funding allocations to states for federal means-tested welfare programs. Using just the CPI-U overstates inflation, contributing to a larger welfare system and a culture of government dependency.

 

Eliminate Social Services Block Grant

$15 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) is an annually appropriated capped entitlement to states to support a range of social service activities. However, most of these activities are funded by other federal programs, including TANF, the Community Services Block Grant, the Child Care and Development Fund, and more. Furthermore, the SSBG provides excessive state discretion over $1.7 billion annually with no accountability. Presidents Bush and Trump proposed eliminating the SSBG in their budgets and the House has proposed its elimination in budget resolutions in the 112th, 113th, 114th, and 115th Congresses. This block grant is duplicative of other programs, lacks effective oversight, and should be eliminated.

 

Eliminate TANF Contingency Fund

$6 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The TANF Contingency Fund provides additional funding to states experiencing economic hardship. However, it is essentially a slush fund, providing states with excessive discretion over federal funds, and is duplicative to other federal programs. This policy option would eliminate the TANF Contingency Fund.

 

Improve SSI Income and Asset Verification

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● SSI provides cash assistance to aged, blind, and disabled individuals with little or no income. Under current law, SSA is not required to verify financial accounts of SSI applicants and recipients who allege ownership of resources valued at less than $400. A recent SSA-OIG report concluded that this practice led to incorrect resource determinations, resulting in 198,960 recipients receiving $718 million in SSI payments for which they were not eligible. This policy option would lower the $400 resource-level tolerance to $0 and require SSA to validate the financial accounts of all SSI applicants and recipients, strengthening program integrity and reducing improper payments.

 

TANF Work Requirements

$7 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Adult TANF recipients, with some exceptions, must participate in work activities to receive benefits. Under current law, HHS has the authority to reduce or waive penalties to states that do not meet TANF work participation requirements. This policy option would take away HHS’s ability to do so with the intent to incentivize work as a pathway to self-sufficiency, reducing direct spending by $7 million.

 

Require School Attendance for SSI Benefits

$640 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Children under 18 may qualify for SSI if they are disabled and their household has limited income and resources. This policy option would condition SSI benefits for qualified children under the age of 18 on school attendance.

 

Sliding Scale for SSI Benefits

$5 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● SSI, unlike other welfare programs, does not pay benefits on a sliding scale. Recognizing household economies of scale, this reform (based on a CBO budget option) converts SSI payments to a sliding scale. The sliding scale formula would be (as per the CBO budget option and proposed by the 1995 National Commission on Childhood Disability): SSI federal payment rate multiplied by the number of child recipients in the family and raised to the power of 0.7.

 

Deny SSI to Those with Felony Arrest Warrants

$3 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● In addition to being an important program integrity measure, this policy option would help restore the original intent of PRWORA to discontinue SSI benefits for individuals who are ‘‘the subject of an arrest warrant’’ compared to the previous language of ‘‘fleeing to avoid’’ arrest. It would also have the added benefit of helping law enforcement find criminals who have been evading the law.

 

Reduce TANF by 10 Percent

$15 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The TANF block grant provides fixed funding to the 50 states, DC, and territories, for a range of benefits and services to assist low-income families with children. Current law allows states to carry over unspent TANF funds indefinitely. At the end of 2022, $9 billion TANF dollars remained unspent – over half the size of the $16.5 billion block grant. This policy option would reduce the TANF block grant by 10 percent.

 

ENERGY & COMMERCE COMMITTEE

 

Health

 

Reverse Executive Expansion of State-Directed Payments in Medicaid

Up to $25 billion in 10-year savings (Informal Estimate)

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Biden Administration finalized regulations effectively removing limits on the levels of state-directed payments (SDPs) in Medicaid, which are used to artificially increase federal Medicaid matching funds. This policy would impose limits on SDPs.

 

Medicaid FMAP Penalty for covering Illegal Aliens with State-Only Money

TBD on Savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would impose a reduction in a state’s FMAP if the state uses state-only funding to provide coverage to illegal aliens through the state’s Medicaid program. States currently offering Medicaid coverage for illegal aliens include California and New York.

 

Repeal CMS Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Final Rule

Up to $22 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would repeal the final rule, “Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting.” The rule was finalized in May 2024 and would impose minimum staffing standards on long-term care facilities, creating an unfunded mandate on critical health care facilities across the country, threatening provider facility closures and patient access to care.

 

Eliminate Prevention and Public Health Fund

$15 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Created under Obamacare, the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) is “the nation’s first mandatory funding stream dedicated to improving our nation’s public health system.” In reality, the PPHF has served as a slush fund for the HHS Secretary, who has full authority to spend funds in this account on any program or activity under the Public Health Service Act the Department chooses without further congressional action. There is currently authorized $1.3B for FY24-FY25, $1.8B for FY26-FY27, and $2B for FY28 and every fiscal year thereafter. This policy would repeal this fund but does not cut a specific program.

 

Equalize DC FMAP to What States Receive

$8 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This policy would base the District of Columbia's federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) on the standard formula rather than fixed at 70 percent by statute. Under the policy, the District's matching rate would fall from 70 percent to 50 percent.

 

Lower Medicaid Matching Rate Floor

Up to $387 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● There is currently a floor for states’ federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) set in statute at 50%. This option would lower the floor and allow all states’ FMAPs to be set according to the formula. This option would primarily impact high-income states, like California and New York.

 

Equalize FMAP for ACA Expansion Population

$561 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Obamacare Medicaid expansion gives preferential treatment to able-bodied adults over children or individuals with disabilities with a set 90 percent Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) federal reimbursement for the Obamacare adult expansion population. This policy would end Obamacare’s preferential treatment for adults over children by equalizing federal reimbursement of expansion adults to the normal FMAP formula.

 

Establish Medicaid Work Requirements

$100 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The policy would restore the dignity of work by implementing work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents to qualify for Medicaid coverage, as included in the House-passed Limit, Save, Grow Act (H.R. 2811). Certain populations would be exempted, such as pregnant women, primary caregivers of dependents, individuals with disabilities or health-related barriers to employment, and full-time students.

 

Limit Medicaid Provider Taxes

$175 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● States increase the amount of federal Medicaid funding they receive by levying taxes on providers and then increasing their reimbursement rates. This policy would lower the Medicaid provider tax safe harbor from 6% under current law to 4% from 2026 to 2027 and 3% in 2028 and after.

 

Repeal Biden Administration Finalized Medicaid/CHIP ACCESS Rule

$121 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● In May 2024,the Biden Administration finalized a rule focused primarily on expanding access to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) in both fee for service (FFS) Medicaid and in managed care plans, including by instituting worker compensation requirements.

 

Repeal Biden Administration Finalized Medicaid Eligibility Rule

$164 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● In September 2023 and April 2024, CMS finalized two parts of a rule that governs protocols for states verifying Medicaid and CHIP eligibility. Among other things, the proposed rule imposed a prohibition on conducting eligibility checks more frequently than once every 12 months, elimination of the requirement for in-person interviews for some populations, and minimum time allowances for enrollees to provide documentation needed.

 

Medicaid Per Capita Caps

Up to $900 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Currently, states receive open-ended Federal Medicaid matching funds based on the costs of providing services to enrollees. Under Medicaid today, for every dollar a state spends on Medicaid services, it gets $1 to $3 of Federal support (richer states get $1, poorer states get $3). States are guaranteed continued federal support for actual spending, even if those costs go up or do not achieve desired outcomes. With a per capita cap, the federal government makes a limited payment to the state based on a preset formula, which does not increase based on actual costs. States exceeding the “cap” for enrollees would thus need to find other revenues to maintain spending levels or explore innovative ways to reduce excessive costs. This policy would establish a per capita cap for each of the different enrollment populations set to grow at medical inflation.

 

Remove American Rescue Plan Temporary FMAP Increase

$18 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The American Rescue Plan included a provision that aimed to encourage non-expansion states to expand their Medicaid programs. In addition to the 90 percent FMAP available under Obamacare for the expansion population, states can also receive a 5 percent increase in their regular federal matching rate for 2 years after expansion takes effect. The additional incentive applies whenever a state newly expands Medicaid and does not expire. This policy rolls back this additional 5 percent FMAP incentive.

 

Standardize Medicaid Administrative Matching Rate

$69 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The federal government reimburses states at a different rate for some administrative activities. This policy option would standardize the Medicaid administrative matching rates at 50 percent for all administrative categories.

 

Medicare Site Neutrality

Up to $146 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Currently, Medicare and beneficiaries pay more for the SAME health care service furnished in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) than in physician offices. The budget supports Medicare site neutral payments by equalizing Medicare payments for health care services that can be safely delivered in a physician’s office.

 

Unspecified Proposals to Address IRA Drug Pricing Policies

Unknown costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Energy and Commerce provided no details on this policy option, solely stating that the policy would mitigate the “worst of innovation killing parts of IRA.”

 

Unspecified Proposals to Reform CMMI

Unknown costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Energy and Commerce provided no details on this policy option, solely stating that the policy would reform CMMI and cost money.

 

Unspecified Proposals to Post-Acute Care

Unknown costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Energy and Commerce provided no details on this policy option, solely stating that the policy would “facilitate better discharges to post-acute care for patients” and cost money.

 

Unspecified Proposals to Medicare’s Physician Payment System

Unknown costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Energy and Commerce provided no details on this policy option, solely stating that the policy would include “reforms to Medicare’s physician payment system” and either cost money or be budget neutral.

 

Unspecified Proposals to ACA Subsidies in Individual Market

Unknown

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Energy and Commerce provided no details on this policy option, solely stating it would “lower premiums, lower out of pocket costs, direct subsidies to patients over health insurers, and counter the Democrats goal of subsidizing wealthy Americans premiums and further increasing ACA spending.”

 

Unspecified Proposals to Change FMAPs

Unknown

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Energy and Commerce provided no details on this policy option, solely stating it would “rebalance Federal Matching Rates to be more fair to states with more people with lower incomes.”

 

Energy

 

Inflation Reduction Act Repeals in Titles V and VI

$17.3 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Title V programs include ($12.69 billion):

o Home energy performance based and whole-house rebates ($2.8 billion)

o High efficiency electric home rebate program ($2 billion)

o State-based home energy efficiency contractor training and grants ($120

million)

o Assistance for latest and zero building energy code adoption ($600

million)

o Funding for Department of Energy, Loan Program Office ($3.9 billion)

o Advanced vehicle technology manufacturing ($1.6 billion)

o Transmission facility financing ($14 million)

o Interregional and offshore wind transmission planning and modeling ($73

million)

o Department of Energy administrative funding ($80 million)

o Federal Regulatory commission funding (($85 million)

o 1.42

o Grants for interstate electricity transmission lines ($337 million)

o Advanced industrial facilities deployment program ($2.3 million)

o Department of energy oversight ($59 million)

o Canal improvement project ($21 million)

o Domestic manufacturing conservation grants ($1 billion)

● Title VI Programs include ($4.64 billion):

o Clean heavy-duty vehicles ($621 million)

o Grants to reduce air pollution at ports ($1.8 billion)

o Diesel emissions reductions ($20 million)

o Funding to address air pollution ($40 million)

o Funding to address air pollution at schools ($4 million)

o Low emissions electricity program ($20 million)

o EPA production declaration assistance ($44 million)

o Methane emissions reduction grants ($698 million)

o Climate pollution reduction grants ($2 million)

o Low embodied carbon labeling for construction materials ($30 million)

o Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant ($1.4 billion)

 

H.R. 2811 Energy Leasing and Permitting Provisions

$7.5 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Division D, Title II and III of H.R. 2811, Limit, Save, Grow Act includes all of H.R. 2 , The Lower Energy Costs Act and Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act or the TAPP American Resources Act. CBO’s score of the LSG notes that these provisions reduce revenues by $6.4 billion. The HBC Energy team does not have any further information or detail on this provision.

 

Repeal EPA Tailpipe Emissions Rule and Department of Transportation CAFE

Standards Rule

$111.3 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The EPA Tailpipe and DOT CAFE Standard rules considerably increase the usages of the IRA’s EV tax credits. It is likely that these rules will be among the first repealed by Trump executive action.

 

Sell Oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Can be Dialed Based on Need

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● SPR sales can be dialed based on need.

 

Other

 

Electromagnetic Spectrum Auction

$70 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● FCC auctioning certification and permitting for electromagnetic spectrum to provide wireless and broadcast services throughout the country.

 

 

AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

 

Welfare

 

Reform 2021 Revaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP)

Up to $274 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● In August 2021, President Biden expanded the TFP without cost constraints, leading to a 23 percent increase in SNAP benefits at the cost of $300 billion over ten years. At the request of congressional lawmakers, GAO conducted a legal review of Biden’s reevaluated TFP and found that USDA’s actions violated the 1996 Congressional Review Act, which requires government agencies to submit significant policy updates to Congress. This policy option could implement a range of reforms to the TFP, from limiting changes in the cost to the rate of inflation (saving $36 billion over ten years) to completely repealing the Biden Administration’s TFP expansion (saving $274 billion over ten years).

 

SNAP Work Requirements

$5 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) age 18 – 49 are supposed to meet work requirements to be eligible for SNAP benefits. The FRA temporarily increased the age limit for exemption from work requirements to 54 and created various exemptions for certain populations from work requirements. This policy implements work requirements from LSG to raise the age limit for exemption to 56 and restricts the ability for states to carry forward work requirement exemptions to future years.

 

End Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility

$10 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Current law allows states to provide SNAP benefits to individuals who would otherwise be ineligible through broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE), which allows individuals who receive welfare assistance from programs such as TANF to enroll in SNAP automatically. Because some TANF services are available to households with incomes higher than those that are eligible for SNAP, states can allow individuals to enroll in SNAP without meeting federal eligibility criteria for assets, income, or both. Ending BBCE would improve program integrity within SNAP and protect the program for the truly needy.

 

End SNAP-LIHEAP Linkage (“Heat and Eat”)

$7 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The amount of SNAP benefits a household receives is based on its countable income (income minus certain deductions). The “heat and eat” loophole allows states to provide minimal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits to SNAP recipients to make them eligible for larger countable

income deductions, triggering higher SNAP benefits. Eliminating this loophole would encourage fiscal responsibility by closing misaligned incentives that game the system, emphasizing that government benefits should be for those who need them the most and simplifying program administration.

 

Cap SNAP Maximum Benefit

$2 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● SNAP benefit amounts are tied to the cost of USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan and determined by household size. Currently, the average monthly SNAP benefit increases for each additional household member. This policy option would cap the maximum household SNAP benefit equal to a family of six.

 

Repeal Provision Requiring USDA to Disregard Improper Payments Below $56

$70 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Under current law, USDA is required to tolerate and disregard improper payments below $56 when calculating payment error rates, contributing to a distorted portrayal of SNAP’s improper payments. This policy option would eliminate this “tolerance threshold” to provide a more comprehensive understanding of fraud, waste, and abuse within SNAP.

 

Expand the National Accuracy Clearinghouse

$658+ million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This policy option would expand the use of the SNAP National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC), which is designed to prevent SNAP recipients from receiving benefits in multiple states.

 

Prohibit Retail Food Store Owners from Redeeming Benefits at Their Own Stores

and Disqualify Retailers Convicted of SNAP Benefit Trafficking

$5 million in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● One common type of fraud within SNAP involves owners of stores redeeming their own benefits for ineligible items or cash. This policy option would combat this fraud by prohibiting store owners from redeeming SNAP benefits at their own stores and disqualifying retailers convicted of SNAP benefit trafficking.

 

Require States to Suspend SNAP Account After 60 Days of Purchases Made

Exclusively Out of State

$1 million in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● While SNAP is federally-funded, states are responsible for providing SNAP benefits to their residents. Prolonged out-of-state SNAP activity may indicate a recipient has moved, and therefore should be receiving SNAP benefits from another state, or may be a sign of potential fraud. This policy option would

suspend SNAP accounts of recipients who make exclusively out-of-state transactions for 60 days to ensure the integrity of state SNAP programs and flag potential fraud.

 

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE COMMITTEE

 

Higher Education

 

Repeal Biden’s “SAVE” plan, streamline income-driven repayment plans

$127.3 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Under this option, the Department of Education (ED) would offer borrowers two repayment plans for loans originated after June 30, 2024: the currently available 10-year repayment plan and a new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.

● This option would eliminate all other plans, including the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, which is the IDR plan that was created administratively in 2023.

 

Limit the ED’s regulatory authority

$30 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would limit the authority of the ED to issue regulations that would increase the cost of federal student loans or that would have economically significant effects (have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or that would adversely affect the economy in a material way).

 

Establish risk-sharing requirements for federal student loans, PROMISE grants

$18.1 billion 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Under this policy option, postsecondary institutions would be required to make annual payments, called risk-sharing payments, in order to participate in the federal student loan program.

● Those payments would be the main source of funding for the Promoting Real Opportunities to Maximize Investments and Savings in Education (PROMISE) grants, which would be made to eligible postsecondary education institutions to help improve affordability and promote success for students.

 

Reform Gainful Employment

TBD 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This policy option would establish minimum levels of performance (i.e. expanding Gainful Employment) for programs to participate in Title IV federal student aid programs.

 

Repeal Biden closed school discharge regulations

$4.9 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would repeal a Biden administration rule that established a standard process for discharging loans made to borrowers who attended schools that closed, thus increasing the likelihood of loan discharge for those borrowers.

 

Repeal Biden borrower defense to repayment discharge regulations

$9.7 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would partially repeal a Biden administration rule that made it easier for a borrower to discharge loans as a result of a school’s misconduct, including, for example, misrepresentation of student outcomes.

 

Repeal 90/10 rule

$1.6 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would repeal the requirement that for-profit institutions receive no more than 90 percent of their revenue from federal financial aid, including veterans’ education benefits.

 

Reform Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

TBD 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would allow the Committee on Education and the Workforce to make much-needed reforms to the PSLF, including limiting eligibility for the program.

 

Sunset Grad and Parent Plus loans

TBD 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would eliminate parent PLUS loans, which are offered to parents of dependent undergraduate students, and grad PLUS loans, which are offered to graduate students and students enrolled in professional programs.

● This option would generally eliminate such loans to new borrowers beginning on July 1, 2025, and would eliminate the program altogether by 2028.

 

Establish new annual and aggregate loan limits for unsubsidized undergraduate

and graduate loans

TBD 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Accompanying the above option, beginning on July 1, 2025, this option would amend loan limits for unsubsidized graduate and undergraduate loans.

● In total, CBO estimates this and the former option would reduce direct spending by $18.7 billion.

 

Amend the need analysis formula used to calculate federal student aid eligibility

TBD 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would amend the need analysis formula to calculate federal student aid eligibility using the median cost of attendance of similar degree programs nationally instead of the cost of attendance of a student's individual program.

 

End in-school interest subsidy

TBD 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Currently, the government pays the interest that accrues on a student loan while the borrower is still enrolled in school full-time, essentially meaning the student does not have to pay interest on their loan while actively studying. This policy option would eliminate this arrangement.

 

Allow borrowers to rehabilitate their loans a second time

$138 million in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would allow borrowers who default on their loans to be eligible for a second rehabilitation loan, which allows borrowers to exit default by making nine one-time payments.

● Under current law, borrowers can rehabilitate their loans just once.

 

Eliminate interest capitalization

$3.8 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Interest capitalization is when unpaid interest is added to the principal balance of a federal student loan. This good governance option would eliminate interest capitalization.

 

Reform Pell Grants

TBD 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would allow the Committee on Education and the Workforce to make reforms to the Pell program, such as capping grants at the median cost of attendance and/or expanding Pell grant eligibility to short-term credential programs.

 

Health

 

Ban Telehealth and Other Facility Fees

$2.3 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● As hospitals expand ownership of outpatient and physician office settings, consumers are seeing an uptick in fees for more than just the care provided to them. These “facility fees” are increasingly a driver of healthcare costs in America, and are leading to consumers being charged as though they received

treatment in a hospital even if they never entered one. This proposal would prohibit hospitals from billing unwarranted facility fees for telehealth services and for certain other outpatient services.

 

Make It a Prohibited Transaction for Employer-Sponsored Health Plans to Pay for

340B Drugs Above the 340B Discounted Price

Unknown

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● 340B covered entities routinely charge commercial insurers full price for 340B discounted drugs. This policy would make it a prohibited transaction under ERISA for an employer-sponsored insurance plan to pay full price for a 340B discounted drug. Such a policy would require full transparency of 340B discounts.

 

Increase Penalties for Transparency Noncompliance

Unknown

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Penalties under the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act for noncompliance are dialable. Noncompliance penalties could be increased in order to generate increased budgetary savings, assuming the underlying transparency penalties are enacted into law.

 

Clarifying and Bolstering ERISA Preemption

Unknown/Savings Presumed

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The purpose of ERISA is to provide a uniform regulatory framework over employee benefit plans. However, the scope of ERISA preemption has been challenged numerous times in federal court. Strengthening the ERISA preemption could increase revenue by decreasing compliance costs for employer sponsored health insurance plans.

 

 

H.R. 2868 - Association Health Plans Act

$579 million in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Favorably reported by E&W June 6, 2023 24 - 18. Passed the House on June 21, 2023 as part of the CHOICE Arrangement Act (H.R. 3799) 220 - 209. This bill provides statutory authority for the treatment of association health plans (AHPs) as single, large employer health plans for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

 

H.R. 2813 - Self-Insurance Protection Act

No budgetary effects

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Favorably reported by E&W June 6, 2023 23 - 18. Passed the House on June 21, 2023 as part of the CHOICE Arrangement Act (H.R. 3799) 220 - 209. This bill specifies that stop-loss coverage is not health insurance coverage for purposes of regulation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The bill also preempts state laws that prevent employers from obtaining stop-loss coverage.

 

H.R. 824 - Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 2023

Unknown

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Favorably Reported by E&W July 19, 2023, 29 - 20. This bill allows employers to offer stand-alone telehealth benefits to all employees. This includes employees who are eligible for enrollment in their employer's group health plan.

 

Expanding Direct Contracts and Value-Based Care within Employer-Sponsored

Health Insurance

Unknown

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This would include legislation to expand the use of direct contracting and innovative, value-based care models among employer-sponsored insurance plans.

 

Telehealth-Only COBRA Coverage Option

Unknown

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The intent would be to provide both COBRA-enrollees and employers tasked with offering COBRA continuation coverage to offer a telehealth-only option, within the existing employer’s health plan.

Specialty Drug Coverage Under ERISA

Unknown

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The intent would be to bolster employer-sponsored insurance coverage of high cost specialty drugs, either through value-based arrangements, reinsurance models, or expanded risk pools through association health plans.

Other

 

Change Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to 60 Percent

$3 billion 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows the nation’s highest-poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Instead, schools that adopt CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as SNAP and TANF. Currently, schools can qualify if 40 percent of students receive these programs. This proposal would lift that to 60 percent.

 

Require Income Verification for School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National

School Lunch Program (NSLP)

$9 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would require all students who apply and are approved for free and reduced price meals to submit income verification documentation. This policy option would increase program integrity, ensuring those who receive benefits are in fact eligible, and would preserve the fiscal sustainability of the program for future generations.

 

FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

Financial Regulators

 

Eliminate the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) transfer abilities

TBD 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) currently has the ability to carry-over unspent funds into the next Fiscal Year. This ability is eliminated under this policy option.

 

Eliminate SEC Reserve Fund

$475 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The SEC’s so-called “Reserve Fund” is simply a slush fund created by Dodd-Frank, allowing regulators to spend without oversight by Congress.

● This policy option would eliminate this fund,—as was requested by President Trump.

 

Eliminate mandatory funding for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

$9 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a mandatory program that is not subject to Congress’ oversight through appropriations. This policy option would subject the CFPB to the annual appropriations process.

● Savings could depend on the appropriations process.

 

Eliminate mandatory funding for financial regulators

$47 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● With the exception of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), presently all federal financial regulators are mandatory programs and not subject to Congress’ oversight through appropriations. This policy option would revise the funding structure for the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, National Credit Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Office of Financial Research so that industry assessments are re-routed directly to the Treasury, then Congress appropriates one year of funding.

● Savings could depend on the appropriations process.

 

Eliminate Office of Financial Research

$946 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This policy option would eliminate the Office of Financial Research (OFR). The Dodd-Frank Act grants the OFR broad powers to compel financial companies to produce sensitive, non-public information. While the Dodd-Frank Act describes the OFR as an “independent agency,” OFR reports to the Secretary of the Treasury who serves in the President’s cabinet and is arguably one of the most political financial regulators. Additionally, OFR funding is outside congressional appropriations and oversight.

 

Other

 

Repeal Orderly Liquidation Authority

$22 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Through the Orderly Liquidation Fund (OLF), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) now has the authority to access taxpayer dollars in order to bail out the creditors of large, “systemically significant” financial institutions. This increases moral hazard on Wall Street by explicitly guaranteeing future bailouts and is, thus, eliminated under this policy option.

 

Reduce Fed Dividend payment to big banks

$3 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● When a Federal Reserve bank accumulates a surplus fund, under the provisions of Section 7 of the Federal Reserve Act, it is required to pay out of such fund to its stockholding member banks dividends for a year in which the current earnings of the Federal reserve bank are insufficient for this purpose. This policy option would reduce these dividend payments to big banks (presumably directing savings to the Treasury).

 

Rescind remaining unobligated HAMP-to-HHF funds transferred in Omnibus

Unknown 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The savings from ending the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP; $2 billion) was transferred to the account of the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) under Division O, Sec. 709 of the Omnibus. This policy option would rescind these funds.

 

Increase and extend the G-Fees charged to pay for 2011 Payroll Tax Bill

$14 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Government sponsored enterprise (GSE) guarantee fees are charged by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to lenders for bundling, selling, and guaranteeing the payment of principal and interest on their Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS).

G-Fees help GSEs manage their credit risk by covering projected credit losses from borrower defaults over the life of the loans, administrative costs, and a return on capital. This policy option would thus increase and extend G-Fees.

● Payroll tax could be a problem; extension CRFB option ($5 billion).

 

Reform Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac

At least $5 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Nearly 16 years after the 2008 financial crisis, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae remain under government conservatorship, with taxpayers standing behind their obligations. This policy option would reform these two government-sponsored enterprises with the goal of increasing their efficacy and accountability.

 

Move Fed employees to basic government pay and benefits scale

$1 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Currently, as an independent agency, the Fed has their own pay and benefit arrangements. This policy option would require the Fed to follow the G.S. payscale.

Eliminate all NFIP subsidies

$11 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Currently National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) subsidies are not based on need and fail to adequately assess risk. This policy option would eliminate all NFIP subsidies and divert revenue from the program to the Treasury.

 

SCIENCE, SPACE, and TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

 

Inflation Reduction Act

 

Repeal IRA spending under jurisdiction

Up to $232 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This policy would repeal IRA Title IV measures under the jurisdiction of the Science, Space, and Technology committee.

● Title IV measures include:

o Alternative Fuel and Low-Emission Aviation Technology Program ($123 million)

o Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and Forecasting for Weather and Climate Budget Authority ($47 million)

o Computing Capacity and Research for Weather, Oceans, and Climate ($4 million)

o Acquisition of Hurricane Forecasting Aircraft ($22 million)

 

NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

 

Leasing

 

Restore noncompetitive leasing

$160 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This policy restores noncompetitive leasing for oil and gas, streamlining the process and enhancing federal revenue through increased energy development.

 

Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Leasing

$4.2 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Expanding offshore leasing opportunities would boost federal revenue by opening new areas for oil and gas exploration, contributing significantly to savings over the next decade.

 

Reopen ANWR and require new lease sales

$45 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Alaska’s Right to Produce Act (H.R. 6285) would reopen lease sales in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), generating revenue from oil and gas extraction, with additional contributions from offshore leasing.

 

Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing

$500 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Expanding onshore leasing for oil and gas would generate substantial federal savings, with estimates currently ranging from $500 million to potentially higher based on updated analyses.

 

Increased Geothermal Leasing

$20 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This policy would boost leasing for geothermal energy development, contributing additional revenue while promoting cleaner energy alternatives.

 

Increased Coal Leasing

Savings TBD

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Expands coal leasing; scores will likely be in the single digit millions.

 

H.R.7370, Permit Processing Reform for Geothermal

Savings TBD

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Streamlined the permit process for geothermal energy

 

IRA Funds

 

Rescind IRA Funds

$1.943 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Title IV savings include:

o Investing in Coastal Communities and Climate Resilience ($1.3 billion)

● Title V savings include:

o National Parks and Public Lands Conservation and Resilience ($132 million)

o US Geological Survey 3D Evaluation Program ($7 million)

o Bureau of Reclamation Domestic Water Supply Projects ($487 million)

o Department of Interior Oversight ($3 million)

o National Parks Service Employees ($267 million)

● Title VI savings:

o Endangered Species Act Recovery Plans ($50 million)

o Funding for USFWS to Address Weather Events ($40 million)

● Title VIII savings

o Tribal Climate Resilience ($195 million)

o Native Hawaiian Climate Resilience ($1 million)

o Tribal Electrification Program ($115 million)

o Emergency Drought Relief for Tribes ($11 million)

 

Rescind Presidio money from IRA

Up to $200 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife and Parks Assistant Secretary Shannon Estenoz directed the transfer of $200 million in funding provided in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to address deferred maintenance to the Presidio Trust, despite the fact that this was not consistent with standard agency practices for selecting priority deferred maintenance projects. This policy would revoke this $200 million transfer.

 

Other

 

Timber Sales

$1-2 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Increase Timber Sales. Can be dialed up or down.

 

Sell Federal Land

Savings TBD

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Increases sale of federal land

 

H.R. 4374, Chaco Canyon

$17 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● End the restriction on oil and gas leases in Chaco Canyon

 

OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE

Federal Workforce

 

Raise FERS Contribution Rate to 4.4 Percent

$44 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● In the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), employee contribution rates are tiered by year hired: 0.8 percent if hired in 2012 and earlier, 3.1 percent if hired in 2013, and 4.4 percent if hired in 2014 and after. This option would raise the contribution rate across-the-board to 4.4 percent.

 

Eliminate FERS Supplemental Retirement Payments

$5 - $13 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would eliminate the supplement to FERS employees who retire before they are eligible for Social Security. Under current law, if an employee retires before 62, a supplemental FERS payment is made to bridge the employee until they are eligible for Social Security. This change will align federal retirement policies more closely with the private sector and encourage longer service.

 

Base FERS Retiree Benefit on High-5 Instead of High-3 Salary

$4 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This policy option would change the FERS retirement formula to use the average of employees' earnings over the five consecutive highest earning years as opposed to the currently used calculation of the highest three consecutive years. This shift, which would reflect employees’ career earnings more accurately and be more in line with private sector plans, would reduce FERS spending to ensure the system’s long-term sustainability.

 

Enact Federal Employee Health Benefits Protection Act (H.R. 7868)

$2.1 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Under this Act, OPM must conduct a comprehensive audit of employee family members currently enrolled in the FEHB program and disenroll or remove from enrollment any ineligible individual found to be receiving FEHB benefits. This reform would reduce improper payments, saving $2.1 billion over 10 years.

Convert New Federal Workers to At-Will Employment Unless They Accept Higher

 

FERS Contribution

Unknown

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would require future federal employees to elect between two classification systems: the current system with merit-based civil service protections or a new at-will classification. If an employee elects to be classified as an at-will classification, they will maintain a lower FERS annuity contribution rate (4.4 percent or lower). However, for employees that elect to be classified under the current merit-based civil service system, their annuity employee contribution would be increased to a higher rate. Since a significant percentage of future civil service employees would elect to take advantage of the job protections of the current merit-based civil service system, this reform should yield mandatory savings due to the reduction in the federal agency’s FERS annuity contribution share.

 

Eliminate Official Time Unless Unions Compensate the Federal Government

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This reform would charge federal labor organizations for their use of agency resources as well as any official time.

 

Charge a Fee for Federal Employee MSPB Appeals

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Federal employees subject to adverse action by their agency, including dismissal, can appeal their case to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). In the majority of cases, MSPB upholds the ruling of the agency. This policy option would charge a fee for federal employee MSPB appeals, raising revenue while reducing the cost of frivolous MSPB filings.

 

Adjustment to Limit of Federal Employee Buy-Outs

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This policy option would increase the federal employee buy-out threshold from the existing $25,000 maximum allowance for civilian employees to $40,000 (in parity with DOD’s current authority) and would establish a $2 billion Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment Fund within the U.S. Treasury to fund these buy-outs. It would also lower the 20-year Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) option to 15 years of service.

 

Move FEHB from a Premium-share Model to a Voucher Model

$16-18 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The FEHB program provides the federal workforce and annuitants (and their dependents and survivors) with health insurance coverage. The FEHB program also covers postal workers but beginning in 2025, those benefits will be provided through the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program. Under this option, the FEHB and PSHB programs would be reformed by replacing the current premium-sharing structure with a voucher, which would not be subject to income and payroll taxes. CBO classifies the federal share of premiums for most federal employees as discretionary but federal spending on premiums for annuitants and postal workers is classified as mandatory.

 

Other

 

Government Efficiency Commission

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option creates a Government Efficiency Commission in support of the Administration’s efforts.

 

Federal Building Occupancy At Minimum of 80 Percent

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This policy option requires agencies to meet a minimum 80 percent average occupancy in their buildings and leased spaces in the DC-VA-MD-WV area and to dispose of any surplus properties.

 

Renewing Efficiency in Government by Budgeting (REG Budgeting) Act

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This policy option requires federal regulatory agencies to constrain unfunded newcosts imposed by federal regulators and requires OMB to set an annual, regulatory budget that restricts the amount of new, unfunded regulatory costs agencies can impose each year.

 

Full Responsibility and Expedited Enforcement (FREE) Act

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The federal permitting process is often burdensome, inconsistent, and costly. This option streamlines the federal permitting process by expanding the use of “permits-by-rule” (PBR) rather than case-by-case application for and review of individual permit applications, creating a more efficient and consistent process.

 

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

 

The Secure the Border Act

$6.1 billion in 10-year costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Our signature border security package this Congress. CBO reports that it will decrease direct spending by approximately $21 billion over the window, decrease revenues by approximately $27.1 billion over the window, and decrease discretionary spending by approximately $32 billion over the window.

 

Immigration Fees

$5-20 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Judiciary is open to dialing up any and all immigration related fees in their jurisdiction to hit a desired reconciliation target.

 

Extend and Increase Customs User Fees

$25 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Customs User Fees are collected by CBP for inspecting cargo and people. This option would extend the fees through the 10-year window and increase them by 25 percent.

 

Eliminate Diversity Visa Program

$3.2 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Diversity Immigrant Visa program, provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually. It aims to attract applicants from countries with otherwise low immigration rates to the U.S. Unlike most visa programs, it requires no job offer or familial tie for entry. This option would eliminate the program.

 

Reinstate Public Charge Rule

$15 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The public charge rule reduces the number of people eligible for green cards or visas by redefining what made them dependent on government benefits. This policy was expanded under the Trump Administration with two proposed rules in 2019. Neither are in effect. This policy would prevent people who are unable to take care of themselves from benefiting from long-term care at the government’s expense.

 

Reclaim Certain Funding

No score; possible deficit reduction

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Leadership requested the reclamation of funding for certain offices and programs included in the list below. We are not sure how much funding remains in these accounts.

o US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)

o United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)

o International Organization for Migration (IOM)

o Safe Mobility

o Funding for the Executive Office for Immigration Review

o EOIR Language Access Plan

o Stab-Serv and Case Management Pilot Program

o Welcome Corps

o Housing Programs for illegal migrants (HUD)

o Non-Government Organizations participating in aiding illegal migration

 

Visa Overstay Fee

No score; possible deficit reduction

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would increase the fee on visa overstays and make such fees non-waivable.

 

Ongoing Immigration Fees

No score; possible deficit reduction

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This suite of options would impose ongoing fees (monthly) for the duration of parole, ongoing fee for asylee until case is adjudicated, ongoing work authorization fees (monthly) for asylees and parolees, and additional fee on work applications.

Increased Penalties for Employing Illegal Immigrants

No score; possible deficit reduction

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Leadership did not provide any further detail on this option.

 

Rescind DOJ Asset Forfeiture Account

$1 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This was private option on the FY25 budget resolution

 

Bonus to Law Enforcement Agencies that honor ICE Detainers

No score; deficit increase

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Program not detailed by leadership. Would likely need to be a mandatory account with a grant program to pass Byrd Rule.

 

REINS Act

No budgetary effects

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Restrains the administrative state by amending the Congressional Review Act (CRA) of 1996, by requiring the Legislative Branch’s approval on major rules and regulations proposed by the Executive Branch.

 

HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE

 

Border and Immigration

 

Border wall funding appropriation

No score yet; deficit increase

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The Homeland Committee would like funds to build border barriers, including the “Trump Wall” (a 33 ft high concrete barrier) along 700+ miles of the border. ● The Homeland Committee estimates $18 billion for 734 miles of new wall, $7.8 billion to replace legacy fencing/vehicle barriers, and another $10 billion for additional secondary barriers.

● Leadership stated the need for Rio Grande River buoys but no specifics were provided.

 

State Reimbursement for Border Security Initiatives

No score yet ($11-13 billion); deficit increase

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This option would focus on reimbursing Texas for Operation Lone Star and Stonegarden. The provision would need to be written broadly so as to “affect multiple entities” or it will trigger Byrd Rule.

 

Border Security Personnel Investments

No score yet; deficit increase

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Homeland would like to surge funding to hire 3,000 additional Border Patrol Agents, 5,000 more Office of Field Operations Agents (CBP), and 200 more Air and Marine Operations Agents. The estimate the cost of this surge to be $12.6 billion over 10 years.

● Homeland is also requesting $100 million for retention bonuses.

 

Technology Improvements at the Border

No score yet; deficit increase

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Homeland estimates around $2 billion is necessary to update technology at and between ports of entry.

 

 

Destruction of Invasive Plant Species along the Southwest Border

No score yet; deficit increase

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Carrizo cane and salt cedar hinder detection of illicit activity along the Rio Grande. Homeland estimates a cost of $250 million.

 

Extend TSA Security Passenger Fees

Up to $25 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

Option 1: Extend the deficit reduction portion through 2034 at the level currently specified for 2027

● On a preliminary basis, enacting option 1 would reduce direct spending by about $11.8 billion over the 2025-2034 period.

Option 2: (a) Extend the deficit reduction portion through 2034 at the level currently specified for 2027 and (b) increase the passenger security fee by 25 percent, effective upon enactment, and deposit those amounts in Treasury as receipts

● On a preliminary basis, enacting option 2 would reduce direct spending by about

$24.7 billion over the 2025-2034 period.

TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

 

Modify Eligibility to Certain IIJA Programs

Unknown costs or savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Given that a rescission of IIJA advance appropriation funds would retain its emergency designation and therefore be unable to offset new spending in a reconciliation bill, this proposal would impose ‘restrictions’ or ‘limitations’ on certain IIJA advanced appropriations of duplicative programs that are eligible for several competitive grant programs (bike paths, EV charging stations, Amtrak, etc.) which can crowd out more traditional infrastructure projects. A restriction or limitation would be scored with regular outlay savings if it is significant enough to create a budgetary effect, according to CBO.

 

Modify Treatment of Overflight Fees

$3 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This proposal would repeal mandatory subsidies/overflight fees for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, subjecting the funding to future appropriations.

 

Sell Federal Buildings

Unknown costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This proposal is designed to realize savings through consolidations and sales of Federal real estate by directing the General Services Administration to identify vacant Federal real estate and require GSA to move agencies out of underutilized space into smaller, lower cost options and sell the vacated buildings.

Savings would be booked as a mandatory saver, but depend heavily on what/how specific properties would be sold, how clear incentives are for agencies to sell properties, and how properties are exempt from federal laws that  impede/discourage sales.

 

Electric Vehicle Inclusion to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF)

Unknown savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Incorporate electric vehicles into the HTF’s revenue stream to contribute toward constructing and improving the nation’s infrastructure.

 

H.R. 1152, Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Act

No budgetary effects

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This legislation fixes the Clean Water Act’s (CWA) permitting provision to promote infrastructure development by streamlining the permitting process under section 401 of the CWA and clarifying section 401’s focus on CWA water quality. CBO’s preliminary estimate projected no effect on direct spending or revenues, T&I staff is assessing additional changes in the legislation that may affect direct spending or revenues

 

H.R. 7023, Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act

No budgetary effects

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● The bill would provide regulatory and judicial certainty for regulated entities and communities, increase transparency, and promote water quality, among other provisions. CBO did not produce an estimate, but they continue to work with T&I staff on an estimate of direct spending and revenues; however, they anticipate either no budgetary effect or a relatively small score.

 

H.R. 5089, Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act

No budgetary effects

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This proposal would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency and states authorized to issue permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System from requiring a permit for some discharges of pesticides. While CBO estimated no effect on direct spending or revenues, T&I staff is looking at ways to create some sort of scorable effect for this proposal to be appropriate for reconciliation.

 

Appropriations for Polar Security Cutters

No score yet; deficit increase

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This proposal would provide mandatory appropriations for long lead materials for polar security cutters number three and four. T&I anticipates any appropriations would be significant and will need to work with CBO on a preliminary estimate to ensure any spending does not fall beyond the ten-year budget window.

 

Increase Vessel Tonnage Duty

Up to $600 million in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● Vessel tonnage duties are imposed on the cargo-carrying capacity of vessels which enter the United States from a foreign port or place or depart from and return to a United States port or place on a ‘voyage to nowhere.’ In 1990, these rates were raised to nine cents per ton, not to exceed 45 cents per ton in a single year, and 27 cents per ton, not to exceed $1.35 cents per ton in a single year. In 1997, the higher duties were extended through 2002 but once they expired, they returned to the 1990 levels. If these levels are increased, offsetting receipts would go up; T&I staff is still exploring options in this space.

 

Redirect Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to deficit reduction

Up to $5 billion in 10-year savings

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This proposal would transfer a portion of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund’s balance for deficit reduction. T&I is contemplating $2 billion transfers in each of the first two years and dropping the transfer to $1 billion in the subsequent three years. T&I is working with CBO to determine a magnitude, but T&I believes that a transfer could potentially achieve outlay savings.

Container Casualty Vessel Act

Unknown costs

VIABILITY: HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW

● This proposal establishes the responsibility of container vessels for response costs and damages related to container vessel casualties. It would limit per incident liability, except in the case of negligence. It also would establish a Container Vessel Marine Casualty Liability Trust Fund (funded with a per container fee) which pays for response and damages until reimbursement can be received, for amounts above the liability limits, and for amounts where the responsible cannot be found or is unable to pay. T&I will require feedback from CBO on any such proposal.


 

Chapter 2  - How These Changes Exacerbate Problems for Most Americans While Benefitting the Rich

 

This document outlines a series of proposed changes primarily focused on reducing federal spending, with a significant emphasis on healthcare, tax policy, and welfare programs. Here's a breakdown of the items that raise concerns regarding potential negative impacts on science, disadvantaged populations, and the concentration of wealth:

Healthcare:

Tax Policy:

Welfare:

Overall:


 

Chapter 3 – Benefits Concentrated at the Top

 

a detailed analysis of how the previously mentioned policies could disadvantage middle-class and poor families while enriching the wealthy, and how they could impact various aspects of life. Let's break it down:

1. Healthcare Disparities and Disease:

2. Nutrition and Food Security:

3. Air Quality and Environmental Degradation:

4. Work Standards and Job Availability:

5. Impacts on Basic Freedoms:

Enriching the Wealthy:

In essence, these policies create a system where the benefits are concentrated at the top, while the costs are borne by the majority of the population.


 

Chapter 4 – analysis of items that may draw money from necessary scientific endeavors, disadvantage vulnerable populations, or enrich special interests at the expense of the broader public good

 

1. Policies That May Draw Money from Science and Innovation


2. Policies That May Disadvantage Vulnerable Populations


3. Policies That May Enrich Special Interests at the Expense of the Public


4. Policies That May Undermine Public Services and Equity


 

Chapter 5 – Eliminating Medicare Coverage

 

Eliminating Medicare Coverage

Eliminating Medicare coverage of bad debt would increase financial pressure on hospitals, leading to higher healthcare costs and reduced services, disproportionately impacting seniors, low-income individuals, and those with chronic conditions. This could result in decreased access to necessary care, delayed treatments, and increased financial hardship. Estimating the exact rise in disability and death rates would require detailed modeling, but historically, reduced access to healthcare correlates with higher mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations. Studies suggest that lack of affordable care can lead to a measurable increase in preventable deaths.

 


 

Chapter 6 – Eliminating Emergency Funds for Oil Spills

 

Eliminating Emergency Funds for Oil Spills

If a major oil spill, such as the Exxon Valdez incident, were to occur at the Port of Portland, Maine, with the responsibility to address the spill left largely to local and state resources that may not be sufficiently equipped, the potential impacts could be devastating. Here's a detailed breakdown of what could happen:

1. Insufficient Response Capacity at the Local and State Levels

2. Environmental Impact

3. Economic Consequences

4. Public Health and Safety

5. Compounding Challenges

6. Long-Term Environmental and Social Consequences

Conclusion

A major oil spill in the Fore River, Maine, if left to local and state resources without federal assistance, would likely result in an overwhelming crisis with severe environmental, economic, and public health impacts. The local response would be hampered by a lack of adequate resources, personnel, and equipment, leading to prolonged recovery times and long-lasting damage to both the environment and the local economy. The experience of past disasters, such as the Exxon Valdez spill, illustrates the importance of federal involvement in oil spill response and cleanup, as state and local resources alone are insufficient to handle such large-scale emergencies effectively.

Chapter 7 – Eliminating the Estate Tax

 

Eliminating the Estate Tax (also known as the Death Tax) would have significant social and economic implications, and could indeed contribute to a growing plutocratic drift in American society. Here’s a breakdown of the potential consequences:

1. The Social Impact: Cementing a Plutocratic Drift

2. The Sequestration of Funds: Reduced Circulation in the Economy

3. Impact on the “American Dream” of Owning a Home or Business

4. The Upper Middle Class and Middle Class: The False Hope of Access

5. Political and Social Implications

Conclusion: A Growing Plutocratic Society

Eliminating the Estate Tax would likely lead to a plutocratic drift in American society, where wealth and power are increasingly concentrated among the top few percent, diminishing social mobility and exacerbating inequality. While the promise of the American Dream remains a motivating ideal, the reality of access to wealth, property, and business ownership is increasingly limited to those who inherit their fortunes, not those who build them from the ground up. The loss of the Estate Tax would allow inherited wealth to flow more freely, contributing to economic stagnation for the vast majority while reinforcing the power of the wealthy elite. This could make the dream of owning a home or starting a business—a dream grounded in hard work and perseverance—more elusive for future generations, particularly for those without access to inherited wealth.


 

Chapter 8 – Homeland Security Wants One Hundred Millions Dollars for Retention Bonuses

 

Discrepancies from a Business Perspective

From a business point of view, the situation where Homeland Security (DHS) is struggling to hire workers while simultaneously requesting $100 million for retention bonuses highlights several key discrepancies and inefficiencies:

Physical Toll on Homeland Security Workers at the Southern Border

Homeland Security officers stationed at the southern border face a much higher physical and psychological toll compared to those working in more routine or cushy roles, such as at airports. Here are some specific challenges:

Comparison: Homeland Security Officer at Kinston Airport, NC vs. Nogales Border

The day-to-day experiences of a Homeland Security officer at Kinston Airport in North Carolina versus an officer working at the border in Nogales, Arizona differ vastly in terms of atmosphere, danger, and type of work.

Conclusion

The work of Homeland Security officers at the southern border and in airport settings reflects a dramatic contrast in terms of danger, stress, and overall work environment. While airport security workers may experience relatively stable and predictable conditions, those at the border face significant physical and emotional risks, from disease exposure to the threat of assault and injury. The federal request for retention bonuses in this context makes sense for maintaining a workforce, but it doesn’t address the underlying causes of worker attrition, which include poor working conditions, mental health challenges, and the physical dangers inherent in border security work. From a business standpoint, the reliance on retention bonuses, rather than addressing systemic operational inefficiencies and improving work conditions, reflects a short-term fix rather than a long-term solution.


 

Chapter 9 – No Tax Tips and Hungry Children

 

Comparing these two scenarios involves weighing the economic and social impacts of taxing tips versus providing free school meals for all families. Below is a detailed analysis of both situations:

 

 Scenario 1: Tips Are Taxed, but All Families’ Children Receive Breakfast and Lunch at School

 

 Key Features:

- Taxation of Tips: Tips are treated as taxable income, meaning workers in tipped industries (e.g., waitstaff, bartenders) must report their tips and pay income and payroll taxes on them.

- Universal Free School Meals: All children, regardless of family income, receive free breakfast and lunch at school.

 

 Advantages:

1. Revenue Generation:

   - Taxing tips generates significant federal revenue ($106 billion over 10 years, according to the document).

   - This revenue can be used to fund public services, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

 

2. Equity in Taxation:

   - Ensures that tipped workers contribute their fair share to the tax system, reducing the tax burden on other taxpayers.

 

3. Universal Free School Meals:

   - Reduces Food Insecurity: Ensures all children have access to nutritious meals, regardless of family income.

   - Improves Academic Performance: Studies show that children who eat breakfast and lunch at school perform better academically and have improved attendance and behavior.

   - Reduces Stigma: Universal programs eliminate the stigma associated with means-tested free or reduced-price meal programs, encouraging greater participation.

 

4. Economic Benefits:

   - Free school meals reduce financial strain on low- and middle-income families, freeing up household budgets for other necessities.

   - Schools benefit from streamlined meal programs, reducing administrative costs associated with verifying eligibility.

 

 Disadvantages:

1. Impact on Tipped Workers:

   - Taxing tips reduces the take-home pay of workers in tipped industries, who often rely on tips as a significant portion of their income.

   - This could exacerbate financial stress for low-wage workers, particularly in high-cost areas.

 

2. Cost of Universal School Meals:

   - Providing free meals to all students, regardless of income, requires significant federal funding. This could strain budgets or require reallocation of resources from other programs.

 

 

 Scenario 2: Tips Are Not Taxed, but All Families No Longer Receive Breakfast and Lunch at School

 

 Key Features:

- No Taxation of Tips: Tips are excluded from taxable income, allowing tipped workers to keep more of their earnings.

- Elimination of Universal Free School Meals: Families must pay for school meals or rely on means-tested programs (e.g., free or reduced-price meals for low-income families).

 

 Advantages:

1. Increased Take-Home Pay for Tipped Workers:

   - Workers in tipped industries benefit from higher disposable income, which could improve their quality of life and reduce financial stress.

 

2. Reduced Administrative Burden:

   - Eliminating universal free school meals reduces the administrative costs associated with running large-scale meal programs.

 

3. Potential Cost Savings:

   - The government saves money by no longer funding universal free meals, which could be redirected to other priorities or used to reduce deficits.

 

 Disadvantages:

1. Increased Food Insecurity:

   - Eliminating free school meals could leave many children without reliable access to nutritious food, particularly in low-income families.

   - Food insecurity is linked to poor health outcomes, lower academic performance, and behavioral issues.

 

2. Stigma and Reduced Participation:

   - Means-tested meal programs often carry stigma, leading to lower participation rates among eligible families.

   - Families just above the income threshold may struggle to afford school meals, creating a "benefits cliff."

 

3. Economic Strain on Families:

   - Paying for school meals out of pocket increases financial pressure on families, particularly those with multiple children.

   - This could lead to difficult trade-offs, such as cutting back on other essentials like healthcare or housing.

 

4. Impact on Schools:

   - Schools may see a decline in academic performance and attendance due to hunger and malnutrition.

   - Reduced participation in meal programs could also lead to inefficiencies in school operations.

 

5. Lost Revenue from Taxing Tips:

   - Exempting tips from taxation reduces federal revenue, potentially limiting funding for other critical programs or increasing the deficit.

 


Comparison and Trade-Offs

Aspect

Scenario 1: Tips Taxed, Free Meals

Scenario 2: Tips Not Taxed, No Free Meals

Revenue

Generates $106 billion over 10 years

Loses $106 billion over 10 years

Tipped Workers

Lower take-home pay

Higher take-home pay

Food Insecurity

Reduced

Increased

Academic Performance

Improved

Potentially worsened

Family Financial Strain

Reduced (free meals)

Increased (pay for meals)

Stigma

Eliminated

Increased (means-tested programs)

Administrative Costs

Higher (universal program)

Lower (means-tested program)

 

 

 Conclusion

- Scenario 1 (Tips Taxed, Free Meals) prioritizes equity, public health, and education by ensuring all children have access to nutritious meals and generating revenue to fund public services. However, it places a financial burden on tipped workers.

- Scenario 2 (Tips Not Taxed, No Free Meals) benefits tipped workers by increasing their take-home pay but risks increased food insecurity, poorer academic outcomes, and greater financial strain on families.

 

The choice between these scenarios depends on societal values and priorities. If the goal is to reduce inequality and invest in the well-being of children, Scenario 1 is preferable. If the focus is on supporting low-wage workers and reducing government spending, Scenario 2 may be favored. However, the long-term costs of increased food insecurity and poorer educational outcomes in Scenario 2 could outweigh the short-term benefits.


 

Chapter 10 – Two Different Tax Structures and Public Welfare Provisions

 

In the United States the two major parties spar mostly over two different tax structures and public welfare provisions—specifically the taxation of tips and access to school meal programs—and how these affect families, particularly those with children. Here's a comparison between the two scenarios:

1. Present Situation: Tips Are Taxed, but All Families Receive Breakfast and Lunch at School

In this scenario, tips are taxed, and all families have access to free breakfast and lunch for their children at school. Here's how this would impact various stakeholders:

Economic and Financial Impact on Families:

Social Impact:

Challenges:


2. Alternate Situation: Tips Are Not Taxed, but All Families No Longer Receive Breakfast and Lunch at School

In this alternate scenario, tips are not taxed, and families no longer receive free breakfast and lunch for their children at school. Here's how this scenario would play out:

Economic and Financial Impact on Families:

Social Impact:

Challenges:


Comparing the Two Scenarios:

Conclusion

While the non-taxation of tips might provide some immediate financial relief for certain workers, the elimination of school meals would likely create greater social and economic challenges, particularly for lower-income families. The first scenario, where tips are taxed but school meals are provided, strikes a balance between maintaining tax revenue (important for public services) and providing essential welfare support to families. The second scenario, with untaxed tips but no school meals, benefits some workers in the short term but increases financial burdens and food insecurity for many families, particularly those in poverty. The first situation is likely the more equitable and sustainable option, as it provides critical social benefits that directly support children’s health and education.


 

Chapter 11 – Tip Taxes and Universal School Meals

 

Scenario 1: Tips Taxed, Universal School Meals Provided

Scenario 2: Tips Not Taxed, No Universal School Meals

Comparison:

Conclusion:

While the immediate impact of not taxing tips might seem beneficial to service workers, the long-term consequences of food insecurity and health disparities are likely to outweigh the short-term gains. A universal school meal program, even if funded by taxing tips, offers significant social and economic benefits, particularly for vulnerable populations.  

 

 


 

Chapter 12 – Trash Talking About Slush Funds

 

In the text of the Secret Memo "slush funds" is used in the text as an insult to dismiss an important set of business rules laid down over centuries.  We will discuss that and then look over the real dangers, already experienced in the past one hundred and fifty years, of re-deregulation in the financial industry.

"Slush Funds" in the Text

The document you provided uses the term "slush fund" in a derogatory way to describe certain government funding mechanisms, specifically:

In this context, "slush fund" implies:

Existing Provisions and Their Purpose

To understand why these funds or the regulations surrounding them exist, it's crucial to consider the original intent:

The argument for these provisions often rests on:

Deregulation and Financial Instability

Now, let's connect this to your point about special interests, particularly banks and stockbrokers, and the dangers of deregulation:

Special Interests and Deregulation

In Summary

The concept of "slush funds" in the text is used to criticize government funding mechanisms, implying a lack of accountability. However, these mechanisms often serve important social safety net functions. Deregulation in the financial industry can create opportunities for special interests to engage in risky behavior that can lead to financial instability, with devastating consequences for the broader economy.


 

Chapter 13 – Ancient Money Interfering with Modern Life

 

For this last section of this document we are going to focus on the potential origins of the ‘Secret Memo’ which is made up almost entirely by long-standing, often rejected, policy proposals, and to discuss the potential motivations of those who continue to champion them. Let's break this down:

A Hodgepodge of Rejected Ideas:

 

Origins in Decades-Old Ideologies:

The Role of Aging Proponents and Family Wealth:

Illogic and Cruelty:

In conclusion:

The document reflects a collection of long-standing policy proposals that have been advocated by certain groups for decades. The continued advocacy for these proposals, despite their potential negative consequences, can be attributed to a combination of ideological commitment, self-interest, and the influence of family wealth.

 


 

Chapter 14 – Twentieth Century Rejects

 

Taking another look at the Secret Memo we see a century’s worth of the repetition of failed ideas mixed with cruel ideals.

The memo includes numerous proposals that have been rejected multiple times by Congress, the public, or both. For example:

These ideas are often repackaged and reintroduced under new names or as part of broader legislative efforts, but their core objectives remain the same: reducing government revenue, shrinking social programs, and deregulating industries.


2. Origins in the 1960s and Beyond

Many of the proposals in the document can be traced back to ideological movements that gained prominence in the mid-20th century. Key figures and organizations include:


3. The Role of Aging Proponents and Family Wealth

Many of the original architects of these ideas are now deceased or elderly, but their legacies live on through the organizations they founded and the wealth they accumulated. For example:

These individuals and their families have used their wealth to create a self-sustaining ecosystem of think tanks, media outlets, and political organizations that continue to promote the same ideas, even as their original proponents age or pass away.


4. Illogic and Cruelty of Proposed Solutions

Many of the proposals in the document are illogical or cruel when examined closely:

These policies are often justified using ideological rhetoric about "freedom," "personal responsibility," or "efficiency," but they frequently fail to deliver on these promises in practice.


5. The Persistence of Failed Ideas

Despite their repeated failures, these ideas persist because they serve the interests of a small but powerful group of wealthy individuals and corporations. The think tanks, advocacy groups, and political organizations they fund ensure that these ideas remain part of the political discourse, even when they are rejected by the public or proven ineffective. This persistence is driven by:


Conclusion

The document reflects a century-long effort by a small group of ideologically driven individuals and organizations to reshape American society according to their vision. Many of these ideas have been rejected or ignored for good reason: they are often illogical, cruel, or counterproductive. Yet, they persist because of the wealth and influence of their proponents, who have created a self-sustaining ecosystem to keep these ideas alive. As the original architects of these policies age or pass away, their legacies are carried on by a new generation of wealthy donors and political operatives, ensuring that these debates will continue for decades to come. However, the growing disconnect between these ideas and the needs of the broader population suggests that their relevance may eventually fade, especially as younger generations demand more equitable and sustainable solutions.

 


 

Chapter 15 – Legacy of Undoing

 

It’s striking how many of the policy proposals and agenda items in this document are neither new nor innovative but instead  stale, old, rejected ideas—things that have been floated, debated, dismissed, and occasionally enacted only to be ignored or abandoned. These ideas have circulated for decades, reappearing in each political cycle, always advanced by the same ideological networks, often with little to no regard for whether they actually work.

A Legacy of Stale and Recycled Ideas

Tracing these proposals back through history, we see a clear pattern: they originated from small, insular groups of economic and political influencers, many of whom first formulated these policies in the 1960s and 1970s—an era of reactionary pushback against the social programs of the New Deal and the Great Society. Each decade since then, these same circles (or their ideological successors) have repackaged and reintroduced these ideas, sometimes with different rhetoric but always with the same underlying goal: the dismantling of public welfare, labor protections, and regulatory oversight in favor of policies that favor entrenched wealth and corporate control.

For instance:

Pushed by a Dying Generation of Ideologues

One of the most telling aspects of this phenomenon is that many of the original architects of these policies are no longer alive, and those who remain are themselves well into their twilight years. Their worldview was shaped decades ago, and despite overwhelming evidence that their policies have failed to deliver broad prosperity or long-term economic stability, they refuse to reconsider.

Even more telling is that many of the leading proponents today are not self-made experts or working-class representatives, but heirs to family fortunes—people who have never personally suffered the consequences of the policies they promote. They do not depend on wages, public services, or affordable housing, yet they are obsessed with reshaping policies that affect those who do. It appears that, with unlimited wealth insulating them from the real world, their sole mission is to ensure that their long-dead mentors' ideological visions are finally imposed, regardless of their cruelty, impracticality, or outright failures in the past.

Illogic and Cruelty Disguised as Policy

A closer look at these proposals reveals a fundamental disconnect from reality. The justifications for cutting social safety nets, privatizing public institutions, and shifting more economic power to the already wealthy are based on outdated or outright debunked economic theories. Despite decades of evidence showing that these policies harm working people, they persist—not because they make sense, but because the people pushing them have the financial power and time to keep trying.

This is the ultimate irony:

Conclusion

What we are witnessing is not a serious effort to craft effective policy but rather the final gasp of a dying ideological movement—one driven by aging billionaires and think tanks still clinging to the economic fantasies of a half-century ago. This document is less a plan for governance and more a museum of bad ideas, curated by people who have nothing left to do but try, one last time, to impose their outdated vision on a society that has already moved past them.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 16 – Secret Memo in Plain Talk

 

The Ways and Means Committee document isn’t just a budget proposal—it’s a time capsule of recycled ideas, many of which have been kicked around, rejected, implemented briefly, or sidelined over decades, only to resurface like fiscal zombies.

These aren’t fresh innovations; they’re echoes from a small cadre of ideologues whose intellectual lineage stretches back to the 1960s, with each decade layering on more of their pet projects. The originators—think tanks, libertarian economists, and conservative hardliners—often trace to a handful of names and their disciples, many now dead, their legacies propped up by aging heirs with family wealth and little else to occupy their twilight years.

What’s striking is how many of these “solutions” have been road-tested abroad—in places like Sweden, South Africa, England, China, and India—only to crash and burn, yet here they are again, dressed up as novel fixes despite their illogic and cruelty.

A History of Rejection and Resurrection

Let’s start with the vibe of this document: it’s a greatest-hits album of fiscal conservatism’s B-sides. Take Medicaid Per Capita Caps ($900B savings)—this isn’t new. It’s a reboot of block-granting ideas from the 1960s, when Milton Friedman and his Chicago School crew pushed for capped federal welfare spending to “free” states. Nixon flirted with it in the ’70s via his Family Assistance Plan, which tanked in Congress. Reagan revived it in the ’80s with block grant proposals—partially implemented, then diluted by pushback from governors who saw the chaos of underfunding. The ’90s saw Gingrich’s Contract with America try again, only to be vetoed by Clinton. Now it’s back, ignoring how states like Tennessee struggled with TennCare’s capped experiment in the ’90s, cutting care for the poor.

Or look at Eliminate the Death Tax ($370B cost). This estate tax repeal fetish kicked off in the ’60s with the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and folks like William F. Buckley Jr., who saw it as “double taxation.” It gained steam in the ’80s under Reagan’s tax cuts, got partial traction in Bush’s 2001 cuts (phased out, then reinstated), and now it’s here again—despite decades of evidence that it only benefits the top 0.1%, as the Tax Policy Center keeps pointing out. Rejected or scaled back repeatedly, it’s a perennial darling of the wealthy.

Work Requirements (e.g., TANF, $7M; Medicaid, $100B savings) are another golden oldie. They stem from ’60s welfare critiques by George Gilder and Charles Murray, who argued aid breeds dependency. The ’80s saw pilot programs falter—states like California found administrative costs outweighed savings. Clinton’s 1996 welfare reform (PRWORA) codified TANF’s version, but studies (e.g., MDRC, 2000s) showed meager job gains and deeper poverty. England tried it with the 2010s Universal Credit—dropout rates soared, per the National Audit Office. Yet it’s back, oblivious to its track record.

The Same Old Gang, Decades in the Making

Who’s behind this? The ideas tie back to a tight clique that’s been at it since the ’60s:

The originators? Mostly gone. Friedman died in 2006, Buckley in 2008, Rothbard in ’95, Feulner’s retired. Today’s torchbearers—Norquist (born ’56), Armey (born ’40), or think-tank heirs like Stephen Moore (born ’60)—are late in their careers, backed by family wealth or donor dynasties (Kochs, Waltons). They’ve got time, money, and no new ideas—just a dogged push to win battles they lost decades ago, logic be damned.

Tried and Failed Globally

Many of these “innovations” aren’t even American originals—they’ve flopped overseas:

Cruelty and Illogic Baked In

The cruelty’s in the outcomes: SNAP cuts ($274B TFP reform) starve kids—USDA’s own data shows 1 in 7 households food-insecure in 2023. Medicaid caps ($900B) slash care for the disabled—Kaiser Family Foundation says 14M could lose coverage. The illogic? Corporate tax cuts ($522B) assume trickle-down works—decades of data (e.g., CBO, 2010s) show wages stagnate while execs pocket gains. Death tax repeal ($370B) ignores that only 0.2% of estates pay it (IRS, 2022)—it’s a billionaire’s tantrum, not a public fix.

These proponents—aging, rich, and relentless—seem driven by legacy, not reason. Their ideas, rejected or half-baked since the ’60s, keep rising because wealth buys megaphones, not because they work. Sweden’s caps failed rural patients, England’s work rules bred misery, China’s privatization drowned the poor—yet here we are, 2025, debating the same tired playbook. What’s next—dig into a specific flop or trace a proponent’s ghost?

 

Additional and Final :

If we continue to peel back the layers of this Ways and Means Committee document and dig deeper into its graveyard of resurrected ideas, the stubborn lineage of their proponents, and the global trail of failures that should’ve buried them long ago. This isn’t just a budget—it’s a museum of fiscal nostalgia, curated by a dwindling clique of ideologues whose roots stretch back to the 1960s, with each decade piling on more of their reheated schemes. Many of the original architects are dead, their torch passed to graying successors fueled by inherited wealth and an apparent allergy to fresh thinking. Worse, these “new” proposals often mirror experiments that flopped in places like Sweden, South Africa, England, China, and India—yet they’re trotted out again, indifferent to the illogic and cruelty they’ve already inflicted.

More Rejected Ideas, Revived from the Dead

The document’s littered with policies that have been debated, dismissed, or half-tried before, only to limp back into view:

These aren’t outliers. TANF cuts ($15B), SALT repeal ($1T), Medicare site neutrality ($146B)—all have doppelgangers in budgets from the ’70s (Nixon’s welfare trims), ’80s (Reagan’s tax overhaul), and ’90s (Gingrich’s Medicare tweaks). They’ve been proposed, piloted, rejected, or watered down, only to resurface like policy whack-a-moles, ignoring past flops or partial successes.

The Same Small Crew, Decades Deep

The intellectual DNA here traces to a tight knot of thinkers and their heirs, a saga spanning 60 years:

The originals are mostly ghosts—Friedman, Buckley, Weyrich, Buchanan. Their successors? Aging fast. Norquist’s 68, Moore’s 65, Armey’s 84 if he’s still advising from the shadows. Family fortunes (Kochs, Waltons) or think-tank endowments keep them afloat. They’re not innovating—they’re imagined greatest hits, a retirement hobby with no expiration date, logic optional.

Global Graveyard of Failed Experiments

These ideas aren’t just old—they’ve been stress-tested abroad and flunked:

Illogic and Cruelty, Baked In and Ignored

The illogic’s glaring: SALT repeal ($1T) assumes state tax burdens don’t crush middle-class families—IRS data (2022) says 11M filers claim it, not just the rich. SNAP caps ($2B) pretend larger families don’t need more food—USDA’s 2023 hunger stats beg to differ. The cruelty? ACA subsidy recapture ($46B) claws back cash from the poor for honest income misestimates—imagine a single mom repaying $5K. SSI felony warrant denial ($3B) assumes the disabled can outrun cops—many can’t, per SSA audits.

These aging proponents—wealthy, insulated, and late in life—don’t feel the sting. They’re not reinventing; they’re re-litigating. Sweden’s rural care cuts, England’s work-rule misery, China’s land-sale chaos—history’s littered with warnings they ignore. It’s not about solutions; it’s about winning a 60-year war in their own minds.


 

Chapter 17 - SALT Note

 

In the context of U.S. federal income tax, "SALT" stands for "state and local taxes." The SALT deduction allows taxpayers who itemize deductions on their federal income tax returns to deduct certain taxes they've paid to state and local governments. Here's a breakdown:  

Key Points:

In essence, the SALT deduction is a provision within the U.S. tax code that allows for the deduction of certain state and local tax payments from federal taxable income, with a current limit in place.  


 

Chapter 18 - Life Without SALT – One of Many Worst Case Scenarios

 

Let’s paint a worst-case scenario for a family of four—two adults, two kids, one working parent—facing the repeal of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, as proposed in the Ways and Means Committee document ($1T savings over 10 years). This family’s already juggling tight finances and medical bills, and losing SALT could tip them into a financial abyss. I’ll ground this in realistic numbers, tax mechanics, and the ripple effects of healthcare costs, assuming they live in a high-tax state where SALT’s impact bites hardest.

 

The Setup: A Fragile Baseline

Meet the Johnsons: Mom works full-time earning $60,000 a year—say, as a nurse or teacher—in a state like New York or California, where state income and property taxes are steep. Dad stays home with their two kids, ages 8 and 12, one of whom has a chronic condition (e.g., asthma or diabetes) racking up $15,000 in annual medical bills—think specialist visits, meds, and an ER trip or two. They own a modest home with a $300,000 mortgage, paying $8,000 in property taxes yearly, and owe $5,000 in state income tax on Mom’s salary. Pre-repeal, they claim the SALT deduction, capped at $10,000 under the 2017 TCJA, to offset their $13,000 total state/local tax bill.

 

Their finances are tight:

 

Income: $60,000 (gross)

Federal Taxes (2025 rates, pre-repeal): With the standard deduction ($30,000 for married filing jointly, estimated for 2025), taxable income is $30,000. At 10% on the first $24,000 and 12% on the next $6,000, they owe $3,120, reduced by a $4,000 Child Tax Credit (CTC) to a net refund of $880.

Out-of-Pocket Costs: $5,000 after insurance (assuming a decent employer plan covers $10,000 of the $15,000 medical bills).

Living Expenses: Rent/mortgage, food, utilities eat up the rest—say, $45,000 annually, leaving little wiggle room.

They’re scraping by, relying on that $880 refund and the SALT cap to keep their tax burden manageable.

 

SALT Repeal Hits: The Tax Bomb

The TCJA’s $10,000 SALT cap expires in 2025, and this proposal kills the deduction entirely—no cap, no relief. Now, the Johnsons’ full $13,000 in state and local taxes (property + income) gets added back to their taxable income. Here’s the math:

 

New Taxable Income: $60,000 - $30,000 (standard deduction) + $13,000 (lost SALT) = $43,000.

New Federal Tax:

10% on $24,000 = $2,400

12% on $19,000 (up to $43,000) = $2,280

Total = $4,680

Minus $4,000 CTC = $680 owed (instead of an $880 refund).

Swing: They go from a $880 gain to a $680 loss—a $1,560 hit.

That’s $1,560 less in their pocket—over 2.5% of their gross income—gone overnight.

 

Medical Bills Compound the Crisis

Their kid’s condition doesn’t care about tax policy. Those $15,000 medical bills keep coming. With insurance covering $10,000, they’re still on the hook for $5,000 out-of-pocket—deductibles, copays, uncovered meds. Pre-repeal, they could stretch to cover this with tight budgeting and that refund. Now, with $1,560 less:

 

Immediate Shortfall: They’re $1,560 short of last year’s baseline. Add the $5,000 medical tab, and they need $6,560 just to break even on healthcare—over 10% of their income.

No Savings: At $60,000, they likely have no cushion—Pew (2023) says 60% of U.S. households under $75K can’t handle a $1,000 emergency. They’re tapped out.

Worst-Case Ripple Effects

Here’s where it spirals:

 

Debt Spiral: They charge the $5,000 medical bills to a credit card—average APR 20% (2025 projection). That’s $1,000 in interest year one, ballooning to $6,000 owed. With only $10,000 left after taxes and essentials ($60K - $45K - $5K), they can’t pay it down—minimum payments barely dent it.

State Tax Squeeze: High-tax states might hike rates to offset federal shifts (Tax Foundation, 2022, notes this trend post-TCJA). If New York bumps their $5,000 state tax to $6,000, taxable income rises to $44,000, federal tax to $4,800, and their bill jumps to $800—a $1,680 swing from the refund.

Healthcare Cuts: They skip the kid’s specialist ($500/visit) or meds ($200/month)—asthma flares, landing them in the ER again. Uninsured costs spike to $20,000 if insurance drops (job loss risk below). A 2021 KFF study says 1 in 10 skip care due to cost—here, it’s life-or-death.

Job Loss Risk: Mom’s stretched thin—sick kid, no spousal income. If she misses work (unpaid leave), income drops to $50,000. Taxable income falls to $33,000 ($50K - $30K + $13K), tax to $3,480, CTC cuts it to zero—but they’re still $5,000 short on medical bills, now with less to live on.

Housing Threat: That $8,000 property tax? If they miss payments (prioritizing healthcare), late fees pile up—$500, then $1,000. Foreclosure looms—median U.S. home loss takes 18 months (ATTOM, 2023), but stress accelerates it. Renting’s no better—$1,500/month in their area eats $18,000 yearly.

The Bottom Falls Out

Worst case: Mom loses her job from absences ($0 income). They default on medical debt ($20,000+ with ER visits), lose the house ($8,500 tax lien), and face eviction. No SALT relief means no tax buffer—$13,000 in state/local taxes still haunts their $0 income via penalties. Bankruptcy’s their out, but with one earner and chronic illness, recovery’s a pipe dream. Food insecurity hits—SNAP ($274B cut elsewhere in the doc) won’t stretch far. They’re homeless, sick, and broke within a year.

 

Why It’s Brutal

SALT repeal’s $1,560 initial hit seems small—2.5% of income—but for a family on the edge, it’s a match to dry tinder. High-tax states amplify it (NY’s average SALT claim: $20K, per IRS 2022, though capped at $10K). Medical bills—10-20% of income here—aren’t rare; 41% of adults have healthcare debt (KFF, 2022). Without SALT, every dollar shifts from survival to tax, and chronic illness turns a tax hike into a death spiral. This isn’t hypothetical—multiply it by millions in similar boats, and it’s a policy-made catastrophe.


 

Chapter 19 – Wholesale Passage and the Following Disaster

 

Part 1

 

A Worst-Case Scenario: The Full Implementation of This Policy Document

If every single recommendation in this document were passed and fully implemented, the United States would undergo an economic, social, and environmental transformation that benefits the wealthiest few at the direct expense of everyone else. This scenario would result in widespread hardship, the collapse of small businesses and farms, massive income inequality, and the entrenchment of corporate-controlled monopolies that reduce worker rights to near-servitude levels. Scientific and social progress would stagnate, while environmental disasters and global instability accelerate.


1. The Immediate Fallout: Individuals and Families


2. The Collapse of State and Local Governments


3. Small Businesses and Family Farms Crushed


4. The Long-Term Consequences on National Security and Prosperity


5. The Environmental Apocalypse: Unchecked Disasters and Toxic Air & Water


6. The Hidden Military Costs: A Looming and Unseen Burden


Final Conclusion: The Death of American Prosperity

If every recommendation in this document were enacted, the United States would revert to a corporate-controlled, oligarchic society where a handful of elites control nearly all wealth and resources. The vast majority of Americans would experience financial hardship, lack of healthcare, no worker protections, environmental devastation, and political powerlessness.

America’s promise—the belief that hard work leads to success—would become a cruel myth, reserved only for the ultra-wealthy.


 

Part 2

 

If every single recommendation in the document were passed and implemented, the consequences would be catastrophic for individuals, families, states, local governments, small businesses, farms, and the long-term security, prosperity, and advancement of the United States. Below is a detailed extrapolation of the worst-case scenario across these dimensions, including the environmental, military, and societal impacts:

 

---

 

 1. Individuals and Families

- Increased Financial Strain:

  - The repeal of deductions like SALT, medical expenses, and student loan interest would increase tax burdens on middle- and lower-income families, reducing disposable income.

  - Cuts to social safety nets (e.g., Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security) would leave vulnerable populations—children, the elderly, and the disabled—without essential support.

  - Families would face higher healthcare costs due to the repeal of ACA subsidies, Medicare reforms, and reduced Medicaid funding.

 

- Food Insecurity:

  - Reforms to SNAP and school meal programs would lead to increased hunger and malnutrition, particularly among children and low-income families.

 

- Housing Instability:

  - The elimination of the mortgage interest deduction and cuts to housing assistance programs would make homeownership and rental housing less affordable, exacerbating homelessness and housing insecurity.

 

- Education and Opportunity:

  - Cuts to Pell Grants, student loan forgiveness programs, and public education funding would limit access to higher education and job training, trapping individuals in low-wage jobs with no upward mobility.

 

---

 

 2. States and Local Governments

- Revenue Shortfalls:

  - The repeal of the SALT deduction would increase the tax burden on residents of high-tax states, forcing states to either raise taxes or cut services.

  - Cuts to federal funding for Medicaid, infrastructure, and education would strain state and local budgets, leading to reduced public services.

 

- Service Cuts:

  - States and localities would be forced to cut funding for schools, public safety, healthcare, and infrastructure, leading to deteriorating quality of life and economic decline.

 

- Economic Inequality:

  - Wealthy states with robust tax bases might weather the cuts better, while poorer states would face deepening inequality and reduced capacity to provide essential services.

 

---

 

 3. Small Businesses and Farms

- Increased Costs:

  - The repeal of tax credits and deductions (e.g., R&D expensing, small business health insurance credits) would raise costs for small businesses and farms, reducing their competitiveness.

  - Cuts to agricultural subsidies and rural development programs would harm small farms, particularly in already struggling rural areas.

 

- Reduced Access to Capital:

  - Changes to banking regulations and the elimination of programs like the Community Reinvestment Act would limit access to credit for small businesses and farms, stifling growth and innovation.

 

- Market Consolidation:

  - The continued consolidation of major corporations into de facto trusts would squeeze small businesses out of the market, reducing competition and consumer choice.

 

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 4. Long-Term Security, Prosperity, and Wealth Creation

- Economic Inequality:

  - Tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, combined with cuts to social programs, would exacerbate income and wealth inequality, creating a society where opportunity is concentrated among the elite.

 

- Stagnant Wages:

  - The erosion of workers' rights and the rise of corporate monopolies would lead to stagnant wages and poor working conditions, with little opportunity for upward mobility.

 

- Retirement Insecurity:

  - Cuts to Social Security and Medicare would leave millions of Americans without a secure retirement, forcing them to work longer or rely on inadequate savings.

 

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 5. Scientific and Social Advancement

- Reduced Funding for Research:

  - Cuts to federal funding for scientific research (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOE) would stifle innovation, slowing progress in medicine, technology, and environmental science.

 

- Brain Drain:

  - The elimination of scholarships, fellowships, and student loan forgiveness programs would discourage talented individuals from pursuing higher education and research careers.

 

- Environmental Degradation:

  - The repeal of environmental regulations and clean energy incentives would lead to increased pollution, climate change, and public health crises, undermining long-term sustainability.

 

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 6. Environmental Impacts

- Increased Pollution:

  - The repeal of emissions standards, clean water protections, and renewable energy incentives would lead to higher levels of air and water pollution, harming public health and ecosystems.

 

- Climate Change:

  - The retreat from climate initiatives would accelerate global warming, leading to more frequent and severe natural disasters, rising sea levels, and economic disruption.

 

- Resource Depletion:

  - The expansion of fossil fuel extraction and deregulation of resource use would lead to overexploitation of natural resources, threatening long-term environmental and economic stability.

 

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 7. Military and Invisible Costs

- Increased Militarization:

  - While the document does not explicitly address military spending, the invisible costs of militarization—such as the diversion of resources from social programs and the environmental impact of military operations—would pervade every aspect of society.

 

- Economic Distortion:

  - The prioritization of military spending over domestic needs would distort the economy, diverting resources away from infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

 

- Global Instability:

  - A focus on military solutions over diplomacy and development would increase global tensions and conflict, undermining long-term security.

 

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 8. Consolidation of Corporations and Erosion of Workers' Rights

- Corporate Monopolies:

  - The continued consolidation of major corporations into de facto trusts would reduce competition, leading to higher prices, lower quality, and fewer choices for consumers.

 

- Erosion of Workers' Rights:

  - The elimination of labor protections, the rise of at-will employment, and the weakening of unions would reduce workers to near-slavery conditions, with little job security, benefits, or opportunity for advancement.

 

- Economic Exploitation:

  - Workers would be forced to accept low wages, long hours, and unsafe conditions, with no recourse for grievances or collective bargaining.

 

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 9. Societal Collapse

- Social Unrest:

  - The combination of economic inequality, environmental degradation, and the erosion of workers' rights would lead to widespread social unrest, with protests, strikes, and potential violence.

 

- Loss of Trust in Institutions:

  - The failure of government and corporations to address the needs of the people would lead to a loss of trust in institutions, undermining democracy and social cohesion.

 

- Decline of the Middle Class:

  - The middle class would shrink or disappear, leaving a society divided between a wealthy elite and a struggling majority.

 

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 Conclusion

If every recommendation in the document were implemented, the United States would face a worst-case scenario of economic inequality, environmental degradation, social unrest, and the erosion of democracy. The consolidation of corporate power and the dismantling of workers' rights would reduce millions to near-slavery conditions, with little opportunity for upward mobility. The invisible costs of militarization and the retreat from environmental protections would further undermine long-term security and prosperity. This dystopian future would represent a betrayal of the American dream, leaving future generations to grapple with the consequences of short-sighted and cruel policies.


 

Part 3

 

It's a sobering exercise to consider the far-reaching consequences if every single recommendation in that document were enacted. Let's extrapolate the worst-case scenario across various aspects of American society:

1. Individuals and Families:

2. States and Local Governments:

3. Small Businesses:

4. Farms:

5. Long-Term Security, Prosperity, Personal Wealth Creation:

6. Scientific and Social Advancement:

7. Continued Consolidation of Major Corporations:

8. Environmental Impacts:

9. The Almost Invisible Costs Associated with the Military:

In Summary:

If all the recommendations in the document were implemented, the worst-case scenario would be a dystopian future characterized by:

It's a scenario where the promise of the American Dream becomes a distant memory for the vast majority of citizens.