H.R. 8653 aims to create a grant program under the Department of Transportation. This program would fund demonstration projects focused on improving the resilience of critical transportation infrastructure against natural hazards, such as floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. The goal is to ensure that transportation systems can withstand the impacts of these events and continue to function effectively.
Supporters of H.R. 8653 have praised the bill for its proactive approach to enhancing transportation infrastructure resilience. They argue that investing in these projects is essential for public safety and can help mitigate the economic impacts of natural disasters. The grant program is seen as a necessary step toward modernizing infrastructure to adapt to climate change and extreme weather events.
Critics of H.R. 8653 have raised concerns about the potential for misallocation of funds and the bureaucratic challenges associated with grant programs. Some argue that the bill may not adequately address the root causes of infrastructure vulnerability and could lead to ineffective spending. Additionally, there are worries that the focus on demonstration projects might divert attention from immediate infrastructure needs.
While there are no direct industry overlaps between the sponsor's top donor industries and the subject matter of H.R. 8653, the lobbying activity in the transportation infrastructure policy area raises some concerns. Notably, DIRSHU INTERNATIONAL has contributed $100,000 through MERKAVA STRATEGIES CORPORATION, which could indicate a vested interest in the outcomes of transportation infrastructure grants. The undisclosed lobbying activities by various organizations, including DIGITALEUROPE and others, suggest potential influences that are not transparent. Voters should be aware that while the bill aims to enhance resilience against natural hazards, the involvement of lobbyists with undisclosed interests could lead to decisions that favor specific entities over public welfare.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DIRSHU INTERNATIONAL | MERKAVA STRATEGIES CORPORATION | $100,000 |
| CEO WORKS | SAUNDERS GLOBAL DIPLOMACY | $45,000 |
| KAZI IG | SAUNDERS GLOBAL DIPLOMACY | $15,000 |
| SOUTHERN FOLGER CONTRACTING | BBT STRATEGIES LLC | $10,000 |
| WATERFRONT GLOBAL | BBT STRATEGIES LLC | $5,200 |
| DIGITALEUROPE | VIVID STRATEGIES LLC | undisclosed |
| INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MERKAVA STRATEGIES CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| DR. STEPHEN SOLOWAY | MERKAVA STRATEGIES CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| ONE ISRAEL FUND | MERKAVA STRATEGIES CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| HEMOGLOBIN OXYGEN THERAPEUTICS | MERKAVA STRATEGIES CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| ATAOLLAH AMINPOUR | MERKAVA STRATEGIES CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| HERSEL NEMAN | MERKAVA STRATEGIES CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| MORAD BEN NEMAN | MERKAVA STRATEGIES CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| MARK SCOTT | MERKAVA STRATEGIES CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| BORIS MINTS | MERKAVA STRATEGIES CORPORATION | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding John Garamendi, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
