Policy Papers
Dems Target Affordable Health Care Again
KEY TAKEAWAYS House Democrats want to eliminate affordable health insurance options like short-term limited-duration plans and association health plans. Their proposal would reduce choice, forcing Americans back into a one-size-fits-all Obamacare plan with no alternative. States would lose the flexibility to innovate and improve their damaged insurance marketplaces. The latest attempt by Democrats to control Americans’ health care is the “Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions... Continue Reading
April 5, 2019
March 2019 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent Jobs Created: 196,000 Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor reported the unemployment rate stayed at 3.8 percent in March. Nonfarm jobs grew by 196,000 in March. Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal had expected 175,000 jobs. Job growth in January and February was stronger than originally reported. Labor revised the numbers for those months upward by a combined 14,000. The U-6 unemployment rate, a measure that also... Continue Reading
April 2, 2019
End Obstruction of Nominees
KEY TAKEAWAYS Senate Democrats’ unprecedented campaign of obstruction against President Trump’s nominees must end. Many of the president’s nominees have been confirmed with overwhelming bipartisan support, which suggests Democrats are using the cloture process to waste time. The proposed changes to post-cloture debate time would protect legitimate debate, trim unnecessary delays, and allow highly qualified men and women to serve the American people. Democrats have been... Continue Reading
March 26, 2019
USMCA: Where Things Stand
KEY TAKEAWAYS In order to be considered under the expedited trade promotion authority process, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement must be passed by both chambers of Congress within 90 session days of the implementing bill’s introduction. The implementing bill has not yet been introduced, and it will not be introduced until at least 30 days after the draft bill and supporting materials have been submitted to Congress. A report by the U.S. International Trade Commission on the likely economic... Continue Reading
March 20, 2019
Progress Continues on Judicial Confirmations
KEY TAKEAWAYS During the 115th Congress, the Senate confirmed 30 circuit court judges, a modern record for a president’s first Congress. We have confirmed six more in the 116th Congress, leaving just ten circuit court vacancies across the country, and only four without nominees to fill them. There are still 129 vacancies on district courts, 75 without nominees, and more will likely arise. The Senate’s push to confirm judicial nominees continues to transform the federal courts.... Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
Medicare for None: No Options, No Choice
KEY TAKEAWAYS House Democrats have introduced new legislation to put the federal government in control of Americans’ health care choices. “Medicare for All” – better described as “Medicare for None” – would make private and employer-sponsored coverage illegal, forcing Americans into a one-size-fits-all health care plan. The cost will be so exorbitant it will inevitably mean higher taxes and lower wages for Americans across the board. House Democrats... Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
H.R. 1: Federalizing Elections and Chilling Speech
KEY TAKEAWAYS House Democrats’ massive, costly election “reform” bill would impose unprecedented federal control over how states administer elections and would build vast new regulatory schemes. The bill would mandate massive changes in voter registration while making it harder to ensure registration lists are accurate, thereby encouraging fraud. Even the American Civil Liberties Union has criticized H.R. 1’s unconstitutional chilling of political speech by forcing... Continue Reading
March 8, 2019
February 2019 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent Jobs Created: 20,000 Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor reported the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage point to 3.8 percent in February. Nonfarm jobs grew by 20,000 in February, as employers continued their hiring streak for the 101st month in a row. Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal had expected about 180,000 jobs. Job growth in December and January was stronger than originally reported. Labor revised the jobs numbers for... Continue Reading
March 5, 2019
Green New Deal: Nonsense on Stilts
KEY TAKEAWAYS The Green New Deal is primarily a vehicle for socialist policies that have nothing to do with climate change. It would cost up to $93 trillion over 10 years, and the vast majority of the cost would come from the parts that have the least to do with climate change. Many parts of the GND are simply bizarre, including commitments to “repair historic oppression of … youth” and guaranteeing paid vacations. The Green New Deal is possibly the most expensive, most... Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
INF Treaty - Russian Cheating and American Suspension
KEY TAKEAWAYS Since 2014, Russia has violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty by developing a ground-launched cruise missile. Secretary of State Pompeo joined NATO in declaring that Russia was in material breach of the treaty on December 4, 2018. Russia had 60 days to return to compliance and did not do so. On February 2, 2019, the United States suspended its compliance with the INF Treaty due to Russia taking no steps to address its violations. Under the terms of the treaty, the... Continue Reading
February 11, 2019
Andrew Wheeler: Nominee for EPA Administrator
KEY TAKEAWAYS Andrew Wheeler has worked in the environmental field for 25 years. He served as a career employee at EPA under Republican and Democratic presidents and for 12 years on the Environment and Public Works Committee in the Senate. Wheeler has served as acting administrator of the EPA since July 2018 and has shown himself to be a prudent executor of administration policy. Andrew Wheeler’s professional experience and current work as acting administrator of the EPA makes him an... Continue Reading
February 6, 2019
Crises Mount in Venezuela
KEY TAKEAWAYS The United States recognized a new leader for Venezuela and has increased sanctions on the Maduro regime. Conditions in Venezuela are worsening, with much of the country in poverty and many Venezuelans malnourished or starving. The United States has joined many other countries around the world in recognizing Juan Guaido and pushing for the removal of Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela’s humanitarian, political, and economic crises continue under the socialist regime of Nicolas... Continue Reading
February 5, 2019
William Barr: Nominee for Attorney General
KEY TAKEAWAYS William Barr is one of the most qualified attorney general nominees in history, having already served as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush. He also served as an intelligence analyst at CIA, assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel, and deputy attorney general. Barr has shown exemplary independence, promising to allow completion of the Mueller investigation and praising the tenure of Jeff Sessions as attorney general. As a... Continue Reading
February 1, 2019
January 2019 Jobs Report
Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor reported the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.0 percent in January. Nonfarm jobs grew by 304,000 in January. Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal had expected 170,000 jobs. Labor revised the jobs gains for November and December downward by a combined 70,000. The U-6 unemployment rate, a measure that also includes part-time and discouraged workers, was 8.1 percent, up from the previous month but down from a year... Continue Reading
January 15, 2019
Keeping Up the Fight on Nominations
KEY TAKEAWAYS During the 115th Congress, the Senate confirmed 30 circuit court judges, a modern record for a president’s first Congress. That progress came despite unprecedented Democrat obstruction that caused the most returned nominees – for judicial and executive branch jobs – of any president since Ronald Reagan. There are still 132 federal district and circuit court vacancies to fill, and more will likely arise. Major nomination hearings of the 116th Congress start this... Continue Reading
January 10, 2019
Democrats Mislead Americans on Border Security
KEY TAKEAWAYS The border barrier is an effective mechanism for border control when combined with deployed personnel and technology. Deeply misleading statements by leading Democrats are poisoning the debate on the border barrier. Democrats now oppose a border barrier by claiming it will not work, despite their past support and evidence to the contrary. Congressional Democrats continue to mislead the public regarding President Trump’s request for border security. Consider the facts... Continue Reading
January 9, 2019
2019 Policy Calendar
January 4, 2019
December 2018 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 3.9 percent Jobs Created: 312,000 Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor reported the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage point to 3.9 percent in December. One year ago, unemployment stood at 4.1 percent. Nonfarm jobs grew by 312,000 in December. Sectors with gains include construction (38,000), manufacturing (32,000), and health care (50,000). Job growth in the previous two months was stronger than originally reported. The department revised the numbers... Continue Reading
December 11, 2018
Green New Deal: A Crazy, Expensive Mess
KEY TAKEAWAYS The Green New Deal proposes carbon neutrality and 100 percent renewable power within 10 years – experts say the latter goal is impossible by 2050, let alone 2029. All-renewable electricity would mean closing every nuclear, coal, and natural gas plant and would cost $7 trillion. The Green New Deal’s job guarantee would replace productive work with federally backed make-work jobs, distorting the labor market and hurting private businesses. House... Continue Reading
December 7, 2018
November 2018 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 3.7 percent Jobs Created: 155,000 Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor reported the unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent in November, the same as the previous two months. It is the lowest rate in 49 years. Nonfarm jobs grew by 155,000 in November. Sectors with gains include manufacturing (27,000), health care (32,000), and transportation and warehousing (25,000). The U.S. has created more than 2.2 million new jobs since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became... Continue Reading
