Policy Papers
When the Fed Changes Rates
KEY TAKEAWAYS On March 3, the Federal Reserve announced an unscheduled 0.5% cut to the “federal funds rate” target range due to economic risks posed by the coronavirus. This rate is what banks charge each other to borrow money overnight. Changes to the rate can influence consumer interest rates for auto loans, credit cards, and savings accounts. The rate is one tool the Fed has to set monetary policy in support of the U.S. economy. On March 3, the Federal... Continue Reading
March 11, 2020
Delivering Health Care Through Telemedicine
KEY TAKEAWAYS Telemedicine is the use of technology and electronic communication to provide health care to patients, often in real time. It can address barriers to health care access such as physician shortages, especially in rural areas. Policy issues, such as those related to licensing and paying providers, can limit the use of these technologies. The coronavirus supplemental funding law included a provision to allow Medicare to cover more telemedicine services during the public health... Continue Reading
March 11, 2020
Protecting America's Supply of Rare Earth Elements
KEY TAKEAWAYS The United States economy and our military depend upon a ready supply of critical minerals, including a subset known as “rare earth elements” that are processed and used to make products ranging from common consumer electronics to advanced weapon systems. China now makes these critical materials that the United States previously produced domestically. Recent events, such as the impact of the coronavirus on production in China, have highlighted the problem of relying on... Continue Reading
March 10, 2020
A Decade of Repairing Damage Done by Obamacare
KEY TAKEAWAYS March 23 marks the 10th anniversary of Obamacare. For 10 years the law has failed to live up to its promise of reducing health care costs and has limited patients’ choice and access. Republicans in Congress have successfully repealed several of Obamacare’s worst and most expensive provisions. The Trump administration has taken numerous steps to provide more affordable health care options for Americans. Instead of fixing the broken health care system,... Continue Reading
March 10, 2020
Republican Health Care Accomplishments
KEY TAKEAWAYS Since President Trump took office, Republicans have worked hard – and accomplished a lot – to improve Americans’ health care. Republicans have repealed Obamacare taxes that hiked costs and stifled medical innovation, and they have helped get affordable generic drugs to the market faster. Congress and President Trump also have protected America’s youth from harmful tobacco products and have taken action to more quickly detect Alzheimer’s disease and... Continue Reading
March 6, 2020
February 2020 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 3.5 percent Jobs Created: 273,000 Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor reported the unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percentage point to 3.5% in February. Nonfarm jobs grew by 273,000 in February. Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal had expected 175,000 jobs. Job gains for December and January were higher than originally reported. The department revised the job creation numbers up for those months by a combined 85,000 jobs. The U-6... Continue Reading
March 5, 2020
Workers Reap the Benefits of Strong American Economy
KEY TAKEAWAYS Republicans’ pro-growth policies – including tax reform, deregulation, and expanding domestic energy production – have helped to make America’s economy bigger and stronger than ever. Since President Trump took office, millions of jobs have been created, and wages for American workers are growing at a solid pace. With unemployment near a half-century low, it’s no wonder most Americans say they are better off than they were three years ago. For the... Continue Reading
March 4, 2020
Update on Coronavirus Response - Phase I
KEY TAKEAWAYS The federal government continues to respond to the coronavirus, named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. Congress is providing $7.8 billion in supplemental funding to target research and development of vaccines and treatments, health system preparedness, support state and local public health departments; and to strengthen the national stockpile of medical supplies. This paper updates the report RPC published on February 13: Responding to... Continue Reading
March 3, 2020
Bolstering Election Security
KEY TAKEAWAYS Republicans in Congress have taken unprecedented steps to secure the 2020 elections and fight foreign election interference. The Democratic Party’s disastrous handling of its 2020 presidential caucus in Iowa has not been replicated in 2020 primaries administered by state governments. Since 2018, the federal government has provided more than $800 million for states to improve the administration of elections. Republicans in Congress have responded to foreign interference in... Continue Reading
February 27, 2020
Artificial Intelligence Today and Tomorrow
KEY TAKEAWAYS Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers to do tasks that normally require humanlike thinking, such as the ability to learn new tasks. Familiar items such as email spam filters and smart home devices use AI, as do emerging innovations like autonomous vehicles and advanced robotics. AI has the potential to change the way war is waged and will be key to the evolution of U.S. national security. Artificial intelligence is technology in which machines are given the ability... Continue Reading
February 26, 2020
Border Security Status Report
KEY TAKEAWAYS President Trump has built 126 miles of border wall since January 2017. The administration has received appropriations and identified authority to build 627 additional miles of border wall. Monthly border apprehensions in January were down significantly from the record numbers last summer but remain well above 2017 levels. Border Patrol estimates 140,000 migrants crossed our southern border illegally and evaded apprehension in 2019. Construction at our southern border is... Continue Reading
February 25, 2020
FISA Reauthorization
KEY TAKEAWAYS Four major authorities of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act will lapse on March 15 unless Congress reauthorizes them. The four are known as the “business records” provision, the “call detail records” authority, the “roving wiretaps” provision, and the “lone wolf” amendment. If these components of FISA lapse, the programs would mostly revert to their pre-9/11 status, reducing the federal government’s powers to... Continue Reading
February 13, 2020
Responding to Coronavirus
KEY TAKEAWAYS Cases of the 2019 coronavirus, recently named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, have been confirmed in the United States. The virus was first detected in Wuhan, China. The situation is evolving rapidly, and the U.S. is responding. Federal agencies are working with state and local health departments to provide test kits, guidelines for health care providers, and screenings to help limit the spread of the virus. Congress has provided authority and resources to enable... Continue Reading
February 12, 2020
Supreme Court Update
KEY TAKEAWAYS Major decisions from the Supreme Court’s 2019-20 term will likely start coming soon. The court will decide cases involving important Second Amendment, immigration, religious freedom, regulation, criminal law, and social issues. The legality of DACA rescission and the constitutional challenge to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will likely provoke public discussion regardless of the outcome. The 2019-20 Supreme Court term is shaping up to be noteworthy, and its... Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
A Record of Republican Accomplishment
KEY TAKEAWAYS The Senate wrapped up 2019 and began 2020 with a strong record of accomplishments for the American people. Republicans led progress on health care, tax reform, national security, trade, and education. Republicans in the Senate are ready to build on this momentum, move on from impeachment, and get to work on important priorities to benefit American families. The past few months have seen a flurry of activity by the Republican-led Senate. Congress has much more on its plate, and... Continue Reading
February 7, 2020
January 2020 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 3.6 percent Jobs Created: 225,000 Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor reported the unemployment rate ticked up to 3.6% in January. Nonfarm jobs grew by 225,000 in January. Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal had expected 158,000 jobs. Job growth for November and December was higher than originally reported. The department revised the job creation numbers up for those months by a combined 7,000 jobs. The U-6 unemployment rate, a measure... Continue Reading
January 10, 2020
December 2019 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 3.5 percent Jobs Created: 145,000 Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor reported the unemployment rate held steady at 3.5% in December. Nonfarm jobs grew by 145,000 in December. Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal had expected 160,000 jobs. Job growth for October and November was lower than originally reported. The department revised the job creation numbers down for those months by a combined 14,000 jobs. The U-6 unemployment rate, a... Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Rule XVI and Appropriations
KEY TAKEAWAYS Senate Standing Rule XVI governs the contents of amendments to appropriations bills. Chief among the restrictions include a requirement that all amendments be germane, as well as prohibitions against contingent funding limitations and general legislation, e.g., authorizing language. If the underlying House text violates the prohibition on general legislation, however, a 1979 precedent allows the Senate to respond with a germane modification. Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the... Continue Reading
December 17, 2019
Access to Mental Health Care
KEY TAKEAWAYS Last year, one in five American adults had a diagnosable mental illness, though only 43% got care. Many people who do seek care go to an emergency room, which may not be equipped to help them continue treatment. Certified community behavioral health clinics are one way the federal government is attempting to more appropriately coordinate mental health care. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 47 million American adults had... Continue Reading
December 17, 2019
Common Technology and Cybersecurity Terms
KEY TAKEAWAYS The technological change that will take place over the next decade will touch every industry and affect the way we travel, communicate, work, and live. This paper provides definitions and brief overviews of some common technology and cybersecurity terms that have significant public policy implications. The technological change that is taking place and will take place over the next decade constitutes nothing short of a fourth industrial revolution. It will touch every industry and... Continue Reading