Policy Papers
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Europe's Tax Grab
The European Union is attempting to penalize American companies for organizing their businesses in a way that legally minimizes their tax burden. The EU’s real complaint should be with EU nations’ complicated tax laws. The EU is attempting to retroactively increase the tax burden on American companies, which will increase U.S. deficits. Today, the European Union announced a ruling against Apple, ordering Ireland to collect up to $14.6 billion in back taxes from the company. This and... Continue Reading
August 5, 2016
July 2016 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 4.9 percent Unemployed Americans: 7.8 million Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor reported an unemployment rate of 4.9 percent for July, unchanged from last month. The jobs report shows an increase of 255,000 nonfarm jobs in July, exceeding analysts’ prediction of job growth around 185,000. Employment for May was revised up from 11,000 to 24,000 jobs created; and June was revised up from 287,000 to 292,000. Revisions showed employers added 18,000... Continue Reading
July 29, 2016
Obama Running Out of Time to Grow Economy
The U.S. economy grew at a 1.2 percent in the second quarter of 2016. The previous two quarters grew at a revised rate of below 1 percent. President Obama has not worked with Congress on pro-growth policies during his presidency. The U.S. economy grew at an inflation-adjusted rate of 1.2 percent in the second quarter of 2016, according to the Commerce Department. While this growth is higher than the previous two quarters, it is less than half of the 2.6 percent growth economists had expected.... Continue Reading
July 8, 2016
June 2016 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 4.9 percent Unemployed Americans: 7.8 million Employment and Unemployment The Department of Labor reported an unemployment rate of 4.9 percent for June, an increase of 0.2 percentage points. The jobs report shows an increase of 287,000 nonfarm jobs in June. Employment for April was revised up from 123,000 to 144,000 jobs created; and May was revised down from 38,000 to 11,000. Revisions showed employers added 6,000 fewer jobs in April and May than previously... Continue Reading
July 7, 2016
Deficit Spending is a Sugar High
Two ways to pay for government “investment” are by reducing other spending or by borrowing. Deficit-financed federal investment expands the economy at first, but then shrinks the economy in later years. The best option for financing federal investment is to cut spending elsewhere. Last month CBO issued a report analyzing the effects of federal investment spending on the economy. It concluded that deficit-financed investment by Washington expands the economy at first, but then... Continue Reading
July 6, 2016
A Very Productive Start to 2016 II
The Senate is back to work, and has acted on a broad list of bipartisan bills. This is in addition to the basic functions of funding the government. Democrats continue to delay vital resources for urgent health and security priorities – such as funding for Zika and veterans. In 2016 alone, the Senate has considered 231 amendments, of which 205 passed. The Republican Senate continues to be productive. In the first half of 2016, the Senate took action on some of the most pressing issues... Continue Reading
July 6, 2016
A String of Stinging Rebukes
There is a growing list of judicial slap-downs regarding the administration’s out-of-control, anti-energy regulatory agenda. Last month, a federal judge in Wyoming blocked another Obama administration power grab when he struck down its rule governing hydraulic fracturing on federal and Indian land. Another Democrat in the White House would continue the Obama administration’s abuse of power in order to advance policies that hurt coal, oil, and natural gas. As the end of the Obama... Continue Reading
July 6, 2016
Dealing with Criminal Immigrants
The Senate is scheduled to vote Wednesday on the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act and Kate’s Law. Both bills respond to the tragic death of Kate Steinle at the hands of a repeatedly deported criminal alien released onto the streets as a result of San Francisco’s “sanctuary” policy. On Wednesday, the Senate is scheduled to vote on cloture on the motions to proceed to Senator Pat Toomey’s Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act and Senator Ted Cruz’s Stop... Continue Reading
July 6, 2016
One Standard on GMO Disclosure
The Senate is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a measure dealing with bioengineered foods disclosure. Individual states have begun creating a patchwork of labeling mandates, with Vermont’s rule taking effect on July 1. The amendment would set a national standard and preempt state standards. The Senate is scheduled to vote Wednesday afternoon on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 764 with Roberts amendment 4935. This amendment would establish a national mandatory bioengineered... Continue Reading
July 1, 2016
10 Times the Obama Administration Missed a Chance to Defend Americans’ Freedom
1. Failed to provide a strategy for defeating ISIS both at home and abroad. Source: replygif 2. Pushed for more taxes and more bureaucracy in the president’s budget. Whatever happened to limited government? Source: giphy 3. Chopped away at freedom on the internet and imposed regulations that will stifle innovation. Source: Tumblr (NutzandBoltz) 4. Vetoed a bill that would restore Americans' freedom to make decisions over their health care. Fewer choices = less... Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
Internet Oversight in Transition
On June 9, the Obama administration approved the transition plan for some oversight of the internet away from the Department of Commerce to a global multi-stakeholder community. While the federal government’s oversight of the internet was intended to be transferred to a private entity. The transition plan was delayed over concerns about the makeup, operation, security, and openness of the internet under a new regime. These concerns still exist. The Department of Commerce’s contract... Continue Reading
June 29, 2016
Overtime Rule to Shrink Salaried Workforce
The salary threshold doubled in the Department of Labor’s recent revision to the overtime rule and will multiply every three years as the threshold automatically updates. The overtime rule will limit access to management positions for many workers. Within a few years, only two-thirds of salaried positions that existed in 2016 would remain exempt from overtime requirements. The Department of Labor’s final overtime rule more than doubles – from $23,660 to $47,476 – the... Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
Supreme Court Update III June 2016
On Monday, the Supreme Court finished its 2015-16 term. Since last Tuesday, the court has released decisions in its final eight cases, including decisions on the president’s executive amnesty and health restrictions on abortion facilities. This brings the number of decisions announced since Justice Scalia’s death to 61. The court split in only four of these cases, while 23 were unanimous. The more notable decisions of last week were: SUBJECT BACKGROUND Executive... Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
SCOTUS Blocks Obama Executive Amnesty
Last week the Supreme Court blocked President Obama’s executive amnesty plan. With the court split 4-4, a lower court’s preliminary injunction against the program will remain in place while the case returns to the district court for a final determination. In practical terms, this means the next president will decide whether to continue litigating or end the misguided program. Last week, the Supreme Court split 4-4 in deciding United States v. Texas, a challenge to the... Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
Trustees Reports Show Need for Reform Now
Last week, the trustees for Medicare and Social Security issued stern new warnings about the finances of both programs. The Medicare trust fund will be bankrupt in 2028 if it remains on its current course, and harsh IPAB cuts could be triggered next year. Social Security is on pace to go bust in 2034. If nothing is done, benefits will need to be cut by 21 percent. Last week, the trustees for Medicare and Social Security issued their annual reports outlining each program’s finances. Both... Continue Reading
June 22, 2016
EPA Methane Rule Harms Americans, Helps OPEC
On May 12, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule governing methane emissions from new and modified equipment in the oil and gas industry. The rule is unnecessary because America’s oil and gas producers are already voluntarily reducing their methane emissions, which makes good business sense. The rule adds costs to America’s oil and gas production that will harm America’s energy consumers and help America’s foreign competitors like Russia and OPEC. At... Continue Reading
June 22, 2016
Brexit Explained
The United Kingdom has negotiated “a new settlement” with the European Union. The British people will vote on Thursday on whether to remain in the EU on these new terms or to leave the EU. The major themes of these new terms involve issues of sovereignty, competitiveness (regulatory burdens), immigration (government benefits), and economic governance (Eurozone issues). While campaigning in 2013, David Cameron promised the British people that he would negotiate “a new... Continue Reading
June 21, 2016
ISIS Safe Haven "Big, big part" of its Threat
The CIA director explained last week that the existence of an ISIS safe haven in Iraq and Syria is a “big, big part” of ISIS’ expansion worldwide. Defeating ISIS first requires a recognition that the war against these Islamist terrorists will not end on timetables that President Obama outlines in political speeches. It will end with the forcible defeat of the enemy. As the CIA director advised: “we must take the fight to them. ... We must deny them a safe haven,”... Continue Reading
June 21, 2016
Obamacare Premiums Rise in Major Cities
A new analysis finds premium increases for 2017 could be significantly higher than in previous years. Benchmark silver plan premiums could increase double digits. In order to keep costs down, Americans may be forced to find new plans and doctors, further undermining President Obama’s promises. A new Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of health insurers’ preliminary rate filings shows Obamacare premiums in major cities could rise more in 2017 than they have in the past. The analysis... Continue Reading
June 21, 2016
Supreme Court Update II June 2016
The Supreme Court will finish its 2015-16 term at the end of this month. Since last Tuesday, the Supreme Court has released opinions in eight cases, but it did not address those most politically controversial. Among those decided were three criminal law cases, covering the admissibility of evidence obtained as a result of an unconstitutional search, the extraterritoriality of RICO, and the standard for establishing the interstate commerce element of a federal... Continue Reading