Policy Papers
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9 Scary Things the Obama Administration Did This Year
1) Frightened 26 states into filing lawsuits against EPA’s power plant rule. source: Fanaru 2) Spooked American families, businesses, states, Congress – even federal judges – with EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule. Source: Universal/Halloweenmagick tumblr 3) Haunted the American economy with ongoing regulatory assault on energy and manufacturing. source: tumblr 4) Tricked Americans into tasting a regulatory stew by downplaying costs and inflating... Continue Reading
October 29, 2015
Disappointing Economic Growth Yet Again
Inflation-adjusted GDP grew at an annualized rate of 1.5 percent in the third quarter of 2015. Private domestic investment took a hit, decreasing 5.6 percent from the previous quarter. Today the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that inflation-adjusted GDP grew at an annualized rate of 1.5 percent in the third quarter of 2015. In the last four quarters, the economy has grown at only 2 percent. Two of the largest components of our nation’s economy also... Continue Reading
October 27, 2015
Avalanche of Opposition Hits EPA’s CO2 Rule
President Obama’s new rule governing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants will burden an already struggling American economy. The administration published the rule last Friday, opening the door for a legal and legislative fight. Twenty-six states filed lawsuits to block the rule in court. Senators McConnell and Capito will file legislation to block the rule in the Senate. Last Friday, the Obama administration formally published its rule governing carbon dioxide emissions from... Continue Reading
October 21, 2015
Obamacare Crushing Rural Hospitals
Obamacare has been a major factor causing rural hospitals to shut down. Last week a hospital in Kansas became the 56th rural hospital to close since 2010. Across America, another 283 rural hospitals are on the brink of closure. Last week Mercy Hospital – a 75-bed rural hospital in Independence, Kansas – was forced to close. The hospital was the center of care in Independence for a century. It was also a centerpiece of the local economy, providing nearly 200 jobs. Rural Hospitals... Continue Reading
October 20, 2015
Federal Judges Cast Doubt on WOTUS
The EPA and Army Corps of Engineers recently issued a rule giving themselves broad new power over water and land across the country. The rule is a Washington power grab that has more to do with controlling land-use decisions than ensuring access to clean water. A federal court has blocked implementation because challengers to the rule have “demonstrated a substantial possibility of success on the merits of their claims.” The Obama administration has issued a rule vastly expanding... Continue Reading
October 20, 2015
Obamacare into 2016 Showing More Signs of Failure
The Obama administration cut in half the projections for how many people would be enrolled in Obamacare next year. Four of Obamacare’s co-ops failed in just one week. So far, more than a third of the 23 co-ops have collapsed, and more are in trouble. Going into next year, Obamacare continues to threaten the health insurance families rely on. Obama Administration Lowers Expectations When the Democrats’ health care law passed, CBO estimated that the Obamacare exchanges would grow to... Continue Reading
October 6, 2015
October 2015 Policy Calendar
October 6, 2015
EPA’S Ozone Rule “Will Inflict Pain”
Last Thursday, EPA finalized a new ozone standard of 70 parts per billion. This standard will push large swaths of the country into “non-attainment” with national ambient air quality standards. It is the latest volley in the Obama administration’s regulatory assault on the American economy. Last Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized an ozone standard of 70 parts per billion. This was down from 75 ppb established in 2008 by the Bush administration. EPA... Continue Reading
October 6, 2015
Helping Workers Hurt by Obamacare
Obamacare subjects employers with 51 to 100 workers to new mandates starting in January 2016. Last week, the House and Senate passed H.R. 1624, the House version of Senator Tim Scott’s bill. The bill restores the authority states had before Obamacare to define a “small group market” in the best way for that state. “As a former small business owner, I know that when the government forces you to spend more money on something, that means less money for raises, bonuses,... Continue Reading
October 2, 2015
September 2015 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 5.1 percent Unemployed Americans: 7.9 million Employment and Unemployment The U.S economy posted another month of weaker-than-anticipated job growth, coupled with adjustments that showed weaker job growth than previously reported over the summer. The Department of Labor reported an unemployment rate of 5.1 percent for September, unchanged from last month. It reported an increase of 142,000 nonfarm jobs in September. Economists... Continue Reading
September 30, 2015
Federal Audits Find More Obamacare Problems
An HHS audit found millions of Obamacare users’ data on HealthCare.gov is at risk, meaning people’s personal information could be stolen. A second HHS audit found HealthCare.gov contracts were poorly managed, costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. A Treasury audit said that the IRS was unable to verify premium data for health insurers so it couldn’t adequately assess taxes. There is more bad Obamacare news – this time from the administration’s own... Continue Reading
September 29, 2015
Supreme Court Begins New Term
The U.S. Supreme Court returns to work next Monday, October 5. The court has already scheduled 34 cases for oral argument and will add more in the coming months. The Supreme Court has been setting its docket for the new term that begins on October 5. So far, there are 34 cases scheduled, and more are expected to be added. The court will take up questions in several important areas. First Amendment Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association: The court will consider whether public-sector... Continue Reading
September 29, 2015
Obamacare Costs Outstripping Wages
Over the last five years, employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have risen twice as fast as wages; deductibles have risen almost seven times as fast. Premiums for the average employer-sponsored individual insurance plan are more than $6,000 a year, an increase of 24 percent from 2010. Deductibles for individual plans in the employer-sponsored market are up an average of 67 percent to over $1,000. President Obama promised premiums would decline $2,500 per family; instead average... Continue Reading
September 22, 2015
Senate Democrats Filibuster Defense Funding
31 Democrats supported the bill that authorizes our defense dollars, but they oppose the bill that actually appropriates them. The appropriations process is one of the basic parts of governing. Democrats did not have much enthusiasm for appropriations when they were in the majority, and they now stand in the way of Republicans trying to fulfill this basic responsibility. Today, once again, Senate Democrats filibustered the motion to proceed to the defense appropriations bill. This bipartisan... Continue Reading
September 22, 2015
Energy Exports Support American Security
By lifting sanctions on Iranian oil exports, the administration will allow that country to nearly double its exports. Last week, President Obama and Hillary Clinton signaled their support for maintaining the ban when they dismissed House legislation to repeal it. America can ratchet up its geopolitical leverage and supercharge its economic prosperity by lifting its crude oil export ban. President Obama and Hillary Clinton continue to hold back America by banning crude oil exports. President... Continue Reading
September 22, 2015
What’s Coming for Health Care This Fall
The last few months of this year will be filled with health care developments. An approaching set of Obamacare deadlines will begin to do even more harm to hard-working Americans. The fall presents opportunities for Republicans to push forward conservative health care priorities. Higher premiums. Families this fall will learn how much higher their Obamacare premiums will be next year. In June, the federal government released data on the substantially higher rates that health insurers... Continue Reading
September 16, 2015
Expiring Provisions
Starting in January, the new Republican Senate finished the remaining business left by the previous Democrat Senate. The Republican Senate then acted on important priorities for the American people like a balanced budget and education reform. The Senate is prepared to tackle the high profile issues that must be resolved during the fall. The Senate has been working more and better than it did under Democrat control, and more work remains to be done. This includes a long list of things to take... Continue Reading
September 9, 2015
While we were away: Obamacare Failing its Enrollees
Enrollment in Obamacare exchange plans is now just 9.9 million people, 30 percent less than CBO had predicted. Obamacare enrollees are unsatisfied with their plan and the cost of coverage, despite it being heavily subsidized. 2016 rate increases are being approved, even though the president said they would come down from initial filings. Louisiana and Nevada co-ops are the latest to fail, and many more are financially unsound. News over August and into September continued to show Americans... Continue Reading
September 4, 2015
August 2015 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 5.1 percent Unemployed Americans: 8.0 million Employment and Unemployment Employment growth slowed in August with the unemployment rate falling more than expected due to a smaller labor force. The Department of Labor reported an unemployment rate of 5.1 percent for August, down 0.2 percent from last month. It reported an increase of 173,000 nonfarm jobs in August. Economists had projected job growth in August to be 220,000. Employment for June was revised up from... Continue Reading
August 28, 2015
Federal District Court Blocks Water Rule
The EPA and Army Corps of Engineers issued a final rule that expands federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act to non-navigable waters. The rule is another Washington power grab that has more to do with controlling land-use decisions than ensuring access to clean water. Yesterday, a federal district court issued a preliminary injunction against implementation of the rule, which was scheduled to begin today. Yesterday, a federal district court in North Dakota issued a preliminary... Continue Reading