As a conservative, I can sympathize with the Republicans and conservatives who wish to abolish the U.S. Department of Education. The Constitution does not empower the federal government to fund schooling. For much of our nation’s history, what children needed to know was a matter left to parents, localities and eventually states…. (Read more)
How senators can restore the world’s gre
Today’s Senate is dysfunctional by any measure. The “world’s greatest deliberative body” spends most of its time voting on routine presidential nominations to the executive and judicial branches. When the Senate does consider legislation, most senators feel they have little substantive input. Bills are crafted behind closed doors under the purview of party leaders. The […]
Good luck to the Congressional Research ...
Last week, the Library of Congress made an important announcement: The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is getting a new director. Karen Donfried will begin her 10-year term on Sept. 23. She takes over for interim director Robert Newlen, who has led the agency since July 2023. Little known off Capitol Hill, CRS is a hugely important […]
Congress won’t tackle the debt unless Am
Earlier this year, Gallup pollsters asked Americans how much they worry about the federal government’s deficit and debt. Seventy-seven percent worried about our nation’s red ink “a great deal” or “a fair amount.” This result was not unusual. Every year since 2011, between 63 and 87 percent of the individuals polled have said they were worried…. (Read more)
The end of Chevron deference isn’t the e
Last week, I had coffee with a wonk who works on immigration policy, a political moderate who is trying to get Capitol Hill to have a sane, bipartisan conversation about the topic and enact reforms. It is a challenge, seeing as how legislators frequently behave as if they would prefer to campaign and fundraise on […]
Want government to work better? Then hav...
Last month, President Joseph Biden announced new tariffs on steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles and some other items. His administration argues this action is retaliation for “China’s unfair trade practices” and aims to “protect American workers and businesses.” Cynics allege Biden is trying to appeal to voters considering voting for Donald J. Trump, who has thundered on and […]