The United States lacks effective energy policy responses in the event of a major oil crisis. This was the conclusion reached at a recent simulation by Securing America’s Future Energy. Little surprise here: We arrived at the same conclusion in three energy simulation exercises conducted at The Heritage Foundation in 2007, 2008, and 2010. These exercises, in which top current and former government officials, diplomats, and experts participated, demonstrated that there are significant security and diplomatic vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks. The dangers the Heritage energy game identified included domestic and …
President Obama will bypass Elizabeth Warren to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and instead nominate former Ohio attorney general Richard Cordray to the post. The White House announcement on Sunday ends months of uncertainty about whether the President would accede to the demands of Warren’s steadfast supporters or acquiesce to staunch critics who vowed to block her Senate confirmation. With that matter now settled, public attention—and that of lawmakers, in particular—should focus on fixing the structural flaws that allow the bureau to exercise excessive regulatory powers without adequate …
As Congress struggles to find a way to cut spending as part of raising the $14 trillion debt ceiling, they should take a close look at the more than $1 trillion spent every year on welfare. You’ll be surprised to learn that many of the 30 million Americans defined as “poor” and in need of government assistance aren’t quite what you’d expect—rather than homeless and on the streets, the average poor American household has luxuries like air conditioning, cable TV, and X-box video game consoles. In their new report, What …
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s path to Congress is unlike many others. Representing the 18th congressional district of Florida, she has been one of Congress’ leading voices for democracy and human rights for nearly two decades, and as a political refugee herself from Cuba, it’s fitting that she now chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Born in communist Cuba, Ros-Lehtinen fled the regime with her parents when she was only eight years old and together they successfully made their way to America. After graduating college, she became a teacher before eventually entering politics. Her …
Next week will be a big week in the House for the fight over the debt ceiling increase. On Tuesday the House will vote on the cut, cap and balance plan that would reduce spending, enact a statutory spending cap and make an increase in the debt ceiling contingent on the passage of a balance budget amendment to the Constitution. On Friday the House will vote on that balance budget amendment. These will be major votes as the administration’s stated August 2nd deadline to raise the debt ceiling approaches.
“Harry Potter” fans everywhere helped make the eighth and final movie the highest-grossing opening of all time at both U.S. and international box offices with a total of $475.5 million. That’s a lot of money, but still nowhere near trillions in debt crippling Washington. The White House and congressional leaders continue talking this week. The establishment continues to rally around Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) politically motivated plan that would do nothing to reform Washington’s spending addiction. Conservatives in the House have so far shown little interest in McConnell’s …
Turkish authorities arrested 15 suspected al-Qaeda militants this week and foiled a plot to bomb the U.S. embassy in Ankara shortly before Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was scheduled to arrive in Turkey for a diplomatic conference regarding Libya. This should serve as a reminder that al-Qaeda has survived the loss of its founder, Osama bin Laden, in May and still poses a threat to Americans and American national interests. Al-Qaeda long has operated within Turkey. Last month, Turkish police arrested 10 al-Qaeda suspects in the city of Adana, near …
Throughout the debate over the debt limit these past few weeks, Americans have become increasingly alarmed with our nation’s staggering $14.3 trillion debt. Many might wonder how the government is ever going to repay its mounting debt. Unfortunately, that responsibility will fall to the Debt-Paying Generation (ages 5-30). Currently, every citizen owns $31,871 of the national debt, but each American’s share of national debt is growing. If current spending patterns continue, by the time 5-year-olds are 45, they will each be responsible for $279,738 of the debt. Bill Beach, director …
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) says the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is finally “beginning to break down the walls of silence and refusal” from the Obama administration about the Operation Fast and Furious scandal. As its chairman, Issa has doggedly pursued answers on the illegal gun trafficking operation run by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This week on Scribecast, we spoke to Issa about Operation Fast and Furious, his investigation of President Obama’s questionable fundraising activities at the White House, and his plan for reforming the U.S. Postal Service. …
Social Security is currently unsustainable. It began running deficits in 2010 and its trust fund will be exhausted by 2036, which is when seniors will see about a 25 percent cut in benefits. This is the scenario we face if Congress and the President fail to enact meaningful entitlement reform and continue reckless fiscal policies. This course is reversible, however. At a recent House Budget Committee hearing on the fiscal facts concerning Medicare and Social Security, Members were divided on how to save Social Security. Despite hearing from Steve Goss, …
