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    What Are Economists Really Saying About Tax Rate Increases?

    On Friday, Representative Pete Sessions (R–TX) and House Speaker John Boehner (R–OH) ran afoul of Glenn Kessler’s “Fact Checker” blog regarding a study of President Obama’s proposed tax increase. Before deciding on a tax change, policymakers are wise to look at the economic impacts of the change. Two Studies In … More

    Morning Bell: The Threats of a Lame Duck Congress

    The lame-duck session begins today, with retiring and defeated Members of Congress coming back to Washington to make their last legislative decisions. Because of the lack of accountability to voters, the lame-duck period brings heightened scrutiny. Congress has 16 working days scheduled between now and the end of the year, … More

    Morning Bell: The President’s Top 5 Immediate Problems

    Now that President Obama will never face re-election again, it is time for the campaigning to end. Perpetual political rhetoric and promises do not matter any more. Action—and leadership—are sorely needed on pressing issues that threaten the United States. America’s people are under threats to their livelihoods, their protection, and … More

    Former Navy Chief: “Military Must Be Kept Strong”

    Retired Admiral Gary Roughead, former chief of naval operations, recently expressed concerns over looming defense cuts caused by sequestration. He joins a chorus that includes the current service chiefs, the Secretary of Defense, and the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in urging political leaders to find a … More

    Morning Bell: Unemployment Rate Inches Back Up

    The October jobs report essentially agrees with the rest of the current data on the economy—the economy is growing slowly, too slowly to bring down unemployment rapidly. In fact, the unemployment rate rose to 7.9 percent in October and the economy created about 171,000 jobs, roughly equal to the usual … More

    Morning Bell: The Specter of Taxmageddon Rises

    On this Halloween, a truly frightening specter is looming. No amount of garlic, crosses, or exorcists can help us—only Congress and the President can chase this ghoul away. It’s Taxmageddon. A horrifying combination of expiring pro-growth tax policies from 2001 and 2003, the end of the once-temporary payroll tax cut, … More

    Obama Already Banking on Sequestration?

    When the topic of sequestration arose during the final presidential debate Monday, President Obama declared, “It will not happen.” Considering that Obama has also previously declared that he would veto any bill attempting to get rid of the defense portion of the cuts unless it includes tax increases, many were … More

    Sequestration: Spending Cuts Needed, but Get the Policies Right

    Tonight’s presidential debate is a good opportunity for President Obama and Governor Mitt Romney to tell the nation what they would do about our spending crisis and the looming fiscal cliff—in particular, the problem of the automatic defense budget cuts. Leadership on this issue is crucial. Some conservative lawmakers are … More

    Morning Bell: 10 Questions for the First Presidential Debate

    Tonight’s debate between President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney is supposed to focus on domestic policy, with a major concentration on the economy. Health care, the role of government, and philosophy of governing are also on the agenda. The Heritage Foundation’s policy experts have submitted 10 questions they … More

    Chart of the Week: Obamacare’s Barrage of Tax Hikes Coming in 2013

    The first presidential debate takes place in Denver on Wednesday with a focus on domestic issues, including President Obama’s unpopular health-care law. Obamacare imposes numerous tax increases on Americans, totaling more than $500 billion over a 10-year period. According to Heritage’s analysis, these higher tax rates on income and investment … More