The Lazy Senate

March 8, 2018

Congress loves to pretend to be working while not actually doing much of anything. It’s a Swamp specialty. This is particularly true in theUnited States Senate, where Republican leaders blame Democrat obstruction and obscure rules for their inability to get things done. CPI’s Policy Director, Rachel Bovard, has written extensively about how, in failing to do […]

How Much Amnesty?

January 30, 2018

NumbersUSA has put together a comparison of the amnesty give-aways and other policies contained in the President’s proposal, and various other proposals that are making their way through Congress. Take a look.

Conservative concerns with White House amnesty compromise

January 28, 2018

After Democrats shutdown the government over demands for amnesty for 800,000 young illegal immigrants who took part in former President Obama’s unconstitutional DACA program, the Trump White House recently proposed a compromise. The newly unveiled plan includes: Immediate amnesty for 1.8 million illegal immigrants, including path to citizenship after 10-12 years – 800,000 young illegals who […]

Marist Poll: Huge Majorities Support Pro-Life Legislation

January 24, 2018

A new poll of more than 2500 American adults conducted in the last few weeks found that 76% of Americans favor significant abortion restrictions and most find abortion morally objectionable. More from the press release: More than three quarters of Americans would limit abortion to — at most — the first three months of pregnancy, according […]

Shutdown State of Play: What’s Really Going On?

January 19, 2018

In the midst of all the hysteria over a potential government shutdown, one particular question keeps popping up: why can’t the Republicans keep the government open if they have majorities in both chambers of Congress, and the White House? The answer has to do with the nature of minority rights in the Senate. But more […]

A Democratic Shutdown Over DACA?

January 17, 2018

After excoriating Republicans for shutting down the government in 2013, leading Democrats now appear willing to do the exact same thing unless they get amnesty for 800,000 DACA recipients. Republicans have offered to make a deal. Their terms were once supported by Democrats, CPI’s Rachel Bovard writes in The Hill. Read the full op-ed here. Ironically, […]

Beware DACA Doublespeak

January 16, 2018

In an extraordinary move last week, President Trump brought congressional leaders to the White House for a vigorous discussion of immigration policy. What made the moment so remarkable is that the meeting—in a departure from the usual swampy Washington gesture reserved for scripted talking points and meaningless photo opportunities—was substantial and it was televised. For […]

Trump OMB nominee attacked for Christian faith still not confirmed

January 8, 2018

Other than the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch, in 2017 the Trump nominee that made the most headlines was one attacked by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) over his Christian faith. And still in 2018, this nominee still hasn’t been confirmed. Not because of Democrats, but because a member of Senate GOP leadership is holding him over funding […]

Toomey to block ExIm board until Senate confirms Trump nominee

December 22, 2017

Before leaving for Christmas break, the Senate blocked the nomination of Scott Garrett, President Trump’s choice to lead the Export Import Bank, which has long been opposed by conservatives as corporate welfare. Why did this happen? Mercatus’ Veronique De Rugy explains: The Senate Banking Committee rejected President Trump’s nominee to head the Export-Import Bank, former […]

Conference committee could still destroy tax reform

December 8, 2017

Both the House and Senate have passed their respective tax reform bills, but keep the cork in the champagne. The process has to overcome one more hurdle before it hits the president’s desk: The conference committee — the ad hoc, temporary panel created to reconcile differences between the House and Senate bills. If you haven’t […]

Conservative Action Project: CONSERVATIVES SUPPORT THE RULE OF LAW AND OPPOSE AMNESTY

December 4, 2017

Press reports suggest that Congress is considering a legislative fix to DACA in its year end spending bill. Conservatives have long stood for an immigration system that applies the rule of law equally to both citizens and immigrants, and thus stand opposed to any action by Congress which would provide amnesty to those here illegally. […]

Tax Reform Roundup

November 28, 2017

As the House and Senate start making significant moves toward their goal of passing tax reform before Christmas, we’ve pulled together resources from the around the conservative movement which discuss the policies at stake. Know Your History Take a look at the tax concepts being discussed during previous tax reform debates. Cato Institute Policy Analysis […]

Conservative Action Project: CONGRESS MUST PRIORITIZE RESPONSIBLE SPENDING IN YEAR-END DEALS

November 21, 2017

As Congress hurtles toward an end of the year spending deadline, conservative leaders are calling on Congress to prioritize fiscal discipline and prevent poor policies from being included in a massive omnibus spending bill. Read the memo below and on CAP’s website. November 20, 2017 Washington, D.C. For years, conservatives have been sounding the alarm on […]

The mother of all spending bills is coming

November 21, 2017

2017: The year congressional Republicans failed to deliver on their promises Just when we all thought 2017 didn’t have much gas left in the tank, it’s about to get worse. The mother of all spending bills is coming. Congress must reach a deal to fund the government by Dec. 8, or pass a short term Continuing […]

Conservative Action Project: THE SENATE MUST SWIFTLY CONFIRM RUSS VOUGHT

November 1, 2017

Over 100 conservative leaders are calling on Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to lift his hold on President Trump’s nominee for Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Read the memo below and on CAP’s website. October 25, 2017 Washington, DC Signatures updated 10/30/17 Conservatives have expressed concern over the Senate’s slow pace in […]

A Tribute to Richard Odermatt

October 26, 2017

Today, CPI Chairman Jim DeMint shared his thoughts on the passing of Richard Odermatt, longtime Heritage Foundation research editor and friend. ———— There are few people in the conservative movement who have had a hand in developing policy solutions to more problems and crises than Richard Odermatt—and fewer still with the kind of grace and joy […]

The lazy Senate is helping Democrats win re-election

October 24, 2017

By keeping the Senate in session a mere 2.5 days a week, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is allowing vulnerable Democrats four extra days a week to hit the campaign trail. Senate Republicans have a historic majority advantage, with only eight seats to defend to Democrats’ 23. Will McConnell’s lazy Senate be enough to waste it? […]

Majority advantage in Senate seats up for re-election, 1790 – 2018

October 23, 2017

Year Majority Seats Up Minority Seats Up Majority Advantage 2018 6 26 20 2008 12 23 11 1954 12 20 8 1898 11 19 8 1928 12 19 7 1982 13 19 6 1952 13 19 6 1972 14 19 5 2004 15 19 4 1896 13 17 4 1882 11 15 4 1934 14 […]

Conservative Action Project: THE SENATE NEEDS TO CONFIRM PRESIDENT TRUMP’S NOMINEES

October 11, 2017

Over 100 conservative leaders are calling on Senate Republican leadership to act with haste to confirm President Trump’s nominees. Read the memo on CAP’s website.   October 10, 2017 Washington, DC As President Trump approaches the end of his first year in office, his ability to implement his agenda across the executive branch has been […]