Policy

The Impending Government Shutdown Is Nothing but Theater
The loudest Republicans have failed to produce any coherent strategy to rein in deficits.

How Well Is Rural America Doing? You’d Be Surprised
Elizabeth Currid-Halkett’s ‘The Overlooked Americans’ rejects grim depictions of rural life.

Getting Real About the Family
We are in a self-perpetuating cycle of intergenerational inequality, and too many Americans are just fine with the root cause.

Fiscal Wishes Meet Shutdown Realities
A government shutdown won’t actually improve America’s fiscal trajectory.

The UAW (and Bidenomics) vs. Economic Reality
How policy fuels a needless conflict that may have no long-term winners.

Barreling Toward a Shutdown
The window is closing to fund the government before the September 30 deadline.

Why the Pro-Life Movement Wasn’t Ready for a Post-Roe World
Dobbs represented a remarkable legal victory, but the anti-abortion cause has struggled to win hearts and minds.

Kevin McCarthy’s Historically Bad Week
Plus: Washington welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Sort of.

GOP Calls to Abolish the Department of Education, Explained
The department has been controversial since its inception, but it’s difficult to eliminate a Cabinet department.

The Farm Bill Is a Case Study in What’s Wrong With Washington
Just because legislation is bipartisan doesn’t make it good.

The Federal Reserve Hits Pause
The central bank holds interest rates steady but signals more hikes could come.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s Military Holdup, Explained
Is the blockade of confirmations and promotions hurting military preparedness?

Another Migrant Surge
The Biden administration’s border policies strain under a new wave of migrants.