U.S. Intelligence Agency News
The Daily Signal provides coverage of intelligence operations, surveillance controversies, and the role of U.S. agencies in national security and civil liberties.
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Debate Over NSA ‘Spying’ Program, Explained in Under 2 Minutes
Congress has less than a week to decide the fate of a government surveillance program that was created after 9/11 to prevent terrorist attacks. The program, enabled by a provision under the Patriot Act, gives the National Security Agency a number of tools to fight terror, such as the ability to collect phone records in…Alex Anderson -
- Opinion
At Forum Hosted by Federal Agency, Academic Calls for Mandating Number of Women Politicians
Earlier this month, I predicted that a scheduled hearing at the Federal Election Commission was shaping up to be nothing more than a presentation of “the goofy gender ideology and politics of the progressive left and academia.” And, oh, how right I was. The May 12 forum on “Women in Politics” was organized by FEC…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
Why Do Politicians Want to End a Program That Actually Works?
It’s hard to say which is more galling: when politicians want to extend the life of a program that doesn’t work, or when they want to pull the plug on one that does. A prime example of the latter: the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. It allows children from low-income families to attend the school of…Ed Feulner -
- Opinion
Senate Financial Reform Bill Anything But a Partisan Effort
The U.S. House has introduced—and even passed—several bills during the past few years aimed at reforming financial regulations, but the Senate has lagged far behind. So it is a positive sign that Senate Banking Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R–AL) introduced the Financial Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015. The Committee approved the bill today, 12-10, along…Norbert Michel -
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Should the NSA ‘Spying’ Program Be Illegal? What 2016 Contenders Say.
Should the U.S. government continue to capture and hold massive amounts of telephone and Internet data as a way to thwart possible terrorists? Or should it be harder for government officials to detect patterns in who suspects communicate with? That decision may be a worthy of a president, but only five of nearly 20 candidates…Ken McIntyre -
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Jeb Hensarling: Boeing’s Threat to Move American Jobs Overseas If Ex-Im Bank Ends Is ‘A Bit of Bluster’
Following reports that one of the Export-Import Bank’s biggest beneficiaries would move overseas if the agency’s charter expired, the leader of the House Financial Services Committee today spoke out against the claims, calling them a “bit of bluster.” Speaking to reporters at a press conference on the Export-Import Bank today, House Financial Services Chairman Jeb…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Ignore Politicians Saying Amtrak Crash Is Proof More Funding Is Needed. We First Need to Know More.
On Tuesday night, an Amtrak train travelling on the Northeast Corridor crashed near Philadelphia, killing at least seven and injuring over 200 others. The tragic derailment occurred on Amtrak’s most-travelled line. Our prayers are with the passengers and their families, as well as the rescue team that was dispatched to the scene. It is still unknown…Michael Sargent -
- Opinion
How Faulty Government Forecasts Make Social Security Look More Secure Than It Is
Lawmakers rely on projections from federal agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation to assess the current path of the federal budget and how alternative policies could affect that path. That is why a recent study showing the Social Security actuaries have consistently overstated Social…Rachel Greszler -
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‘Wasted Seat’: Chamber of Commerce Official Takes to Twitter to Rip GOP Congressman on Ex-Im Bank Stance
The intensifying debate over the Export-Import Bank’s future spilled over to Twitter yesterday after a top official with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce took to the social media site to criticize Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., for his opposition to the contested agency. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is one of the bank’s most vocal supporters,…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Hourly Compensation Has Grown By 69% Since 1972
Have average wages for American workers grown since 1972? Absolutely—and only a reliance on measures with well-documented flaws can show otherwise. First, look around you: Americans at all income levels own more cars, have more air-conditioned homes, travel more, are more likely to attend college, and live longer than they did in the 1970s. Reliable…Salim Furth -
- Opinion
UK Election Results: A Conservative Surge and a Defeat for Socialism
Greatly exceeding expectations, the Conservative Party, led by Prime Minister David Cameron, surged in yesterday’s United Kingdom General Election, winning 330 parliamentary seats, enough to form a majority in the House of Commons. The socialist Labour Party won just 232 seats, and the Liberal Democrat vote collapsed, securing just 8 seats. The Scottish National Party…Nile Gardiner -
- News
Your Federal Gas Taxes Pay for This Program. Congress Will Decide Its Financial Future.
Every time you fill your car with gas, a portion of what you pay at the pump goes to a federal program called the Highway Trust Fund. Soon Congress will consider the fund’s financial future — and there are big implications for transportation spending hanging in the balance. Since 2008, the Highway Trust Fund has…Alex Anderson -
- Opinion
Is It the Role of a Federal Agency to Try to Hike Number of Women Politicians?
One of the biggest problems in Washington is the overreach of federal agencies, many of which go far beyond their limited mandates. Instead of simply carrying out the duties assigned to them under federal laws, they invade the province of Congress, which is supposed to hold hearings, formulate public policy, and create the federal laws…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
How the Next President Can Improve Politician-Military Relations
Relations among political leaders, civilian agencies and the military blow hot and cold. At this point, things are rather chilly. For more effective coordination between civilians and soldiers, the next occupant of the Oval Office will need to instill a better leadership style, review the command at the Pentagon, and renew the ethical foundation of…James Carafano -
- Opinion
How the Midwest Is Scaling Back Big Labor’s Special Privileges
Labor unions have traditionally been the 800-pound gorilla of special interest groups. They have secured handouts and subsidies that other organizations’ lobbyists could only dream about. But that may be changing. This year a raft of Midwestern states have scaled back some of organized labor’s special privileges. States are starting to treat unions no differently…James Sherk -
- Opinion
Why Is China Building Artificial Islands?
Check this: In a brazen move, the People’s Republic of China is now building “islands” in the South China Sea to bolster its position against several other East Asian countries—and the United States. Yes, I said “building.” China is actually dredging sand and piling it up on existing reefs to create new islands that, according…Peter Brookes -
- Opinion
Physician-Assisted Suicide Sends Message Some People Are Better Off Dead. That’s a Lie.
Last night, Dr. Ryan T. Anderson, the William E. Simon fellow at The Heritage Foundation, was on “EWTN News Nightly” to discuss his new report, “Always Care, Never Kill: How Physician-Assisted Suicide Endangers the Weak, Corrupts Medicine, Compromises the Family, and Violates Human Dignity and Equality.” During the interview, Anderson explained the many policy problems…Daily Signal Staff -
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Republicans to Government Official: Why Has No One Been Fired Over Choke Point?
The head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) told members of Congress Tuesday that part of the agency’s involvement in Operation Choke Point was a “mistake.” “Clearly there was misunderstanding with regards to the list, which was a mistake on our part,” Martin Gruenberg, chairman of the FDIC, said of the agency’s decision to…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
It’s Not Compassionate: Four Policy Problems With Physician-Assisted Suicide
In recent months, heartbreaking stories of Americans such as Brittany Maynard struggling with devastating diagnoses have captured our empathy—and launched a national conversation about physician-assisted suicide. In response, activists are using these stories to advance legislation that has otherwise been rejected by the people. At least 18 states across the country are considering whether to…Ryan T. Anderson -
- Opinion
Obama Administration Wants New Regulations for Your Financial Adviser
Last week the Obama administration announced it would move ahead with a new Department of Labor rule designed to provide uniform fiduciary rules for anyone providing retirement investment advice. In general, a fiduciary standard requires financial advisers to put their individual client’s interests above their own. Sounds simple enough. But the new rule could impose…Norbert Michel