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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- News
Amid Holiday Travel Rush, Officials Keep an Eye on 1,700 for Ebola
As travelers prepare to board planes for the holidays, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to screen passengers flying into the U.S. for Ebola, even as the media uproar surrounding the deadly virus has faded. Local and state health officials actively monitor about 1,700 persons for symptoms of Ebola, although the number fluctuates daily…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Advancing Economic Freedom, Affirming the Transatlantic Partnership
BRUSSELS, Belgium—At The Konrad Adenauer Foundation's December 2014 dinner event hosted by Dr. Stefan Gehrold, director of the organization’s office in Brussels, Becky Norton Dunlop, vice president of external relations at The Heritage Foundation and former director of the White House Cabinet office for President Reagan, delivered the keynote address communicating the importance of strengthening…Joel Anand Samy -
- Opinion
Congress Is Renewing Insane Tax Breaks, Including One for Race Horse Owners
The legislative process in Washington is often compared to sausage making – something you don’t want to watch. But Jimmy Dean couldn’t hold a candle to this Congress. Harry Reid’s swan song is a 1,603-page budget that no one has read. Even worse is this year’s so-called “tax extenders” bill. This has become an annual…Stephen Moore -
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Cheney on CIA Interrogation Techniques: ‘I’d Do It Again in a Minute’
Former Vice President Dick Cheney today aggressively defended the CIA’s use of harsh interrogation techniques, pushing back against a report by Senate Democrats that said some tactics used to question detainees in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks amounted to torture. “Torture to me is an American citizen on his cell phone making a…Josh Siegel -
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‘Social Justice Comedian’ Writes Gender-Sensitivity Training Handout for Middle Schools
LINCOLN, Neb. — Irving Middle School was thrust into the international spotlight this fall simply for following orders. Internal documents show the Lincoln Public School District encouraged school administrators at Irving to train school staff in gender sensitivity, which caused the dustup. During routine summer training, Lincoln Public Schools administrators participated in a breakout session…Deena Winter -
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Congressman Wants FDIC Officials to Pay for Seeking to ‘Choke’ Legal Businesses
Senior FDIC officials must be held accountable for banking regulators' “unethical” and “illegal” actions against legitimate businesses that are out of favor with the Obama administration, a congressman with a background in banking said today. In a letter to Martin Gruenberg, chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., says he wants a…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
New Regulations Set to Backfire, Decrease Financial Stability
New banking rules set to take effect January 1, 2015, are already starting to prove the law of unintended consequences is alive and well. The main culprit is the new liquidity coverage ratio rule, a requirement that (most) banks hold enough high-quality assets to fund their operations for 30 days during stressed economic conditions. The…Norbert Michel -
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These 7 Revealing Emails Show Federal Officials Scheming to Target Legal Businesses
Senior officials at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation actively sought to crack down on legal businesses that the Obama administration – or the officials themselves – deemed morally objectionable, a new congressional report finds. Released today by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the 20-page investigative report details how the FDIC worked closely with the…Kelsey Bolar -
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Bush Defends CIA ‘Patriots’ on Eve of Senate’s ‘Torture Report’
Ahead of the release of a report detailing anti-terrorism actions taken by the Central Intelligence Agency during his two terms in the White House, former President George W. Bush yesterday called the men and women who work there “patriots” and any findings that diminish their work “way off base.” The Senate Intelligence Committee is expected…Melissa Quinn -
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N.Y. Labor Official Defends ‘Independent’ Investigation After Union Linked to Papa John’s Case
Two state labor officials have publicly acknowledged there are ample opportunities for “community organizers” and labor unions to partner with government agencies to enforce workplace laws and regulations against American businesses. Speaking at the Center for American Progress last week, California Labor Commissioner Julie Su and Terri Gerstein, labor bureau chief for New York’s attorney general,…Kevin Mooney -
- Opinion
Few Government-Funded Social Programs Are Ever Tested for Effectiveness
In a recent blog post, Brookings scholar Ron Haskins identifies five social programs as being highly effective and highlights the Obama administration’s “evidence based” policy efforts to fund effective federal social programs. Unfortunately, these five social programs — Career Academies, Nurse-Family Partnership, Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program, Success for All, and Small Schools of Choice —…David B. Muhlhausen -
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Officials Can’t Say How Government-Owned Internet Will Create Jobs
NASHVILLE — Kimball, Tenn., Mayor Rex Pesnell said broadband Internet in his town of about 1,400 will help economic development, but so far he’s short on specifics. Officials in this small Marion County town recently passed a resolution asking state legislators to reconsider a law forbidding government-owned Internet providers from expanding beyond original municipal lines….Chris Butler -
- Opinion
This Chart Shows Why Social Security Will Be Broke in 10 Years
Social Security’s trustees projected in 1983 that the recently enacted Social Security reforms would keep the program active for at least the next 75 years, through 2058. However, according to research by Rachel Greszler, a senior policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation, that approach date has accelerated. "If the trend since 1983 continues, the program…Kelsey Lucas -
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Tom Steyer, Largest 2014 Donor, Says Americans Worry Big Political Donors Get ‘Special Privileges’
San Francisco billionaire Tom Steyer, the largest donor in the 2014 election cycle, says the way to win the debate on the environmental issues he cares about is to emphasize how money in elections and industry lobbyists are hindering a healthier environment. People may not inherently care about big-picture ideas, he said at a panel…Josh Kaib -
- Opinion
What We Need to Do to Make Sure We Don’t Have to Bailout Financial Firms Ever Again
The Republicans will hold a comfortable majority in the U.S. House and, at most, a 55 seat majority in the Senate for the 114th Congress. That’s not a wide enough margin to override a Presidential veto. Still, the Republicans owe it to their constituents to exercise governance. On election night Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) indicated…Norbert Michel -
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How the GI Bill Launched a Social Revolution
It’s always heartening when Veterans Day rolls around each November to see our nation pay tribute to those who have served so nobly in our armed forces. We often do it in small ways. My wife and I recently noticed, for example, that a local supermarket had set aside a pair of parking spaces marked…Ed Feulner -
- Opinion
Good News: A GOP Congress Usually Correlates with Booming Financial Markets
It was exactly 20 years ago, in November 1994, that Republicans under the maverick leadership of Newt Gingrich and his Contract with America took over the House of Representatives for the first time in nearly half a century. What may not be remembered is that the GOP sweep continued what became the longest and strongest…Stephen Moore -
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Top Navy SEAL Officials Aren’t Happy With Teammates Spilling bin Laden Secrets
Two high-ranking Navy SEAL officials are scolding any current or former members of the service who would “advertise” their service or “seek recognition” for their actions. A letter signed by Force Master Chief M.L. Magaraci and Rear Adm. B.L. Losey, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, is believed to be a preemptive response to a Fox News…Kelsey Bolar -
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From In-N-Out Burger to Nilla Wafers, Here’s How Politicians Are Spending Election Night
Some of them went from town to town, campaigning as the clear underdog. Others, not up for re-election, used their political clout to elevate U.S. Senate hopefuls from state to state. A few laid low, allowing tensions on the Left to steer the momentum of the midterm elections. And some went big, spending millions of…Kelsey Bolar -
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Hong Kong’s Former No. 2 Official Fields 7 Questions on the Future of Her City
As the number of pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong dwindles, one of the city’s veteran leaders is a key figure in seeking a compromise with the pro-Beijing camp on how to elect a new chief executive. “It is imperative that the Hong Kong government offer some concession–and a significant one–that can convince the die-hards in…Josh Siegel