Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
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opinion
Saving Face While Capitulating: Congress and Its Debt Limit Plan
The debt limit is upon Congress, challenging lawmakers to address rising spending and debt with serious budget reforms. While the administration and its supporters demand a “clean,” no-strings attached increase in the $18.1 trillion debt limit before Nov. 3, the GOP is struggling to maneuver. They’re in effect trying to save face before the American people… -
opinion
Are High Phone Bills Cruel and Unusual Punishment? The FCC Thinks so, and Plans to Mandate Lower Rates for Convicts.
Are inmates in state and federal prisons charged too much to make a phone call? The Federal Communications Commission thinks they are. On Oct. 22, the telecommunications regulator is expected to impose strict new caps on how much convicts can be charged for making phone calls from the big house. In so doing, the agency… -
opinion
America’s Next President Must Reverse the Decline in US Power
When America’s 45th president enters the Oval Office in January 2017 he or she will inherit a superpower in decline, weakened militarily, floundering internationally, and facing an array of adversaries on the world stage keen to undercut America’s position. The harsh reality is that after nearly seven years of the Obama presidency, America’s allies are… -
opinion
Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly Was Right to Defend Police Tactics
Not too long ago cops were seen by most as heroes deserving our respect and gratitude (picture the moments after 9/11). But recent incidents, such as yesterday’s killing of a New York City police officer, have left officers feeling like they are under siege. An increase in crime from a “Ferguson Effect” might be making… -
news
New Bill Could Bring Four-Legged Heroes Home
A proposed change to the National Defense Authorization Act would provide free flights home to military service dogs after they complete their tours of duty and potentially reunite them with their human counterparts. The bill has already passed through the House and Senate and awaits its fate under the tip of President Barack Obama’s pen…. -
news
Solyndra Redux: Another Green Company May Lose Taxpayers Millions
Two weeks ago, Watchdog.org reported that SunEdison, which bills itself as the world’s largest global renewable energy development company, had received at least $2.84 million in taxpayer money from the federal government. But a deeper look from the U.S. Department of Energy shows that the company, which has been going through financial difficulties, has received $4.59… -
news
Harry Reid Endorses Paul Ryan for House Speaker
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid threw his support behind Rep. Paul Ryan for House speaker. The Nevada Democrat acknowledged policy differences with Ryan but said Ryan is the one House Republican Democrats could work with if elected speaker. Asked if the endorsement might hurt Ryan’s chances among Republicans, Reid responded, “I just speak the truth.” -
news
Paul Ryan Will Run for Speaker … but Only If These Conditions Are Met
Rep. Paul Ryan says he’s ready to run for House speaker. But first, the Wisconsin Republican has some non-negotiables. According to a statement released by Ryan spokesman Brendan Buck, the former GOP vice presidential nominee will seek the position only if he receives the full support of every Republican faction—moderates and conservatives. “Unless the speaker… -
news
Paul Ryan Gives Republicans an Ultimatum in Run for Speaker
Rep. Paul Ryan put conservatives of the House Freedom Caucus in a challenging position Tuesday when he announced that he will run for speaker only if the entire GOP conference unites behind him. Getting ahead of any possible conservative-led rebellion that could derail his bid for the speakership, the Wisconsin Republican wants assurances from different… -
opinion
Finally, Clinton Faces Panel on Benghazi: 5 Key Questions She Could Be Asked
On Thursday, Hillary Clinton will make her long-awaited appearance before the House Select Committee on Benghazi. This will be a crucial moment in the Benghazi investigation, and without the testimony of the former secretary of state, the record will never be complete. We have had eight congressional investigations and one Accountability Review Board (ARB) report,… -
news
Texas Governor Defends Defunding Planned Parenthood: It’s ‘Money That They Do Not Deserve’
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says that Planned Parenthood has “very serious legal issues” in Texas. A letter was sent to Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas on Monday notifying them that their Medicaid contracts will be terminated. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Abbott defended the state’s decision to cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood… -
opinion
Why a ‘No-Fly Zone’ Will Not Work in Syria
The civil war in Syria rages on, hundreds of thousands of refugees continue to make their way onto European shores, and complicating matters further, Russia’s military is actively engaged in fighting in Syria, most disturbingly targeting the very groups backed by the United States. Calls for the U.S. and its allies to enforce a no-fly… -
opinion
Why Jack Kemp’s Vision and Spirit Is Needed Again Today To Combat Liberal Class Warfare
Jack Kemp arrived on the national political scene at a time when America was sinking economically and its spirits were fading. Against that backdrop, Kemp’s optimism and visionary “big ideas” had the power to transform the nation, as authors Morton Kondracke and Fred Barnes describe in their newly released book, “Jack Kemp: The Bleeding Heart… -
news
Cut, Cap, and Balance Makes a Comeback With Goal of Slicing Deficit in Half
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., are joining forces to revive a plan to cut the deficit in half as the deadline for Congress to decide whether to increase the federal debt limit looms. The lawmakers’ Cut, Cap, and Balance Act would slash $207 billion from the deficit in 2016 while capping spending at… -
news
Could Moderate Republicans Join With Democrats to Elect a Speaker? One Member Floats the Idea
If Republicans struggle in the coming weeks to unite around a candidate to become the next speaker of the House, some GOP lawmakers are warning that Democrats may be required to elect the winner. Though many Republicans would consider that to be a nightmare scenario, some centrists view it as a political necessity if a… -
news
Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Preventing Louisiana From Defunding Planned Parenthood
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal from defunding Planned Parenthood in the state. “Planned Parenthood is engaging in classic misdirection regarding the millions they have repaid in Medicaid fraud and their own admissions in the baby parts trafficking videos,” Mike Reed, Jindal’s communications director, said in a… -
news
Top Aide to John Boehner Calls Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Goal for October
House Speaker John Boehner’s chief of staff has made reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank one of his top priorities for October. Mike Sommers, Boehner’s chief of staff, spoke to attendees of a policy discussion hosted by the Main Street Partnership last week, according to the group’s Twitter account. In the discussion, Sommers highlighted two goals for… -
opinion
What Grade Sean Hannity Gives the GOP-Controlled Congress
Fox News host Sean Hannity has some advice for the Republican Party: If you want to keep conservatives engaged, start keeping the promises you made to them on the campaign trail. In an interview with The Daily Signal, Hannity says he would give the GOP-controlled Congress a “D-minus” in the effort category because they’ve shrunk back… -
news
Why Conservatives Might Not Demand a Conservative Speaker
For the conservatives who helped push out Speaker John Boehner, finding a replacement isn’t about picking someone who is as conservative as them. The Freedom Caucus, a group of about 40 conservative lawmakers whose votes are key to leadership races, wants the next speaker to commit to numerous process and rules changes to the way… -
news
How a Pro-Choice Democrat Responded When Asked, ‘Were Your Children Human Beings’ Before Birth?
“Were your children human beings before they were born?” A yes-or-no question. Democratic National Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz would not give a straight answer when asked the question by an MRC TV reporter. The Florida representative has been a pro-choice advocate in Congress, vocally standing for women’s reproductive choice and bashing what she called “the…