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
Washington Gimmickry Protects Planned Parenthood
One of the reasons Washington works so well for the well-connected is because opaque congressional procedures often determine the real policy outcome well in advance of the actual policy debate. This afternoon will provide yet another example of such duplicitous maneuver. The House will vote on a rule to govern debate on a seemingly innocuous… -
news
Forensic Analysis: Planned Parenthood Videos Are ‘Authentic’
A forensic analysis of undercover videos about Planned Parenthood’s abortion practices are “authentic and show no evidence of manipulation or editing,” according to a report released Tuesday by Alliance Defending Freedom. The analysis was completed by Coalfire, a digital security and forensics firm that has worked on civil and criminal investigations. The firm had access to… -
opinion
California’s Drought: Not an Environmental Problem. An Environmentalist Problem.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—I was walking through downtown Sacramento recently when raindrops started falling. People on the street stopped dead in their tracks, looked up at the sky, and began acting giddy. “What’s that?” I asked a man. “I think it’s something called rain,” he responded. Such is the gallows humor in a state that hasn’t seen substantial… -
news
Planned Parenthood President to Testify Before Congress
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing Tuesday to investigate how Planned Parenthood and its affiliates are using taxpayer funding. Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, is expected to testify. Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion provider, faces allegations that it is trafficking aborted fetal body parts—the result of a series of undercover videos… -
opinion
What We Need in Our Next Speaker of the House
The House of Representatives will decide the destiny of the Republican Party and the nation when we select a new speaker. As the people’s House, it is our duty to be the voice of the American people, and in the last few years, the voters have not been heard. Our next speaker needs to offer… -
news
10 Things You May Not Know About the House Speakership
Rep. John Boehner’s time in Congress is down to a number of weeks. After his decision to step down from Congress and resign his position as speaker of the House, talk of who will take over as the next speaker lingers. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who officially declared his candidacy for the House’s top… -
news
John Boehner’s Wish List Before He Leaves Congress
House Speaker John Boehner is set to leave the House on October 30, and before departing at the end of a 24-year career, he could leave his Republican colleagues with a number of parting gifts. Boehner’s resignation has sent Republicans scrambling to determine who will fill his empty spot, as well as the remaining three… -
opinion
Could the Department of Justice Cut Teams From the Big Ten Conference With Fraud Laws?
With college football heating up, we’re all thinking the same thing. When will President Obama eliminate some teams from the Big Ten so that Ohio State can win the national championship again? After all, President Obama claimed to be a huge Ohio State supporter (albeit only after it won the title). What if he decides… -
news
Inside the US Air War Against ISIS
U.S. ARMED FORCES, Iraq—The air war against ISIS is a tricky one for U.S. pilots. Without American troops on the ground, it’s hard to tell friend from foe. In Operation Inherent Resolve—the coalition air war against ISIS—airstrikes are based on information relayed from airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, both manned and unmanned, as… -
news
Boehner Challenger Mark Meadows Does Not Feel ‘Vindicated’ After Speaker Resigns
Rep. Mark Meadows, whose rare motion to depose House Speaker John Boehner expedited the top leader’s decision to retire, does not take any personal satisfaction out of the leadership change he helped inspire. Meadows did not spend the weekend popping champagne, or charting his own path to the top. He didn’t even go home to… -
news
Republicans Debate John Boehner’s Legacy, Party’s Future
“I don’t want to leave my successor a dirty barn,” House Speaker John Boehner said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” Sunday morning. “So I’m going to clean the barn up a little bit before the next person gets here.” Boehner’s decision Friday to resign from Congress sparked recriminations among Republicans, not to mention questions of whom his… -
news
Mark Levin on John Boehner’s Resignation: ‘It’s a Good Day, but Here’s the Problem…’
Conservative commentator and radio talk show host Mark Levin warns that conservatives shouldn’t grow complacent after House Speaker John Boehner’s resignation. Boehner, R-Ohio, announced Friday that he will resign both his position as speaker and his seat in Congress at the end of October. “It’s a great day,” said Levin, speaking at the Values Voter… -
news
Border Arrests of Children, Families Surge 52% in August
The amount of United States border patrol arrests soared in the month of August. The Associated Press reported that almost 10,000 immigrant children and families were arrested at the Mexico border as they tried crossing illegally during the month of August. Data released by the U.S. Border Patrol on Monday shows this is an increase of 52 percent… -
news
Creator of Planned Parenthood Videos: It Is ‘Unconscionable’ to Continue Taxpayer Funding
During a speech Friday at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., David Daleiden, the founder of the Center for Medical Progress, alleged Planned Parenthood is engaged in the “criminal sale of aborted baby parts.” “I started the Center for Medical Progress to do citizen journalism that would shine a strong and clarifying spotlight on… -
news
9 Possible Candidates for House Speaker
After the announcement that John Boehner will step down as House speaker, eyes turned toward the next Republican who will fill the high-ranking role. With speculation and talk of who will take over Boehner's position after he leaves Capitol Hill on Oct. 30, but no real answers as to who will step in, here are nine… -
opinion
The Clean Power Plan Is a Great Way to Make the Poor Poorer
With the pope visiting America, the Obama administration has been adamant in pushing the message that climate change will hit the poor the hardest. They’re omitting one small but critical word, though. It’s climate change policies that will hurt the most vulnerable citizens. And not just in the United States, but around the world. In… -
opinion
India’s Prime Minister Promises a Bright Future
Since taking office over 16 months ago, Indian Prime Minister Modi has energized India’s foreign policy and raised the country’s global profile. At the core of Modi’s international outreach has been a concerted effort to improve U.S.-India relations, which foundered under the previous Manmohan Singh government. Modi’s visit to Silicon Valley this weekend and summit meeting… -
news
Conservatives Cheer John Boehner’s Resignation
Conservatives reveled in House Speaker John Boehner’s resignation announcement during the Value Voters Summit Friday, fervently cheering at each mention of his impending departure. “Just a few minutes ago, Speaker Boehner announced that he will be resigning,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., announced, inspiring a standing ovation from the audience. The audience’s eager reaction underscored the… -
news
John Boehner Is Resigning As Speaker of the House. What Happens Next?
House Speaker John Boehner’s resignation comes at a consequential time for Republicans dealing with immediate pressure points like a funding fight over Planned Parenthood, and a larger reckoning of their identity moving forward. In a news conference at the Capitol Friday, Boehner, R-Ohio, promised that he would maintain the same approach during his last weeks—16… -
opinion
Even the “Lone Wolf” Lives in a Crowd
Because of the rising number of “home-grown terrorists,” the Escondido, CA, Police Department has developed an antiterrorist program that emphasizes the importance of establishing relationships within the community in recognizing and assessing potential criminal or terrorist behavior. There are three noteworthy aspects of this program: Relationships. Law enforcement officials should build and maintain strong relationships…