Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
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news
Ohio Moves to Ban Late-Term Abortions
The Ohio Senate has passed legislation that would prohibit late-term abortions in the state. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would ban abortion after 20 weeks—roughly halfway through a pregnancy. The Republican-controlled Senate approved the legislation last week in a 23-9 vote along party lines. The bill will be considered by the House, which is… -
opinion
Fatherhood and Marriage Bring Out the Best in Men
Is fatherhood becoming a relic of the past? The sad absence of fathers in American families is pervasive and has been growing for decades. In the 1960s, less than 10 percent of American children were born to single women, but as of 2013, the number had increased to 41 percent. Among Hispanic children, 54 percent… -
news
The Export-Import Bank Expires Tomorrow. Here’s What You Need to Know.
The Export-Import Bank’s charter expires tomorrow, and members of Congress—who are home for a week-long recess—have run out of time to reauthorize the bank. Now, for the first time in the agency’s 81-year history, Ex-Im will likely close its doors, at least for a little while. “This is a small step toward renewing a competitive… -
opinion
Pro-Lifers Didn’t Give Up After Roe v. Wade. Here Are 3 Critical Steps to Take on Marriage.
Friday’s Supreme Court decision is unadulterated judicial activism. As Chief Justice John Roberts said in dissent: “Today’s decision rests on nothing more than the majority’s own conviction that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry because they want to. … Whatever force that belief may have as a matter of moral philosophy, it has no… -
news
Terrorist Attempts in US Reach Highest Level Since 9/11
The United States is experiencing its highest level of terrorist activity since Sept. 11, 2001, according to a Heritage Foundation report published last week advocating Congress to take the U.S. terrorism threat “much more seriously.” The report detailed the FBI’s arrest of a 19-year-old in North Carolina for conspiring with the Islamic State, the terrorist group… -
opinion
Congress Has a Plan to Defend Your First Amendment Rights After Court’s Marriage Ruling
In the wake of Friday’s 5-4 decision by the Supreme Court in the marriage case, Obergefell v. Hodges, many of the millions of Americans who voted to define marriage as an exclusively male-female institution in their state constitutions will be wondering: What does this mean for me? Congress must move swiftly to pass the First Amendment Defense Act…. -
news
Bernie Sanders Praises Gay Marriage Decision: ‘Times Are Changing’
NASHUA, N.H – Sen. Bernie Sanders praised the decision of the “conservative Supreme Court” to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide during a campaign stop at Nashua Community College in New Hampshire today. “They did this just on the merits of the case…. It’s also that they live in the real world and they realize times are… -
opinion
Ebola Could Be Back This Summer
Summer is scary. Sharks attack. Hurricanes harry us. Draught and heat exhaustion claim casualties. And, last year there was Ebola. And, Ebola could be back. In 2014, the unprecedented outbreak of the deadly virus that ravaged West Africa went from interesting news to outright panic when the first case reached American shores. Controversy over the… -
opinion
The First Half of 2015 Was Most Intense Period of Terrorist Plotting Since 9/11
I hate to roust you from your well-deserved summer snooze, but I continue to get a sinking feeling about the threat of the Islamic State (aka ISIS, ISIL or Daesh) here in the homeland. Understandably reluctant to lift your head from the hammock in the heat, you ask, “Why?” Well, pass me your beach shovel… -
opinion
Tunisia Needs US Help As It Moves Into Crosshairs of ISIS
For the second time in three months, the North African country of Tunisia has suffered a terrible terrorist attack. According to media reports, multiple gunmen murdered at least 37 people, mostly tourists at a Spanish-owned hotel in the seaside town of Sousse. No group has claimed responsibility, but the rampage is similar to a March… -
news
Gay Marriage Is Legal: What You Need to Know
In a historic decision, the U.S. Supreme Court today legalized gay marriage in all 50 states. The decision brought to tears many gay marriage supporters, who were standing on the steps of the Supreme Court to witness the day’s events. In the 5-4 ruling, the court found the 14th Amendment requires states to issue marriage… -
news
Pennsylvania Newspaper Won’t Publish Op-Eds Opposing Gay Marriage
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage on Friday, a Pennsylvania newspaper will no longer publish views on traditional marriage. According to a story from its editorial board, “PennLive/The Patriot-News will very strictly limit op-eds and letters to the editor in opposition to same-sex marriage.” However, for a “limited time” only, the newspaper… -
opinion
Testimony on Using Repatriation Changes to Plug the Hole in the Highway Trust Fund
Recently, I had the honor to testify before the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures about using changes to repatriation policy as a way to fill the gap in the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). As I testified, Congress should always makes changes to repatriation policy in the context of tax reform, specifically in… -
news
34 Tweets Responding to Legalization of Gay Marriage
The Supreme Court ruled Friday same-sex couples have a Constitutional right to marriage in all 50 states. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion in the 5-4 ruling. The decision prompted an immediate flood of social media reactions. #SupremeCourt rules same-sex couples have right to marry anywhere in US. Major court rulings: http://t.co/FP3lleELlqpic.twitter.com/DMgYbaMEIE — AP Interactive… -
news
2016 Hopefuls React to Same-Sex Marriage Decision
The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision legalizing same-sex marriage across the nation sparked widely divergent reactions from Democratic and Republican candidates for president. Within minutes of the ruling requiring states to allow same-sex couples to marry, issued just past 10 a.m., the 2016 hopefuls celebrated or decried it in press releases, tweets, and Facebook posts. First out of the gate was… -
opinion
Can Families Pay Ransom to Terrorists or Not?
The Obama administration released its new hostage policy directive Wednesday—PPD-29. To its credit, the administration reaffirms several long-standing U.S. government policies, such as a government-wide effort to ensure the safe recovery of all U.S. hostages, making no concessions to hostage takers and, most importantly, denying hostage takers the “benefits of ransom.” Earlier this week on The… -
opinion
Bristol Palin May Be the Most Courageous Millennial in America
Bristol Palin is pregnant again—and again, she’s on the receiving end of a barrage of snark and judgment, just like she was seven years ago when her mom was the Republican vice presidential candidate. There aren’t many young women—or men—who could handle nationwide shaming. There are even fewer—if any—who could handle it twice. Yet Bristol,… -
news
Bobby Jindal’s 4 Goals If He Wins the White House
He is prone to go on with a policy wonk’s enthusiasm for the subject at hand, but Bobby Jindal joined the Republican race for president with a speech that boiled down a four-point agenda into 54 words. “We’ve had enough of talkers, it’s time for a doer,” @BobbyJindal says. If elected president, the Louisiana governor… -
news
Congressional Hearing on Discrimination Leads to Partisan Mudslinging on Race, Confederate Flag
A hearing called by Republicans to address “serious and troubling” instances of racial, gender and age discrimination at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau turned ugly today when Democrats accused Republicans of using the issue to “continue their attack on the bureau.” “The opposite side of the aisle hates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,” said Rep…. -
news
Christian Farmers Fined $13,000 for Refusing to Host Same-Sex Wedding Fight Back
The owners of a small family farm in upstate New York fined $13,000 for discriminating against a same-sex couple for refusing to host a wedding on their property are fighting back. In an appeal filed today before an appellate division of the New York Supreme Court, a lawyer for Cynthia and Robert Gifford, owners of…