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
Fearing Another Lawsuit, Christian Business Owners Stopped Hosting All Weddings. Now Their Business Is Dead.
Charged with discriminating against a gay couple, the owners of another Christian family-run business are being forced to shut their doors. “We can’t pretend it’s going to get better,” Betty Odgaard told The Daily Signal in an exclusive interview. “There wasn’t enough business.” Betty and her husband, Richard, are the owners of Görtz Haus Gallery… -
opinion
What Can Be Done to Help End Civil Asset Forfeiture Abuse
Civil forfeiture abuse threatens the integrity of our criminal justice system and ought to concern all Americans. Strong advocates for reform come from both sides of the ideological spectrum. Heritage worked with a broad bipartisan coalition, with groups ranging from the ACLU to the Institute for Justice and the Charles Koch Institute, to develop a… -
opinion
Let the Music Play
When Donald Trump announced he was running for president Tuesday, the event featured Neil Young’s 1989 hit song “Rockin’ in the Free World.” It was part of Trump’s rollout at his Manhattan office building—an event cable networks covered live and generated huge interest on Facebook. One person, however, was not amused. Young is no fan… -
news
House Republican Unveils Conservative Response to King v. Burwell
As Republican lawmakers brace for the U.S. Supreme Court’s King v. Burwell decision, a conservative plan has emerged that would eliminate the subsidies awarded under the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare. In anticipation of the King v. Burwell decision, Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., introduced the Premium Reduction and Insurance Market Reform Act. The… -
opinion
Despite Current Friction, Taliban and ISIS Could Eventually Merge Forces in Afghanistan
In a letter addressed to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State, or ISIS, and released to journalists this week, the Taliban warned against an ISIS role in Afghanistan, urging the group not to take actions that could lead to “division of the Mujahideen’s command.” An effort since late last year by ISIS to… -
opinion
Beyond Father’s Day: Three Cheers for Dads
As newspapers bulge with advertisements for Father’s Day gifts, it’s a good time to reflect on the long-term and irreplaceable value that dads add to their children’s lives. Far more important than the ties featured in store displays is the precious “paternal tie” that serves as a foundation for a youth’s successful and fulfilling future. Decades… -
news
Congressman Speaks Out Against GOP Leadership on Being Punished for Trade Vote
After being punished for defying House Republican leadership on a botched trade deal last week, Rep. Steve Pearce spoke exclusively with The Daily Signal about the “uncomfortable” situation that led to him being booted from the GOP whip team. “I told our leadership I was very uncomfortable,” Pearce, R-N.M., said in his Capitol Hill office… -
news
Which Woman Should Be on $10 Bill?
Alexander Hamilton may have served as the United States’ first secretary of the treasury, but the Treasury Department has decided to replace him on currency. The Treasury has announced that a woman will be featured on a redesigned 10 dollar bill. Secy Lew will choose a woman who was a champion for democracy in the… -
news
Trans Fat Ban Could Cost Food Manufacturers Billions
The Food and Drug Administration estimates its newly announced ban on artificial trans fats could hit food manufacturers with $12-to-$14 billion in losses. Companies using trans fats in their products—foods such as french fries and doughnuts—will need to research and test new ingredients to maintain shelf life and flavor, relabeling and repackaging products to adhere… -
opinion
Pope Francis’ Encyclical Is About More Than Climate Change. It’s About Culture.
Today, Pope Francis released his encyclical letter, Laudato Si, “Praise be to you, my Lord,” on the theme of “care for our common home.” For weeks, partisans in the press have driven expectations that this would be a major missive on climate change. I’ve read all 180 pages of it, and it’s about much more… -
opinion
New DOTCOM Act Addresses Short-Term Concerns About the ICANN Transition
On June 17, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved an amended version of H.R. 805, the Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters Act of 2015 (DOTCOM Act of 2015). The bill is expected to be approved by the House in the coming weeks. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairman John Thune (R–SD)… -
news
Law Enforcement Seizes $11,000 From 24-Year-Old at Airport Without Charging Him With a Crime
It was Feb. 17, 2014, and Charles Clarke, 24, just wanted to get home. After spending several weeks with family in Cincinnati, Ohio, Clarke arrived at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron, Ky., for a flight back to Orlando, Fla., where his mother lived and where he would be taking classes at the University… -
news
How Can the US Save Syrians From Chemical Weapons Attacks?
During a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing this morning, experts agreed that by establishing a no-fly zone in Syria, the United States will be able to protect Syrian citizens from chemical weapons attacks and simultaneously strengthen the fight against ISIS. Committee Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif., said that Syrians “face a one-two punch” of danger… -
opinion
How Did Police Seizing Citizens’ Property Ever Become Legal? Here’s the History of Federal Forfeiture
Civil asset forfeiture is a tool that allows law enforcement officials to seize property that they assert has been involved in certain criminal activity. Forfeiture rests on the legal fiction that property itself can be guilty of a crime. This means that police and prosecutors can seize cars, homes, money, or valuables without ever having… -
opinion
Cartoon: A Police Officer Seizes $2K From Citizen
>>> Want to learn more? Read "Arresting Your Property: How Civil Asset Forfeiture Turns Police Into Profiteers" This cartoon was based on an real-life incident Heritage Foundation's Jason Snead and Andrew Kloster wrote about for The Daily Signal in 2014: It was highway robbery, but they called it civil asset forfeiture. On the last day… -
news
Internet Sales Tax Bill Would Impose Charge on Out-of-State Businesses
Rep. Jason Chaffetz introduced a new Internet sales tax bill Monday that would allow states to impose an online sales tax on out-of-state businesses. The Remote Transactions Parity Act would enable states to collect taxes on businesses that may not have a physical presence in the state, but permeate borders through online sales. “The same… -
opinion
I Know Free Trade. This Isn’t It.
When I was first elected to Congress in 1998, South Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District was a reliably protectionist vote. In the words of former Sen. Fritz Hollings, the entire delegation viewed free trade as “the commercial equivalent of unilateral disarmament.” If we cannot win a legislative debate on the merits of free trade, the deal… -
opinion
As the Ratio of Retirees to Workers Narrows, National Debt Will Skyrocket
Have you heard your member of Congress say much about what he or she would do to control the national debt lately? If you’re like most Americans, you probably haven’t heard the debt mentioned very much for quite a while now. That’s because Congress suspended the debt limit in February 2014 and the day of… -
opinion
Arresting Your Property: Heritage Releases New Booklet
This week, The Heritage Foundation’s Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies is proud to announce the release of Arresting Your Property: How Civil Asset Forfeiture Turns Police Into Profiteers. This booklet highlights the important problem of civil asset forfeiture and tells lawmakers how states and the federal government can help fix these… -
news
Jeb Bush Touts Conservative Credentials in New Hampshire
DERRY, N.H.—Former Gov. Jeb Bush held his first town hall in New Hampshire today since he announced yesterday that he is running for president. The Florida Republican told the audience that he is extremely proud of his family and their accomplishments, but that he is his own person with a unique set of achievements and…