Daily news coverage of politics, policy, and issues shaping the nation.
A large majority of Americans say moral values are on the decline in the United States, according to a new Gallup poll. In the poll, taken in early May, 72 percent of respondents said that “the state of moral values” in America is "getting worse." Only 22 percent said it is "getting better." Also, 45…
Supporters of the embattled Export-Import Bank argue the bank helps small businesses move into global markets and remain competitive. But a California-based company is speaking out about how the agency provided its competitors with an unfair advantage. “The winners should prevail by playing the game better than others, not by forcing taxpayers to give them…
Just two weeks before the controversial Export-Import Bank’s charter expires, members of Congress today criticized the bank’s top official for pursuing a deal in which the bank—and taxpayers—could be on the hook for more than $100 million. Reps. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., and Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., repeatedly questioned Ex-Im Chairman Fred Hochberg on bank loans awarded…
Six years ago, President Obama ran on a promise to end the war in Iraq. Gearing up for the 2012 election, his campaign ran an ad titled, “Ending the War in Iraq: A Promise Kept.” Two years later, against the context of a fragmented, volatile Iraq, Obama launched a new campaign promising “to degrade and…
In anticipation of the Supreme Court’s impending decision on the gay marriage case, Sen. Mike Lee is attempting to protect religious non-profits by passing legislation that would prohibit the federal government from “discriminating” against faith-based institutions. “Discrimination by private parties against private parties—that’s one issue,” Lee told a small group of reporters today in a…
Sharyl Attkisson, a senior independent contributor for The Daily Signal and former investigative reporter for CBS News, said she watched her daughter grow up while she was waiting on the government to respond to a Freedom of Information Act request. "The broken system is not by accident, it’s by design," says @SharylAttkisson of #FOIA Her…
Forget the cab fare. Intoxicated California lawmakers now can hitch a ride home at the expense of their taxpayers. In view of four lawmakers arrested over the last five years for driving under the influence, the state has hired two part-time employees who will man a 24-hour car service for senators too drunk to drive…
KYIV, Ukraine—In the predawn hours Wednesday, pro-Russian separatist tanks and artillery bombarded Ukrainian troops in the eastern town of Marinka, spurring Ukrainian military officials and media to speculate whether a major separatist offensive, anticipated for months, had begun. “There were many casualties. Krasnohorivka and Marinka are on fire," Ukrainian Member of Parliament and Kyiv-1 Battalion…
Legislation has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature that would enact stricter regulations on homeschooling in the state. The legislation follows the deaths of two Detroit children whose mother explained their absence from a traditional school by claiming they were being homeschooled. Michigan’s House Bill No. 4498 would require homeschooled students to meet in person…
The Heritage Foundation and National Review are co-hosting a screening of “The Last Patrol” on Thursday. “The Last Patrol” is a documentary by Sebastian Junger, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, journalist and best-selling author. The film explores how combat veterans readjust to civilian life after returning home from war. In an interview with The Daily Signal, Junger…
The Daily Signal turns a year old today. It’s an important milestone for our team and The Heritage Foundation—and a good opportunity to share some of our accomplishments and goals. The Daily Signal combines fair, trustworthy and accurate reporting with strong conservative commentary and policy analysis. We embarked on this journey on June 3, 2014,…
The Independent Women’s Forum is hosting the Women LEAD Summit this Thursday in Washington, D.C. According to organizers, the summit will feature conservative female leaders. Panelists will discuss messaging, political strategizing and a “positive agenda for women.” Panelists and speakers include Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich and The Daily Signal’s Genevieve…
The Oregon couple who refused to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding says the case against them should be "pulled out" of the state's administrative court system due to concerns that the government agency responsible for overseeing the trial is biased. The Daily Signal obtained communications between Basic Rights Oregon, a prominent gay rights group, and the Bureau of…
The Senate approved legislation Tuesday to scale back the federal government’s collection of personal data in the post-9/11 era. Under the USA Freedom Act, the National Security Agency’s bulk data collection program would be terminated, and phone companies would be responsible for retaining customer data. The legislation amends the USA Patriot Act, which provides legal…
A new report that takes a deep dive into the Export-Import Bank’s transactions found that in addition to heavily subsidizing large corporations, the government agency benefited some small businesses while pushing others out of the market. It also rewarded a former employee who pleaded guilty for bribery with a six-figure salary and bonuses. Open the…
KYIV, Ukraine—Despite Moscow’s warming rhetoric in recent weeks, the Ukraine conflict is showing little evidence of cooling off this summer. On Sunday, three Ukrainian soldiers were killed in combat in eastern Ukraine, at least seven more were wounded, and another two were taken prisoner, according to the Ukrainian military. These casualty figures are not exceptional,…
May marked Baltimore’s deadliest month in more than 40 years as three men were fatally shot yesterday, bringing the month’s homicide toll to 43. The Baltimore Sun reported the two separate shootings Sunday—the first killing two men after they were fatally shot in the head, the second killing one man and leaving another injured after…
Reporters almost always attend hearings in the various committees of the House of Representatives. But tomorrow they will be there in an unusual role—as witnesses to talk about the extensive barriers to accessing government information through the Freedom of Information Act. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform plans a two-day hearing to investigate…
In a newly surfaced video from 2011, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is seen testifying before Congress about the benefits of the controversial Export-Import Bank. At one point during her testimony, Clinton boasts, “I would like to put Ex-Im Bank on steroids because I think it does so much good work for American companies. And…
For consumers purchasing health insurance under the Affordable Care Act next year, plans may no longer be quite as “affordable” as they were in the past. Health insurance companies around the country are providing states with their proposed premium rates for 2016, and changes include rate hikes of up to 51 percent in New Mexico…