Free speech activist Mary Beth Tinker discussed Iowa's state law on "age-appropriate" books in public school libraries. About Books also reported on the latest publishing industry news and current non-fiction books.
Former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky discussed Afghan women's rights at the Wilson Center. She said Afghan women had suffered "very draconian measures" relating to education, civil liberties, health care, and work since the Taliban had taken over in August 2021. She also spoke out against normalizing diplomatic relations with the Taliban, saying she did not believe this would produce results.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani joined the Atlantic Council to discuss working with the U.S. to de-escalate tensions in the Israel-Hamas war. He discussed hostage negotiations, saying that they are "in a better place" and addressed Quatar's role in negotiating. Other topics discussed included the attack in Jordan on U.S. troops, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, minimizing a broadened conflict, and the future of a 2-state solution in the region. He was interviewed by Andrea Mitchell, NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent, and David Ignatius, Washington Post foreign affairs columnist.
Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), chair of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, joins the Hudson Institute to discuss the threat China poses to U.S. economic interests and Taiwan's democracy.
During a virtual event hosted by The Washington Post, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) talked about the Democratic Party's messaging for 2024. He highlighted the Biden administration's efforts to curb inflation and also discussed the role of South Carolina in the Democratic presidential nominating process.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) highlighted the state's successes and challenges during his State of the State address before a joint session of the legislature in Columbia. Topics included the budget surplus, fiscal policy, education investments, teacher pay raises and mental health services. Gov. McMaster has been governor since 2017. Prior, he was lieutenant governor under Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley.
"We have a heck of a record, and we are starting 2024 fired up. My fellow Michiganders, the state of our state is ready to rock!" exclaimed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) during her annual State of the State address before a joint session of the legislature in Lansing. The governor highlighted her policy achievements and shared her vision for the state's future. Gov. Whitmer touched on several issues, including economic development, education, reproductive rights, and infrastructure and manufacturing investment. She also addressed the housing crisis, from affordability to the lack of housing, saying, "the rent is too damn high, and we don't have enough damn housing!"
"Wisconsin, we've proven this past year that we can do big things when we're willing to do them together. I know we can build upon these efforts in 2024, and together we will," said Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) during his 2024 State of the State address from the Capitol building in Madison. The governor highlighted his policy achievements and shared his agenda for the state's future. He also touched on several issues, including health care, women's reproductive rights, education and workforce development, youth mental health, and infrastructure investment.
Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) discusses maritime security and the threat posed by China during a conversation hosted by the Heritage Foundation in Washington, DC.
The Senate will vote on the confirmation of Joseph Laroski, Jr. to be a judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade, which hears cases on the enforcement of international trade agreements.
The House Rules Committee debates the impeachment resolution of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his handling of the southern border. The committee also debates the rule for a health care bill.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke on the floor about the border security and foreign aid package. He also talked about the Biden administration's immigration policies.
The House Rules Committee debates the impeachment resolution of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his handling of the southern border. The committee also debates the rule for a health care bill.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra Thompson testified before the House Financial Services Committee on rule changes within the agency and the mortgage fees it charges. She discussed the reason for the rule changes and covered a variety of topics including the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac, home appraisals, federal home loan banks liquidity, and eliminating fees for first-time home buyers.
Sebastien Lai, a human rights advocate, sat down for a discussion on challenges to democracy and freedom in Hong Kong and China during the 2023 Steamboat Institute Freedom Conference in Beaver Creek, Colorado. He spoke about his father Jimmy Lai, a businessman and newspaper publisher, who was arrested in 2020 under China's new Hong Kong national security law for his pro-democracy views and activities which have been viewed as threats to the Chinese government. Sebastien's father is currently in a Hong Kong prison awaiting trial.
Mark Calabria, former Federal Housing Finance Agency director (Trump administration, 2019-21), spoke about financial regulation and bank bailouts during the 2023 Steamboat Institute Freedom Conference in Beaver Creek, Colorado. He discussed several topics, including his time as director of FHFA, the economy, the role of the Federal Reserve, and the bank bailouts in 2008 and the recent bailout of Silicon Valley Bank. He also touched on COVID relief programs pertaining to mortgage and rent relief programs and how they have impacted the housing crisis today.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke on the floor about the border security and foreign aid package. He also talked about the Biden administration's immigration policies.
President Biden touted his first-term accomplishments at a campaign rally in Las Vegas in support of his reelection bid, held just two days before the Silver State state was due to hold its Democratic primary election. He said efforts like the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act had boosted the nation's economy, which was clocking record low unemployment and flagging inflation. Nevada's primary came just days after the president notched a decisive win in South Carolina's Democratic primary, netting him 55 delegates for the party's 2024 nominating convention in Chicago.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst (G.W. Bush administration, 2003-06) joined New Times (Moscow) Editor in Chief Yevgenia Albats and others for a discussion on Russia's future, hosted by the Atlantic Council. The panelists discussed a recent paper that highlighted five scenarios for Russia's future, depending on the outcome of the war in Ukraine. The scenarios touched upon included the potential of Vladimir Putin's continued rule in Russia, his ouster that leads to the rise of a democratic, pro-Western government, and a shattered Russian Federation that results in civil war amongst its various states. They also discussed Ukraine's potential membership to NATO and what role China might play in Russia's future.
Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) sat down with the Heritage Foundation for a discussion on maritime security and the challenges posed by adversaries, particularly China. Several topics were discussed, including the need to increase U.S. ship building capacity, control of ports around the world, shipping and the economy, supply chain security, and the role U.S. allies and partners in maintaining maritime security.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra Thompson testified before the House Financial Services Committee on rule changes within the agency and the mortgage fees it charges. She discussed the reason for the rule changes and covered a variety of topics including the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac, home appraisals, federal home loan banks liquidity, and eliminating fees for first-time home buyers.
