According to James C. Capretta and Stan Veuger, a political shift in favor of protectionism over free trade—a “new Washington consensus,” in the words of National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan—threatens prosperity at home and abroad. Underscoring free trade’s historical and contemporary benefits, Capretta and Veuger argue that this new “consensus” would jeopardize Americans’ enormous gains from trade.

More than half of all Medicare beneficiaries are now enrolled in Medicare Advantage, which provides an alternative private plan instead of traditional Medicare. Benedic N. Ippolito and Boris Vabson investigate what Medicare Advantage’s popularity means for Medicare’s prescription drug coverage and its consequences for drug competition and costs.

On June 7, Angela Rachidi testified before the House Agriculture Committee about the poor health and employment outcomes of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. Rachidi contrasted SNAP’s statutory purposes of safeguarding health and encouraging employment with evidence that it has failed to meet these goals.

Mark J. Warshawsky challenges the narrative that recent declines in the number of federal disability beneficiaries reflects a problem in the Social Security Administration (SSA). He contends that this decline instead highlights “at least one area” where the SSA is functioning well and responding to an aging population, a strong job market, and recent reforms.

On June 11, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) repeal of “net neutrality”—a regulatory rule treating internet service providers like public utilities—went into effect, despite intense backlash from activists purporting “the death of the internet.” Five years later, Ajit Pai reflects on how the repeal, which he supported as FCC chairman, defied its opponents’ predictions and fostered a freer, faster, and more accessible internet.