Oct 19, 2020
Happy Monday! Judge Amy Coney Barrett aced her confirmation hearings last week, but it’s not over yet. Find out how you can make your voice heard as the Senate prepares to vote on her confirmation to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Mark Esper shares his insights into the state of the U.S. military, and Heritage Vice President James Carafano exposes the threats from China and what can be done about them. Also, former Attorney General Ed Meese will reflect on his life and legacy at a must-see webinar this Thursday. There’s all that and much more in this week’s Agenda.
The Fight to Confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett Isn’t Over <[link removed]>
The nomination hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett came to a close last week, but the fight to get her on the Supreme Court is far from over. The vote to confirm Barrett is set for this Thursday, and it is imperative that we take a stand with fellow patriots and make our voice heard by signing the online petition that we stand with Barrett <[link removed]>. If you have any questions regarding Barrett’s fitness for the position, or about the confirmation process itself, look no further than Heritage’s collection of articles covering all aspects of Barrett’s nomination <[link removed]>.
U.S.-Mexico Border Wall: 360 Miles and Counting <[link removed]>
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has made substantial headway on construction of the border wall—at a pace of nearly two miles a day. By the end of 2020, the Trump administration expects to meet and exceed its goal of 450 miles. And despite what critics say, this is an entirely new wall system, replacing either dilapidated or ineffective wall or wall where nothing existed before. The wall is as high as 30 feet, complete with anti-climb features. The wall works. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Hear from the experts who are speaking at Heritage on Tuesday at 1 p.m. Register for the webinar <[link removed]> and watch our new video on the border wall <[link removed]>.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper Discusses State of US Military <[link removed]>
Defense Secretary Mark Esper, a former
Heritage Foundation chief of staff, returned to Heritage last week for a speech about our military’s readiness to meet the threats of the modern world. While our armed services have taken strides to recover from decades of neglect, much still remains to be done to ensure that we are able to defeat our competitors. “Today our strategic competitors, China and Russia, are attempting to erode our hard-earned gains as they undermine international rules and norms and use coercion against other nations for their own benefit,” Esper says. Watch the full conversation with Esper to learn more <[link removed]>.
China’s Expansionist Regime Threatens the Free World <[link removed]>
“For too long, the free world ignored, sometimes even enabled, the
Chinese Communist Party’s destabilizing behavior. That must end.” That is the blunt assessment by Heritage Vice President James Carafano of what he calls China’s “new age of imperialism.” Carafano, who heads the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, explains the CCP’s destructive impact on the environment, human rights, economics, diplomacy, and more. Read Carafano’s full commentary <[link removed]> to learn what we must do about it and subscribe to Heritage’s new podcast, “China
Uncovered.” <[link removed]>
HAPPENING AT HERITAGE
Heritage has released four episodes of its newest podcast “Perspectives: The Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett,” a multipart series that features in-depth conversations with the two Republican women on the Senate Judiciary Committee: Sens. Joni Ernst and Marsha Blackburn. Listen to each episode here <[link removed]>.
Heritage released a new video as part of our series on “America’s Biggest Issues.” Heritage senior advisor and spokesperson Genevieve Wood breaks down the choices Americans face on a range of issues. Watch the new video: Which America Will You Choose? <[link removed]>
UPCOMING WEBINARS
TUESDAY at 1 p.m., Heritage will host a virtual discussion about the accomplishments of the Trump administration on border security and immigration. This event will feature commentary from Maria Espinoza, director of The Remembrance Project; AJ Louderback, sheriff of Jackson County, Texas; Thomas D. Homan, former director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Hans A. von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow in Heritage’s Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies. Register for the webinar <[link removed]>.
THURSDAY at 2 p.m., Heritage will host a conversation with former Attorney General Ed Meese, reflecting on his life, legacy, and more than 50 years within the conservative movement. Meese will deliver Heritage’s 13th Joseph Story Distinguished Lecture. Register for the webinar <[link removed]>.
FRIDAY at 1 p.m., Heritage will host a virtual event to expose the left's counterproductive approach to homelessness. This discussion will feature insights from Christopher Rufo, a visiting fellow in Heritage’s Domestic Policy Studies; Heather Mac Donald, the Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of City Journal; and the Rev. Andy Bales, chief executive officer at Union Rescue Mission. Register for the webinar <[link removed]>.
HERITAGE PODCASTS
What do you need to know about Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing? This week, on “SCOTUS 101,” hosts Amy Swearer and GianCarlo Canaparo cover the most interesting and exciting parts. They also discuss two cases argued before the Supreme Court this week: Torres v. Madrid, and U.S. v. Briggs. Listen to the podcast <[link removed]>.
North Korea has a huge new intercontinental ballistic missile. On “Heritage Explains,” senior research fellow Bruce Klingner explains the missile's capabilities and how the United States should respond. Listen to the podcast <[link removed]>.
What are “pandemic pods” and why are school districts and teachers unions trying to stop parents from creating them? On this episode of “COVID and the Classroom,” we break down this unique moment for parental choice in education with two leading experts on school choice: Lindsey Burke and Corey DeAngelis. Listen to the podcast <[link removed]>.
HERITAGE IN THE NEWS
John Malcolm, vice president of Heritage’s Institute for Constitutional Government, joined Newsmax’s “Spicer and Co.” to talk about Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing. Watch the interview <[link removed]>.
POLICY PICTURE
The vote to confirm Barrett is later this week, and it is imperative that we take a stand with fellow patriots and make our voice heard by signing the online petition that we stand with Barrett <[link removed]>.

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