Jan 25, 2021

Greetings from Washington, D.C., where President Joe Biden is busy signing a pile of executive orders as he moves into the White House. Our experts look at the first batch and find that they don’t live up to Biden’s call for unity. Meanwhile, Heritage President Kay C. James details the many achievements of the Trump administration and challenges conservatives not to give up hope. Also, we offer a plan to beat COVID that, unlike lockdowns, will work. There are also webinars, podcasts, and more, all highlighted below.

Biden’s First Executive Orders Defy His Calls for Unity
During his first days in office, President Joe Biden issued a slew of executive orders repealing Trump administration policies on everything from mask mandates, to a halt on border wall construction to gender identity protections. Thankfully, Heritage experts have compiled a roundup of his orders and explain exactly what they mean for the future of our country. “Some of these orders will have devastating impacts on American families and businesses, while others will undermine America’s national security and sovereignty,” a statement reads. Check out the full list to find out more.

A Thanks to the Trump Administration, and a Message to Conservatives
Heritage President Kay C. James issued a message of thanks to the Trump administration for the many policy victories it won. But she warns conservatives not to lose heart in light of the left’s election victories. “We must get up, dust ourselves off, and take up the fight once again to preserve the country we love.  The principles that made this country great have not been lost. Instead, we must work together to rekindle them in the hearts and minds of our fellow citizens, especially in our younger generations,” she writes. Read her full statement to learn more about why and how we should forge ahead to promote the conservative cause.

A Nonpartisan, No-Nonsense COVID Strategy
President Joe Biden has promised to bring the country together, and Heritage points to a good place to start—by focusing on making self-tests more widely available. Heritage President Kay C. James, who launched the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission to develop such solutions, says that “Much discontent in America could be solved if Biden as president does three things: making rapid self-tests widely available, pushing to open our schools, and ensuring efficient vaccine distribution.” Read James’ full commentary to learn more about how these three things can help.

Research by Heritage’s Olivia Enos helped lead the U.S. State Department to make an official determination of genocide and crimes against humanity enacted by the Chinese Communist Party. Learn more about Enos’ impact on this issue.

TUESDAY at 2 p.m., Heritage will hold a virtual event discussing the meaning of America. Featured speakers include: Samuel Gregg, research director at the Acton Institute and visiting scholar in Heritage’s B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies; Allen C. Guelzo, visiting fellow in Heritage’s Simon Center for American Studies; and Joseph Loconte, director of Heritage’s Simon Center for American Studies. Register for the webinar.

WEDNESDAY at 2 p.m., Heritage will host a virtual event discussing military readiness and an honest assessment of America’s defense industrial base. The event will feature John G. McGinn, executive director at the Center for Government Contracting. Register for the webinar.

THURSDAY at noon, Heritage will host part two of its series on human trafficking. Featured speakers include G. Zachary Terwilliger, partner at Vinson & Elkins LLP, and Bill Woolf, principal deputy director at the Office for Victims of Crime and director of human trafficking programs at the Department of Justice. Register for the event.

Why We Must Save the Filibuster
This week on the “Heritage Explains” podcast, Heritage senior legal fellow Thomas Jipping breaks down why the Senate filibuster is under attack and what’s at stake for conservatives. Listen to the episode.

We Can’t Call for Unity Using Divisive Language
Heritage President Kay C. James appeared on Fox Business to discuss where we are as a nation, where we’re headed, and why the conservative movement has answers to the problems we're facing today. Watch the interview.

The Biden administration has signaled plans to reverse many of the Trump administration's pro-life policies, but is that what Americans actually want?

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