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Sep 30, 2019

This week, the Trump administration will continue to face down the threat of impeachment by the House of Representatives. Heritage legal expert Hans von Spakovsky provides us with a refresher on the impeachment process, and weighs in on what the House’s impeachment inquiry could mean for President Trump. On the topic of the budget, Congress bought itself time to finalize the 2020 spending process. Heritage budget expert Justin Bogie explains the pitfalls that Congress should avoid as it finalizes appropriations. And you won’t want to miss Heritage President Kay Coles James’ recent interview with C-SPAN. This is your conservative agenda.

Here’s What Impeachment Proceedings Mean For President Trump
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday that the House of Representatives will proceed with an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. Heritage Senior Legal Fellow Hans von Spakovsky warns that if members of Congress are seeking impeachment against the president for partisan reasons alone, then we will see the abuse of the impeachment process more frequently in the future. “Members of Congress should be wary of abusing the impeachment authority in such a manner, because it could imperil the stability of our constitutional structure by removing a duly elected president,” said Spakovsy. Read more about the impeachment process and what it could mean for Trump.

Budget 2020: A Chance for Congress to 'Atone for Past Sins'
On Sept. 26, Congress voted to avoid a shutdown and continue to fund the government until Nov. 21 as they finish the 2020 appropriations process. Justin Bogie, a senior policy analyst in Heritage’s Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget, writes that while budget dysfunction has been the name of the game for the past 25 years, Congress has an opportunity to correct past appropriations mistakes that resulted in waste and cronyism. “The next few months provide a chance for Congress to atone for the sins of appropriations seasons past,” said Bogie. Here are four budget pitfalls that Congress should avoid in 2020 appropriations.

Kay Coles James Discusses Principles of Conservatism in C-SPAN Interview
Heritage President Kay Coles James appeared on C-SPAN’s “Q&A” show on Sept. 22. She answered questions about her upbringing, work in both Bush administrations, and the conservative principles that guide The Heritage Foundation — what she calls the “True North” principles. “Of course we believe in limited government. Of course we believe in a strong national defense. Of course we believe in the value, dignity, and sanctity of human life,” James said. “If you’re going to call us and ask us to violate one of those principles, then I can save you a phone call, because it’s just not going to happen.” Watch James explain the True North principles here, or watch the full interview on C-SPAN here.

HAPPENING AT HERITAGE

Would an “assault weapons” ban make Americans less safe? Amy Swearer, a senior legal policy analyst in Heritage’s Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, testified before the House Judiciary Committee on this topic. Watch her response.

Heritage President Kay Coles James attended President Trump’s speech at the United Nations in which he called on nations to protect religious freedom and end religious persecution. Also present was Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and more. Learn more.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund announced that Heritage President Kay Coles James will be awarded the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Alumni Leadership Award.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry announced that Heritage President Kay Coles James will join his Secretary of Energy Advisory Board.

John Malcolm, vice president of Heritage’s Institute for Constitutional Government, spoke at The 2019 Atlantic Festival on a panel entitled “The Battle for the Constitution.” Watch the discussion.

Helena Richarson, director of Heritage’s Young Leadership Program, was profiled as part of the Independent Women’s Forum “Champion Women” project. Read her interview.

Vice President Mike Pence will deliver the keynote address at the first-ever Heritage Honors gala dinner Oct. 22. Learn more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday at 11 a.m., Heritage will host an event to discuss public diplomacy in the Trump administration. Panelists will include Edwin Feulner, founder and former president of The Heritage Foundation; Michelle Giuda, assistant secretary and senior official for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs for the Bureau of Global and Public Affairs at the Department of State; Nicole Chulick, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Global Public Affairs at the Department of State; and Matthew Lussenhop, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the Department of State. Watch the event live.

Wednesday at noon, Heritage and the Ronald Reagan Institute will host an event to discuss Ronald Reagan and the space frontier. The featured author at the event is John Logsdon, and opening remarks will be given by Rachel Hoff, policy director at the Ronald Reagan Institute. Watch the event live.

Thursday at 9 a.m., Heritage will host Gen. David H. Berger, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, to discuss rebuilding the U.S. Marine Corps. Watch the event live.

Thursday at noon, as part of its “Preserve the Constitution” event series, Heritage will host an event to discuss press and libel laws. The event will feature speakers Lee Levine, senior council for Ballard Spahr; Elizabeth Locke, partner of Clare Locke LLP; and Arthur Milikh, associate director and research fellow in Heritage’s B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics. Watch the event live.

Friday at noon, Heritage and the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Woman will host Jennifer Zeng, who will share her story about being held prisoner in China and how she survived. Watch the event live.

HERITAGE PODCASTS

This week on the “Heritage Explains” podcast, David Azerrad explains the difference between conservatism and libertarianism. Listen to the podcast.

On the “Liberty and Justice for All” podcast, Heritage’s Jack Spencer and Paul Winfree talk with Sam Brinton, director of legislative affairs at Deep Isolation, about the economics and politics of nuclear waste. Listen to the podcast.

HERITAGE IN THE NEWS

Here are the highlights from the TV news shows featuring Heritage experts. This week, they touched on hot topics like Brexit, Iran, gun rights and the impeachment process. Watch the video.

POLICY PICTURE

While most economically developed countries have brought the growth of government debt under control, the United States leads the world in having debt grow faster than its economy. Continued fiscal negligence will result in slower economic growth for the nation. Congress must change course. Browse more of the “Federal Budget in Pictures.”

Why do you think American citizens are not demanding more from their representatives in Congress to address rising debt? Email us at [email protected]

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