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Section 230 Reform Bill Is a Measured Tool to Hold Big Tech Accountable <[link removed]> – By refining areas of
Section 230 that Heritage has recognized are in need of clarification, these efforts take steps to reorient the spirit of Section 230 to Congress’ original intent. As the Biden White House admits its collusion with Big Tech to remove content, requiring content moderation decisions be reported to the FTC with a public availability component is a good starting point to incentivize transparency. Further, the user-friendly appeals process also codifies a method of recourse for users targeted for their speech. While these reforms are well-suited to address this moment through a conservative framework, focused Section 230 reform isn’t a silver bullet to righting Big Tech’s wrongs. Additional steps necessitate promoting the principles of federalism through constitutional state legislative action, amplifying free-market alternatives by founders and technologists, as well as vivifying civil society efforts to promote transparency within these companies. Heritage expert: Kara Frederick <[link removed]>
US GDP falls short as supply-chain disruptions, labor shortages stunt comeback <[link removed]> – GDP growth continued as government social benefits related to pandemic relief
programs declined, reflecting once again that economic growth is not derived from federal borrowing and spending wealth from future generations but by people being freed from senseless lockdowns. For the second quarter, food services and accommodations experienced some of the most robust expansion as travel and dining out surge. Plans for the federal government to consume an even greater share of national output each year threatens future growth as politicians rather than a free people will determine how our resources of labor and capital and ingenuity are allocated. In addition, this spending must be paid for either by higher taxes or by the central bank printing massive amounts of new money—an act which may drive up inflation further. Unemployment rates and business conditions continue to vary wildly across the nation dependent largely on the lasting fallout from restrictions some governors and mayors imposed on society. National GDP is only just now finally recovering--- but economic output at the end of 2020 was actually greater than pre-pandemic in Utah, Missouri, Idaho, Nebraska, Alaska, South Dakota, Mississippi, and Georgia—notably states without crushing, long-lasting shutdowns. Heritage expert: Joel Griffith <[link removed]>
Biden is not doing enough to combat the opioid epidemic and drug trade – China is the primary source of most illicitly produced fentanyl that crosses our borders, but Mexico plays an important role as a transshipment nation. Because heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl are all white powders, the Mexican cartels cut heroin or cocaine with fentanyl to save money or give their product an enhanced ‘kick.’ The result is that no one knows how much fentanyl is in heroin or cocaine powder, or counterfeit opioids, and using them is like playing ‘Russian roulette.’ The cartels then smuggle it across our
border by having migrants carry it, because it can be sent in small packages. Clearly the crisis at the border is contributing mightily to this epidemic. The Biden administration is not doing enough to address this issue with either China or Mexico. Mr. President, how many people must die from smuggled fentanyl before you close the southwest border to drug smugglers? Hundreds of people are dying every day in this country while we wait for the answer to that question. Heritage expert: Paul Larkin <[link removed]>
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