Here is the Heritage Take on the top issues today.Please reply to this email to arrange an interview.
9 Things to Know About Senate’s $1.1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill <[link removed]> – The
bipartisan group promoting the infrastructure deal are attempting to sell it as a reasonable, centrist compromise. In reality, it would greatly expand the size and scope of the federal government, needlessly add to the national debt, waste hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars, and promote a variety of far-left causes. Improving America’s infrastructure is a worthwhile goal that should have bipartisan support. This bill isn’t the way to do that. Heritage expert: David Ditch <[link removed]>
Infrastructure Bill’s ‘Unworkable’ Cryptocurrency Surveillance Mandate Must be Amended <[link removed]> – There is no question that cryptocurrencies should be taxed like any other assets. And their growing use, now by tens of millions of Americans, underlines the role of broker compliance. This measure, however, simply repeats existing broker mandates while adding the impossible. The language should be removed or changed to clarify that it applies only to bona fide brokers who actually custody Americans’ money, not to an entire universe of tangentially related firms that may have no more role in payments than the electric
company. The alternative is to potentially push those tens of millions of Americans who use cryptocurrencies to either less-secure centralized systems—which puts their personal information at risk—or force those Americans to use off-shore services, where those transactions would occur outside the regulatory jurisdiction, indeed outside the
tax jurisdiction, of the IRS altogether. Heritage expert: Peter St. Onge <[link removed]>

U.S. taxpayer dollars are being used to pay legal costs for illegal aliens <[link removed]> – The Immigration and Nationality Act gives aliens the privilege of counsel—at no expense to the government—in removal proceedings and administrative appeals. The principle of “at no expense to the government” is sound and must be maintained. Taxpayers should not pay for legal counsel for aliens who violated U.S. law. Taxpayer-funded counsel for aliens violates the law, gives even illegal aliens a right not given U.S. citizens, and is financially unsustainable. Heritage expert: Lora Ries <[link removed]>

Heritage Reacts to the July Jobs Report – **Heritage will have full analysis available upon the release of the report**. Heritage expert: Joel Griffith <[link removed]>
Don’t Be Fooled by Charm Campaign: Biden Administration Must Hold Line on Huawei <[link removed]> – Although the Biden administration’s overall China and technology strategies remain unclear, it has thus far largely maintained the Trump administration’s hard-line approach toward Huawei. In March, the administration strengthened export licenses for companies that supply 5G
components to Huawei. In June, President Joe Biden signed an executive order expanding prohibitions imposed by the Trump administration on U.S. investment in Chinese companies, including Huawei, that supply China’s military and sell surveillance technology. The administration has also been pressuring the United Arab Emirates to remove Huawei equipment from its networks, and is working to expand outreach to developing countries to assist in the construction of 5G networks without
technology from Chinese companies. In the coming months, it is likely that powerful and connected lobbyists working on Huawei’s behalf will attempt to woo the Biden administration. The most solemn duty of any presidential administration is to protect American national security. As such, the Biden administration must reject these lobbying efforts and hold the line on Huawei. Heritage
expert: Dustin Carmack <[link removed]>
What Happened to America’s Plan to Reform the United Nations? <[link removed]> – The administration has
renewed support for UNRWA, the WHO, and the Human Rights Council prior to securing reforms. His budget proposes paying arrears owed to the United Nations for the regular and peacekeeping budgets without condition. Frequently, the president asserts that “America is back,” and his spokespeople stress the importance of having “a seat at the table.” But back at the table for what purpose? Surely for something beyond
fostering goodwill and vague platitudes. As the administration has acknowledged, many international organizations are flawed and in need of reform. In too many instances, China and other authoritarians have expanded their influence. Making preemptive concessions, accepting promises of reform that have been violated in the past, and eschewing leverage is not a recipe for success in addressing these concerns. The president knows from personal experience that U.S. influence in international organizations crests when there is bipartisan consensus. The opportunity is present for the administration to work with conservatives in Congress to clarify desired reforms and maximize U.S. tools to realize them. If the president could find common ground with former congressional lawmaker Jesse Helms two decades ago, surely he can repeat that success today. Heritage expert: Brett Schaefer <[link removed]>

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