Dec 13, 2021

Greetings! The Biden administration “boycotts” the Beijing Olympics and we comment. Inflation continues to rise at levels not seen in nearly 40 years. Meanwhile, a breakthrough study exposes antisemitism among college “diversity and inclusion” police. And new Heritage President Kevin Roberts charges out of the gate with several must-see media interviews. There’s more you don’t want to miss in this week’s Agenda.

China Is Unfit to Host the Olympics

What happened: Last week, the Biden administration announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, which just means it won’t send government officials to the games.

Too little, too late: Heritage President Kevin Roberts doesn’t think much of it, saying that “once again, Biden is leading from behind and making a face-saving effort rather than taking the bold action necessary to confront China.”

It’s not over yet: Thankfully, we’re not out of options when it comes to holding China accountable for its myriad crimes. In fact, according to Heritage senior policy analyst Olivia Enos, there are four concrete actions the U.S. government can take.

Inflation Hits  Nearly 40-Year  High  on Biden’s Watch

Bidenflation: Economic indicators released Friday show that inflation hit a nearly 40-year high in November.  Consumer prices rose 6.8% from the same period a year earlier.     

Why it matters: “President Biden represents an embrace of radical, socialist policies that will exacerbate inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions Americans are facing,” says Joel Griffith a research fellow with Heritage's Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies.

Don’t make it worse: Biden’s  reckless policies have contributed to this rising inflation, and his tax-and-spend package currently being pushed in Congress would exacerbate these economic problems hurting working Americans.

Reason to worry: Read more about inflation and Biden’s spending binge here.

Study: Antisemitism Is Rampant Among College ‘Diversity’ Officers 

Expectation: Colleges have gone on a hiring binge for “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” or DEI, staff. The goal is allegedly to create more tolerant and welcoming atmospheres on campus. How’s that working out?

Reality: Not well. A new study by Heritage senior policy analyst Jay Greene, Ph.D., found that an overwhelming number of DEI hires are spewing antisemitic views about Israel on social media, but overly positive ones about China, despite the CCP’s well-known lack of tolerance. (See the chart at the bottom of this email.)

Learn more: Find the full details of the study here.

Heritage President Takes the Media by Storm

In the news, literally: Heritage President Kevin Roberts wasted no time since taking office on Dec. 1, with media appearances on five national shows over the past week and a lengthy profile in the Washington Examiner. True to his word, he’s going on offense and taking on America’s biggest issues.

“Kevin Roberts has a plan”: That’s the verdict from the Washington Examiner in a deep-dive on Heritage’s new president. Read about his vision for Heritage in the coming years here.

Targets locked: In his media interviews, Roberts took aim at a wide range of issues, including the Dobbs case before the Supreme Court, Heritage’s lawsuit against the vaccine mandate, and his top policy priorities for Heritage.

The through-line: The common thread through all his appearances: Heritage is taking a much more active and aggressive role in defending our republic going forward.

Learn more: Watch Roberts’ media appearances here.

It's Time to Take This Country Back

As Heritage President Kevin Roberts stated, "There is no other institution that has the unique ability to remind the current administration to get back in their box and stay there." We're going on offense against the radical left, but we need your help to win. Make your tax-deductible year-end gift now.

DID YOU KNOW?

Heritage has a Twitter account that features our award-winning charts and infographics. Follow @HertiageDataViz.

Guantanamo Bay: The Senate Judiciary Committee recently held a hearing on closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center. Cully Stimson, deputy director of Heritage’s Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, was one of the witnesses testifying. Learn more.

Social Security: Rachel Greszler, a research fellow in Heritage’s Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget, testified recently before the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee on a new liberal proposal called the Social Security 2100 Act. Learn more.

Financial Privacy: David Burton, a senior fellow in Heritage’s Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies, testified before lawmakers at a hearing by the U.S. House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee. Learn more.

Vaccine Mandates Will Hamstring the Defense Industrial Base: Perspectives from Industry Leaders. Thursday, 11 a.m. Featured speakers include:

• Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.
• Wes Hallman, 27-year Air Force veteran, senior vice president of strategy and policy at the National Defense Industrial Association
• John Luddy, vice president of national security policy at the Aerospace Industries Association

Register for this event.

Don't Be Fooled—Biden Isn't Serious About ‘Remain in Mexico’
Chad Wolf, Heritage’s visiting fellow, joined “Fox & Friends” to talk about the Biden administration's disastrous decision to undo the “Remain in Mexico” policy. Watch the interview.

Follow The Heritage Foundation and The Daily Signal on Instagram.

Email us your thoughts and questions at [email protected].