Jan 31, 2022

On the Agenda: Athletes from around the world will be competing for gold medals in a country with one of the worst human rights records in history. We explain what can be done to hold China accountable. We also highlight states that are expanding education choice in the wake of COVID, and how your tax dollars are funding leftist activism at colleges and universities. There are events, podcasts and more you don’t want to miss.

The Olympics Are Coming and It’s Time to Hold China Accountable

What’s on the horizon: The Winter Olympics in Beijing are almost upon us, and it’s baffling that few countries are questioning why a government with such a horrendous record of human rights abuses—including genocide—gets to host the worldwide celebration of human physical achievement.

Taking a stance: President Biden announced a “diplomatic” boycott of the Beijing games late last year. But it shouldn’t be the only action we take, and it doesn’t have to be.

Sending China a message: Heritage senior policy analyst Olivia Enos lays out four ways that everyone, from American businesses to athletes and journalists, can do their part to hold Communist China accountable for its crimes.

Learn More: Find out what those four ways are here.

COVID Shutdowns, CRT Are Fueling Much-Needed Education Reforms

The two-sided problem: Parents who’ve spent the past two years watching their children’s education suffer amid needless COVID shutdowns found themselves confronting another problem: leftist indoctrination by their schools.

Demanding choice: That’s sparked a surge in demand for education choices. “Parents are justifiably concerned whether assigned schools reflect their values or are teaching lessons that contradict traditional American ideals, such as equality under the law,” writes Jonathan Butcher, who is Heritage’s Will Skillman fellow in education.

Some states respond: Butcher says that several states are considering new choice options, including education savings accounts. Find out which states are doing so here.

Your Tax Dollars Are Funding Universities’ Leftist Nonsense

Paying for the privilege: New evidence uncovered by Heritage shows that billions of taxpayer dollars are being used to advance the left’s political agenda under the guise of federal research grants.

How it works: Universities charge huge overhead costs for federal research grants—sometimes higher than 60% (compared with the maximum 15% they charge private foundations). Schools then use this extra cash to pay for things like “diversity, equity, and inclusion” programs.

The solution: These exorbitant overhead charges have to stop, and senior research fellow Jay Greene, Ph.D., and research associate John Schoof have some recommendations on how to do that. Find out what those recommendations are here.

DID YOU KNOW?

Political candidates regularly turn to our “Solutions” guide when addressing America’s biggest issues. We have revamped this popular Heritage product and made it even more accessible. Check it out today.

At the Reagan Institute: Heritage President Kevin Roberts spoke at the Reagan Institute’s inaugural “Reaganism LIVE” event. Watch their conversation on China, Big Tech, and where the conservative movement is headed.

Daily Signal scoop: The Daily Signal, the news organization of The Heritage Foundation, recently broke the story of how federal agencies planned to make lists of federal employees seeking COVID-19 vaccine exemptions. The article, written by Heritage experts Sarah Parshall Perry and GianCarlo Canaparo, generated more than 100,000 page views and was mentioned by multiple news outlets. Learn more.

Vaccine passports: The Daily Signal also sat down with the owner of a restaurant in Washington, D.C., to hear how the city’s vaccine passport is making villains out of small business owners—and who these policies are really hurting. Watch the video

The Wrong Choice: China and the 2022 Winter Olympics, Monday, 1 p.m. Featured speakers include:

• Enes Kanter Freedom, NBA player, Boston Celtics
• Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas
• Lee Edwards, Ph.D., distinguished fellow in conservative thought at Heritage’s B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies
• Olivia Enos, senior policy analyst at Heritage’s Asian Studies Center

Register for this event

Keeping the Spotlight on Hong Kong, Wednesday, 2 p.m. Featured speakers include:

• Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida
• Dennis Kwok, senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center and former legislative councilor of Hong Kong SAR (2012-2020)
• Nathan Law, former legislator and democratic activist

Register for this event

This week on “Heritage Explains,” James Carafano, vice president of Heritage’s Davis Institute for National Security and the E. W. Richardson fellow, breaks down what’s happening in Ukraine and how the United States should respond. Listen to the episode.

Heritage President Kevin Roberts joined Newsmax's "The Gorka Reality Check," to talk about Heritage's role in leading conservatives, restoring education in the U.S., and standing up to China. Watch the interview.

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