A weekly roundup of news, commentary, research, events, and more
from The Heritage Foundation.
May 31, 2022
Just Say No to Nation-Building in Ukraine
Drawing the line: Heritage President Kevin Roberts is going on offense against the Biden administration’s push to vastly expand the U.S. role in Ukraine from helping that beleaguered country defend itself to nation-building.

Getting the word out: In addition to two podcasts on the topic, one with Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and the other with Heritage vice president Jim Carafano, Roberts also penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on why the bloated Ukraine bill was wrong.

Our take: “Helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression is clearly in the national interest of the U.S. So was opposing the flawed Ukraine aid package Congress passed last week,” Roberts wrote.

Learn more: Listen to “The Kevin Roberts Show” here <[link removed]>, and check out his Wall Street Journal piece here <[link removed]>.
Let’s Get Serious About School Safety
The nation mourns: Like the entire nation, we were shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of so many innocent young lives to a deranged killer in Texas. While the left despicably used this tragedy to push its political agenda, we’re providing information on what needs to be done to keep our children safe.

Our take: “It’s time to set aside political agendas and get serious about school safety.”

Learn more: Our “School Safety Initiative” provides facts, figures, and solutions to this important issue. Check it out here. <[link removed]>
Beware Biden’s Radical ‘Equity Action Plans’
What’s new: The Biden administration unveiled a package of 25 new plans designed to promote “equity” across the federal bureaucracy. 

First glances are deceiving: “Equity” is actually the opposite of equality. These new plans treat people differently based on race and ethnicity, and they violate federal civil rights laws.


Our take: Biden’s plans also “award contracts to uncompetitive bidders ... impair national defense, and further hamper the drive for excellence—or even adequacy—in the nation’s schools.”

Learn more: Read about the Biden administration’s insidious push for “equity” here <[link removed]>.
ALWAYS ON OFFENSE
Advertising: Heritage billboards were showing up across Texas, thanking Gov. Greg Abbott for advocating universal school choice in this state. Alicia Stetin, a manager of Heritage’s membership program, snapped a picture on a recent visit to the Lone Star State.

Testifying: Policymakers turned to Heritage experts several times in the past two weeks to testify on hot-button issues.


- Domestic terrorism: Charles “Cully” Stimson <[link removed]>, deputy director of the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, testified in front of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board on First and Fourth Amendment implications of the government’s efforts to counter domestic terrorism.
- Teacher shortage: Lindsey Burke <[link removed]>, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy and Mark A. Kolokotrones fellow in education, testified before <[link removed]> the U.S. House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on teacher shortages.
- Presidential powers: GianCarlo Canaparo <[link removed]>, a senior legal fellow in Heritage’s Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, talked about the need to rein in presidential emergency powers before the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
- Green agenda: Heritage research fellow Katie Tubb <[link removed]> told the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee to stop ignoring the consumer cost of efficiency mandates.
NEW RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
- 6 Reasons Gun Control Will Not Solve Mass Killings <[link removed]>
- The Economic Crisis Even Worse Than Originally Projected <[link removed]>
- Biden’s Rebooted Disinformation Plan Is No Better Than the First <[link removed]>
- Domestic Terrorism Bill Is More Partisan Politics <[link removed]>
- Destroying the Altar of “Woke” <[link removed]>
- Mayorkas’ “6 Pillars” Border Security Plan Is Delusional <[link removed]>
- Winning the Tech Battle with China: The Example of Huawei <[link removed]>
- Why Are Nominally Christian Politicians Supporting Abortion? <[link removed]>
DID YOU KNOW?
Heritage offers young leaders from around the country Washington, D.C.’s, best internship program. For 12 weeks, a select group of promising conservatives live, work, and learn in the nation’s capital. The deadline for applying for the fall semester is July 3. To learn more and apply, go to our Young Leaders Program webpage <[link removed]>.
EVENTS
Cuba and Venezuela Policy in Biden’s ‘America Last’ Agenda, Tuesday, May 31, 2 p.m. Speakers include:


- Jose Cardenas, former senior official, U.S. State Department
- Dr. Victoria Coates, distinguished fellow, Strategic Security Studies
- Carrie Filipetti, executive director, Vandenburg Coalition
- Dr. Emanuele Ottolenghi, senior fellow, Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance



Register here. <[link removed]>
A Conversation on Readiness with the Secretary of the Air Force, Wednesday, June 1, 11 a.m.

Is the Air Force ready for war? Secretary Frank Kendall discusses key indicators for capacity, capability, and readiness.

Register here. <[link removed]>
Maintaining American Nuclear Deterrence, Wednesday, June 8, 3:30 p.m.

Rep. Doug Lamborn, R.-Colo., discusses issues such as the Biden administration’s decision to cancel key nuclear programs, Russia’s nuclear threats, and the rise of China as a nuclear peer.

Register here. <[link removed]>
Life After Roe Symposium, Thursday, June 16, 10 a.m.

Leading legal, medical, and policy experts analyze what life after Roe will really look like. Speakers include:


- Dr. Kevin Roberts, Heritage president
- Dr. Ryan Anderson, president, Ethics and Public Policy Center 
- Catherine Glenn Foster, president and CEO, Americans United for Life



Register here. <[link removed]>
HERITAGE PODCASTS
“The Kevin Roberts Show”: Heritage President Kevin Roberts talks with Dr. James Carafano, vice president of Heritage’s Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, about the greatest threats America faces and how to protect against them. In a bonus episode, Dr. Roberts talks to Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., about the Biden administration’s push for still more Ukraine aid. Listen to the podcast. <[link removed]>
“Heritage Explains”: We are all feeling the pressure of the economy. But President Biden insists that our economy has gone from being “on the mend to on the move.” So, what is the real story with our economy? On this episode, Joel Griffith paints a clear picture and explains the three things Congress must do to get back to prosperity. Listen to the podcast <[link removed]>.
HERITAGE IN THE NEWS
Heritage President Kevin Roberts joined “War Room” to talk about Congress’ reckless ramming through of the Ukraine aid package, how Americans have had enough of Washington’s broken processes, and why we also need to confront the most existential threat we face—the Chinese Communist Party. Watch the segment here. <[link removed]>
POLICY PICTURE
What Is Your Favorite Patriotic Movie, and Why?

Let us know your pick, along with a 100-word description of why, and we will report the results in a future issue of The Agenda. Send your pick to [email protected] <[link removed]>.

Follow The Heritage Foundation <[link removed]> and The Daily Signal <[link removed]> on Instagram.

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