Heard at Heritage

Senator Mike Lee joins Heritage’s Tommy Binion for a conversation on the Senate filibuster, its history, and what might happen if it is abolished.The Senate has been described as the world’s greatest deliberative body, and unlike the House, was designed for extensive deliberation on important legislation. The filibuster has long been seen as a mechanism to incentivize the two parties to work together on polarizing issues. However, new threats to change Senate rules on the filibuster, or the right to extend debate, could fundamentally change how this key pillar of our government functions. Don’t miss Sen. Lee’s thoughts on this crucial debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Human trafficking is a major problem facing our nation today. Over the past several years, law enforcement at the local, state, and federal levels have made combatting it a top priority. Join our panelists as they discuss their own experiences investigating and prosecuting human trafficking offenses, what’s worked and what hasn’t from a policy standpoint, and how a Biden Administration’s priorities and polices might differ from the Trump Administration’s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How ready is the United States for war? The answer to this question requires more than just ship counts or quantities of munitions. True readiness cannot be measured without an honest assessment of America’s defense industrial base. Over the last 30 years, the makeup of the defense industrial base has changed dramatically. There are far fewer prime defense contractors, more cases of single-source suppliers for key components, and fewer people with the necessary skills to design and produce defense items. The defense of America, now more than ever, is dependent on overseas supply chains.Unfortunately, these weaknesses are surfacing at a time when we can least afford them. China is on the rise as a near-peer competitor, throwing the weight of its economy into development of military resources through civil-military fusion.To address this complex situation, there is no more qualified expert than Dr. Jerry McGinn, Executive Director of the Center for Government Contracting at George Mason University and the former senior career official in the Defense Department’s Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy.Join Dr. McGinn for this engaging discussion on a topic fundamental to our national security. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America’s constitutional order is under great stress. The breakdown in respect for our institutions—in government, the academy, and the media—has helped to instigate a season of violence and social unrest with no end in sight.Join our experts for a discussion about these developments and what they mean for America. Renowned Civil War historian Dr. Allen Guelzo will explore the parallels between our current political-cultural debates and those on the eve of the Civil War. Dr. Samuel Gregg will explain how the competing economic visions now in play are fueling the deep divisions within our country, and Dr. Joseph Loconte will help us frame the debate within the historic struggle for freedom in the West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America has embarked on a long-overdue effort to modernize its nuclear deterrent, most of which is decades old and becoming obsolete. A critical part of this effort is the Air Force’s development of the Long Range Standoff weapon (LRSO), a new generation of the current nuclear-armed air-launched cruise missile (ALCM), which is quickly aging out.  As argued in a newly-released Heritage Foundation report, the LRSO will be critical to maintaining the air leg of the nuclear triad, enabling bombers to hold at risk well-defended targets for decades to come. Yet as with any major nuclear acquisition program, the LRSO faces roadblocks, including decreasing defense budgets, acquisition challenges, and strident anti-nuclear opposition.To make LRSO a reality, we should be prepared to answer tough questions. Do bombers really need cruise missiles? What capabilities will LRSO provide? How will this weapon impact strategic stability?  Join us as our expert panel takes on these questions and more.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Secretary Azar reflects on the Trump Administration’s early actions on COVID-19 and what lessons can be drawn from the response, including travel restrictions that slowed the spread, pressure for transparency from China, bringing Americans home safely from abroad, rapidly formed partnerships with the private sector, and educating the American people with the best science available at the time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Human trafficking in all forms is abhorrent, but when governments enslave and sell their own people, it takes on an even more pernicious edge. 2020 marked the first year that the State Department designated state sponsors of human trafficking, with ten nations earning the dubious distinction. These designations were an important step in raising awareness about how regimes exploit their own citizens for profit and serve as a vital mechanism to hold them accountable. Join us to commemorate National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, as we spotlight this concerning trend and identify solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Critical Race Theory (CRT) and public policies based on this worldview will not alleviate racial inequality in the real world. In fact, this dogma undermines human and social factors—such as family, entry-level work, and merit-based education—the wellspring of upward mobility. Yet, the rigid persistence with which believers apply this theory has made CRT a constant, daily presence in the lives of hundreds of millions of people.CRT underpins Identity Politics, an ongoing effort to reimagine the United States as a nation riven by the division between racial groups, each with specific claims on victimization. In education and the workforce, as well as entertainment and social media, CRT has become entrenched, driving decision-making based on skin color rather than individual merit and talent. As Critical Theory becomes more familiar to the public in everyday life, CRT’s intolerance, and the idea of systemic racism is being “normalized” in the American psyche. This weakens public and private bonds that create trust between citizens and allow for civic engagement.Join us for a timely conversation on CRT and how to push back against this new wave of intolerance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for an exclusive conversation on the China challenge between Heritage’s James Carafano and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf. At the conclusion of a year dominated by COVID and China Policy, Acting Secretary Wolf will discuss the policies that the Department of Homeland Security has put into place to address China, including travel, trade, and what is yet to come. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Modern Anti-Semitism often manifests itself as hostility against Israel—particularly on college campuses, at the United Nations, and even in U.S. Congress. Despite claiming to lack hostility toward the global Jewish people, today’s “anti-Zionists” single out the world’s only Jewish state for specific and demonizing criticism. Casting Israel as a villain on the world stage, this rhetoric makes ample use of historic anti-Semitic tropes such as greed, global conspiracy, and media puppetmastery.Elan Carr, the State Department’s Special Envoy to Monitor anti-Semitism, has successfully pursued recognition that this language is indeed anti-Semitism. By promoting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, which includes anti-Israel rhetoric, Carr has moved this definition solidly into public discourse.Join us for an important conversation about modern anti-Semitism, anti-Israel rhetoric, and the role of the IHRA in combatting both. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To conclude this two-part series, we ask what the future of work and unions looks like in America. We will discuss both positive and negative ideas for long-term labor reform; from sectoral bargaining, which would mandate one-size-fits-wall wages and benefits across entire industries, to more positive recommendations that would instill flexibility and voluntarism in collective bargaining.Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. labor market was experiencing record-setting lows in unemployment and rising incomes, with the largest gains accruing to the lowest-income workers. This was the result of pro-worker and pro-growth tax and regulatory policies. A new congress and administration could not only undo some of those policies but could also pursue actions that could set American workers back decades. The Heritage Foundation and Institute for the American Worker would like to invite you to join us for a two-part series on the future of labor policy in America, for 2021 and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The U.S. Army has made modernizing its capabilities a top priority, establishing 8 cross functional teams, six new modernization priorities, and a new 4-star command—Army Futures Command. Under this new command, the organization charged with delivering technology solutions is the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, also known as DEVCOM. More than 14,000 soldiers, civilians and contractor fall under this command.The landscape for technological development is rapidly changing. From the 1940s to the 1980s, the DOD itself was the driver of innovation, but now private industry has assumed much of that role. Collaboration between industry and the military has never been more crucial, and DEVCOM is on the front line of that effort.This engaging webinar will explore how DEVCOM is providing critical solutions to the Army, adapting to the realities of constrained budgets, and dealing with the proliferation of organizations probing the limits of science and technology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we celebrate one of the most significant protections of liberty in the history of the world: The Bill of Rights. Adopted 229 years ago, on December 15, 1791, the United States Constitution's first ten amendments protect our most fundamental rights and liberties and guarantee equal protection under the law. In honor of the Bill of Rights, we will bolster five trailblazing initiatives that promote civic education and foster an appreciation of our founding for America's next generation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Trump Administration withdrew from the flawed Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and applied maximum pressure on Iran to attain a stronger and more favorable agreement. But Tehran refused to negotiate and escalated its uranium enrichment, attacks on Arabian Gulf oil facilities, and proxy attacks on the U.S. and its allies. Presidential candidate Joe Biden pledged in September to return to the Iran Deal if Iran is compliant with the agreement. What would this mean in practical terms? What are the potential pitfalls for U.S. policy regarding Iran, nuclear proliferation, and regional security?Join a panel of experts for a timely discussion about what to expect if the US re-enters the Iran Deal and what Congress can do to prevent a dangerous rollback of sanctions on Iran that would make the Middle East, and arguably the world, a less safe place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United Nations Charter charges the organization with “promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all.” Sadly, the U.N. has often failed to fulfill this obligation. In particular, the Human Rights Council has demonstrated bias and ineptitude, too often manipulated by the world’s worst human rights abusers. The U.S. left the Council in 2018 after other governments failed to support much-needed reforms to prevent human rights abusers from joining and eliminate discrimination against Israel. It is a tall task to fix a body that, in the words of Amb. Craft, “is a haven for despots and dictators, hostile to Israel, and ineffectual on true human rights crises.” Please join us as Amb. Craft discusses lessons learned and offers suggestions for reforms that would help the Council live up to its purpose. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four decades ago, Bob Woodson founded an organization to identify, connect, and enhance the work of community leaders fighting problems like poverty, addiction, gang violence, and prisoner recidivism. He discovered common traits and principles at work in the extraordinary grassroots leaders he’s worked with over the years. Now he’s sharing these lessons for everyone looking for answers about what can restore wounded lives and communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new era of Great Power Competition is dawning between the U.S., China and Russia, and the struggle for dominance spans all the world’s oceans. The U.S. Navy is turning to meet this new threat, but the fleet has spent recent decades focused on near-coast operations and support for counterterrorism. Now, it must confront rival navies on the high seas and compensate for Chinese and Russian uses of non-military tactics such as hybrid warfare and coercive behavior.>>> Index of U.S. Military StrengthA new era requires new thinking and new concepts of the Navy’s role in America’s security. Join our expert panel for an enlightening discussion on how the Navy can engage and succeed in Great Power Competition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last winter, the regulatory system at the FDA, the CDC and CMS delayed the ability of the United States to rapidly develop and deploy COVID-19 testing. These regulatory failures contributed to the rapid spread of COVID and led to lockdowns, and a wave of infections. This time around, the agencies could (and should) enable us to get ahead of the virus by approving rapid self-testing kits for COVID-19.  The FDA has taken steps in this direction, but barriers remain. For example, a cheap rapid test requires a laboratory certificate, even though it can be performed anywhere with no lab equipment.  >>> An Urgently Needed Pivot to End COVID and Cure LockdownsWith the virus rapidly getting worse, action is critical. What steps are needed to cut red tape and put reliable information in the hands of the American people? Why is this step critical, and how will it work alongside a vaccine?  Join us for an eye-opening conversation about the need to unleash the power of a test that can save lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part one of this two-part series, we will discuss what the election outcomes mean for labor policy in the near-term, including insights about what to expect from the next Congress, Administration, and State and Local governments.Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. labor market was experiencing record-setting lows in unemployment and rising incomes, with the largest gains accruing to the lowest-income workers. This was the result of pro-worker and pro-growth tax and regulatory policies. A new congress and administration could not only undo some of those policies but could also pursue actions that could set American workers back decades. The Heritage Foundation and Institute for the American Worker would like to invite you to join us for a two-part series on the future of labor policy in America, for 2021 and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the past four years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has achieved significant environmental benefits while reining in past agency overreach. It has finalized numerous regulations that respect the rule of law, federalism, and property rights. It has also been proactive in strengthening transparency in agency decision-making. This includes promoting policies that will help ensure the use of sound science and proper benefit-cost analysis in the formulation of regulations.Join us as we hear directly from EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler about a major agency announcement and discuss some of the agency’s most important successes during the Trump Administration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Baltic Sea remains one of the most complex regions that the U.S. and NATO are obligated to defend, with Russia posing the only substantial threat to peace and stability. The impact of Russia’s growing presence in Belarus, the evolving global pandemic, the outcome of U.S. elections, and NATO’s ongoing period of reflection will cause ripples for Baltic Security. Finland, Sweden, and the U.S. share a focus on the security and stability of the Baltic Sea region. Already close partners, Sweden and Finland have sought ways to strengthen the security relationship with the U.S., including signing a Trilateral Agreement in May 2018.Finland and Sweden have recently signaled significant increases in defense investment and continue to cooperate closely with NATO as “enhanced opportunity partners.” Join us for a discussion on Finland and Sweden’s ongoing role in Baltic Sea security, what the new defense investments are and what they mean, and why partnership with the U.S. and NATO should continue to be strengthened. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

November is National Adoption Month and the morning after Election Day a critical case about foster care and religious freedom was heard by the Supreme Court. The pandemic shutdowns have reduced the supply of families for the 424,000 children in foster care, 125,000 of whom are eligible to be adopted. Even before COVID-19, the opioid crisis dramatically increased the number of children in the state's care. And yet because of disagreements over same-sex marriage and gender identity, governments have been taking choices away from parents which reduces families for children. Adoption and foster care provide lifelines to children in need. Please join us as we discuss these issues that are fundamentally about life, civil rights, and the best interests of America's neediest children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine American life without private property rights and a free market system, the foundation that men and women, since the nation's birth, developed and preserved. Plymouth's first colonial settlement rejected communal property and successfully implemented the idea of individual property rights by promoting individual initiative and prosperity within the community. Today the assault on private property rights and the creep of socialism continue to challenge free-market principles. Join the discussion and trace the origins of free-market principles from Plymouth's economic structures to today's free-market economy and discover the influence on modern-day property rights and economic liberty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Faced with the possibility of deep rifts within their new community, the signers of the Mayflower Compact did something almost unheard of in Europe: They mutually agreed to enact “just and equal laws” to guide them in their new political community. There would be no king among their ranks; rather, they would submit themselves to laws that they themselves had written. In this, the Pilgrims offered an early model of American constitutionalism: the rule of law, equal justice, and government by consent of the governed. The Mayflower Compact stands as a rebuke to those who denigrate America’s historic commitment to freedom and democracy, ideals which were written into the very first pages of the American story. Join the discussion to hear the case for preserving our legacy of freedom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2020 Antipoverty Forum will highlight people and policies reconnecting communities to overcome poverty and social challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2020 Antipoverty Forum will highlight people and policies reconnecting communities to overcome poverty and social challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The key to achieving human flourishing is culture -- not genes, geography, institutions, or policies. In his latest book, Why Culture Matters Most, Dr. David Rose argues that societal success depends on the ability to impart moral beliefs through culture, strengthening a society’s institutions and practices. Join our second Russell Kirk Lecture for a conversation with Dr. David Rose about the importance of culture and moral beliefs as the foundations for a flourishing civil society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2021 Index of U.S. Military Strength is The Heritage Foundation’s seventh annual assessment of the United States Armed Forces’ ability to provide for the common defense. This year’s assessment reflects that progress has been made in building up America’s military forces, but a great deal of work remains. This year’s Index provides a fresh, authoritative assessment of the U.S. military and updates on major threats to U.S. interests and the ability of allies to contribute to common security interests, along with a brand new chapter on the U.S. Space Force.This highly anticipated event will feature keynote remarks from Representative William “Mac” Thornberry. Mr. Thornberry is retiring from Congress at the end of this year, following a long and distinguished tenure of supporting a strong national defense. He first joined Congress and the House Armed Services Committee in 1994, and currently serves as the Committee’s ranking member.Please join us to hear his candid insights into the state of military affairs as he concludes this tremendous period of service, followed by a presentation of the key takeaways from this year’s Index by Heritage’s Senior Research Fellow Dakota Wood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and in the face of a rising China, the U.S.-Taiwan partnership is more important than ever. Taiwan is an important partner in the Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy and a strong democracy with shared values. For years, The Heritage Foundation has called for the U.S. forging an ever-closer partnership with Taiwan, from advocating for a free trade agreement to actively supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. Join us as we discuss how to build upon the U.S.-Taiwan partnership and the role it plays. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2020 election perplexed many in the media and the coastal elites. In Florida, Cuban-American and Puerto Rican voters helped deliver the state for President Trump; in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas’ Mexican-American heartland also turned out in unexpected numbers for the President. Even in the Golden State, Chinese-American parents organized to turn back an attempt to reintroduce racial preferences in university admissions. And throughout the country, African-American voters, especially men, voted for Trump also in unexpected rates.What happened? Why? Was Identity Politics the biggest loser in 2020? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Abortion, embryo-destructive research, assisted reproductive technologies, artificial wombs, genetically modified babies, physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. These are just a small sampling of the bioethical questions our country will have to address in the coming years. Lying beneath these questions are competing visions of what it means to be a human being and how human beings flourish. Join an academic all-star panel as they discuss the ethics, policies, and philosophies at the core of today's debates. All three scholars served in various capacities on The President's Council on Bioethics, and have written extensively on these issues, including a new Harvard University Press book by Carter Snead, What It Means To Be Human: The Case for the Body in Public Bioethics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On November 11, 1620, English settlers arrived in the New World seeking religious freedom. But when the Pilgrims landed near Cape Cod, Massachusetts, they quickly realized they needed something more: a document that would make possible a self-governing community. The result was the Mayflower Compact, a social contract and “a covenant” for a new political society. This remarkable document, an early example of democratic self-rule, became a model for the American Founders. Often overlooked is how the Christian beliefs of these Pilgrims—especially their commitment to freedom of conscience—laid the groundwork for later debates about religious freedom in the American colonies. Join us for a lecture and discussion about the origins of religious liberty in America and its enduring importance to our democracy.Register now for Part II: The Mayflower Compact and the Foundations of the Rule of LawRegister now for Part III: The Mayflower Compact and the Foundations of Property Rights, Liberty, and Prospe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does school choice treat children as widgets? Does it hurt children with special needs? Does school choice have racist origins? Does it siphon money from public schools and balkanize Americans? In School Choice Myths: Setting the Record Straight on Education Freedom, a new book edited by Corey DeAngelis (Reason Foundation) and Neal McCluskey (Cato Institute), 14 of the nation’s top education policy scholars dispel these and other misconceptions. Join us to hear from several of the book’s contributors, and to equip yourself with the information you need to shatter falsehoods standing in the way of education choice and freedom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Foster families provide life-saving care for thousands of children each year. These families, in turn, are served by various agencies, both religious and secular, which equip, support, and empower them to care for children. Unfortunately, the City of Philadelphia told longtime foster parents that they could no longer work with Catholic Social Services — because the City doesn’t like its Catholic beliefs about marriage. Now, the Supreme Court will decide the fate of this adoption agency and determine whether these families can continue to serve children in need. Join us for an expert panel featuring a foster care policy expert, a foster and adoptive mother supported by a faith-affirming agency, and the lawyer from the religious liberty law firm Becket who argued on behalf of the families at the Supreme Court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It has been an unprecedented election season, including a global pandemic, widespread civil unrest, and the increasing polarization of the country. Americans have a lot to contemplate as they go to the ballot box. But once the people have spoken…it’s time to analyze the results.Join our all-star panel for unique insights on how the results could translate into policy and action. There will be no shortage of colorful commentary, as our panelists discuss the political implications in the aftermath of what promises to be an historic election. What do the results mean for our constitutional republic? Will there be changes to our foreign policy? How will the results affect the economy and jobs? What are the ramifications for the Supreme Court? We will explore all of these questions and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Heritage Foundation’s Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies is honored to announce that former Attorney General Ed Meese will deliver our thirteenth Joseph Story Distinguished Lecture. The event will be a conversation with him, reflecting on his life, legacy, and over 50 years within the conservative movement.The namesake of the lecture—the eminent jurist Joseph Story—became the youngest Associate Justice ever to serve on the United States Supreme Court when he was appointed by President Madison in 1812. Story made a significant mark on American law in his thirty-three years on the bench, but his greatest contribution to jurisprudence is his renowned Commentaries on the Constitution, in which he set forth a philosophy of judicial restraint. This lecture series celebrates his legacy.Previous Joseph Story Lectures have been delivered by Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Judge Janice Rogers Brown, Judge Carlos Bea, Senator Orrin Hatch, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2010, six organizations set out to redefine civics education. What they brought about is known as “New Civics,” “Action Civics,” “Civic Engagement,” or “Project-Based Civics.” Dr. Lindsay’s important new study examines the origins, nature, and educational effects of this movement in civic education and demonstrates that it has a clear progressive bias, teaches our kids to protest, and leads to civic ignorance. In part III of our America's History of Hope series Dr. Lindsay will discuss this important study and provide a roadmap for putting Americans back on a path toward civic knowledge.Want to revisit Part I of the Series? Click here to watch The Power of Trial and Triumph.Want to revisit Part II of the Series? Click here to watch The Perils of Revisionist History. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Operation Warp Speed (OWS) is an unprecedented public-private partnership to produce and deliver 300 million doses of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine by January 2021. Thus far nearly $10 billion has been directed by Congress to this effort which carries the promise of an early end to the pandemic and the resumption by Americans of their normal lives. The two main government partners within OWS are the Health and Human Services and Defense Departments. The Department of Defense is providing key assistance and capabilities including assistance with logistics, contracting and supply chain management. Something else DOD is providing is leadership.In May 2020 Army General Gus Perna was weeks away from concluding a 39 year military career when President Donald Trump called upon him to serve as the Chief Operating Officer for OWS. Confirmed by the Senate on July 2, General Perna with Dr. Moncef Slaoui, the Chief Scientific Advisor, now helps lead this historic undertaking which has been compared to the country’s WWII Manhattan Project.This engaging webinar will probe the goal, the progress and the challenges involved with this critical project. We will also explore the status of the vaccines and how an Army General has adapted to lead an effort requiring the cooperation of literally hundreds of different entities, both in and out of government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every night, nearly half a million Americans sleep in homeless shelters, cars, and the streets. Sadly, many of these citizens struggle with addiction or mental illness. Yet in America’s most progressive cities, left-wing mayors and city councils spend billions of dollars on homelessness programs with insufficient results. Why do the most progressive cities have the highest rates of homelessness? What conservative solutions could stop this problem?In the wake of the COVID-19 lockdowns and widespread street unrest, cities are now grappling with what to do about homelessness. Join The Heritage Foundation as we expose the left's counterproductive approach and bring to light thoughtful, compassionate conservative solutions for homelessness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From building the border wall to rescinding the unconstitutional DACA program to stopping illegal immigrant caravans from Central America, the Trump Administration has made a dizzying number of border security and immigration changes. Border security and immigration are regularly among the top issues that Americans care about because they affect so many aspects of our lives – the economy, crime, public health, education, culture, and more.The meaningful progress of the Trump Administration is opposed by the radical left who seek to undo these changes and impose an open borders immigration policy, along with amnesty for millions of illegal aliens already in the United States. The Trump Administration made these changes in the face of stiff and coordinated opposition via lawsuits and judicial activism, congressional inaction, and state and local sanctuary jurisdictions. This opposition has real consequences, including heartbreaking drug overdoses and violent gang activity in the United States from the deadly drugs and MS-13 gang members crossing our border. In 2020, COVID-19 further complicated America’s border and immigration issues, leading to travel restrictions, employment visa and foreign student policy changes to protect public health and prioritize Americans getting back to work. America will continue to experience dynamic immigration issues when countries recover from COVID-19 and have to address their struggling economies.Join our virtual event for an important and lively conversation about the accomplishments of the Trump Administration on border security and immigration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American security interests are challenged by worrisome developments across the globe, ranging from China’s rapid military buildup to Russian adventurism to North Korean nuclear programs. COVID-19 has had an effect on all of America and the U.S. military has not been spared. To counter these threats and more the Defense Department developed and executes today the 2018 National Defense Strategy. The first line of effort in that strategy calls upon the DOD to “rebuild military readiness as it builds a more lethal joint force.”How is that effort going? Has the Department of Defense been successful in rebuilding military readiness? What successes have occurred and what challenges remain? How has COVID-19 impacted the execution of the strategy?Please join Heritage for his prepared remarks followed by a question and answer session with the man responsible for implementing the strategy, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The emerging market, especially in Africa, has achieved many technological advances in the past several years. Meanwhile, China's burgeoning fifth-generation (5G) wireless network offers developing countries faster access to the rest of the world and the ability to expand their industries with the use of digital technology. But, at what cost?The U.S., arm-in-arm with the rest of the free world, must mitigate the risks associated with government-controlled Chinese companies deploying 5G wireless networks in emerging markets, and work to develop viable alternatives to Chinese technology. Such a presence is a clear national security threat that compromises global telecommunications and data infrastructure, and ultimately affects how countries are governed.Beijing’s “civil-military fusion” practices must not be allowed to threaten any nation's security. Further, the United States must meaningfully penalize Beijing’s blatant attempts to threaten America’s critical infrastructure while using its technology industry in service of state espionage.Join our virtual event for an important and lively conversation about 5G and the developing world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In some respects, 2020 has been a disappointing year for the Second Amendment. The Supreme Court continued its decade-long silence on this important constitutional right, and gun control legislation remains a potent rallying cry for many local, state, and national lawmakers. And yet, 2020 is nevertheless poised to be a year of Second Amendment resurgence. Nationwide protests, violent crime spikes in major cities, and calls to defund or abolish police departments have led to record-breaking numbers of gun sales. Nearly 40% of new sales during the first half of the year were by first-time buyers, with an estimated 2.5 million Americans joining the ranks of gun owners between January and June.Who are these new gun owners? What motivates them? What obstacles do they face in the exercise of their Second Amendment rights? How might this unprecedented spike in first-time gun owners affect the national conversation about the right to keep and bear arms? Join our important conversation about the changing landscape of gun ownership in America and what this means for the larger debate on gun control.NOTE: Due to an unfortunate technical issue, parts of Amy Swearer's address have been lost from the final video version of this event. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2020 presidential election continues to get more tumultuous as Election Day approaches. With concern over the threat of COVID-19 and an explosion in election-related litigation, there is an organized push for all-mail voting as a substitute for casting ballots at the polls. Given the documented security vulnerabilities and serious problems with delayed and misdelivery of mail-in or absentee ballots, how safe is the vote-by-mail process? Join us for a deep dive into what is happening on the ground in states across the country, as our experts unpack the organized campaign being waged to compromise election integrity.We will cover the issue from all angles, including perspectives from a current secretary of state, an investigative journalist, and an election lawyer actively engaged in litigation in the states. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades the transatlantic partnership has helped promote peace, security, prosperity, and freedom. Join us as we explore the potential, challenges, and future of the partnership in bringing these assets to bear on the China challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Several months ago, the first reports of a deadly virus in Wuhan began to surface. As the global health community sought answers, the Chinese Communist Party hid behind a Great Wall of Secrecy. Now, as the Chinese government pursues a doubling of their nuclear arsenal, they’re hiding behind the same wall. What are China’s true nuclear ambitions? How must the U.S.—and the world—respond?The Heritage Foundation is pleased to host Ambassador Marshall Billingslea, Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control, to discuss all this and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court. Barrett has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit since November 2017 and has authored over 100 opinions during her nearly three years on the bench. Before becoming a federal judge, she was a law professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School. During her last confirmation, a diverse group of 48 professors from leading law schools lauded her contributions to legal scholarship as “rigorous, fair-minded, respectful, and constructive.” She has been praised as a judge who tries to interpret the Constitution according to its original public meaning. The Senate Judiciary Committee will soon hold hearings to examine Judge Barrett’s record and judicial philosophy. What kind of judge is she? How will her confirmation impact the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence? Join us as a panel of scholars analyze Judge Barrett’s most significant rulings and legal writings and her likely impact on the Court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India and the United States find themselves increasingly converging on the key geopolitical issues of our time: counterterrorism, the Free and Open Indo-Pacific, rules-based order, and the need for transparent and sustainable infrastructure in South Asia. As an unprecedented crisis simmers at the China-India border, the India-U.S. strategic partnership is poised to assume even greater significance in the years ahead. Please join us as Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu reviews recent efforts to strengthen the India-U.S. partnership based on the shared values of democracy and the rule of law while looking ahead to new opportunities for India-U.S. collaboration in a changing global environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the last four years, the United States has taken great strides in the domain of space. The Department of Defense has been reorganized to add a new service and a new combatant command whose collective focus is the warfighting domain of space. NASA was given new strategic guidance for human exploration of space and funding to make it happen. This year alone, the commercial sector will more than double the number of launches made from US soil in a single year. On-demand, low cost space access is closer to reality than ever before.Those gains should be celebrated, as they have put the United States on a trajectory to dominate all other nations in this critical domain. During the next four years America must use its current momentum to ensure the noble ends of security, exploration, and access are achieved for both the United States and the free world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On October 6th, 2017, President Trump signed the Women Peace and Security Act, the first legislation of its kind in the world. To commemorate the third anniversary of the Act and to launch the American Council on Women, Peace, and Security, panelists will examine America’s unique contributions to the WPS agenda in an era of strategic competition. Join us as experts discuss how the United States will engage other nations with their own WPS frameworks, advance women’s liberty, dignity and opportunity as a matter of national security, and make the United States the partner of choice in the years ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.