Heritage Events Podcast

The U.S. armed forces depend on approximately 200,000 citizens to volunteer every year. Unfortunately, the Pentagon reports that 71 percent of Americans aged 17 to 24 cannot join the military, due primarily to inadequate education, physical unfitness, record of serious crime, or drug abuse. Furthermore, obesity remains a bigger threat to our country now than it was a generation ago. Unaddressed, this situation poses a national security crisis: America will not be able to maintain the size and type of armed forces necessary to defend the nation’s interests, a potentially catastrophic situation. What is driving the rise in the inability of Americans to qualify for military service? How are the problems manifesting themselves today? What can our nation do to reverse these trends? Please join a group of experts as they discuss this important challenge for our nation. Co-hosted by Mission: Readiness, the nonpartisan organization of over 700 retired admirals and generals strengthening national security by ensuring kids stay in school, stay fit, and stay out of trouble. It is part of Council for a Strong America.

As America enters what has been called the “transgender moment,” children have been placed in the crosshairs. As increasing numbers of children are diagnosed with “gender dysphoria,” parents and physicians alike face difficult questions about human identity and sexuality, as well as mounting pressure to treat children with experimental therapies such as puberty-blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones. But can a boy truly be “trapped” in a girl’s body? Can modern medicine really “reassign” sex? Is sex something “assigned” in the first place? What’s the loving response to a friend or child experiencing a gender-identity conflict? Join us as an expert panel provides answers to these questions, distinguishing biological fact from ideological fiction regarding the push for transgender-affirming therapies and the dangers of these emerging treatments.

This term, the Supreme Court will consider Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Jack Phillips who owns Masterpiece is a cake artist who serves all customers but can’t express all messages. The State of Colorado charged him with discrimination when he declined the opportunity to custom create a cake for a same-sex wedding due to his Christian beliefs about marriage. A Colorado state commissioner compared Jack Phillips’ religious beliefs to justifications for slavery. Some on the Left have argued that those who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman are bigots, just like racists. The comparison is not only false but also detrimental to civil discourse about a critical issue of our day. Come join us for a discussion with Heritage’s Ryan T. Anderson, former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran, and Ryan Bomberger of the Radiance Foundation on this important subject.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have proposed rescinding the controversial “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule that would have allowed the federal government to regulate almost any water imaginable, including what most people would consider to be dry land. While this overreaching rule should be on the way out, the debate as to what waters should be defined as federal waters under the Clean Water Act continues. As the EPA and Corps develop a new rule, which could take years, it’s also important to know what waters will be regulated by federal agencies in the interim. What can be done during that period to stop the unreasonable attacks on property owners? What should be a “navigable water of the United States” under any new rule? Should Congress clarify the definition of “navigable waters?” This panel will address these important questions and discuss other developments connected to the WOTUS rule, including a Supreme Court case that will be argued on October 11 that will decide which courts will hear challenges to any new rule first – and how long challengers have to file their objections.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is a regulator of central importance to the functioning of U.S. capital markets. It regulates nearly 4.000 broker-dealers and almost 650,000 registered representatives. It is a private, not-for-profit organization. In 2015, FINRA levied $94 million in fines against broker-dealers, took 1,512 disciplinary actions against broker-dealers, and ordered $97 million in restitution to harmed investors. FINRA has an annual budget of $1 billion. Concerns raised about FINRA include a lack of transparency, the imposition of a large regulatory burden on small broker-dealers, the structure of its rule-making process and the fairness of its arbitration process. Robert Cook became CEO in August, 2016. FINRA, under his leadership, is undertaking a comprehensive review of its rules and practices called FINRA 360. Recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission stood up a new office to conduct oversight of FINRA and Congress held an oversight hearing. Please join us for an extended conversation with Robert Cook on a wide range of topics, followed by audience questions and answers.

Private schools for the poor have flourished in places like Ghana, India, Kenya, and China – even when government officials deny the schools’ very existence. Devoted parents who want the best education for their children are building and supporting small, low-cost, and effective private schools. In The Beautiful Tree, Dr. James Tooley chronicles his journey through parts of the developing world, painting a vivid picture of the power of determined parents and an entrepreneurial environment for education. His research and stories show the ways that these communities are embracing the innovation and quality of the private sector to help their children escape the inadequacies of government-run schools. Join us to hear Dr. James Tooley reflect on the findings in The Beautiful Tree and the state of low cost private education today. Dr. Tooley’s remarks will be followed by a screening of “Forces and Choices,” the third episode of the PBS documentary, School Inc., and a conversation with Dr. Neal McCluskey, Director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Educational Freedom.

Owen Paterson was one of the leading Conservative voices in the 2016 Brexit campaign and has been an ardent supporter of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union. As preparations for leaving the EU in 2019 continue, he has called on the United States and the United Kingdom to move forward with a post-EU free trade agreement and believes that the Special Relationship will be greatly strengthened through Brexit. Join us as Mr. Paterson outlines the challenges ahead as the UK forges its path as a sovereign, free trading nation, free of the shackles of Brussels, and explains why America has much to gain from Brexit. Owen Paterson has been a Member of Parliament since 1997 and was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in May 2010 and made a Privy Counsellor. During the September 2012 reshuffle, he became the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. In July 2014 Paterson returned to the backbenches. Later that year he founded the think tank UK 2020 in order to research and publish optimistic, outward-looking, electorally viable conservative policies as a vital contribution to the Conservative Party.

Assessing U.S. national interests and America’s ability to defend those interests is the foremost responsibility of the federal government. One of the key resources for policymakers has become The Heritage Foundation’s annual Index of U.S. Military Strength, containing the latest assessments of global threats, operating environments, and the status of the U.S. military. The 2018 Index of U.S. Military Strength is Heritage’s fourth annual assessment of the United States Armed Forces’ ability to provide for the common defense. As with the first three editions, the 2018 Index continues to analyze the U.S. military’s status in capacity, capability, and readiness. Unfortunately, the 2018 Index reports that despite the world becoming more dangerous, our military power continues to decline in readiness, size and capability. Significantly, the 2018 Index of U.S. Military Strength also explores, using essays by noted scholars, the characteristics and nature of the major warfighting domains: land, sea, air, space, cyber and joint, providing insights of value to professionals and amateurs alike in understanding the modern nature of conflict in these domains. Join us for the debut of the 2018 Index of U.S. Military Strength as well as a special discussion from noted national security experts on the components critical to the defense of our nation.

The administrative state has existed since the nation’s earliest days. Until the New Deal, it did not directly regulate the business and personal affairs of most Americans. Beginning in the 1930s and continuing until today, the federal Leviathan has become a powerful and intrusive feature in American society. That was particularly true during the eight years of the Obama Administration as federal agencies took it upon themselves to govern almost every aspect of modern life, including who may use what bathrooms. The expanded reach of the so-called Fourth Branch of Government into American life has generated criticism and prompted some to question the legitimacy of the administrative state. Join us as OIRA Administrator Neomi Rao explains the Trump Administration’s vision for the future of the administrative state.

On April 26, 2017, President Trump directed the Department of the Interior to review National Monuments created since 1996 under the Antiquities Act of 1906. What followed was a heated debate about the role of federal lands in society, the impact National Monument designations have on states and local communities, the power of the President to review the decisions of his predecessors under the Antiquities Act, and the growing need for reform. Much misinformation has been spread, reaching even to the basics of what a national monument designation entails and how they are different than America’s national parks. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke has delivered recommendations to the President regarding 26 National Monuments and marine areas in 12 states, the Pacific, and Atlantic. Congress must engage even as the Trump Administration considers next steps for these lands. As Secretary Zinke stated in his review to the President: “The executive power under the Act is not a substitute for a lack of congressional action on protective land designations.” Please join Sutherland Institute and The Heritage Foundation for a half-day conference to discuss these issues and hear from Members of Congress and their constituents who are directly impacted by National Monument lands.

On September 26, Republican Study Committee members made Three Promises for Three Months in order to refocus the legislative effort on Capitol Hill. Among these promises was a pledge to deliver tax relief to the American people through overdue tax reform. Securing America’s economic future by eliminating distortions and creating fairness in the tax code will provide economic opportunity for everyone. RSC members believe Congress must deliver on these objectives. Join us as members of the House Republican Study Committee examine the path to pro-growth comprehensive tax reform.

Recent revelations of the Russian purchase of Facebook ads in the last U.S. presidential election cycle and efforts to sway public opinion to undermine faith in American democracy are classic examples of Kremlin information warfare. Americans have been reminded that while the Soviet Union is long gone, its insidious disinformation strategies are alive and well. The countries along Russia’s borders as well as in Eastern and Central Europe have borne the brunt of Kremlin interference and disinformation for years. Russia’s strategy is to dislodge them from the European Union, create internal turmoil and smear the United State with a barrage of anti-American fake news. Please join us as The Heritage Foundation hosts a panel of experts with extensive first-hand experience of Russian disinformation and knowledge of what can be done to push back against it.

In one way or another Newt Gingrich has been leading a revolution for most of his life. In Citizen Newt, author Craig Shirley captures the events, ideas, successes, and failures of Newton Leroy Gingrich – one of the most complex, influential, and durable political figures of our time. From Gingrich’s childhood in Pennsylvania and his years as a young history professor, Citizen Newt moves through Gingrich’s first forays into politics and takes readers behind the scenes of the Congressman’s crucial role in the Reagan Revolution, his battles with Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and his co-authorship of the 1994 Contract with America. Drawing upon untold stories from Gingrich and those who know him best – political allies and opponents, Washington insiders and political iconoclasts, Capitol Hill staffers and colleagues – Craig Shirley presents a fascinating, humorous, humanizing, and insightful account of a true American original.

Please join us for a major policy address by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke. Secretary Zinke will discuss President Donald Trump's American energy dominance agenda, focusing specifically on the importance of American energy production and how the federal government can be a better business partner. In his role, Secretary Zinke oversees a vast portfolio of American energy resources and has been critical to the Trump Administration’s policy to increase domestic energy development. The Secretary will further outline the Administration's "all of the above" energy strategy, leveraging the full slate of American natural resources to advance American interests.

On October 10, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Trump v. International Refugee Assistance Project, which challenges the President’s Executive Order temporarily suspending entry from six countries. Is this order constitutional under the authority delegated to the President by Congress? Is the issue even justiciable or outside the authority of the federal courts? Did the lower courts show adequate deference to the President with respect to this national security issue or does the executive order violate the Establishment Clause? Get a preview of the arguments that will be made before the Court by two leading experts on constitutional law and executive authority.