Tag: Commentary

Kurt Kovarik, outgoing legislative director for Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has cashed out for a biodiesel lobbying job, a little more than a month after helping defeat an effort to reduce mandated levels of biodiesel usage. (iStock)

Beltway Confidential

Revolving door alert: Senior Chuck Grassley staffer helped lobby the administration after accepting industry job

Philip Wegmann · December 21, 2017 10:07 pm

Granted, only a Grinch would complain about employees getting bigger take home pay after the holidays. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

Beltway Confidential

Those corporate tax reform bonuses are actually crony bribes with extra steps

Philip Wegmann · December 21, 2017 9:16 pm

A family of four and a household of four are not identical, but it seems that House Speaker Paul Ryan is in the right ballpark here: The median family of four saves about (probably more than) $2,100 thanks to this bill. (iStock)

Beltway Confidential

Actually, the average family of four really will save more than $2,000 from this bill

Timothy P. Carney · December 21, 2017 9:10 pm

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks at the U.N. General Assembly. President Trump's threat to cut off U.S. funding to countries that oppose his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital has raised the stakes in Thursday's U.N. vote and sparked criticism of his tactics. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Beltway Confidential

The 5 most idiotic Twitter reactions to Nikki Haley’s UN speech

Tom Rogan · December 21, 2017 8:13 pm

Are House Speaker Paul Ryan (left) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (right) perfect? Of course not. McConnell, especially, can be imperious and tone deaf. But both of them are accomplished leaders who have contributed much to conservatism and country, with this new tax law being just the latest proof. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Beltway Confidential

After tax reform, maybe Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell aren’t so bad after all

Quin Hillyer · December 21, 2017 7:53 pm

In February, the Justice Department announced indictments against 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, pool)

Beltway Confidential

Selling weapons to Ukraine, Trump must be ready to counter Russian escalation

Tom Rogan · December 21, 2017 6:25 pm

Using politics to avoid competition would have a negative impact on the U.S. economy and the travel and tourism industry more broadly. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Beltway Confidential

American, United, and Delta airlines should compete instead of crying to Uncle Sam for help

Mark J. Perry · December 21, 2017 5:12 pm

Roy Moore didn't have the character to win the race, and Roy Moore definitely doesn't have the grace needed to lose it well. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Beltway Confidential

Roy Moore isn’t taking his loss well

Philip Wegmann · December 21, 2017 4:52 pm

Last week, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tacitly threatened that Tehran would resume its nuclear program if European states doubled down on its ballistic missile program and terrorist ventures. (Arif Hudaverdi Yaman/Pool Photo via AP)

Beltway Confidential

Iran is holding the world hostage with its human rights violations

Washington Examiner · December 21, 2017 4:50 pm

Christmas ornaments

Beltway Confidential

Why does the University of Minnesota hate Christmas and Hanukkah?

Nicole Russell · December 21, 2017 4:46 pm

Writing about a major action in someone's life as a thing that will appear in their obituary is a standard way to convey its importance — for good or for ill. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Beltway Confidential

Don’t be snowflakes: Ben Rhodes’ obit comment is not a death wish

Timothy P. Carney · December 21, 2017 4:27 pm

President Trump lays out a national security strategy that envisions nations in perpetual competition, reverses Obama-era warnings on climate change, and de-emphasizes multinational agreements. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Beltway Confidential

Will Trump kill a world-trade Santa Claus?

Bruce Yandle · December 21, 2017 4:26 pm