“Audit the Fed” Overwhelmingly Passes House, But Dead In Senate?

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed Rep. Ron Paul’s “Audit the Fed” bill, in a capstone moment for the Congressman’s career. However, despite bi-partisan support in the House, the bill companion bill is not expected to pass the Senate, potentially halting the “Audit the Fed” movement.

In a 327 to 98 blowout, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, H.R. 459, which came to the floor with 270 co-sponsors, passed under the suspension of normal House rules, meaning it required at least a two-thirds majority to pass and would be considered without any amendments. All but one Republican and 89 Democrats voted in favor of the bill, which grants the Government Accountability Office (GAO) broad authority to examine the operations of the Federal Reserve System—the central bank of the United States which has never received a full audit.

By /// July 26, 2012

Ron Paul’s Legacy Celebrated by Young Americans for Liberty In Wake of “Audit The Fed” Vote

Coming directly from a historic win in the House of Representatives Wednesday, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) energized the opening day of the fourth annual Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) National Conference, and accepted the aptly named inaugural Ron Paul Legacy Award.

The opening day of the 2012 YAL National Conference paid tribute to the legacy of the man who “made the Constitution sexy again,” as described by entrepreneur Scott Banister.

Paul’s legacy, a fierce dedication to constitutional principles, was made especially poignant by the House’s same-day passage of “The Federal Reserve Transparency Act, H.R. 459, commonly referred to as the “Audit the Fed” bill. Paul first introduced an Audit the Fed bill in 1983 and the effort initially flopped. By contrast, yesterday’s bill made it through committee unanimously, passed the House with overwhelming bi-partisan support, and boasted 270 co-sponsors.

By /// July 26, 2012

“Audit the Fed” Bill To Face House Vote Wednesday

Today the House of Representatives is expected to vote on Rep. Ron Paul’s “audit the fed” bill, H.R. 459, the “Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2011.” The transparency bill, which Paul (R-TX) first announced in 1983 and attracted exactly zero co-sponsors, now has 273 cosponsors, passed the House Oversight Committee unanimously and unaltered, and is poised for a vote on the House floor.

Retiring Texas Rep. Paul is the figure largely responsible for any movement toward increasing the transparency of the Federal Reserve System. Paul turned “End the Fed” into not only a campaign slogan, but also the source and motivation of increasing numbers of young libertarians dedicated to small and accountable government.

By /// July 25, 2012

“The TSA is out of control,” say conservative groups

For three years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has used full-body scanners in airports, yet passengers  have still had no opportunity to formally voice their concerns with the technology to the agency despite a court order instructing them to do so.

In July 2011 TSA was ordered to “promptly” begin a legally required passenger-commenting system—but a year later TSA has not even begun. Now, a growing number of conservative groups are voicing their objections to the security agency’s invasive procedures and insubordination.

By /// July 24, 2012

Despite Skyrocketing Federal Student Loan Debt, Dept. of Education Aims Looks To Reform Private Student Loans

Though federal student loan debt surpasses private student loan debt by a ratio of almost 6 to 1, and lacks the natural investment oversight that private loans posses, the Department of Education and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are running full steam ahead with a plan to enact immediate reforms upon private student loaning.

On Friday, July 20, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), in conjunction with the Federal Department of Education, introduced a new online tool to help student loan borrowers that are in, or at risk of default. This announcement comes on the heels of a report released by the CFPB on the state of private student loans containing recommendations for changing private loaning in order to combat rising student debt.

By /// July 24, 2012

Students Need Skills, Not So Much Degree Panel Agrees

Thursday night, America’s Future Foundation, in conjunction with the Pope Center for Higher Education Policy, hosted a roundtable discussion on the price of higher education and the true value of a college degree. The panel of scholastic experts agreed that college degrees are increasingly less important, even as President Obama recently called them an “economic necessity.”

Panelists included scholars and lawyers from the Pope Center, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, Institute for Humane Studies, The Boy’s Initiative, and The Heritage Foundation.

By /// July 20, 2012

HHS Secretary Continues The Obamatax Deceit

Since the Supreme Court ruling upholds Obamacare and the individual mandate by renaming it a “tax,” the Obama administration’s policy has been to lie and dodge all mention of the Obamatax, lest Americans catch on that the president has rasied taxes on the middle class.

On Wednesday, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius followed the president’s lead and, in a talk on Obamacare’s implications for health care and public health, mentioned virtually nothing about the Obamatax.

Speaking at George Washington University, Sebelius stressed that when it comes to healthcare, the “health and economic security of middle class families across America is really at stake.”

By /// July 12, 2012

Van Jones’ Misguided Advice To Young Liberals

In advance of Campus Progress’ National Conference (CPNC) in DC later this month, influential liberal activist Van Jones, who has distinguished himself by being especially hostile to the American Right, stars in a video rallying young progressives to strategize, move off the couch, get a job, and make something of their lives by registering for the liberal conference and, presumably, voting Democratic.

But this advice flies in the face of actual policies and high unemployment under President Obama, which would presumably make this reality, quite difficult for young liberals.

“Your generation deserves to be able to go to college affordably and get out here and create some jobs for some people,” Jones says in the video. “You shouldn’t be sunk under a mountain of student debt.” That must be why President Obama has cut federal Pell Grants for students while at the same time advocating policies that colleges use as an excuse to drive up tuition, creating the great college bubble.

By /// July 11, 2012