A National Conversation on Public Service

Jul. 23, 2013
National Constitution Center (F.M. Kirby Auditorium)

The Commission on Political Reform (CPR) will hold its second in a series of National Conversations on American Unity in partnership with the National Constitution Center and USA TODAY in Philadelphia.

Keynote Address: Federal Reserve Governor Jerome H. Powell

Jun. 27, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

Please join the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) for a discussion with Federal Reserve Governor Jerome H. Powell. Governor Powell will share his views on the benefits and costs of the Federal Reserve's current monetary policy, as well as the path forward to a stronger U.S. economy.

The Innovation Economy: Information Revolution Transforming Health Care Through Big Data

Jun. 25, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

The use of “big data” has the potential to improve both the delivery of care and the health and wellness of individuals. During this interactive policy forum, we will explore the promise, challenges, and policies that are critical to encouraging innovation in improving health and health care through the use of big data. Two key policy areas will be explored in detail: (1) the role of standards in aggregating and effectively using large, disparate data sets and (2) addressing concerns about privacy and security.

Food and Farm Policy: Impacts on Health and Health Care Costs

Jun. 20, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

The 2013 Farm Bill reauthorization debate provides an opportunity to examine efforts to minimize escalating obesity rates and identify opportunities to promote healthy eating.

The Bipartisan Policy Center’s (BPC) June 2012 report Lots to Lose: How America’s Health and Obesity Crisis Threatens Our Economic Future provides evidence that the obesity crisis has significant consequences for our well-being, the economy, and national security.

Unrelenting Resilience: An Evaluation of the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

Jun. 17, 2013
The National Press Club (Holeman Lounge)

Hurricane Sandy devastated vast areas of the Mid-Atlantic and New England last October, causing several governors to declare states of emergency and necessitating aid and assistance from every level of government and the private sector. In the aftermath of the storm, thousands of homes were damaged and millions across the US were left without power. This "On Leadership" discussion highlighted the consequences of Hurricane Sandy and provided an analysis of the lessons learned following the destruction and perspectives of how best to handle these natural disasters in the future to guarantee the safety and livelihood of the American public.

Housing Finance Reform: Is Inertia Gaining Momentum?

Jun. 17, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

Despite broad agreement on the need for reform of our nation’s housing finance system, after nearly five years Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac remain in conservatorship with no clear path forward. The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Housing Commission hosted a discussion of why the status quo is unsustainable and bipartisan legislative action is needed to restore a sound and sustainable system of housing finance.

Governors Jeb Bush and Haley Barbour: State & Local Impacts of Immigration Reform

Jun. 13, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

Recap: Governors Haley Barbour and Jeb Bush Discuss Immigration Reform

BPC hosted Governors Jeb Bush and Haley Barbour for a conversation on immigration reform. Drawing from their own experiences as governors, each provided a unique perspective on immigration and how reform legislation might affect the states, the nation and the Republican Party. Copies of Gov. Bush’s recently released book, Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution, were available for purchase and signing directly following the panel discussion. The event was part of BPC’s Immigration Task Force, which is led by Governor Barbour, former Governor Ed Rendell and former Secretaries Condoleezza Rice and Henry Cisneros.

The Geopolitical Impacts of the U.S. Tight Oil Boom: Implications for OPEC and the U.S. Strategic Posture

Jun. 12, 2013
The Hyatt Regency (Regency C/D)

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Recent reports by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and others have estimated that the United States, given its newfound tight oil wealth, will surpass Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest oil producer by the end of this decade. Growth in North American production could shift the balance of energy power from the Middle East to the West, with implications for the power of OPEC, and the competitiveness of historic suppliers. The propagation of tight oil technology could bring down the price of oil and offer opportunities for changing energy security relationships in Europe, Africa and Latin America. Optimism about North American self-sufficiency has also raised questions about the need or willingness of the United States to sustain its security engagement in the Middle East and Africa.

Calorie Cutback: Progress Report on 2010 Commitment to Reduce Calories in the Marketplace

May 30, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

Recap: Leading Food and Beverage Companies Announce Reduced Calorie Footprint

In May of 2010, at a White House event, 16 food and beverage companies stepped forward and made a commitment to reduce calories in the marketplace by 1.5 trillion by 2015, with an interim goal of a one trillion reduction by the end of 2012. This was the first commitment made to the First Lady’s Partnership for a Healthier America.

The Bottom Line: Exploring the Costs and Benefits of Immigration Reform

May 29, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

Recap: BPC Panel Explores Immigration’s Costs and Benefits

As Congress continues to look at possible ways to reform our immigration system, one of the key points of contention surrounding these efforts is the cost of reform to the American taxpayers. Although CBO has only recently announced that it will begin its work to assess the current “Gang of Eight” bill, many organizations have begun a healthy debate over the bill’s impact on the long-term and short-term federal budget as well as its wider impact on the economy. BPC hosted a conversation on both the costs and economic benefits of immigration reform.

The Reagan Presidency

May 21, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) and Maryland Public Television held a screening of select clips from the American Public Television miniseries, The Reagan Presidency.

Following the presentation, the distinguished panel revisited Ronald Reagan's presidency, from his sweeping domestic agenda to the end of the Cold War, exploring what made Reagan "The Great Communicator." The panelists examined the qualities that allowed Reagan to successfully execute his broad agenda and leave office with a lasting legacy.

Does the Public Need to Know? Journalistic Perspectives on Sharing Intelligence

May 20, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

The Bipartisan Policy Center’s (BPC) Homeland Security Project convened both members of the media and leaders in the intelligence community for a conversation about how information sharing can both be transparent and secure. Panelists evaluated tackling the balance of sharing the proper amount of information with the public regarding national issues and events (such as last year’s attacks in Benghazi) without compromising sources, methods and other secure information.

Too Big to Fail: The Path to a Solution

May 14, 2013
The National Press Club (Holeman Lounge)

Recap: New Report Points the Way Toward the End of Too-Big-to-Fail

After the financial crisis and government bailouts of 2008 everyone vowed ‘never again.’ The passage of the Dodd- Frank Act in 2010 was hailed by its supporters as ending ‘too-big-to-fail’. Yet many on both sides of the aisle remain skeptical that this has been accomplished.

The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Financial Regulatory Reform Initiative’s Failure Resolution Working Group unveiled a new report that analyzes and makes recommendations on how the Dodd-Frank Act is tackling the ‘too-big-to-fail’ problem. This report specifically examines how the financial regulators are implementing the authority granted to them in Dodd-Frank to ensure that any financial institution can be made ‘to fail’ without creating or exacerbating a financial panic. This report critically reviews how Dodd-Frank addressed or failed to address the ‘to fail’ problem. This is the first in a series of papers the initiative will release in the coming months.

The Road to Damascus: U.S.-Turkish Cooperation Towards a Post-Assad Syria

May 2, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

Ridding Syria of President Bashar al-Assad has been the goal of the United States for almost two years. Should this objective be achieved, however, an enormous challenge will still remain: stabilizing and rebuilding Syria in a way that advances U.S. strategic goals and values. However, this will require the cooperation of Turkey—a U.S. ally with keen interests in Syria. Ankara’s interests, however, do not perfectly match Washington’s, posing the challenge for policymakers of finding the right tools to align more closely the two countries’ visions of Syria’s future.

Drones and the Rule of Law and War

May 1, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

The Bipartisan Policy Center's (BPC) Homeland Security Project hosted a discussion convening legal and policy experts on the rule of law and war to discuss the use of drones and targeted killings. Panelists evaluated issues like the current frameworks regarding the use of drones, the ramifications of a "drone court," the targeting of U.S. citizens abroad, and whether Congress should examine what these policies mean for the country.