National Conversation on American Unity

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

The Commission on Political Reform is convening its second in a series of National Conversations on American Unity at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The focus of the event will be on public service, including removing barriers to participation in elective politics, creating new avenues for public service, and how the polarization of politics is discouraging young people from engaging in the civic conversation.

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)

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

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

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. Join BPC for a conversation on both the costs and economic benefits of immigration reform.

The Reagan Presidency

May 21, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

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

Following the presentation, the distinguished panel will revisit Ronald Reagan's presidency, from his sweeping domestic agenda to the end of the Cold War, examining what made Reagan "The Great Communicator." The panelists will examine 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.

The First 100 Days: A Reflection

Apr. 29, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

Beginning with the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the first 100 days became the initial marker for a new presidency. Since then, political scientists, media strategists and pundits alike have examined and dissected every aspect of a new Administration - from the Inaugural Address to the first State of the Union of the new presidency. Policy proposals, staff changes, and presidential appointments are just some of the inevitable changes that a new presidency endures in its early months.

Perspectives from British Ambassador Peter Westmacott on Financial Regulatory Reform & Free Trade

Apr. 25, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

Since 2008, the world economy has fought hard to get back on the path to prosperity. The UK, with its world leading financial services sector, historically high levels of public debt and proximity to the Eurozone, has been in a unique position in this regard.

The Evolving Immigration Debate: Reform and its Implications for the High-Tech Community

Apr. 23, 2013
Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel (Ballroom A)

The Bipartisan Policy Center’s (BPC) Immigration Task Force held the first of a series of regional events to discuss key immigration issues facing the country. Launched in February 2013, the goal of the Immigration Task Force is to develop consensus policy recommendations and produce objective analysis to further the national debate.

A Bipartisan Rx for Patient-Centered Care and System-wide Cost Containment

Apr. 18, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

Recap: New Report Envisions More Cost-Effective Health Care System

The United States spends more on health care than any other country and yet tens of millions of Americans are facing uncoordinated and costly medical care. With health care spending expected to continue to grow for the foreseeable future and with the nation's growing federal deficit and debt, system-wide health care cost containment is both a critical component of any long term deficit reduction strategy and urgently needed to ensure the sustainability of our health care system.

Care Transformation Prize Series: Revolutionizing the Delivery of Health Care through Big Data

Apr. 16, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

Faced with continued concerns about rising health care costs and uneven quality, the federal government, states, and private sector are rapidly adopting new models of delivery and payment that promise to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care. Providers are being asked to provide higher quality care while lowering costs. Successfully doing so requires access to and analysis of large data sets to predict, identify interventions for, and assess cost and quality outcomes for patient populations. Most health care organizations, however, have little knowledge or expertise on how to leverage and analyze the clinical data sets now being developed as the result of an increasingly digitized U.S. health care system.

Federal Budgeting in 2013: Fundamentally Challenged

Mar. 25, 2013
Bipartisan Policy Center

The current federal budget process has been stymied by political and philosophical priorities. Dr. Phil Joyce, William Hoagland, Maya MacGuineas, and Dr. Robert Reischauer discussed the current environment, what should happen next, and what is likely to occur.