Preparing for Deployment of Small Modular Reactors

Mar. 16, 2012
Washington Marriott at Metro Center, Salon D

Blog Recap: 'An exciting frontier for nuclear technology'

Small modular reactors (SMRs) have received considerable attention in recent years from the policy and technology communities in the U.S. and internationally. BPC held an expert briefing on promising domestic and foreign SMR technologies, as well as a discussion of the business and technical case for SMR deployment and the possible role of government support for commercialization.

Putin's Return: The Political and Commercial Implications for America

Mar. 15, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

Relations with Russia remain central to U.S. strategic interests. With the return of Vladimir Putin to the presidency, despite efforts to "reset" the relationship, bilateral ties have worsened in recent months. Future U.S. policy towards Russia should aim to advance common goals and work to resolve the issues that divide us. With Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), the U.S. will be at a commercial, and political, disadvantage unless it graduates Russia from the Jackson-Vanik amendment and grants it permanent normal trade relations status. BPC's Foreign Policy Project (FPP) hosted a discussion on its recent paper analyzing this subject as well as U.S.-Russian relations after Putin's return.

The Presidential Primary System: How Well Does it Serve American Democracy?

Mar. 8, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

This year's rollercoaster primary season raises many questions: Is primary voter turnout too low? Why do some states use party caucuses and can we count the voters accurately? Should we all vote on one day or in regional primaries? Just two days after Super Tuesday, BPC examined these questions and more in an analysis of the pros and cons of the current presidential primary system. The panel highlighted the release of a new report on 2012 primary turnout by Curtis Gans, the nation's leading expert on voter turnout.

Housing in America: Innovative Solutions to Address the Needs of Tomorrow (San Antonio Public Forum)

Mar. 6, 2012
International Conference Center

The Bipartisan Policy Center Housing Commission and the Jack Kemp Foundation kicked off the first of four public forums to gather input on key housing issues facing the nation. The aim of these forums is to develop innovative yet realistic recommendations to improve the nation’s housing policies today and for the future.

Cyber Security: New Models for the Future

Feb. 22, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

BPC held a discussion on forging public-private partnerships to improve cyber security, focused on the latest policies advocated by the FCC.

Featuring remarks by:

Julius Genachowski
Chairman, FCC

Panel discussion with

Stewart Baker
Partner, Steptow & Johnson LLP
Former Assistant Secretary for Policy, DHS

Michael Glenn
Director, Risk Management Information Security, CenturyLink

Andy Ogielski, PhD
President, Renesys Corporation

Jenny Menna
Director, Critical Infrastructure Protection Awareness, National Cyber Security Division, DHS

Energy Innovation in a Time of Fiscal Austerity and Policy Uncertainty

Feb. 7, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

Energy innovation offers the best chance for solving the urgent and interrelated problems of worldwide insecurity over energy supplies, rapidly growing energy demand, and climate change. But if we are to achieve a timely transition to reliable, low-cost, low-carbon energy, the U.S. energy innovation system must be significantly improved. Creating an innovation system to produce sustained and timely advances across a range of energy technologies is especially challenging in this era of budget cuts and fiscal austerity. BPC held a discussion on how we can speed up the introduction of new technologies and business models and accelerate their deployment on a massive scale. The conversation explored Lester and Hart's new book, Unlocking Energy Innovation: How America Can Build Low-Cost, Low-Carbon Energy System, and highlighted ways to advance innovative technologies amidst challenging fiscal and political times.

Obsolete Law: Does Government Need a Spring Cleaning?

Feb. 7, 2012
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Common Good and the Bipartisan Policy Center held a forum on the problem of obsolete law on Tuesday, February 7 in Washington, DC:

As government officials and candidates in the 2012 election talk about ways to cut government spending, trim deficits, create jobs, control healthcare costs, and improve education and infrastructure, the role played by obsolete law needs to be addressed. Forum participants discussed how laws, regulations, and mandates from years past prevent officials and everyday Americans from making choices for today. Panelists also considered proposals for reform, including sunset provisions.

Stopping the Clock on Iran's Nuclear Development

Feb. 1, 2012
Hart Senate Office Building, Room 902

Preventing Iran from achieving nuclear weapons capability is one of the most urgent national security challenges facing the United States. Despite enduring 15 years of sanctions, a cyber attack on its nuclear facilities and other setbacks, Iran is fast approaching the nuclear threshold. Stopping the clock on Iran's nuclear development requires demonstrating resolve and a triple-track approach of diplomacy, robust sanctions, and credible, visible preparations for a military option of last resort. BPC held a discussion on these important recommendations being released in its fourth Iran report, Meeting the Challenge: Stopping the Clock.

Transforming Health Care: The Role of Health IT

Jan. 27, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

BPC's Task Force on Delivery System Reform and Health IT released a set of recommendations for the most effective use of health IT dollars to support coordinated, accountable, patient-centered models of care. Panelists discussed the common attributes of high-performing organizations which align with emerging delivery system reforms and the health IT capabilities needed to support them. Participants also heard about gaps in health IT capabilities, the barriers to their achievement, and recommendations for accelerating the creation of a health IT foundation that will drive improvements in the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of care in the U.S.

State of the Union: The Speechwriters' Perspective

Jan. 24, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

As President Obama prepares to give the last State of the Union address of his first term, BPC launched an examination of the politics and policy impacting the upcoming presidential and congressional elections. From campaign- and election- themed events to policy debates, the year-long BPC effort began on January 24 with former White House speechwriters anticipating and framing the president's speech later that evening and the Republican response. The conversation explored the mechanics of writing a speech of such magnitude, the additional political pressures speechwriters face in an election year, and the expected reaction from the media and Republican presidential candidates.

"On Leadership" Speaker Series: Tom Daschle and Trent Lott

Jan. 19, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

Read a blog post recapping the event here.

Former Senate Majority Leaders Tom Daschle and Trent Lott on Leadership

With confidence in our political system at a low point, our institutions need strong leadership. In 2012, the Bipartisan Policy Center will host a series of events exploring what it takes to successfully lead our key institutions and inspire results in the current environment. For the first of our 2012 leadership events, BPC, in partnership with the Henry Jackson Foundation, welcomed former Senate Majority Leaders Tom Daschle and Trent Lott for a behind-the-scenes reflection on leading the Senate. Daschle and Lott discussed the peculiarities of Senate leadership, their own personal approaches to the role of majority leader, and the challenges of leading the Senate in an increasingly polarized Washington.

Controlling Medicare Costs: Is Premium Support The Answer?

Dec. 16, 2011
The Brookings Institution

"With the failure of the congressional “supercommittee” to reach a consensus, the stalemate on addressing the U.S. budget deficit continues. But the problem remains: to close the budget gap, revenues must be increased and spending must be reduced. And there is a growing consensus that the federal deficit cannot be brought under control unless reforms are enacted that slow the growth of Medicare spending.

"On December 16, the Budgeting for National Priorities project at Brookings and the Bipartisan Policy Center's Debt Reduction Task Force hosted a discussion of the role of premium support in controlling Medicare costs and in making U.S. health care more efficient and effective. A new paper written by experts on the issue who participate in the ongoing Brookings-Heritage fiscal seminar was released at the event. The paper provides an overview of the basic elements of moving from the current fee-for-service model to a premium support plan, reviews the arguments for and against premium support, and proposes a specific premium support plan. At the event, premium support was explained and its strengths and weaknesses analyzed by major speakers and a panel of experts."

The Future of Medicare: A Bipartisan Discussion

Dec. 15, 2011
The Liaison Capitol Hill

Senator Wyden and Congressman Ryan discussed the future of the Medicare debate and took questions from the audience.

Featuring:

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)

and

Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI)

Chairman, House Budget Committee

Redistricting Reform: Drawing the Maps One Rorschach Test at a Time

Dec. 9, 2011
Bipartisan Policy Center

As we enter the 2012 election cycle, how are hotly contested debates about redistricting affecting the political landscape? BPC held a unique and informative discussion about potential redistricting reforms, the current state of redistricting efforts around the country and their impact on next year's presidential race.

Phase II of Renewable Energy in America National Policy Forum

Dec. 7, 2011
Cannon Caucus Room

"This year’s renewable energy National Policy Forum takes place at a critical juncture. Our nation’s economy teeters on the balance after the super committee failed to produce a viable deficit reduction plan forcing Congress to decide whether to accept automatic spending cuts or find a more deliberate approach to shrink the massive budget deficit. Discussions are taking place to sort out next steps, such as tax reform legislation, as well as extension of the important 1603 cash grant in lieu of tax credits and the PTC, both set expire at the end of 2011 and 2012 respectively. The Phase II National Policy Forum will define the next steps for the future of renewable energy policy: Will Congress follow through on sequestration and what does it mean for our sector? Will renewable energy face extension, expiration or premature elimination of government incentives? Why should and how can Congress best support renewable energy development in this age of fiscal austerity?