Is the Political Center Waking Up From its Slumber?

By Julia Temple — July 25, 2022

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Policy Papers

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Economy

Congress Offers Lots of Talk But Little Action On Inflation

June 23, 2022

Prices in May were 8.6% higher than they were this time last year, the largest year-over-year increase since December 1981. Gas, food, and housing costs are rising, and voters are taking note. A May Pew Research poll found inflation was the top concern for Americans by a wide margin. Seven in ten respondents called it a “very big problem,” more so than healthcare affordability (55%) and...

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Climate and Energy

How America Kickstarts A New Nuclear Age

June 9, 2022

Part Two of The New Center’s Two-Part Nuclear Energy Series It might surprise you to learn that the federal government’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission has no incentive to actually expand the use of nuclear power in the U.S. But it’s true. On its website, the NRC describes its mission as “to ensure the safe use of radioactive materials for beneficial civilian purposes while protecting...

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Climate and Energy

Why America Needs A New Nuclear Age

June 7, 2022

Part One of The New Center’s Two-Part Nuclear Energy Series A March 2022 Gallup poll found that Americans are split on whether it is more important to protect the environment or produce more energy. Half of respondents prioritized the environment while 46% prioritized energy production. The responses generally followed party lines, but even independents were divided with 49% for the...

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Social Policy

To End Mass Shootings, Focus on Both Perpetrators and Weapons

May 31, 2022

In the wake of two mass shootings—one at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York and another at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas—the U.S. is again confronted with a heated debate about how to prevent such senseless acts of violence. Most Americans agree that both mental illness and the ease of obtaining lethal weapons explain why these tragedies keep happening in the U.S. But once again,...

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Governance

What’s Next in the Supreme Court Leak Saga?

May 19, 2022

The recent leak of a draft Supreme Court decision written by Justice Samuel Alito—which, if finalized, would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case which legalized abortion—has dominated the news cycle in recent weeks. Ever since, many have wondered: Who was responsible for the leak? What are the relevant rules and regulations surrounding Supreme Court confidentiality? And what consequences...

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Climate and Energy

How Can the U.S. Help Wean the EU Off Russian Energy?

May 11, 2022

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Union (EU) has started trying to wean itself off of Russian energy. This is no easy feat, considering Russia provides about 35 percent of the EU’s natural gas supply. The EU doubled down on May 4th, announcing its intent to completely ban imports of Russian oil and refined petroleum products within the next six months. To achieve...

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The Big Issues

Climate and Energy

The fight against climate change is a multi-decade challenge, and must be sustained across many presidencies and sessions of Congress. For any solution to stand a chance, it must be forged in the center.

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