New report from Pence details threats from regulatory state

NEWS AND OPINION:

Let’s all recall what President Ronald Reagan said in a press conference on Aug. 12, 1986: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I”m from the government, and I’m here to help.’”

Let’s also consider “Rise of the Regulatory State: The Growing Maze of Red Tape Straining Our Economy,” an informative new report released by former Vice President Mike Pence and his nonprofit group Advancing American Freedom.

The meticulous research outlines the overwhelming growth of the regulatory state and details how that costly and persistent red tape is straining the nation’s economy.

“It highlights the undue power that has been awarded to regulatory agencies by way of Chevron deference, which is relied on heavily by the courts in deciding regulatory cases (DC Circuit relied on Chevron in over 88% cases examined),” according to an advance notice shared with Inside the Beltway.

“The report underpins the importance of reining in the regulatory state as the Supreme Court considers the future of Chevron deference in its anticipated decisions in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce,” the notice said.

Mr. Pence played on the famous Reagan “help” quote in a statement.

“Every time the government steps in to ’help’, it means a headache for the American people. The Biden administration’s ’help’ has led to record levels of inflation, drastic increases in burdensome regulations, and invasive mandates that attempt to tell Americans what stove to use and what car to drive,” he said.

“The American people have been clear about what they want: limited government and fewer regulations and less ’help’ from the bureaucrats. We need to get back to less government intervention, energy independence, and pro-growth policies that make life easier for the American people and create a nation where there is abundance and prosperity,” he said.

Find the new report — along with other noteworthy research — here at advancingamericanfreedom.com.

JOHNSON’S BIG SURPRISE

House Speaker Mike Johnson earned significant press coverage Tuesday when he appeared at a New York City courthouse to voice his support for former President Donald Trump. Here are a few headlines of note:

“Speaker Mike Johnson’s appearance at Trump’s felony trial marks a remarkable moment in U.S. politics” (The Associated Press); “Speaker Johnson rips ’atrocities’ against Trump at Manhattan hush money trial” (Fox News); “Liz Cheney ’surprised’ by Mike Johnson’s latest move” (Newsweek); “The Entourage: Speaker Mike Johnson, VP hopefuls join Donald Trump at courthouse to support his claim of a ’sham’ trial” (Deadline); “House Speaker Mike Johnson joins ex-Trump rivals at former president’s ’hush money’ trial” (New York Post); “Mike Johnson says Trump is ‘innocent of these charges’ outside hush-money trial” (The Guardian); “Mike Johnson defends Trump outside N.Y. criminal trial” (Axios); and “Mike Johnson acts as proxy for ’friend’ Trump as he bashes ’sham trial’ outside court” (The Independent).

A CHANGE AT C-SPAN

CNN executive Sam Feist has been named CEO of C-SPAN, the board of directors of the nonprofit public affairs network announced Tuesday.

“Feist will be only the third CEO in the network’s 45-year history, succeeding co-CEOs Rob Kennedy and Susan Swain, who have served in this role since 2012, and founding CEO Brian Lamb, who remains on the cable network’s board of directors,” C-SPAN said in a written statement shared with The Washington Times.

“Sam Feist is an editorial leader, a digital and television innovator, and has deep relationships throughout the Washington media and politics community,” the statement said.

“As senior vice president and Washington bureau chief, Feist heads CNN’s D.C. bureau which includes the network’s largest newsgathering operation. He also leads the digital and editorial transformation of CNN en Español, CNN’s Spanish-language network,” the statement continued, noting that Mr. Feist graduated from Vanderbilt University, earned a law degree from Georgetown University, and is a member of the D.C. Bar.

“Our democracy needs C-SPAN now more than ever. I look forward to working with C-SPAN’s extraordinary and dedicated team to expand the network’s reach and meet new audiences where they are,” Mr. Feist said, also in a statement.

“C-SPAN is an American treasure and I could not be more excited to lead this essential institution,” he said.

Mr. Feist will remain at CNN through June and begin his new calling at C-SPAN in late summer. Meanwhile, Mr. Kennedy will leave C-SPAN on Friday; Ms. Swain will continue as the sole CEO until the new arrival takes over.

FOXIFIED

In the week of May 6-12, Fox News Channel led the cable competition in the daytime for the 18th consecutive week, according to Nielsen Media Research, enjoying an average daily audience of 1.3 million viewers. MSNBC drew 865,000 viewers, CNN 495,000 during the day.

In prime time, the Fox News audience averaged 2 million — compared with MSNBC with 1.2 million and CNN with 514,000. In addition, Fox News also aired 79 of the top 100 cable news telecasts for the week.

“The Five” remained top dog in the evening line-up with an average of 3.1 million viewers, followed by “Jesse Watters Primetime” with an audience of 2.6 million and “Hannity” with 2.3 million.

The popular “Gutfeld” averaged 2.2 million viewers during the week, continuing to best its late-night competition on CBS, NBC and ABC. And on the weekend, “The Big Weekend Show” enjoyed an audience of 1.6 million viewers — while Maria Bartiromo’s “Sunday Morning Futures” drew 1.5 million viewers.

POLL DU JOUR

• 77% of U.S. adults agree that they are “concerned about mental health in the country, viewing it as a top concern in line with issues such as the economy.”

• 70% are also concerned about their children’s mental health.

• 65% are concerned about their own mental health or the mental health of friends and family.

• 55% “are likely” to turn to a therapist for help.

• 48% “are likely” to turn to mental well-being apps.

SOURCE: A CVS Health/Morning Consult poll of 2,202 U.S. adults conducted online March 19-21 and released Tuesday.

• Contact Jennifer Harper at jharper@washingtontimes.com. Follow her on X @Harperbulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.