Niskanen Center

Gil Guerra just wrote a paper to correct a big omission he sees in immigration policy discussions: Most people think of immigration as primarily a domestic policy issue, but it's also a potent—yet underappreciated—aspect of foreign policy in today's complex geopolitical landscape. He's got 9 case studies (ranging from 2019-2025) showing how countries strategically leverage immigration to: ??advance diplomatic objectives; ?? counter adversaries; ??and negotiate with allies and competitors alike. Read the whole thing here: https://lnkd.in/eW8SHasA

The U.S. tax code often presents unintended consequences. One of those is the marriage penalty faced by single parents. A recent commentary from Josh McCabe at the Niskanen Center sheds light on this issue, highlighting how marrying can lead to a loss of valuable Head of Household (HoH) benefits, creating a financial disincentive. Currently, single parents benefiting from the HoH filing status see a reduction in their tax burden. However, upon marriage, these benefits reduce or disappear, impacting their family finances. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions set to expire, now is the opportune moment to address this. Instead of eliminating HoH status, as some Republican proposals suggest, we offer a balanced solution: a modest increase in the Child Tax Credit (CTC) coupled with a slight adjustment to the HoH standard deduction. This strategy aims to: ? Reduce the marriage penalty for working-class families. ? Maintain support for lower- and middle-income single parents. ? Offer a fiscally responsible reform during a critical legislative window. This approach offers a practical way to refine our tax code, ensuring it supports families rather than penalizing them. It's a prime example of how thoughtful policy adjustments can make a real difference in people's lives. Read the full commentary here: https://lnkd.in/eEQPGTms #TaxReform #ChildTaxCredit #PolicyAnalysis #FamilyPolicy

Please join us in welcoming Amanda Patarino to our State Capacity team! Amanda comes to us from McKinsey & Company where she advised state and federal agencies on implementation, transformation, and change management. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. At Niskanen, Amanda will lead Congressional and federal outreach to strengthen government capacity and improve policy implementation.

If Congress does decide to increase the value of the child tax credit as part of the 2025 tax bill, it should seize this opportunity to also address and reduce marriage penalties simultaneously. We explain how here:

How can Congress exert its power during Trump 2.0? David Dagan has assembled an all-star forum of experts to tackle this question. A few key insights: ?? Bipartisanship thrived in Trump’s first term. Craig Volden & Alan Wiseman explain how omnibus lawmaking made it happen. ?? Why the shift to omnibus bills? In an era of rising polarization & media scrutiny, omnibus packages keep the process moving. ?? But can that model survive? Molly Reynolds warns that Trump’s willingness to unilaterally block congressional appropriations could break the system. If lawmakers can’t trust their deals will hold, will they keep making them? ?? Congress could push back with stronger oversight, but as Matt Glassman writes, its increasingly centralized structure has weakened its ability to do so. More in this issue of Hypertext: https://lnkd.in/eKY4nnKk

Come work with some of the most amazing people you’ll ever meet doing work that could not be more critical than it is right now.

?? Geoffrey Kabaservice sat down with Jonathan Rauch to discuss his new book, Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy. Rauch explains how Christianity has been a "load-bearing wall" for democracy—one that's now crumbling. On one hand, white Evangelicalism has increasingly taken the form of conservative culture warfare and partisan politics. On the other, mainline Protestant churches have lost cultural and theological distinctiveness, becoming akin to a consumer choice. Rauch’s solution: “Thick Christianity.” Christianity that teaches principles–patience, negotiation, and mutual accommodation–can foster good-faith negotiations between Americans with vastly different beliefs. Listen to the thought-provoking discussion on the Vital Center podcast here: https://lnkd.in/ed93pDAF

Excited to talk Medicare sustainability with Joshua Gordon, James Capretta, and Leslie V. Gordon at the 3rd Annual Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget Health Solutions Summit on April 3rd! You can register here: https://lnkd.in/gUghx5cr Anna Bonelli Emily Cairns-Cannon, PT, DPT, MPH

Looking to make a difference this summer? There's still time to apply to our internship program! Niskanen interns gain hands-on experience in public policy research, communications, and federal affairs. They: ? Engage with thought leaders, working alongside policymakers and scholars across the political spectrum to transform innovative ideas into actionable solutions. ? Develop professionally, participating in workshops and networking events designed to build your skills and professional network. ? Make an impact, contributing to projects addressing pressing issues such as economic insecurity, climate change, mass incarceration, and immigration reform. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/erz6Q-YN

New from Eric Lu for Niskanen Center: Massachusetts becomes the 9th state to create a permanent alternative licensing pathway for internationally-trained physicians. As Eric notes here, the Physician Pathway Act is exactly the kind of bold, innovative approach the US needs to combat its primary care physician shortage: https://lnkd.in/gWdvBQKv