Policy Corner

On Thursday, the House Committee on Natural Resources is holding a markup of the SPEED Act, a permitting reform bill introduced by Reps. Bruce Westerman (R) and Jared Golden (D), that will help ensure we clear the way for energy that is affordable, reliable, and produced in abundance here in America.

“Oversight of the Congressional Budget Office” (“CBO”) is the subject of today’s House Budget Committee hearing. CBO exists to reduce Congress’ dependence on the executive branch for budget and economic analysis.

Americans across the country are facing a housing crisis. A lack of housing supply has contributed to ever-rising home prices and priced countless families out of cities and neighborhoods nationwide. Excessive government regulation and power has made home building costlier, pushing up prices for builders and prospective homeowners.

Institute for the American Worker (I4AW) Releases “How To Empower Workers” Report, authored by AFP Employment Fellow Austen Bannan. In response to an ever-evolving modern economy and rising calls by many leaders to double down on dated labor laws that advance top down governmental and union power, I4AW released a new report presenting an alternative pro-worker agenda that expands choice and opportunity to those who need it most – America’s workers.

AFP does not support federal preemption of state laws to enact reforms at the federal level. However, there are federal regulations that reduce housing supply and make housing more expensive. AFP supports eliminating or reforming federal laws that limit housing supply and make it difficult for homeowners and developers to build and renovate their property as they see fit.

On November 10, 2025, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Chairman Bill Cassidy (LA) announced a new pro worker labor reform agenda, which also includes legislation introduced by Senators Tim Scott (SC) and Tommy Tuberville (AL). This follows two labor law reform committee hearings on October 8 and 22, 2025 discussing the need for more choice and transparency for workers.

On October 29, the United States announced that it would reduce its military presence in Romania by roughly 800 troops. This modest adjustment drew backlash from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, contending that it sends the wrong signal and appeases Russian President Vladimir Putin.