↗️Border Security, 📈Trends, 🎵Music in February
1 Big Thing: Spotlight on Immigration & Border Security
The current discourse on immigration and border security is a prime example of the legislative hurdles posed by the deep political divide and mutual distrust between Democrats and Republicans. At the heart of this debate is a bipartisan national security bill aimed at overhauling the immigration system and strengthening border security, which, despite its intentions, is predicted to face significant obstacles.
Why It Matters: The bill's journey underscores a rare moment of Democrats aligning more closely with Republican viewpoints, driven by escalating public frustration reflected in recent polls.
In an ordinary legislative environment, a bill enjoying broad support—from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Biden to the border patrol union and the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board—would have a strong chance of success.
Yet, the immediate dismissal of the bill by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who labeled it "dead on arrival" via Twitter if it were to reach the House, signals the formidable challenges ahead for bipartisan efforts in today's polarized political scene.
Go Deeper: The bill proposes comprehensive measures including:
Allocating $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, and $4.8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region to support global stability.
Designating $20 billion towards enhancing deportation processes, expanding shelters, hiring over 4,000 officers/agents, and intensifying the fight against drug trafficking.
Implementing stricter criteria for asylum seekers, including detention, or tracking until their cases are reviewed, and enabling the immediate return of illegal crossers to Mexico when daily crossings surpass specific thresholds.
Expanding work and family visas by 250,000 and offering protection against deportation for children of H-1B visa holders.
What's Next: The Senate is poised to vote down a motion to move the legislation forward today. Despite the high stakes and comprehensive nature of the bill, its advancement remains doubtful, reflecting the complexities of navigating legislative reforms in a deeply divided political landscape.
2. Insights from the Immigration & Border Security Debate
Observing the current debate over immigration and border security might lead some to believe that the policymaking process is fundamentally flawed. It is.
Why It Matters: This perception is indicative of three broader trends that have been instrumental in the formation of Resilient Partners.
The Big Picture: In recent years, the government and public affairs domain has experienced a profound transformation, altering how organizations interact with government entities and stakeholders.
The shift towards national-focused policymaking necessitates organizations to adapt to a landscape where regional distinctions are becoming less pronounced.
The rapid dissemination of information through digital channels requires organizations to be more deliberate about their messaging, the platforms they use, and the timing of their communications.
Trust remains a critical element for success in public & government affairs, with stakeholders demanding transparency and authenticity from organizations before they commit their trust to business initiatives.
Between the Lines: The essence of Resilient Partners' philosophy lies in the integration of advocacy, strategic communication, and reputation management, grounded in three fundamental principles designed to help companies, nonprofits, and trade associations navigate and thrive in this new environment.
Resilience as a Foundation for Success: Understanding the importance of resilience in converting public policy challenges into opportunities for business certainty is key for success in the complex world of public and government affairs.
Active Shaping of the Policy Environment: It's not enough to merely navigate the existing landscape; there's a need to actively influence it. Adopting a proactive approach is vital for turning uncertainties into actionable insights for corporate strategy.
Driving Transformative Change: We encourage our clients to become catalysts for change, leveraging their unique business objectives and challenges to initiate meaningful societal and industry-wide transformations.
Bottom Line: The traditional model of policymaking has become obsolete. Resilient Partners is at the forefront of championing a modernized approach that promises to redefine how organizations engage with policy and public affairs moving forward.
3. 5 Critical Developments We’re Watching 👀
Colorado EPR Needs Assessment Released: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has unveiled a Needs Assessment for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), featuring a proposed list of minimum recyclable materials. It presents three potential recycling service scenarios, comparing their costs, effectiveness, and projected recycling and collection rates by 2030 and 2035. After a 20-day public comment period ending February 19, 2024, the CDPHE will select a scenario to recommend to the Joint Budget Committee of the Colorado Legislature for approval.
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms: The legislative landscape is buzzing with proposals such as the PROVE IT Act and the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2023. These initiatives focus on gathering data and setting carbon fees to adjust for carbon border taxes. Green Way Steel offers an in-depth analysis of these proposals.
Foreign Investment in China Declines: Marking an unprecedented shift, foreign investment into China turned negative in the third quarter of 2023. This development signals a significant change in global economic dynamics.
Biden Administration Halts LNG Exports: In a move to assess environmental, economic, and national security impacts, the Biden administration has put a temporary freeze on issuing new licenses for exporting U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Challenge to the Chevron Doctrine: The Supreme Court is reviewing cases that question the Chevron doctrine, a principle that grants federal agencies the authority to interpret ambiguous statutes. A diverse coalition, including industries from vape pen manufacturing to fossil fuel production, advocates for overturning the doctrine. They argue that its removal would make it more challenging for the government to enforce regulations, potentially easing operational constraints for businesses.
4. 🎵Music In My Head 👨🎤
Music profoundly impacts me—it sharpens my focus when I'm scattered, grounds me when I feel unsteady, and, most crucially, motivates me when I'm searching for drive.
I'm thrilled to share two exciting updates with you:
Resilient Partners Playlist on Spotify: Discover a collection of tracks that are in constant rotation on my Spotify. I regularly update this playlist, so feel free to subscribe here.
Dan Orlando's New Album - Heritage Trail: Last Friday, my good friend Dan Orlando released his latest album, "Heritage Trail." Dan's talent is immense, and his music is truly captivating. I highly recommend giving it a listen on Spotify and sharing it with your friends.