After a successful launch last month, we’re excited to continue hosting our weekly webinar series. We hope to give our perspective regarding what’s happening on Capitol Hill, how Niskanen is informing legislative and policy debates, and other important changes in policy—particularly as they pertain to COVID-19. These webinars will also give you the opportunity to ask questions and give us your input and suggestions. Topics for our June webinars include:
CLIMATE CHANGE AND WILDFIRES: WHAT DOES SCIENCE TELL US?
Hosted by Niskanen’s Dr. Joseph Majkut, with guest speaker Dr. Zach Zobel (additional panelists TBD)
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, 1 PM EDT [view recording here]
Recent years have seen record fire seasons in many parts of the globe, including California, the Amazon Rainforest, and Australia. These wildfires have burned millions of acres of land, forced businesses to go bankrupt, and caused dramatic costs for response efforts and in lives lost. Scientists are actively researching how the effects of climate change are changing the incidence and severity of wildfires. In this briefing, our panel of scientists—including project scientist Dr. Zach Zobel from the Woods Hole Research Center—will discuss recent research developments in the science of climate change and wildfires and their implications for the U.S. and globe.
A DECLINE IN NATURALIZATIONS AND IMMIGRATION POLICY IN THE FAST LANE
Hosted by Niskanen’s Kristie De Peña, with Matthew La Corte and guest speaker Doug Rand
Thursday, June 11, 2020, 1 PM EDT [view recording here]
For public health reasons, many in-person immigration services—like naturalizations—were paused in early spring (although some still continue nationwide). In just a few short weeks, the administration has made countless changes to immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, and we expect more to come. Our discussion with Doug Rand, the co-founder of Boundless Immigration and senior fellow with the Federation of American Scientists, and Matthew La Corte will focus on what those changes are, and how they will impact both our foreign-born population and America’s economic recovery.
DRUG PATENTS AND COVID-19
Hosted by Niskanen’s Kodiak Hill-Davis, with Brink Lindsey and Dan Takash
Wednesday, June 17, 2020, 1 PM EDT [view recording here]
Our patent discussion with Brink Lindsey and Dan Takash will focus on general pharma policy, and the debate about IPR/USPTO functioning. Our experts will discuss vaccines and treatments, how small inventors compete with large drug companies in today’s market, and how patent reform should be part of a post-pandemic economic recovery.
TRUMPOCALYPSE AND THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY: A CONVERSATION WITH DAVID FRUM
Wednesday, June 17, 2020, 3 PM EDT [view recording here]
Please join us for a virtual conversation with acclaimed political commentator David Frum about his new book, Trumpocalypse: Restoring American Democracy. In this sequel to the 2018 bestseller Trumpocracy, the Atlantic magazine senior editor and former presidential speechwriter assesses the state of our democracy in the wake of Trump’s presidency. David Frum and the Niskanen Center’s Geoffrey Kabaservice will discuss the book with particular attention to the state of the Republican Party and the ways that Trump’s influence on the party may outlast his presidency.
NOVEMBER ELECTIONS PREDICTIONS AND PREPARATIONS
Hosted by Niskanen’s Kodiak Hill-Davis, with Rachel Bitecofer, Kristie De Peña, and Geoff Kabaservice
Monday, June 22, 2020, 3 PM EDT [view recording here]
As November elections near, Rachel Bitecofer, Kristie De Peña, and Geoff Kabaservice will discuss changes to election processes, predictions in contested states and districts, and how new election modalities and funding may impact turnout.
CARES II AND COVID-19 RECOVERY
Hosted by Niskanen’s Kodiak Hill-Davis, with Will Wilkinson and Sam Hammond
Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 11 AM EDT [view recording here]
Will Wilkinson and Sam Hammond will discuss the details of the latest relief package, and how the U.S. can safely begin to reemerge from COVID-19 with successful testing and tracing.