Can the United States reduce regulation, strengthen its economy, and remain competitive while preserving free markets?

On this episode of the Washington Signal Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer welcomes Ryan Young, Senior Economist and Director of Publications at the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), for a wide-ranging discussion on tariffs, regulatory reform, AI, energy policy, and the future of economic growth in America.

Young explains how tariffs, regulatory uncertainty, and government intervention affect businesses, consumers, and long-term investment decisions. He also discusses why stable policy matters for economic growth, the importance of transparency in rulemaking, and how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence could reshape both innovation and government oversight.

The conversation covers:

• Tariffs, trade policy, and the economics of protectionism
• Regulatory reform and limiting agency overreach
• Jobs, productivity, and long-term economic growth
• The Jones Act, LNG exports, and national security
• AI, regulatory compliance, and government enforcement
• The future of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA)

The discussion also explores supply chain resilience, free trade versus national security, regulatory "dark matter," David Boaz's legacy, and why thoughtful, limited government can foster innovation while protecting economic opportunity.

00:00 — Intro & Meet Ryan Young
03:26 — Agency power and regulatory reform
06:03 — Tariffs and free markets
13:14 — Jobs, productivity, and economic growth
14:48 — LNG exports and energy policy
16:06 — The Jones Act debate
20:50 — National security and free trade
23:18 — Reforming the Administrative Procedure Act
29:22 — AI, regulation, and compliance
34:26 — Regulations of the week
37:19 — Remembering David Boaz
40:37 — Where to learn more
41:14 — Closing remarks

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How can the United States strengthen manufacturing, accelerate innovation, and remain globally competitive?

On this special episode of the Washington Signal Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer sits down with three leaders from the American Chemistry Council's Competitiveness Summit for a series of conversations on the future of American manufacturing, energy, innovation, and regulatory policy. Featured guests include Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council; Peter Huntsman, Chairman, President and CEO of Huntsman Corporation; and Rebecca Liebert, President and CEO of Lubrizol Corporation.

Together, the guests discuss why the chemical industry serves as the foundation for countless American industries—from semiconductors and AI to healthcare, transportation, defense, and consumer products—and what policymakers can do to ensure the United States remains a global leader in manufacturing.

The conversation covers:

• America's manufacturing competitiveness and supply chain resilience
• AI, advanced materials, and the future of industrial innovation
• Regulatory reform, permitting, and the need for science-based policy
• Energy policy, data centers, and growing electricity demand
• Global competition with China and lessons from Europe
• The role of chemistry in powering America's next generation of growth

The discussion also explores how artificial intelligence is transforming manufacturing, accelerating scientific research, improving chemical safety assessments, and helping companies develop new products faster than ever before.

Throughout the episode, the guests explain why modern chemistry touches nearly every aspect of daily life and argue that balanced regulation, abundant energy, and continued innovation will be critical to maintaining America's competitive advantage for decades to come.

00:00 — Intro & American Chemistry Council Competitiveness Summit
01:50 — Chris Jahn: America's chemical industry today
08:38 — Regulatory reform and permitting challenges
11:13 — AI, innovation, and the future of chemistry
16:03 — Peter Huntsman on manufacturing competitiveness
20:20 — Energy policy, AI, and global competition
24:43 — Rebecca Liebert on specialty chemicals and innovation
27:47 — Science-based regulation and permitting reform
30:06 — The future of chemistry in America
31:24 — Closing remarks

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How can policymakers protect consumers without stifling innovation?

On this episode of the Washington Signal Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer sits down with Stephen Kent, Media Director at the Consumer Choice Center, for a wide-ranging discussion on consumer freedom, technology policy, global regulation, tariffs, prediction markets, and the role of popular culture in shaping public discourse.

Kent explains how the Consumer Choice Center advocates for policies that expand consumer access, encourage innovation, and challenge regulations that increase costs or limit choice. Drawing on the organization's international presence, he also discusses how regulatory decisions in Europe often influence policy debates in the United States.

The conversation covers:

• Consumer choice and the growing influence of European regulation
• AI, innovation, and the precautionary principle
• Public health policy, harm reduction, and nicotine regulation
• Tariffs, trade policy, and housing affordability
• Prediction markets and emerging financial regulations
• Star Wars, storytelling, and Stephen Kent's books

The discussion also explores the role of international organizations in shaping alcohol policy, the debate over lab-grown meat, and how governments can encourage innovation while maintaining appropriate consumer protections.

00:00 — Intro + Meet Stephen Kent
01:07 — What is the Consumer Choice Center?
04:13 — The new prohibition movement
10:16 — Europe's regulatory influence on America
15:13 — Harm reduction and nicotine policy
22:17 — Tariffs, trade, and consumer prices
30:29 — Prediction markets explained
39:33 — Star Wars, storytelling, and philosophy
47:56 — Stephen's books and Geeky Stoics
49:08 — Where to learn more
50:05 — Closing remarks

Watch Full-Length Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Lunchhour_FNW

Can New York reclaim its position as the world's premier center of opportunity and economic growth?

On this episode of the Washington Signal Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer sits down with Caroline Shinkle, Republican candidate for New York's 12th Congressional District. A graduate of MIT and Harvard Law School, Shinkle previously worked at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, bringing a unique blend of legal, economic, and financial expertise to the conversation.

Shinkle discusses her vision for New York City, arguing that economic empowerment, fiscal responsibility, and pro-growth policies can restore opportunity while strengthening America's financial capital.

The conversation covers:

• Reviving New York through free-market economic policies
• Balancing the federal budget and addressing the national debt
• AI, innovation, and the future of government
• America's role in global energy and foreign policy
• The challenges facing New York City and its future

Throughout the discussion, Shinkle shares how her background in economics, law, and finance has shaped her views on public policy, while emphasizing the importance of individual opportunity, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic growth.

00:00 — Intro + Meet Caroline Shinkle
01:03 — Why she's running for Congress
03:17 — Economic empowerment and free markets
10:13 — Balancing the budget and lowering taxes
13:07 — Is New York better off today?
18:52 — Lessons from New York's past
25:16 — AI and the future of government
32:01 — Energy policy and America's global role
37:21 — Life outside politics
39:55 — Campaign, website, and closing thoughts

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What happens when political movements abandon the principles that made them successful?

On this episode of the Washington Signal Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer sits down with Grover Norquist, founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), for a wide-ranging conversation on free markets, limited government, federalism, taxation, trade, labor policy, and the future of the conservative movement.

Drawing on decades of experience in public policy and political advocacy, Norquist discusses why ideological consistency remains essential, how federalism serves as one of America's greatest strengths, and why he believes economic freedom continues to outperform centralized government planning.

The conversation covers:

• The importance of principle-driven policymaking
• Limited government and the role of federalism
• Tax reform and the Taxpayer Protection Pledge
• Organized labor and worker freedom
• The East Palestine rail derailment and rail policy debates
• Government regulation and unintended consequences
• Tariffs, free trade, and industrial policy
• Artificial intelligence and regulatory challenges
• California’s wealth tax proposal and interstate competition
• Energy policy, nuclear power, and economic growth
• Property taxes and local government spending

Norquist also reflects on the evolution of the conservative movement, the importance of maintaining intellectual consistency in public policy debates, and why he believes competition among states helps drive innovation, growth, and accountability.

Throughout the discussion, he argues that government solutions often become larger and more permanent than the problems they were intended to solve, while market-based approaches tend to produce better outcomes for workers, consumers, and taxpayers.

The episode concludes with a look at future policy battles at the federal, state, and local levels, along with a personal discussion about history and travel.

00:00 — Intro + Grover Norquist joins
01:27 — Why principles matter in politics
05:20 — Bipartisanship versus philosophy
09:01 — The Taxpayer Protection Pledge
12:01 — Labor unions and worker freedom
14:43 — The East Palestine rail debate
18:50 — Government responses to crises
22:22 — Tariffs, trade, and industrial policy
26:55 — Federalism and state competition
27:22 — Artificial intelligence and regulation
30:42 — California’s wealth tax proposal
35:23 — Energy policy and nuclear power
39:32 — Grover Norquist’s interests outside politics
40:23 — Property taxes and local government reform
41:32 — Closing thoughts

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What happens when parents finally get a firsthand look at what their children are being taught in school?

On this episode of the Washington Signal Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer sits down with Nicole Neily, President and Founder of Defending Education, a national organization focused on parental rights, academic transparency, and accountability in K-12 and higher education. Prior to founding Defending Education, Neily also founded Speech First, a leading campus free speech organization that challenged First Amendment violations at public universities.

Drawing on years of work in education policy and civil liberties, Neily discusses how COVID-era school closures transformed the national debate over education and why parental involvement has become one of the defining policy issues of the past decade.

The conversation covers:

• The rise of the parental rights movement
• COVID-19 and the public’s renewed focus on education
• The history and role of the U.S. Department of Education
• Teachers unions and their influence on public policy
• School choice and educational competition
• DEI programs in K-12 and higher education
• Campus free speech and Speech First’s legal battles
• Accreditation agencies and higher education reform
• The future of colleges and universities amid declining enrollment
• Parental notification policies and transparency in schools
• State-level education reforms and the role of federalism

Neily also explains the origins of Defending Education, how the organization investigates school policies and curricula, and why she believes many parents have become more engaged in education than ever before.

The discussion explores broader questions about accountability, educational outcomes, bureaucratic growth, and whether America’s education system is preparing students for future success.

Throughout the episode, Neily argues that meaningful reform will require greater transparency, stronger parental involvement, and a renewed focus on academic achievement rather than ideological activism.

00:00 — Intro + Nicole Neily joins
01:00 — Why education became a national issue
03:05 — How America’s education system changed
06:06 — Declining academic standards and outcomes
07:25 — Schools of education and ideological influence
10:33 — Founding Defending Education
13:13 — COVID, parents, and public awareness
17:24 — Teachers unions and political influence
19:30 — School choice and education reform
23:20 — Why some states are improving outcomes
26:00 — Trump administration education reforms
29:31 — Accreditation and higher education
34:25 — Campus free speech and Speech First
37:25 — Current battles in K-12 education
40:08 — Travel, family, and personal interests
40:36 — Where to learn more about Defending Education
41:12 — Closing thoughts

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How can a recycled soda can become a national security issue?

On this episode of the Washington Signal's Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer is joined by Anthony Musto, North American Strategy & Growth Lead at Constellium, and Ben Carlson, Director of the Center for Strategic Industrial Materials at SAFE, for a discussion on aluminum manufacturing, recycling, supply chains, and the growing competition between the United States and China.

The conversation explores why aluminum remains one of the most important materials in the modern economy and how recycling infrastructure has become increasingly tied to economic security, energy policy, manufacturing competitiveness, and national defense.

Major topics include:

• Why aluminum is critical to transportation, aerospace, energy, and defense
• The economic and energy benefits of aluminum recycling
• America’s growing dependence on imported aluminum inputs
• Chinese industrial policy and global aluminum markets
• Why millions of tons of aluminum scrap leave the U.S. each year
• Supply chain resilience, national security, and critical materials
• Recycling infrastructure and sorting technology challenges
• The role of permitting reform and industrial policy
• Building a stronger domestic manufacturing base

The discussion also examines how China has expanded its aluminum production and recycling capacity, why U.S. manufacturers are concerned about scrap exports, and what policymakers can do to strengthen domestic supply chains.

Throughout the episode, both guests argue that aluminum recycling should be viewed not simply as an environmental issue, but as an economic and strategic opportunity that can support American manufacturing, reduce energy consumption, and improve supply chain security.

00:00 — Intro + Meet Anthony Musto and Ben Carlson
01:39 — What Constellium does
02:43 — SAFE and strategic industrial materials
03:28 — Why aluminum matters to the modern economy
05:14 — The power of aluminum recycling
06:18 — Manufacturing jobs and economic impact
07:39 — The aluminum scrap export problem
10:00 — AI, energy demand, and supply chain security
11:58 — Why recycling infrastructure matters
16:30 — Permitting reform and recycling facilities
20:21 — Aluminum, energy use, and facility footprints
23:23 — Policy solutions and domestic investment
26:32 — Sorting technology and recycling innovation
30:11 — China’s influence on aluminum markets
33:15 — What policymakers should do next
35:14 — Outside interests and personal stories
37:31 — Closing thoughts

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How does a tariff on steel end up affecting the price of canned food at the grocery store?

On this episode of the Federal Newswire Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer sits down with Scott Breen, President of the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI), to discuss the intersection of trade policy, food security, manufacturing, and consumer prices.

Breen explains how steel tariffs are impacting the American food can supply chain, why domestic tinplate steel production has declined dramatically over the past decade, and what that means for farmers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.

The conversation explores a fundamental policy question: how can the United States strengthen domestic manufacturing while avoiding unintended consequences that increase costs for American families?

Major topics include:
• The role canned food plays in food security and emergency preparedness
• Why U.S. tinplate steel production has fallen from 12 lines to 3
• How steel tariffs affect food prices at the grocery store
• Competition from imported canned food products
• Buy American policies and country-of-origin labeling
• SNAP benefits, public procurement, and domestic agriculture
• Supply chain resilience and national security concerns
• Recycling, sustainability, and the future of metal packaging

The discussion also examines bipartisan legislation designed to improve country-of-origin labeling and proposals aimed at ensuring federal food purchases better support American farmers and manufacturers.

Throughout the episode, Breen argues that strengthening domestic manufacturing requires a balanced approach—one that supports upstream steel production while also protecting downstream industries that employ thousands of American workers.

00:00 — Intro + Scott Breen joins
01:25 — What the Can Manufacturers Institute does
02:42 — Food security and the importance of canned goods
04:08 — Steel tariffs and rising grocery prices
05:11 — Why domestic tinplate production declined
09:19 — Manufacturing jobs and downstream impacts
10:58 — Imported canned foods and competitive disadvantages
14:48 — American farmers and the food supply chain
17:14 — SNAP benefits and Buy American policies
20:08 — The American CANS Act explained
21:34 — Food security, sustainability, and preparedness
27:05 — What consumers and lawmakers can do
29:18 — Scott Breen’s interests outside work
30:06 — Where to learn more about CMI
31:05 — Closing

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How can America reduce waste, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and rebuild its recycling infrastructure at the same time?

On this episode of the Federal Newswire Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer sits down with Heidi Sanborn, founding director and CEO of the National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) and the National Stewardship Action Foundation.

Sanborn discusses the growing crisis facing America’s recycling and waste management systems, why domestic recycling infrastructure is collapsing, and how short-term economic thinking has made the United States increasingly dependent on China for recycled materials and manufacturing inputs.

The conversation explores how environmental stewardship, economic resilience, permitting reform, and supply chain security increasingly overlap — and why policies designed to promote sustainability can sometimes unintentionally undermine it.

Major topics include:
• Why waste and pollution are closely connected
• The collapse of America’s recycling infrastructure
• China’s influence over global recycled material markets
• The Remade in America Pledge
• Trade policy, tariffs, and domestic manufacturing
• Recycling, permitting reform, and regulatory barriers
• Mechanical vs. chemical recycling systems
• Hazardous waste disposal and marine flare safety
• Producer responsibility and product stewardship laws
• How AI and technology are changing recycling operations

Sanborn also explains how the National Stewardship Action Council works with states across the country to create policies focused on producer responsibility, safer waste management systems, and stronger domestic recycling markets.

The discussion closes with a broader conversation about balancing environmental goals, affordability, regulation, and long-term economic sustainability.

00:00 — Intro + Heidi Sanborn joins the show
01:25 — How Heidi got started in recycling
02:10 — Why waste equals inefficiency
05:18 — Recycling policy and regulatory challenges
08:14 — Why companies buy recycled materials from China
11:19 — Recycling, trade policy, and American manufacturing
16:28 — The Remade in America Pledge
20:08 — Chemical recycling vs. mechanical recycling
22:26 — Permitting reform and environmental policy
27:17 — Marine flare disposal challenges
30:04 — What the National Stewardship Action Council does
32:29 — Life in Sacramento and Lake Tahoe
33:14 — Where to follow NSAC and support the mission

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Why does religion remain at the center of so many global conflicts — and why do policymakers often ignore it?

On this episode of the Federal Newswire Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer is joined by Sarah Makin, religious freedom advocate and producer of Faith Under Siege, to explore the role of faith in global conflict, diplomacy, and human rights.

Drawing on her experience in government and international advocacy, Makin argues that one of the biggest blind spots in U.S. foreign policy is a failure to understand religion as a core driver of identity, motivation, and conflict.

A major theme of the conversation is how authoritarian regimes view faith as a threat — because it represents a source of authority beyond the state.

The discussion covers:
• Why religion plays a central role in global conflicts
• How U.S. diplomacy often misunderstands religious dynamics
• Why authoritarian regimes fear people of faith
• Religious persecution in China (Uyghurs, Christians, others)
• The crisis in Nigeria and the role of extremist ideology
• Why religious persecution is a “canary in the coal mine” for genocide
• Lessons from Iraq and the Yazidi genocide
• The role of faith-based organizations in humanitarian work
• Why smaller NGOs often outperform large aid institutions
• The importance of religious literacy in foreign policy

The conversation also takes a deep look at the war in Ukraine — particularly the often-overlooked issue of religious persecution.

Additional topics include:
• Russia’s use of the Orthodox Church as a political tool
• The myth of Ukrainian religious persecution
• Documented attacks on churches, clergy, and faith communities
• The targeting of evangelical, Catholic, Jewish, and Orthodox groups
• The broader role of faith in Ukrainian society

Makin also discusses her film project, Faith Under Siege, a documentary series highlighting the persecution of religious communities in Ukraine under Russian occupation. The project includes both a full-length film and shorter features focused on specific faith groups and stories.

The episode closes with a broader reflection: ignoring religion in policy discussions doesn’t eliminate its influence — it simply makes decision-makers less equipped to understand the world.

00:00 — Intro + Sarah Makin joins
01:06 — Why religion drives global conflict
03:13 — U.S. foreign policy blind spots on faith
05:42 — Authoritarian regimes vs people of faith
07:19 — Religious persecution in China and beyond
10:01 — Nigeria crisis and extremist ideology
12:40 — “Canary in the coal mine” for genocide
13:58 — Iraq, Yazidis, and humanitarian work
16:08 — Faith-based NGOs vs large aid systems
23:50 — Ukraine: churches, war, and persecution
26:18 — Russia, the Orthodox Church, and propaganda
33:58 — Faith Under Siege documentary
37:49 — Personal interests + closing

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