Blue-ribbon commissions often where touchy issues go to die
Presidents,
President
There's "not much political support (to put it mildly)," the president tweeted about the proposal, which is opposed by the
For lawmakers and presidents, creating a commission "represents movement, it's something that they can report, especially if they're subject to criticism that they're taking no action or they're tone deaf," said
Trump has made it clear he doesn't think much of such panels, either.
"We can't just keep setting up blue-ribbon committees with your wife and your wife and your husband and they meet and they have a meal and they talk. Talk, talk, talk," the president groused when discussing the opioid crisis at a rally Saturday outside
Commissions through history have produced important historical information, policy and even material for criminal trials. President
Others were less successful. In 2010, the report from President
In 2001, President
Critics of commissions say they're primarily created for reasons other than good public policy: They allow lawmakers and officials to look like they're doing something about controversial topics without having to take a position that could alienate some constituencies — such as the NRA, in the case of
There's also no quality control, and they're expensive.
Trump has had some experience as president with the peril of blue-ribbon commissions.
His unsubstantiated claim that millions of illegally cast ballots cost him the popular vote in 2016 led to his executive order last May establishing a commission on "election integrity." The panel's work quickly devolved into squabbling, with states refusing to give up their voting information and critics saying the commission was actually about suppressing votes.
In January, Trump terminated the commission and transferred its duties to the
His commission on opioids produced limited results. In October, Trump declared opioid abuse a national public health emergency. He announced an advertising campaign to combat what he said was the worst drug crisis in the nation's history, but did not direct any new federal funding toward the effort.
Trump's declaration stopped short of the emergency declaration that had been sought by a federal commission the president created to study the problem. An interim report by the commission argued for an emergency declaration, saying it would free additional money and resources.
But in its final report in November, the panel called only for more drug courts, more training for doctors and penalties for insurers that dodge covering addiction treatment. It did not call for new money to address the epidemic.
"Do you think the drug dealers who kill thousands of people during their lifetime, do you think they care who's on a blue-ribbon committee?" Trump railed on Saturday.
AP Researchers
GOP proposes work requirement for Minnesotans getting medical assistance
Delaware Life Launches Target Income 10 FIA
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News