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The Bush Institute: Series

2021 Policy Recommendations

Policy recommendations from the George W. Bush Institute The Bush Institute serves as a place of ideas and action. Our philosophy is rooted in principles of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. Our role at the Bush Institute is to focus on policy, not politics, and proffer solutions to the challenges we are facing today and into the future.

Afghan Women in Square.
Series Chapters
Chapter 1

Ensuring Opportunity and Strengthening Our Democracy

Read the article Expanding Opportunity: Federal Policy Agenda for Economic Mobility.
Jan 14, 2021

Expanding Opportunity: Federal Policy Agenda for Economic Mobility

By: J.H. Cullum Clark
By reordering its fiscal and regulatory policies around an opportunity agenda and allowing greater flexibility for private markets and local policy initiatives, the federal government can play a crucial role in creating greater opportunity and economic mobility for all Americans.
Read the article Advancing Outcomes for Our Post-9/11 Veterans and Their Families.
Jan 14, 2021

Advancing Outcomes for Our Post-9/11 Veterans and Their Families

By: Col. Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR
A new presidential administration and a new Congress make this the optimal time to take a fresh look at the strategies, policies, programs, and resources that can empower veterans and their families to successfully reenter civilian life and continue to lead for years to come.
Read the article Central America: Promoting Prosperity with Targeted U.S. Trade Policy.
Jan 14, 2021

Central America: Promoting Prosperity with Targeted U.S. Trade Policy

By: Matthew Rooney
Investment in the region would promote industrialization in Central America, boosting productivity and prosperity there and opening job opportunities that would encourage Central Americans to stay home instead of seeking to emigrate to the United States.
Read the article Immigration: Building a System for Tomorrow.
Jan 14, 2021

Immigration: Building a System for Tomorrow

By: Laura Collins
More than ever, America needs the brightest, most talented, and hardest-working people the world has to offer. The objective of immigration policy should be to affirm America as the land of opportunity.
Read the article Assessments: Measuring Student Learning Can Lead to More Equitable Schools.
Jan 14, 2021

Assessments: Measuring Student Learning Can Lead to More Equitable Schools

By: Anne Wicks
The current pandemic has blown apart the public education system as we knew it — simultaneously exacerbating vulnerabilities for many children and forcing rapid innovation to meet this instructional moment. The adults in this system must now focus on two things in response: The first is safety for kids and educators. The second is accelerating academic progress for all kids, regardless of race, ethnicity, or disability.
Read the article State Data Systems: Worth the Legislative Investment to Connect Workforce and Education.
Jan 14, 2021

State Data Systems: Worth the Legislative Investment to Connect Workforce and Education

By: Anne Wicks, Justine Taylor-Raymond
The pandemic has exacerbated existing education gaps for many young people of color and students who are growing up in poverty. Connecting disparate data systems into a well-governed and transparent way in each state will help guide researchers and policymakers in the years ahead.
Chapter 2

Advancing Free Societies

Read the article We Still Have a Role to Play in Afghanistan.
Sep 23, 2021

We Still Have a Role to Play in Afghanistan

By: Laura Collins, Natalie Gonnella-Platts
The United States and the international community must act to protect the health and safety of those vulnerable to the Taliban, especially women and girls.
Read the article North Korea: Denuclearization Is Not Possible Without an Improvement in Human Rights.
Jan 14, 2021

North Korea: Denuclearization Is Not Possible Without an Improvement in Human Rights

By: Victor Cha, Lindsay Lloyd
As the last four years have shown us, a deal with North Korea is not possible without an improvement in the human condition. In the past, the United States prioritized nuclear negotiations above all else. A new administration and Congress have an opportunity to refocus their attention on human rights in North Korea.
Read the article Burma: Continuing U.S. Support of Transitions to Democracy.
Jan 14, 2021

Burma: Continuing U.S. Support of Transitions to Democracy

Burma is on the precipice of either a further backslide in democratic principles or the transition to a real democracy for all. U.S. leadership and engagement can help Burma to build a society with strong institutions and citizens that respect liberty and protect the rights of all people.
Read the article Global Health Priorities: Building on U.S. Global Health Engagement.
Jan 14, 2021

Global Health Priorities: Building on U.S. Global Health Engagement

By: Crystal Cazier
The United States’ unrelenting commitment to global health remains important – even more so as the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Congress and the administration should set an agenda that builds on the commitments the U.S. government has made, particularly over the past 18 years.
Read the article U.S. Efforts to Protect Afghan Women and Girls.
Jan 14, 2021

U.S. Efforts to Protect Afghan Women and Girls

By: Farhat Popal, Chris Walsh
When the United States stands with Afghanistan, it’s making a commitment to the security of all Americans as well as to the rights of women and girls everywhere. It is in our national security interests and our moral responsibility to support human rights, democracy, and peaceful, sustainable development in Afghanistan.
Read the article Women and Girls: Investing in Women's Economic Empowerment.
Jan 14, 2021

Women and Girls: Investing in Women's Economic Empowerment

By: Natalie Gonnella-Platts
When women succeed, we all benefit. Women’s economic empowerment boosts economic growth and prosperity and helps safeguard democracy. Most importantly, it ensures that women have an equal chance to build a bright future for themselves and their families.