David Sherfinski
Articles by David Sherfinski
Government personnel security clearance process added to list of ‘high-risk’ issues: GAO
There was a backlog of about 565,000 federal background security investigations as of last month, according to a report released Wednesday by the Government Accountability Office that details various "high-risk" areas across the federal government. Published March 6, 2019
James Lankford’s ‘Fumbles’ report includes spending on Russian wine study, mariachi program
Sen. James Lankford on Tuesday released his latest "Federal Fumbles" report intended to highlight waste and efficiencies in government spending, which included federal dollars going toward items ranging from a study on Russian wine to a mariachi apprenticeship program. Published March 5, 2019
Donald Trump steers CPAC message in new direction
Two years into the Trump presidential experiment, there's no longer any doubt that the conservative movement has been redefined by President Trump, leaving him with a fiercely loyal base of support as he prepares for a 2020 re-election campaign in perhaps the most hostile environment in modern political history. Published March 3, 2019
Who will succeed Donald Trump? Conservatives don’t have a clear answer yet
They're convinced President Trump will get another four years in the White House, but conservatives also are beginning to plan for the future and see a surprisingly chaotic bench. Published March 3, 2019
Republican Study Committee Chairman Mike Johnson sees opportunity for GOP in 2020
Rep. Mike Johnson, the new chairman of the Republican Study Committee, says despite the GOP falling into the minority in the House, conservatives have a chance to play a huge role in shaping debates. Published March 3, 2019
CPAC straw poll: Biden biggest threat to Trump
Conservatives view former Vice President Joseph R. Biden as the "biggest threat" to President Trump in the 2020 election, according to Saturday's Washington Times/CPAC straw poll. Sens. Bernard Sanders and Kamala Harris were a distant second and third. Published March 2, 2019
Donald Trump takes victory lap, urges CPAC activists to stay vigilant
President Trump on Saturday took a victory lap for what he described as a booming economy, U.S. victories abroad, and his success on conservative priorities like appointing new judges to the federal courts as he urged grassroots conservative activists to continue fighting. Published March 2, 2019
Donald Trump says he will sign executive order to promote free speech on university campuses
President Trump on Saturday announced he plans to sign an executive order soon requiring colleges and universities that accept federal research money to support free speech rights. Published March 2, 2019
Donald Trump laments people ‘trying to take you out with bull——’
President Trump on Saturday knocked what he called the Russia "collusion delusion" and lamented that people launching investigations are now "trying to take you out with bull--." Published March 2, 2019
Wayne LaPierre, NRA CEO: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ‘hates’ the NRA
Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president and CEO of the National Rifle Association, told conservative activists on Saturday that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo "hates" the gun-rights group and vowed to continue pushing back against the state's treatment of the NRA. Published March 2, 2019
Nita Lowey pours cold water on talk of reviving earmarks this year
House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey says she doesn't expect to revive earmarks in House spending bills for fiscal year 2020, blunting talk from top Democrats about potentially bringing them back this year. Published March 1, 2019
Activists at CPAC pleased with Trump’s ‘America First’ axiom
Academics may debate whether President Trump has a foreign policy doctrine, but conservative activists gathered in suburban Maryland this week say there's no question he has a guiding axiom, summed up in two of his favorite words: America First. Published February 28, 2019
House Dems ponder rules change as party unity crumbles
Stung by ongoing defections on some key votes, House Democrats are pondering a quick rules change that would limit the GOP's chances to offer its own amendments to bills -- a move the top Republican said would amount to "a nuclear option." Published February 28, 2019
CPAC learns to love Donald Trump
President Trump, who made some less-than-memorable CPAC appearances earlier this decade and earned a measly 3.5 percent support in the 2015 CPAC presidential straw poll, was by 2016 the mother of all lightning rods, with the conservative activists gathered in suburban Maryland desperately searching for an alternative presidential candidate. Three years later, all is forgiven. Published February 27, 2019
House votes to notify ICE when illegal immigrants try to buy guns
Republicans scored a rare victory in the Democrat-controlled House Wednesday, winning a vote to have authorities notify deportation officers any time an illegal immigrant tries to buy a gun. Published February 27, 2019
House passes sweeping gun legislation to expand background checks to cover virtually all sales
The House on Wednesday passed legislation to expand gun-purchase background check requirements to cover virtually all gun sales and most firearms transfers, taking its most far-reaching steps in years on gun control. Published February 27, 2019
Parties spar over tax cut law as refunds for many disappoint
The average federal tax refund is down so far this year, but analysts say that's not necessarily a sign that the 2017 GOP tax overhaul, President Trump's signature legislative win, backfired. Published February 26, 2019
Second Amendment Foundation sues over mental health ‘holds’ and suspension of gun rights
The Second Amendment Foundation filed a lawsuit this week in federal court in California on behalf of individuals the gun-rights group says have been improperly denied their Second Amendment rights over mental health issues. Published February 26, 2019
Government likely to hit debt limit this fall absent action from Congress: CBO
The federal government is likely to run out of borrowing room sometime in September or October if Congress doesn't lift or suspend the debt limit before then, the Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday. Published February 26, 2019
Andy Biggs resolution makes national debt a security threat
While many on Capitol Hill are shrugging off the federal government's escalating red ink, House conservatives on Tuesday are set to introduce a resolution calling on Congress to recognize the national debt as a national security threat. Published February 26, 2019
