Michael McKenna
Columns by Michael McKenna
Time for Trump to turn to tax reform
A few days ago, it was reported that some folks on Team Trump were considering increasing the top federal tax rate to 39.6%, like it was in the Obama years, from 37%, as set in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Published April 2, 2025
We need Canada’s crude oil to help America’s energy supremacy
Although the flavor of the month includes bashing Canada when possible, it is important to remember that our neighbors are essential to creating and sustaining American energy supremacy. Published March 30, 2025
The IMF is trying to kneecap American energy companies
The IMF has told a group of West African nations that loans and foreign aid may be compromised unless they take steps to bolster the amount of foreign currency they have in reserve. Published March 26, 2025
The problem with Notre Dame Cathedral
A few weeks ago, a Francophile friend of mine asked what I thought of the grand reopening of the Cathedral of Our Lady in Paris. Published March 23, 2025
Musk may leave America only broken
A friend of mine -- let's call him Dave -- has been with the federal government for about 30 years and manages the permitting section of a relatively large independent regulatory agency. Published March 19, 2025
St. Patrick’s Day: The Irish story of sacrifice and survival
On Sept. 14, 1607, the Earl of Tyrone and the Earl of Tyrconnell departed Rathmullan in Ireland, heading to Europe. Published March 16, 2025
Washington’s water heater blunder: Why Congress’ fix could burn American manufacturers
Right after Christmas, Team Biden set new efficiency standards for gas tankless water heaters and effectively eliminated the lowest-priced versions of these water heaters. Published March 12, 2025
Trump should focus on tax reform
My friends at the Committee to Unleash Prosperity recently launched the Tax Cut Victory Alliance, which led me to wonder what happened to tax reform. Published March 9, 2025
Congress needs to stop California from banning vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel
An unfortunate quirk of the federal Clean Air Act is that it allows the Environmental Protection Agency to issue waivers to California. Published March 5, 2025
Musk is spending Trump’s political capital
Republicans, at least in public, seem to be excited about Elon Musk and his boy band careening through the federal government, creating mayhem wherever they go. Published March 2, 2025
Trump knows winning the AI race is more important than climate change
Lost in the fury and energy of the new administration's first week or so was an executive order from President Trump directing the immediate withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement. Published February 26, 2025
Celebrating the indispensable George Washington
This weekend, we celebrate the birthday of the author of that victory, Gen. George Washington, born in Virginia on Feb. 22, 1732. Published February 23, 2025
Border czar Homan’s attack on the pope reveals deeper truths about moral certainty
Next time someone offers an alternative and perhaps contrary thought, you might want to think about it for a minute or two. Published February 19, 2025
Defense Secretary Hegseth, Vice President Vance lay hard truths on Europeans
Last week was the week Team Trump decided to tell Europe some truths. Published February 16, 2025
Does Trump have to spend all the money appropriated by Congress?
"The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America." Published February 12, 2025
Tim Walz isn’t the only knucklehead in Minnesota
President Trump, doing what God created him to do, has dominated the news cycle for the last three months, so one can be forgiven for not following what has been happening in Minnesota. Published February 9, 2025
Trump’s march through Senate an awesome display of raw political power
The American people expect, or at least hope for, basic competence. They also expect caution in the setting of precedents. Published February 5, 2025
Partisan truths: Tariffs, gasoline prices and Kennedy’s confirmation hearing
This newspaper published a column last week offering a simple and correct argument: Imposing a 25% tariff on crude oil imported from Canada would lead to an increase in the cost of gasoline. Published February 2, 2025
Tariffs on Canadian oil will increase gasoline prices in America
One of the themes in the very busy first few days of the Trump administration has been the president's promise (threat?) to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada. Published January 29, 2025
Money is really what matters in Washington
A few years back, I was talking to about three dozen Republican Senate staff members about the size of government. I asked them how much the federal government had spent in the previous fiscal year. Published January 27, 2025
