Policy Recommendations

Policy Recommendations · Jan 18, 2023

2023 Policy Recommendations

Recommendations include supporting Ukraine, reforming immigration, combating kleptocracy, and strengthening education.

Video · Jan 18, 2023

Two-Minute Take: Ensuring economic opportunity for veterans

Col. Matthew F. Amidon, Director of Veterans and Military Families at the Bush Institute, discusses how veterans who have transitioned to civilian life are trained leaders who are ready to enter into the workforce, but states need to do better at supporting their skill-sets to welcome them into meaningful employment and education

Video · Jan 18, 2023

Two-Minute Take on Ukraine Policy Recommendations

“President Vladimir Putin’s unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine marks the gravest security threat on the European continent since World War II."

Policy Recommendations · Jan 17, 2023

Countering Corruption and Kleptocracy: What can be done to uproot a global scourge?

Corruption and kleptocracy have metastasized in the globalized era, infecting the health of the international financial system and weakening the integrity of rule-of-law in societies around the world.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 17, 2023

Foreign Aid Successes: MCC and PEPFAR as models for engagement

Policy Recommendations · Jan 17, 2023

Democracy: Why America must lead to strengthen democracy worldwide

By virtue of its political and economic might, the United States is uniquely positioned to champion the cause of freedom around the world. Doing so directly benefits Americans because free societies are more likely to engage in commerce, respect the rule of law, create pluralistic cultures that promote tolerance, and foster peaceful relations; they are less likely to go to war with each other.

Report · Dec 8, 2022

Welcoming Immigrants: A State and Local Policy Agenda for Helping Immigrants

Blueprint for Opportunity series policy recommendations

Nov 3, 2021

Adults Need a Seriousness of Purpose that Supersedes Politics and the Pull of the Status Quo

Lessons learned from Dallas, Austin, and Houston inform these recommendations for leaders in any city focused on improving outcomes for young people.

Sep 23, 2021

We Still Have a Role to Play in Afghanistan

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.

Video · Jan 26, 2021

Two-Minute Take: Promoting Prosperity in Central America with Targeted U.S. Trade Policy

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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

Expanding Opportunity: State and Local Policy Agenda for Economic Mobility

Many of the largest obstacles to economic mobility arise from state and local policies, but a new opportunity agenda can play a vital role in creating more cities and towns of opportunity and renewing the American dream.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

Expanding Opportunity: Federal Policy Agenda for Economic Mobility

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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

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

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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

Disinformation: Democracies Require a Reliable Flow of Information

The reliable flow of information is one of the most essential battlegrounds in the fight to stabilize democracies around the world.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

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

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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

Immigration: Building a System for Tomorrow

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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

Women and Girls: Investing in Women's Economic Empowerment

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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

U.S. Efforts to Protect Afghan Women and Girls

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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

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

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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

Reimagining School: Rethink the School Day and Year to Better Serve Students and Families

With everything the pandemic is showing us in terms of new school models, it’s an opportune time to rethink and reimagine what could be.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

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

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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

Women and Girls: Supporting Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

There is an African proverb that states, where you will sit when you are old shows where you stood in youth. Today and tomorrow, the status of adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa matters to us all.

Policy Recommendations · 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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

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

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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

Democracy and Human Rights: America's Leadership Matters

Supporting democracy and human rights at home and worldwide requires a comprehensive, multistakeholder approach that reaffirms America’s commitment to global leadership and democratic ideals.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

Assessments: Measuring Student Learning Can Lead to More Equitable Schools

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.

Policy Recommendations · Jan 14, 2021

Schools and COVID-19: Working Through and Beyond Education’s Greatest Challenge

Federal and state governments – as well as philanthropists and foundations – are being called upon to invest millions of dollars in our public-school system to help schools and districts navigate the impact of the pandemic on student success.

Policy Recommendations · Nov 26, 2018

What's Next: 2019 Policy Recommendations

Recommendations in global leadership and domestic excellence from George W. Bush Institute experts.

Nov 26, 2018

Policy Recommendations: Developing the Next Generation

Aligning time, people, and money will allow states to better serve their students