America has outgrown the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. As the world's largest oil producer, its real reserve is the shale in the ground. Remove government barriers and let producers supply more, says Cato's Travis Fisher.

When federal agents act with impunity, local elected officials have to decide how to respond. Under the Constitution's anti-commandeering doctrine, they have the right to refuse cooperation — and their oath of office means they should, argues Cato's Mike Fox. https://ow.ly/fk6e50ZnUtv

Join Ryan Bourne of the Cato Institute for a conversation with Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R‑PA) and Tom Suozzi (D‑NY), who recently introduced the caucus’s Bipartisan Affordability Agenda. Registration: https://ow.ly/UzRS50ZnOTp

The new issue of Free Society is here! Cato scholars trace the ideas that shaped the Declaration of Independence, the struggle to extend its promises to more individuals, and why the Founders' principles are as relevant today as they were in 1776. Check it out now: https://ow.ly/92S750ZnQrQ

“We cannot hide behind tariff walls.” Cato’s Clark Packard testified before the House Foreign Affairs Oversight and Intelligence Subcommittee on US economic security and investment abroad, making the case for market incentives, cooperation, and competition. Testimony: https://youtu.be/9iZedl9VyEk

A pro-Jones Act advocacy group recently claimed that the current waiver of the law “hardly added new capacity” to domestic shipping. Its published numbers, however, sharply differ from official data, writes Cato's Colin Grabow.

Inflation cooled sharply in June, from an 8 percent three-month pace to 2.8. But the drop rode on cheaper energy tied to the Iran ceasefire, now ended. One number built on a fragile truce is weak basis for Fed policy, warns Cato's Jai Kedia.

"We need policies that affirm market incentives that make American firms and those of our allies more competitive. We cannot hide behind tariff walls." – Cato Institute’s Research Fellow Clark Packard, testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. https://ow.ly/Qtq450Znw6L

The debate over the Jones Act is often driven by claims about what would or would not happen if its restrictions were relaxed. Cato's new Jones Act Waiver Tracker offers something more valuable: the opportunity to examine what is actually taking place. https://ow.ly/2kNs50ZnuTC

Some stories here put us at odds with those in power, others with their critics. Our 2025 Annual Report shows what this independence makes possible—from defeating tariffs and securing tax reform to reaching 25,000+ teachers—and what’s next for strengthening your freedoms. https://ow.ly/q8nk50ZnqsB

Court packing to save democracy is a cure worse than the disease. The Court isn't illegitimate, and the nation faces no emergency. Packing it would endanger real gains in free speech, gun rights, and the equal protection doctrine, writes Cato's Dan Greenberg. https://ow.ly/t69H50Zn3hj

If Congress won't strip the FDA of its prescription power entirely, it should at least set an expiration date on prescription requirements, say Cato’s Michael F. Cannon and Jeffrey A. Singer. Greater over-the-counter access would reduce the price of medicines. https://ow.ly/eku250ZllAe

To make progress, we must do something different from what we did yesterday, and we must do it faster, better, or with less effort. Learn the history of human progress with Cato Courses and Johan Norberg: https://ow.ly/H8Wb50Zma9k

Adam Smith wrote this in 1776. Nothing has changed. That's why we're all for limited government.

SNAP made $10.1 billion in improper payments last year. States run SNAP, but federal taxpayers cover 90% of its costs, giving states little financial stake in the program's integrity. The fix: let states fund and manage food stamps themselves, says Cato’s Romina Boccia and Tyler Turman.

US steel prices are now at their highest level since mid-2023. Learn more from Cato's Clark Packard and Alfredo Carrillo Obregon: https://ow.ly/ANYa50ZmxbP

Gas. Groceries. Rent. Childcare. High prices are hurting Americans everywhere — and Washington isn’t fixing it. Cato's new “Handbook on Affordability” offers 100+ better policy ideas to bring costs down sustainably. https://ow.ly/IPAI50Z5hCA

The FDA requires prescriptions for medicines that adults can safely manage themselves, driving up costs, limiting access, and making consumers less safe. Cato's Michael F. Cannon and Jeffrey A. Singer argue that both safety and access require stripping the FDA of its power to require prescriptions.

"The tragedy is that the juvenile justice system can leave kids and teenagers worse off than when they entered it." Cato's Matthew Cavedon examines what's broken in America's juvenile justice system — and what real reform should look like. https://ow.ly/S06450Zm6N6

Two centuries before the American Revolution, scholars at the School of Salamanca in Spain were debating natural rights, the limits of political power, and the sovereignty of the people. Learn more from Cato's Gabriela Calderón de Burgos: https://ow.ly/NxzV50Zm6qQ

States run SNAP, but federal taxpayers cover more than 90% of its costs, an all-gain, no-pain setup that contributed to $10.1 billion in improper payments last year. The surest fix for waste, fraud, and abuse in SNAP is for states to pay for it, writes Cato's Romina Boccia and Tyler Turman.

The FDA's monopoly on drug approval produces what all monopolies do: high costs & limited access. Recognizing safety certifications from other countries would give Americans access to medicines already available to patients around the world— at lower prices, say Michael F. Cannon & Jeffrey Singer.

“Let’s do more than commemorate and celebrate the 250th. Let’s ask our government to do less for us, so that we can again feel the sense of empowerment and meaning that comes from doing more for ourselves.” — Cato President and CEO Peter Goettler. https://ow.ly/HpZj50ZlL8Q

Like the federal government, states can use deregulation to provide relief from excessive health insurance premiums, argue Cato scholars. Check out their policy ideas on how to improve health care affordability in the United States: https://ow.ly/5WY150ZllCL

SNAP's improper payment rate hit 10.62% last year, more than 3x its 2013 low. The reason is structural: states run the program but federal taxpayers cover 90% of costs, giving states little incentive to crack down on errors, notes Cato's Romina Boccia and Tyler Turman. https://ow.ly/Mhva50ZlGpI

The Declaration of Independence condemned King George III for “cutting off our trade with all parts of the world." 250 years later, economic nationalism is once again on the rise. Colin Grabow traces how mercantilist ideas live on in the Jones Act, tariffs, and industrial policy: buff.ly/IFc6Qnz

The immigrant share was higher at America’s founding than it is today. Learn more from Cato’s David J. Bier: https://ow.ly/lPTe50ZkK65

Looking ahead 50 years, a majority (56%) of Americans are worried that the US may stop being a free country, a new Cato survey finds. Learn more: https://ow.ly/cs6W50Zk4k1

By most any measure, the United States has the most expensive health sector in the world. Cato scholars propose immediate, supply-side policy changes that would broaden choice and improve affordability. Check out the Cato Institute Handbook on Affordability: https://ow.ly/mjpf50Z5BVQ

57% of Americans believe the country has moved away from the principles upon which it was founded, including 22% who think the country has moved “far away,” and 35% who think it has moved away “somewhat,” a new Cato Institute survey finds. https://ow.ly/rP2S50Zk4cj