NEWS AND OPINION:

Well, for those who’re going to tie up visitors across the nation’s capital, you would possibly as nicely go large. That is what occurred Tuesday night when President Biden journeyed from the White House to a pair of political fundraisers in Chevy Chase — a most engaging city in Maryland simply over the District of Columbia border.

It was all within the timing. Mr. Biden departed the White House at about 4:10 p.m. — simply when the notorious “D.C. rush hour” is often coming into its hair-raising part.

Complications ensued when security-minded officers shut down the inside loop of the notorious, 64-mile, interstate Capital Beltway which surrounds Washington and passes by means of Maryland and Virginia alike.

The lanes have been blocked for an hour or so close to the American Legion Bridge to accommodate the presidential motorcade. Lanes on two different close by roadways have been additionally closed. Traffic got here to a big standstill.

“The Beltway comes to a complete stop for the presidential motorcade. I knew I should have taken the bus!” tweeted Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass, utilizing his private Twitter account.

He included a selfie photograph of himself standing exterior his car at 5:17 p.m. Tuesday, caught within the mom of all visitors jams. Cars stretched into the space whereas drivers contemplated their destiny.

The president departed the Chevy Chase space round 7:30 p.m. and was again on the White House in a half-hour, based on a useful abstract from WTTG-5, the native Fox TV affiliate. The occasion, nevertheless, grew to become a significant information merchandise. Here’s a number of headlines from information organizations that monitored the occasion:

“Liberals turn on Joe Biden over a traffic jam” (New York Post); “Motorcade snarls traffic after closure of Beltway’s inner loop” (Washington Post); “Motorcade mess: President’s trip backs up Beltway for miles” (NBC-4 Washington); “Traffic fiasco on 1-495 due to Secret Service” (WUSA-9 Washington); “Was Beltway closure due to Biden’s Chevy Chase visit?” (Daily Voice); “Motorcade ‘on the loose, on the move’ causes delays on Capital Beltway’s Inner Loop” (WTOP information radio); and “Why did Biden’s motorcade shut down DC’s arterial highway?” (Washington Examiner).

‘LIBERAL CODE’

The current path of the U.S. economic system is of concern to the Republican Party, which regularly tracks the trajectory of the nation’s monetary issues.

“Bidenomics — it’s a punchline, not an economic plan,” advises the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), which supplied the proof in a short evaluation, full with lively hyperlinks to pertinent info.

The evaluation was introduced in 5 succinct factors — and right here they're, verbatim from the supply:

• Joe Biden’s economic system resulted within the 4th of July cookout costing 14% greater than it did simply 2 years in the past.

• Only one in three Americans approve of the path of the economic system.

• 57% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.

• There’s a 25% probability of a recession within the subsequent 12 months.

• There’s almost $100,000 in nationwide debt per each particular person in America.

“Bidenomics is just liberal code for more reckless government spending fueling inflation. Extreme House Democrats all support it, but everyday Americans see none of the benefits,” stated Will Reinert, NRCC nationwide press secretary.

A POWERFUL NEW FELLOW

The mission-minded Heritage Foundation introduced Wednesday that former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe is becoming a member of the group as a visiting fellow centered on nationwide safety, cybersecurity, and intelligence.

“Mr. Ratcliffe will focus on chairing a forthcoming project to hold China accountable for COVID-19, advising Heritage leadership on national security and intelligence policy, and helping Project 2025 build out policy recommendations for intelligence reform in the next presidential administration,” the group stated in an announcement shared with Inside the Beltway.

Project 2025, by the best way, is the group’s new push to excellent conservative coverage suggestions and a governing agenda to take again the White House. The effort is bolstered by enter by a broad coalition of some 65 conservative organizations.

“Former DNI Ratcliffe brings a wealth of knowledge and unique insight when it comes to the national security issues this country faces,” stated Kevin Roberts, Heritage president tank, additionally in an announcement.

“I am thrilled he is joining Heritage as we continue to safeguard the nation from threats abroad as well as work to rein in unaccountable federal agencies and protect the American people from an increasingly weaponized federal government here at home,” Mr. Roberts stated.

Mr. Ratcliffe is prepared.

“Throughout my public service, I have both admired and often relied upon The Heritage Foundation’s incredible work in advancing conservative policies, which have improved America’s national security posture. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to now contribute to those efforts as a visiting fellow,” he stated in an announcement.

POLL DU JOUR

• 91% of small enterprise house owners within the U.S. say that small companies are weak to rising rates of interest.

• 76% of the house owners say rising rates of interest are limiting their capability to boost capital.

• 74% say rising rates of interest make it more durable for them to pay again present enterprise loans.

• 73% say it’s now more durable for them to borrow cash as a result of banks are tightening strains of credit score.

• 71% anticipate their income to extend within the subsequent yr.

• 59% say the “overall health” of their enterprise is nice.

• 54% say inflation “is “the top challenge” for small enterprise house owners.

• 50% say that they've delayed plans to increase their enterprise in response to greater rates of interest.

• 49% say they've taken out a mortgage throughout the previous yr to cowl greater prices because of inflation.

• 47% anticipate growing employees within the subsequent yr.

• 24% say the U.S. economic system is “in good health.”

• 23% cite provide chain points as a significant concern.

• 20% say sustaining income for the enterprise is a significant concern.

SOURCE: U.S. Chamber of Commerce/MetLife survey of 752 U.S. small enterprise house owners performed May 8-24 and launched Wednesday.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com