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Jennifer Harper

Jennifer Harper

jharper@washingtontimes.com

Jennifer Harper wrote the daily Inside the Beltway column for The Washington Times.

Articles by Jennifer Harper

Sun shines on the U.S. Capitol dome in Washington, Aug. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Year-end spending bill called ‘a grab bag of theft’

Some close observers are not impressed by the gigantic $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill that rocketed through Capitol Hill this week. "It's a grab bag of theft. But it's what they do here," declared nationally syndicated radio host Chris Plante.

December 22, 2022
Migrants form a line to receive warm food donated by residents in downtown El Paso, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Texas border cities were preparing Sunday for a surge of as many as 5,000 new migrants a day across the U.S.-Mexico border as pandemic-era immigration restrictions expire this week, setting in motion plans for providing emergency housing, food and other essentials. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Headlines from El Paso as border crisis looms

How are things in El Paso, Texas? It could be considered a "ground zero" of sorts for the illegal immigration crisis -- which is expected to escalate if and when Title 42 is lifted. This law limits immigration to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases in the U.S.

December 20, 2022
The U.S. Capitol is seen here at dawn, complete with reflecting pool. (AP Photo)

Poll asks Republicans to define the ‘good Republican’

Is there such a thing as the ideal Republican -- the "good" Republican? One pollster was determined to find out. "Small government, America First, liberty and freedom, religious values, personal responsibility. These are just some of the ways Republican voters describe what it means to be a good Republican," stated a new analysis from Monmouth University, which indeed polled 563 Republicans to get their take on the subject.

December 19, 2022
A lone shopper pushes a cart past a display for Christmas sales in a Costco warehouse late Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, in Lone Tree, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

What we most dread about Christmas gift giving

The National Retail Federation projects that holiday spending could reach $960.4 billion, with 91% of consumers celebrating the season. Well, good. There is another aspect to consider however. Gift giving can miss the mark. Politically-themed gifts in particular made a list of the most "unwelcome" presents this year -- despite clever embellishments, such as the coffee mug which reads "All I want for Christmas is a new president."

December 18, 2022
The 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is lit after a ceremony on the West Front Lawn of Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. This year's tree is a white fir from the Six Rivers National Forest in California. The tradition of decorating the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree dates back to 1964. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Christmas songs inspire bipartisan agreement

In a year of discord and disagreement, there's at least one thing that Republicans and Democrats agree on at the moment. Both sides think "Silent Night" is the best Christmas song of all. Yes, there's a poll which asked respondents to name their favorite seasonal tunes, of both the sacred and commercial varieties.

December 15, 2022
A new faith based organization now vows to support former President Donald Trump should he run for president in 2024. (image courtesy of Pastors for Trump)

‘Pastors for Trump’ arrives in time for 2024 campaign

Some have not given up on the political future of former President Donald Trump. Pastors for Trump has arrived, founded by Jackson Lahmeyer, lead pastor at Sheridan Church in Tulsa and a former candidate for U.S. senator in Oklahoma. He has a very specific mission.

December 13, 2022
The number of veterans serving in Congress is approaching a "record low" according to a new Pew Research Center study.  (AP Photo)

Veterans still scarce in Congress, despite slight upward tick

How many military veterans are now members of Congress? The answer: Not many. "The new Congress will have a few more veterans, but their share of lawmakers is still near a record low," reported Pew Research Center analyst Drew DeSilver.

December 12, 2022
An 18-foot high Douglas fir adorns the Blue Room at the White House on Dec. 2, 2009. The first known Christmas tree at the White House was in the tenure of Benjamin Harrison. (Associated Press)

‘How Biden stole Christmas’ … with all those higher prices

So it wasn't the Grinch that ran off with one of the nation's favorite holidays? It was a U.S. president? One analyst believes this is true. Isabelle Morales, who covers spending and regulatory reform for Americans for Tax Reform, offers much evidence in an essay titled 'How Biden Stole Christmas: Americans brace for the most expensive Christmas to date."

December 11, 2022
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Herschel Walker speaks during a campaign stop in Cumming, Ga., Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The press reacts to Herschel Walker and the Georgia election

The news media is closely following Herschel Walker's quest for the U.S. Senate seat in Georgia as voters in the Peach State head for the polls Tuesday. The press has waited for many weeks to witness Mr. Walker's challenge to Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat.

December 5, 2022
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence stand on stage during the first day of the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Mike Pence comments on running on Trump ticket again

Here's yet another possibility to consider when considering Republican potential candidate matchups in the 2024 presidential election, an intriguing idea set forth in a conversation between "Fox News Sunday" anchor Shannon Bream and former Vice President Mike Pence.

December 4, 2022
In this Sept. 25, 2021, file photo Senate candidate Herschel Walker speaks during former President Donald Trump's Save America rally in Perry, Ga. (AP Photo/Ben Gray, File)

Herschel Walker, Raphael Warnock and an unequal press

The "progressive pundit class" has shortchanged Herschel Walker, a Republican running for the U.S. Senate seat in Georgia. His opponent -- Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat -- had a more positive experience. So says Newsbusters.org in a meticulous new analysis.

December 1, 2022
Stickers for voters in Iowa's Primary Election sit on a table at the Polk County Central Senior Center, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Socialists on the rise, winning 90% of their races

Socialist candidates in federal and statewide elections were "overwhelmingly successful" in their bids for elected office this year. "In total, 132 socialist candidates were tracked -- 78 at the state level and 54 at the federal level. Our analysis found 120 of these far-left candidates were victorious (a 90.9 percent victory rate)," advised a new analysis conducted by the Heartland Institute.

November 29, 2022