The Lunch Hour with Federal Newswire

In this episode of The Federal Newswire Lunch Hour podcast, host Andrew Langer is joined by Jennifer Huddleston, senior fellow in technology policy at the Cato Institute. Huddleston unpacks the complex and evolving relationship between emerging technology and public policy, from data privacy and content moderation to age verification and artificial intelligence regulation.Together, they explore the legal and cultural challenges posed by proposals like the Kids Online Safety Act, the implications of regulating AI and social media mergers, and the role of permissionless innovation in a free society. Huddleston also draws on her background as an educator and marathon runner to advocate for thoughtful, practical tech policy that values liberty, innovation, and nuance.If you care about the future of digital rights, online privacy, and balancing child safety with free expression, this episode is a must-watch.

Andrew Langer sits down with Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, representative of Wyoming and chair of the Article One Task Force under the Republican Study Committee. Hageman—an experienced constitutional and natural resource attorney—dives deep into Congress's abdication of legislative authority, regulatory overreach, and the hidden costs of guidance documents and administrative courts.From dissecting the real-world impact of the federal regulatory state on rural America, energy policy, and agriculture to laying out a roadmap for reclaiming congressional power, this discussion delivers a powerful critique of executive overreach. Hageman also highlights her proposed Seventh Amendment Restoration Act, aiming to restore fairness in agency enforcement actions.📌 Topics Discussed:- The rise of the administrative state- How Congress can reclaim its Article One powers- Roadless Rule and federal land mismanagement- Regulatory "dark matter" and guidance documents- Real-life cases from Wyoming farms to federal courtrooms- What’s next for the Article One Task Force🔗 Learn more at: https://hageman.house.gov🎧 Follow the Lunch Hour Podcast for more interviews with policy leaders and experts on federal government dynamics.

Andrew Langer sits down with Curt Mills, Executive Director of The American Conservative, to explore how U.S. foreign policy intersects with domestic politics. The conversation dives into pressing global issues including America's role in the Middle East, the shifting dynamics of NATO, skepticism around endless wars, and the moral complexities of evangelical support for Israel. With deep insights on political strategy, libertarian divides, and the evolving conservative worldview, this episode challenges conventional thinking on American international engagement.🔍 Tune in for a critical look at the geostrategic landscape from one of the leading voices in foreign policy journalism.

In this compelling episode of The Federal Newswire Lunch Hour, host Andrew Langer sits down with retired U.S. Army Ranger and veteran of six wars, Jim Lechner. Lechner reflects on his 27-year military career, including his experiences in Somalia with Task Force Ranger—recounted in his book With My Shield. He discusses the evolving role of the military, the politicization of leadership, the importance of merit-based service, and urgent reforms needed to preserve military effectiveness. Lechner also shares his views on the Ukraine war, veterans' care, DEI policies in defense, and how to honor sacrifice with capability—not ideology. A must-listen for anyone interested in military policy, defense reform, and veteran advocacy.🔗 Guest Book: With My Shield: An Army Ranger in Somalia 🎖️ Learn more about Jim Lechner on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Newsmax.

Andrew Langer sits down with Doug Holtz-Eakin, founder and president of the American Action Forum. Doug shares insights from his decades of experience in economic policy, including his time leading the Congressional Budget Office and advising Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. They dive deep into the impact of regulatory costs, tariffs, trade policy, SNAP program reforms, and the dangers of government overreach. Doug also discusses why quantifying regulatory burdens is crucial and how economics informs smarter public policy. Plus, in a lighter moment, Doug shares his passion for musical theater and the lessons he's learned throughout his career.🎙️ Don’t miss this thoughtful conversation on regulation, trade, opportunity cost, and how good policy gets made!👉 Subscribe for more expert interviews and policy discussions every week.

In this episode of The Federal Newswire Lunch Hour, host Andrew Langer sits down with Nick Gerhart, COO and incoming CEO of Homesteaders Life Company. A former Iowa Insurance Commissioner and longtime advocate for innovation in insurance, Nick shares hard-earned insights on why insurance must evolve to meet the needs of modern consumers—especially in the complex world of health care.They dive into:- The necessity of innovation in a highly regulated industry- Why health insurance functions differently than traditional insurance- How AI and data could radically improve preventative care- The promise and pitfalls of interstate competition- Cross-state licensing as a key to solving provider shortages- How bureaucracy, cost, and provider networks block new entrantsThis is a must-watch conversation for anyone interested in the future of health policy, competition, and the economic forces shaping our $5 trillion healthcare industry.

In this episode of The Lunch Hour with Andrew Langer, we're joined by Guy Bentley, Director of Consumer Freedom Research at the Reason Foundation. From the moral panic over vaping and the myth of “no safe level” of alcohol, to the creeping hand of public health regulation, Guy makes the case for evidence-based policy and the preservation of individual liberty.We talk about:- How CDC misinformation turned people back to cigarettes- Why risk comparison matters more than ever- The rise of a new temperance movement bankrolled by taxpayer dollars- And why the push to regulate your lifestyle choices isn’t about health—it’s about control.If you care about personal responsibility, regulatory sanity, and keeping government in check, don’t miss this wide-ranging, thought-provoking conversation.👉 Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.🎙️ Available on all podcast platforms.📱 Follow Guy Bentley: @GBentley1 on X

Fred de Fossard leads the Prosperity Institute’s parliamentary and legislative work. He is responsible for research on British prosperity, encompassing Brexit opportunities, regulatory and government reform, and economic growth. This includes a long-term legislative agenda required to return the United Kingdom to growth, aided by his expertise in parliamentary and constitutional affairs.Before working at the Institute, he served as a Special Adviser to Rt Hon Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg MP between 2020 and 2022 (as Leader of the House, Brexit Opportunities Minister, and Business Secretary), gaining a deep understanding of the mechanics of the British state and how it needs to be reformed. He helped deliver a host of regulatory reforms related to Brexit, policies to improve civil service recruitment, and helped manage the Government’s legislative program.

From 2006-2017, Adam Lovinger served as a strategist in the Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment (ONA), where he provided direct support on long-term strategy to the Secretary of Defense.For the first four months of the Trump Administration, Lovinger served as Senior Director for Strategic Assessments at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC).Adam currently serves as vice president for strategic affairs at the Gold Institute for International Strategy, a Washington D.C.-based think-and-do tank.

Adam Thierer is the former director of telecommunications studies at the Cato Institute. Thierer conducts research on how government regulations are hampering the evolution of communications networks, including telephony, broadcasting, cable, satellite