
Cato Event Podcast
Podcast of policy and book forums, Capitol Hill briefings and other events from the Cato Institute Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

May 8, 2024 • 1h 3min
Sea‐Launched Nuclear Cruise Missile: Necessary or Excessive?
In October 2022, the White House released its 2022 Nuclear Posture Review, laying out the Biden administration’s nuclear strategy. Perhaps the most controversial policy change in the report was the cancellation of the sea‐launched nuclear cruise missile (SLCM‑N), which was introduced in the 2018 review. Less than two years after the cancellation, Congress reversed the program’s course once again by establishing the SLCM‑N as a program of record through the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.Supporters argue that growing nuclear threats make the SLCM‑N more important now than ever. Opponents point to the opportunity costs of adding yet another weapon system to an already stressed nuclear modernization plan. What should be the future of this highly contested program?Please join the Cato Institute as we explore the benefits and opportunity costs of adding the SLCM‑N to the US nuclear arsenal. Cato’s Eric Gomez and the Atlantic Council’s Robert Soofer will examine the potential role of the SLCM‑N in the US nuclear arsenal, provide an overview of the cases for and against it, and allow participants an opportunity to engage in the discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 1, 2024 • 1h 32min
Build, Baby, Build The Science and Ethics of Housing Regulation
Why are housing prices in America so high? “Supply and demand” is true but misleading, because draconian regulation drastically constricts housing supply. In this exciting new nonfiction graphic novel, economist Bryan Caplan makes the economic and philosophical case for radical deregulation of the housing industry. Deregulation turns out to be a bona fide panacea: a large rise in housing supply would raise living standards, reduce inequality, increase social mobility, promote economic growth, reduce homelessness, increase birth rates, help the environment, and more. Combining stunning visuals and careful interdisciplinary research, Build, Baby, Build takes readers to a world where people are free to build―and shows us how to get there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 25, 2024 • 1h 35min
Coming to the Rescue: How International Medical Graduates Can Increase Access to Health Care
It is increasingly difficult for patients to access health care clinicians, especially in rural and underserved areas. Not enough clinicians are entering the workforce to replace those quitting or retiring while the US population is growing and aging. The average wait for a first‐time doctor’s appointment is 26 days. Yet, state licensing laws prevent experienced international medical graduates (IMGs) who migrate to the United States from offering their services to residents. Unlike many other developed countries, American states require IMGs to repeat their residency training in accredited US programs – convincing many IMGs to not practice medicine. Several states are reforming their licensing laws to remove obstacles preventing IMGs from practicing medicine, but not without controversy.Join Jonathan Wolfson, Chief Legal Officer and Policy Director at the Cicero Institute, Maqbool Halepota, MD, FACP, Medical Director at Palo Verde Cancer Center‐Scottsdale, and Lisa Robin, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Federation of State Medical Boards, for a discussion of the issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 25, 2024 • 34min
Lessons Learned from over a Century of Economic Liberty Litigation in India
Drawing on his TedX Talk on the same subject, and using vivid imagery from India, Prashant Narang will explain the trajectory of the fight for economic freedom in Indian courts and lessons that may help litigators restore judicial protection in America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 25, 2024 • 59min
Panel 2: How to Beat Cronyism
Ethan Blevins, Skylar Croy, and Joshua Polk discuss the threat posed by the composition of licensing bodies, and ways that entrepreneurs can change the system. Moderated by Clark Neily Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 25, 2024 • 1h 15min
Panel 1: Bringing Back Economic Liberty in State Courts
Timothy Sandefur and Anthony Sanders discuss their experiences litigating in state courts and new ways for bringing back economic freedom at the state level. Moderated by Anastasia Boden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 24, 2024 • 59min
AI: Artificial Intelligence + American Innovation
Artificial intelligence (AI) is leading the tech conversation for “accelerationists,” “doomers,” and everyone in between. From the Biden administration’s executive order on AI to dozens of bills being discussed on Capitol Hill, policymakers are looking to exert influence over AI, just as AI is poised to extend its impact on our world.Data privacy, cybersecurity, financial opportunity, election integrity, and economic growth are just some of the policy issues implicated by recent advances in generative AI and deep learning.Yet new technology, however transformative, does not mean we should abandon long‐standing policy principles that have served America well. Join us for a wide‐ranging conversation on AI, tech policy, and the future of American innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 19, 2024 • 1h
Licensing Restrictions and the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Shortage
All US states and territories maintain a high barrier to entry that dissuades students from entering the accounting profession—the requirement that CPAs complete 150 credit hours of academic study in addition to passing an exam. This unnecessary requirement contributes to the current shortage of accountants, delaying the completion of state and local government financial audits and thus inhibiting the public’s ability to hold governments accountable.Speakers will discuss alternative paths to certification, including reforms to the 150‐hour rule and competitive accounting certification bodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 15, 2024 • 60min
Panel 3: What the NetChoice Cases Illustrate About the Current Online Speech Environment and Future of Online Speech for Internet Users
On February 26, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the cases of Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v. Paxton. These cases are likely to have a significant impact on the future of free speech online and the way platforms engage in online content moderation.With the oral arguments fresh in mind, this multipanel event will feature a fireside chat with Steve DelBianco, president and CEO of NetChoice, before moving on to panels of legal and policy experts who will analyze the Florida and Texas laws at issue in these cases and discuss what happened at oral arguments. The NetChoicecases represent a pivotal moment in the future of First Amendment jurisprudence both online and offline. As such, it is important that Cato provides a forum for understanding not only the Court’s consideration of these cases but also the broader impact such proposals should have. Further panels will discuss the impact the cases will have on the debates over Section 230 and online speech for users, as well as the impact on online content moderation decisions by online platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 15, 2024 • 45min
Panel 2: How the NetChoice Cases May Impact Content Moderation
On February 26, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the cases of Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v. Paxton. These cases are likely to have a significant impact on the future of free speech online and the way platforms engage in online content moderation.With the oral arguments fresh in mind, this multipanel event will feature a fireside chat with Steve DelBianco, president and CEO of NetChoice, before moving on to panels of legal and policy experts who will analyze the Florida and Texas laws at issue in these cases and discuss what happened at oral arguments. The NetChoicecases represent a pivotal moment in the future of First Amendment jurisprudence both online and offline. As such, it is important that Cato provides a forum for understanding not only the Court’s consideration of these cases but also the broader impact such proposals should have. Further panels will discuss the impact the cases will have on the debates over Section 230 and online speech for users, as well as the impact on online content moderation decisions by online platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.