Last week, the White House unveiled its budget proposal for FY 2018. The proposal has been received coldly by most in Congress, including many Republicans. The budget isn't perfect, but it does begin to bend federal spending slightly downward over the next ten years, creating a $16 billion surplus in FY 2027. The biggest criticism from policy wonks is that the budget relies on 3 percent economic growth, in part, to balance the budget. The increased economic activity would increase revenue to the federal government.

As Congress approaches the debt ceiling debate, conservatives in both chambers should look for outside-the-box approaches to address federal spending. It's simply not enough to make cuts to nondefense discretionary spending, which, over the next ten years, represents less than 13 percent of all federal outlays. Mandatory spending, or direct spending, however, represents nearly 65 percent of outlays and is what is largely driving deficits higher.

Justice reform has been a big issue over the past few years. One such issue that has been getting a lot of attention is how a prior criminal record can impact an individual in the future. For that reason, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) have introduced the Renew Act, H.R. 2617. If passed, this bill would give young adults who had previously had committed a nonviolent first-offense a second chance.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) introduced, the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act (S. 670) which has been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. On the surface this bill is being presented as consumer friendly, but when Sen. Warren introduces legislation that is allegedly opening up the market to lower the cost for consumers and increase competition, it is suspect to say the least.

As part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 that was enacted in November of that year, the debt ceiling was suspended until March 15, 2017. As of March 16, 2017, the debt ceiling is now back in place, requiring Congress to take action to raise it by some time in Fall (likely October or November).

Last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions released a memo in which he ordered federal prosecutors to seek the toughest penalties for nonviolent drug offenders. The result of this change in sentencing policy means more nonviolent e will be subject to mandatory minimum sentences.