Capitol Conversations

When Dr. Marvin Olasky, editor-in-chief of World Magazine, makes a trip to Washington he joins ERLC Policy Director Matt Hawkins for an interview. Their conversation includes American poverty and compassion, the history and future of compassionate conservatism, the charitable deduction, and Marvin’s longest streak of 10,000 steps a day.   World Magazine The Sift World Radio World Journalism Institute Marvin’s biography, Unmerited Grace Marvin’s books at Amazon, including… The Tragedy of American Compassion Renewing American Compassion Compassionate Conservatism Guest bio Marvin Olasky is editor in chief of the World News Group, dean of the World Journalism Institute, and holder of the Distinguished Chair in Journalism and Public Policy at Patrick Henry College. He worked at The Boston Globe, taught at the University of Texas at Austin from 1983 through 2007, and was provost of The King's College in New York City from 2007 to 2011. He joined WORLD in 1990.   Dr. Olasky has written 20 books, including The Religions Next Door, Standing for Christ in a Modern Babylon, Scimitar's Edge, Renewing American Compassion, Telling the Truth, Central Ideas in the Development of American Journalism, The Press and Abortion, Prodigal Press, and The Tragedy of American Compassion, which Philanthropy magazine deemed one of “eight books that changed America.” He has written more than 2,000 articles in publications including WORLD, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post, and is often referred to as the intellectual father of compassionate conservatism. Dr. Olasky has degrees from of the University of Michigan and Yale University.

Herbie Newell, president of Lifeline Children’s Services, joins ERLC Policy Director Matt Hawkins to discuss opportunities and challenges facing adoption communities and how local churches can assist.   Lifeline Children Services Lifeline resources for churches Book: Adopted for Life by Russell Moore Book: The Gospel & Adoption by Russell Moore and Andrew Walker Guest bio Herbie Newell is the President/Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and it’s ministry arms including (un)adopted, Crossings, and Lifeline Village. Herbie holds a Master’s degree in Accounting from Samford University. He joined the Lifeline staff in 2003 as Executive Director. From January 2004 – December 2008, he served as the president of the Alabama Adoption Coalition. Herbie was chosen as a Hague Intercountry Adoption evaluator and team leader by the Council of Accreditation and serves in that capacity currently. Under Herbie’s leadership, Lifeline has increased the international outreach to 23 countries, helped Lifeline attain membership in the ECFA (Evangelical Council on Financial Accountability), and led the creation of foster care ministry. Having witnessed the plight of older orphans on many trips overseas, Herbie’s burden for the fatherless was a catalyst for starting (un)adopted during 2009.  He worked with WAKM Companies, LLC, a prominent accounting firm, for many years as an independent auditor before being led to Lifeline. He and his wife, Ashley, live in Birmingham, Alabama, and are parents to son, Caleb, and daughters Adelynn and Emily.

During a spring recess on Capitol Hill, Matt welcomes Congressional staffer and author Chelsea Patterson Sobolik. Their conversation focuses on childlessness and the church, a personal and cultural experience well upstream from policy issues like adoption, foster care, reproductive technologies, surrogacy and more. Chelsea’s first book is Longing for Motherhood: Holding on to Hope in the Midst of Childlessness.   Longing for Motherhood: Holding on to Hope in the Midst of Childlessness (Amazon) Foreward by Russell Moore Moody Publishers Chelsea’s contributions at ERLC Chelsea’s contributions at Desiring God Follow Chelsea at @chelspat on Twitter and @chelseasobolik on Instagram

Kate Anderson from Alliance Defending Freedom joins Matt to discuss the case heard at the Supreme Court this week, NIFVLA v. Becerra. Travis and Jeff join later to discuss the bombings in Austin and the USA’s denial to Iranian refugees. Also, Jeff goes to the White House with the Houston Astros! Case resources ADF’s case resource page ERLC’s case explainer ERLC’s amicus brief (PDF) SCOTUSBlog case page Guest bio - Kate Anderson Kate Anderson serves as legal counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, where she is a key member of the Center for Conscience Initiatives. Anderson obtained her law degree magna cum laude in 2009 from Gonzaga University School of Law, where she served on the Gonzaga Law Review. She also completed the ADF leadership development program to become a Blackstone Fellow. Anderson is admitted to the state bars of Arizona and Washington, the U.S. Supreme Court, and several federal district and appellate courts. Roundtable America shouldn't send endangered religious minority refugees back to Iran - Nina Shea US Puts Scores of Iranian Christians at Risk of Persecution - Christianity Today

Greg Glod from Right on Crime joins Matt to discuss criminal justice reform. The DC team chats about current policies on the ERLC’s front burner including the Conscience Protection Act. Jeff and Matt reflect on Billy Graham’s lying in honor at the U.S. Capitol. Guest segment: Criminal Justice Reform Right on Crime Prison Fellowship Ministries ERLC Supports Criminal Justice Reform More ERLC Resources on CJR The Justice Declaration Original DACA deadline passes Previous episodes with Dreamers Jose, Elisa and Vanessa Conscience Protection Act (CPA) Previous episode with Melissa Swearingen Oped in USA Today by Russell Moore and Cardinal Dolan Billy Graham Russell Moore writes at The Wall Street Journal What we can learn from Billy Graham about navigating church and state - Andrew Walker Guest bio - Greg Glod Greg Glod is the Manager of State Initiatives for Right on Crime and Senior Policy Analyst at Texas Public Policy Foundation. Based in Austin, Glod is an attorney who began his legal career as a law clerk and litigator in Maryland before joining Right on Crime. He graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with B.A. degrees in Crime, Law, and Justice and Political Science, and with his J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law.

Matt, Steven and Travis check in on a variety of policy items the ERLC is paying attention to as Congress returns to work. Topics include religious freedom in Malaysia; a U.S House vote in the fight against online sex trafficking; foster care reform. The team also discusses recent decisions in court cases DHS v. Regents Of Univ. Of Cal. and Zarda v. Altitude Express. Malaysia ERLC.com/Malaysia Religious freedom advocacy encouraged by major court decision in Malaysia ERLC short film… stay tuned to Capitol Conversations Podcast and @ERLC on Twitter for future information about film’s release. Fighting online sex trafficking Wagner Trafficking Bill Headed To House Floor Foster care reform Event hosted by AEI: Reforming foster care systems at the state level Hosted by Naomi Schaeffer Riley, Remarks from Gov. Matt Bevin Jerry Milner, associate commissioner at the Children’s Bureau at HHS Ronald Richter, CEO & executive director of the Jewish Child Care Association Robin Wilson, Professor of Law at the University of Illinois’ College of Law ERLC resources on foster care Court cases Supreme Court Declines To Take DACA Case - NPR Zarda v. Altitude Express - Civil Rights Act Protects Gay Workers, Appeals Court Rules - New York Times Parental Rights: A Casualty of the Transgender Revolution - Andrew Walker

The ERLC’s Matt Hawkins and Jeff Pickering reflect on what happened in the Senate debate on immigration reform last week, and look ahead to the next month in Congress. Senate fails to secure border and resolve Dreamer issue What's next for DACA? - The Weekly Standard Inside the Senate's ugly immigration breakdown - Politico ERLC resources on immigration

The ERLC’s DC team runs down what to expect in a week of rare activity in the Senate: an open amendment and debate process on immigration reform. Will they secure 60 votes? DACA & Dreamers Previous episode: The team explains family reunification & chain migration What you should know about DACA and Dreamers - ERLC Evangelical Leader Statement of Principles on Dreamers - ERLC 3 reasons why Congress should not wait to pass DACA legislation - ERLC January 9 letter to Congress from Evangelical organizations (PDF) Previous interviews with DACA recipients: Jose Ocampo (North Carolina) Vanessa Gutierrez (Michigan) and Elisa Gonzalez (South Carolina)

The ERLC’s DC team reviews the status of politics and policy in Washington including abortion, immigration, and (yet another) CR week. Also, a quick look at the MLK50 Conference in Memphis, TN on April 3-4. David Brooks: The Abortion Memo Matt Lewis: SOTU Should Unite Republicans on Immigration Deal MLK50 Conference: Gospel Reflections from the Mountaintop - April 3-4, 2018 MLK50Conference.com

Travis Wussow, ERLC VP for Public Policy, interviews four panelists during the 2018 Evangelicals for Life conference. The panel, "Politics and the Person: Why Legislation Matters for the Pro-Life Cause" includes Tim Goeglein (Focus on the Family), Charles Camosy (Fordham University), Denise Harle with (Alliance Defending Freedom), and Shannon Royce (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services). On Demand Video of 2018 Evangelicals for Life More videos: Playlist of Facebook Live content from EFL Playlist includes Russell Moore, James Lankford, Joni Eareckson Tada, Rich Stearns, Ann Voskamp, and more. Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act Explainer via ERLC.com

Matt and Travis review the political landscape surrounding a legislative solution for “Dreamers” and DACA recipients. Also, it’s the week of the annual March for Life and the Evangelicals for Life conference. DACA and Dreamers What you should know about DACA and Dreamers - ERLC Evangelical Leader Statement of Principles on Dreamers - ERLC 3 reasons why Congress should not wait to pass DACA legislation - ERLC January 9 letter to Congress from Evangelical organizations (PDF) Previous interviews with DACA recipients: Jose Ocampo (North Carolina) Vanessa Gutierrez (Michigan) and Elisa Gonzalez (South Carolina). Conscience Protection Act (CPA) Melissa Swearingen on the Conscience Protection Act - Capitol Conversations It’s March for Life week! March for Life Evangelicals for Life conference

Matt welcomes Vanessa Gutierrez (Michigan) and Elisa Gonzalez (South Carolina) who share what it’s like to be “Dreamers” and DACA recipients. What you should know about DACA and Dreamers - ERLC Evangelical Leader Statement of Principles on Dreamers - ERLC 3 reasons why Congress should not wait to pass DACA legislation - ERLC January 9 letter to Congress from Evangelical organizations (PDF) Don’t miss our previous podcast interview with Jose Ocampo Vanessa Gutierrez, Office administrative assistant, Sinclair Recreation, Holland, MI. “I am from the city of Monterrey in the State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. I came to the U.S. at the age of 3 years old. I went to school and graduated with my diploma at West Ottawa High School and diploma in biblical studies at Leaders for Christ Training Center (International School of Ministry) in Holland, MI. I also studied part time at Grand Rapids Community College and desire to continue pursuing a college degree. I live in Holland, MI and work as the administrative assistant and customer service for a private company. In the future my goals are to become a U.S citizen, travel abroad, and become a published author.” Elisa Gonzalez, Intern Development Director, Urban Hope, Spartanburg, SC “I was born in Quaretaro, Mexico, but my mother brought me to the United States when I was eight months old. I have lived in the Spartanburg, South Carolina for 18 years where I graduated from Spartanburg High School. I'm currently a Sophomore at Converse College, double majoring in Business International and Spanish. I also work at a nonprofit in Spartanburg called, Urban Hope where I organize events for the specific programs, handle social media, and fundraising. Our mission is to connect youth who come from broken and low income families to Christ. When I graduate I hope to work with an organization that creates stability for low income neighborhoods, specifically in Spartanburg.”

Lauren and Michael McAfee stop by the Leland House on Capitol Hill to chat about the Museum of the Bible with Matt and Travis. The Museum of Bible is now open in Washington, D.C., just blocks from the U.S. Capitol and National Mall. The museum was built to invite all people to engage with the Bible through its history, narrative, and impact.   Museum of The Bible The Museum's Website Have you heard about the new Museum of the Bible? Guide to Visiting the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.   Guests Lauren McAfee’s Website Michael McAfee’s Website  

Matt and Jeff welcome Melissa Swearingen from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to discuss the Conscience Protection Act.   Conscience Protection Act To be really pro-choice, you must protect each doctor's choice to not perform abortions - USA Today - Cardinal Dolan & Russell Moore Expand Scope of Conscience Protection Act of 2017 - National Review Conscience Protection Act: What It Is and Why It’s Needed - Speaker Ryan

Matt and Jeff welcome Melissa Swearingen from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to discuss the Conscience Protection Act.   Conscience Protection Act To be really pro-choice, you must protect each doctor's choice to not perform abortions - USA Today - Cardinal Dolan & Russell Moore Expand Scope of Conscience Protection Act of 2017 - National Review Conscience Protection Act: What It Is and Why It’s Needed - Speaker Ryan