TFAS President Roger Ream (ICPES 76) was invited by the White House to a March 22 event, “Generation Next: A White House Forum.”
The program brought together millennials and organizations that represent them to explore issues that have a particular impact on young people, including the economy, America’s workforce, apprenticeship opportunities, tax cuts and threats to freedom of speech on college campuses.
Among those participating from the Administration were President Donald Trump, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, and Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway.
The speakers discussed the negative impact that state and local occupational licensing laws have on those at or near the bottom of the economic ladder and on military spouses who tend to relocate frequently and must get recertified to carry out their occupations. Secretary Acosta stressed the importance of first considering the impact on freedom before implementing a regulation or administrative rule-making. Only if a proposed regulation meets the freedom test should it subsequently undergo a cost-benefit analysis, Acosta suggested.
“Millennials are rising into positions of leadership and will continue to lead America and the world for many years to come,” said TFAS President Roger Ream. “It is imperative that these young leaders understand the principles of freedom, as well as the policies that promote human flourishing. At TFAS, we work with these bright, enthusiastic young people every day and are committed to teaching them the importance of freedom and the impact it has in our daily lives.”
Among those attending the conference were representatives of Young Americans for Liberty, the Bill of Rights Institute, College Republicans, the Leadership Institute and the Independent Women’s Forum, along with college students and young entrepreneurs from throughout the U.S.
Millennials now make up over a quarter of the U.S. population and are continuing to shape public discourse and policy.