Cato Institute
@cato.org
A public policy research organization dedicated to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. https://www.cato.org/
In free markets, wealth comes from serving others. In politics, it comes by taking from others. Javier Milei sums up why libertarians trust markets—not government—to deliver prosperity.
February 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM
In free markets, wealth comes from serving others. In politics, it comes by taking from others. Javier Milei sums up why libertarians trust markets—not government—to deliver prosperity.
Calling all PhD students!
📣 Apply to Cato’s 2026 Junior Scholars Symposium—2 days in DC, travel + hotel covered, $500 stipend, and top-tier feedback on work that challenges US policy and advances a strategy of restraint.
➡️ Apply by April 25.
https://ow.ly/Mg0F50YbU5z
📣 Apply to Cato’s 2026 Junior Scholars Symposium—2 days in DC, travel + hotel covered, $500 stipend, and top-tier feedback on work that challenges US policy and advances a strategy of restraint.
➡️ Apply by April 25.
https://ow.ly/Mg0F50YbU5z
Call for Proposals: Junior Scholars Symposium 2026
The symposium will take place on October 15 and 16. To apply, submit an abstract of no more than 500 words and a CV to Jmitchell@cato.org by April 25. All candidates will be notified of the status of their application by May 26, and finalists must submit their papers by September 26.
ow.ly
February 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Calling all PhD students!
📣 Apply to Cato’s 2026 Junior Scholars Symposium—2 days in DC, travel + hotel covered, $500 stipend, and top-tier feedback on work that challenges US policy and advances a strategy of restraint.
➡️ Apply by April 25.
https://ow.ly/Mg0F50YbU5z
📣 Apply to Cato’s 2026 Junior Scholars Symposium—2 days in DC, travel + hotel covered, $500 stipend, and top-tier feedback on work that challenges US policy and advances a strategy of restraint.
➡️ Apply by April 25.
https://ow.ly/Mg0F50YbU5z
Hong Kong’s 20-year sentence for pro-democracy entrepreneur Jimmy Lai confirms Hong Kong’s descent into tyranny and the end of basic freedoms, says Cato’s Ian Vásquez.
In 2023, the Cato Institute awarded Lai the Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty.
#FreeJimmyLai
https://ow.ly/8RPN50Yc1mI
In 2023, the Cato Institute awarded Lai the Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty.
#FreeJimmyLai
https://ow.ly/8RPN50Yc1mI
February 9, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Hong Kong’s 20-year sentence for pro-democracy entrepreneur Jimmy Lai confirms Hong Kong’s descent into tyranny and the end of basic freedoms, says Cato’s Ian Vásquez.
In 2023, the Cato Institute awarded Lai the Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty.
#FreeJimmyLai
https://ow.ly/8RPN50Yc1mI
In 2023, the Cato Institute awarded Lai the Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty.
#FreeJimmyLai
https://ow.ly/8RPN50Yc1mI
In an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court, Cato scholars argue that a federal ban on guns for anyone labeled an “unlawful user” of marijuana is unconstitutional. The new law is ahistorical and so broad it could disarm 1 in 5 Americans for common cannabis use.
https://ow.ly/FH2t50YbUbQ
https://ow.ly/FH2t50YbUbQ
United States v. Hemani Supreme Court Brief: Marijuana Users Have Second Amendment Rights
The Second Amendment’s command is timeless and clear: people have a fundamental right to keep and bear arms that does not yield to empirically baseless fabulism or extravagant distortions of history.
ow.ly
February 9, 2026 at 9:00 PM
In an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court, Cato scholars argue that a federal ban on guns for anyone labeled an “unlawful user” of marijuana is unconstitutional. The new law is ahistorical and so broad it could disarm 1 in 5 Americans for common cannabis use.
https://ow.ly/FH2t50YbUbQ
https://ow.ly/FH2t50YbUbQ
Fee limits don’t make financial services cheaper. Cato’s Solveig Singleton explains that capping what banks and lenders can charge can reduce competition, limit access, and means higher prices elsewhere.
https://ow.ly/CAr550Y5Juk
https://ow.ly/CAr550Y5Juk
The CFPB’s 2024 Fee Caps Would Not Really Promote Affordability
Price controls result in shortages for housing, gasoline, insurance, and other products. Likewise, price regulation of financial services is a short-sighted approach to affordability that harms consumers.
ow.ly
February 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Fee limits don’t make financial services cheaper. Cato’s Solveig Singleton explains that capping what banks and lenders can charge can reduce competition, limit access, and means higher prices elsewhere.
https://ow.ly/CAr550Y5Juk
https://ow.ly/CAr550Y5Juk
The Qur’an famously declares, “There is no compulsion in religion.” Yet forms of religious compulsion persist today in parts of the Muslim world. Join us for a discussion of the new book, “No Compulsion in Religion—No Exceptions,” edited by Mustafa Akyol.
Register here: https://ow.ly/h3AT50YaqJ2
Register here: https://ow.ly/h3AT50YaqJ2
No Compulsion in Religion—No Exceptions:
At this forum, Akyol will summarize key arguments from the book, and contributor Mohamad Machine-Chian will discuss his chapter, “How Compulsion in Religion Made Iran Less Religious.”
ow.ly
February 7, 2026 at 9:00 PM
The Qur’an famously declares, “There is no compulsion in religion.” Yet forms of religious compulsion persist today in parts of the Muslim world. Join us for a discussion of the new book, “No Compulsion in Religion—No Exceptions,” edited by Mustafa Akyol.
Register here: https://ow.ly/h3AT50YaqJ2
Register here: https://ow.ly/h3AT50YaqJ2
Election reform shouldn’t mean a federal takeover. As Cato’s Stephen Richer warns, “a supersized, MEGA federal government in charge of everything should not be our aspiration”. Election administration remains largely in the hands of the states, and that’s a good thing.
https://ow.ly/Hv9N50YauqX
https://ow.ly/Hv9N50YauqX
"MEGA" Bill Supersizes the Federal Government's Role in Election Administration
A supersized, MEGA federal government in charge of everything should not be our aspiration.
ow.ly
February 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Election reform shouldn’t mean a federal takeover. As Cato’s Stephen Richer warns, “a supersized, MEGA federal government in charge of everything should not be our aspiration”. Election administration remains largely in the hands of the states, and that’s a good thing.
https://ow.ly/Hv9N50YauqX
https://ow.ly/Hv9N50YauqX
The Fourth Circuit let the federal government indefinitely detain Duane Berry after charges were dismissed—an overreach that threatens liberty and constitutional limits. Cato has filed an amicus brief urging Supreme Court review. Learn more.
https://ow.ly/MmA350Yaqxu
https://ow.ly/MmA350Yaqxu
February 7, 2026 at 4:01 PM
The Fourth Circuit let the federal government indefinitely detain Duane Berry after charges were dismissed—an overreach that threatens liberty and constitutional limits. Cato has filed an amicus brief urging Supreme Court review. Learn more.
https://ow.ly/MmA350Yaqxu
https://ow.ly/MmA350Yaqxu
The Hub is a part-time online microschool with no grades or set curriculum, where kids play an active role in deciding what to do. Its goal is intellectual stimulation, development of soft skills, and fostering community.
Learn more from Cato’s Colleen Hroncich.
https://ow.ly/5Oq950Y7Rr2
Learn more from Cato’s Colleen Hroncich.
https://ow.ly/5Oq950Y7Rr2
Friday Feature: The Hub
The Hub is an online microschool that provides community and unique learning opportunities for homeschooled tweens and teens.
ow.ly
February 6, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The Hub is a part-time online microschool with no grades or set curriculum, where kids play an active role in deciding what to do. Its goal is intellectual stimulation, development of soft skills, and fostering community.
Learn more from Cato’s Colleen Hroncich.
https://ow.ly/5Oq950Y7Rr2
Learn more from Cato’s Colleen Hroncich.
https://ow.ly/5Oq950Y7Rr2
What is the CIA up to now? Senator Wyden’s cryptic letter to the agency signals possible misconduct inside the Intelligence Community—reminding us why unchecked intelligence power is a threat to the Republic. We all need to ask what the CIA is doing, warns Patrick Eddington.https://ow.ly/hJMR50Yavih
Senator Wyden Sends Ominous, Mysterious Letter to CIA Director
He understands the underlying threat to the Republic of an unaccountable IC, which is why we should all be asking what the CIA is up to in secret. In our name.
ow.ly
February 6, 2026 at 9:44 PM
What is the CIA up to now? Senator Wyden’s cryptic letter to the agency signals possible misconduct inside the Intelligence Community—reminding us why unchecked intelligence power is a threat to the Republic. We all need to ask what the CIA is doing, warns Patrick Eddington.https://ow.ly/hJMR50Yavih
Federal student aid programs attract fraud. Basically, scammers enroll fake students, especially in online classes, and the money starts flowing. The programs also fuel tuition inflation and credential inflation, and they need to end, Neal McCluskey explains.
https://ow.ly/9rjJ50Y9BAK
https://ow.ly/9rjJ50Y9BAK
February 6, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Federal student aid programs attract fraud. Basically, scammers enroll fake students, especially in online classes, and the money starts flowing. The programs also fuel tuition inflation and credential inflation, and they need to end, Neal McCluskey explains.
https://ow.ly/9rjJ50Y9BAK
https://ow.ly/9rjJ50Y9BAK
American living standards are best measured in time. Human Progress launched a new tool, the American Abundance Index, an interactive dashboard that tracks US living standards while adjusting for both inflation and rising incomes. Check it out!
https://ow.ly/9xTM50YanE9
https://ow.ly/9xTM50YanE9
February 6, 2026 at 5:54 PM
American living standards are best measured in time. Human Progress launched a new tool, the American Abundance Index, an interactive dashboard that tracks US living standards while adjusting for both inflation and rising incomes. Check it out!
https://ow.ly/9xTM50YanE9
https://ow.ly/9xTM50YanE9
Commenting on TrumpRx, Dr. Jeffrey Singer notes, “The problem isn’t the direct-to-consumer model. It’s the assumption that the federal government needs to run it.” Cheaper drugs come from removing barriers to private competition and innovation, not from a federal platform.
https://ow.ly/eutF50Yae2m
https://ow.ly/eutF50Yae2m
February 6, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Commenting on TrumpRx, Dr. Jeffrey Singer notes, “The problem isn’t the direct-to-consumer model. It’s the assumption that the federal government needs to run it.” Cheaper drugs come from removing barriers to private competition and innovation, not from a federal platform.
https://ow.ly/eutF50Yae2m
https://ow.ly/eutF50Yae2m
The lesson from Minnesota’s fraud scandal is clear: more federal oversight won’t fix the problem. “True accountability in America’s welfare programs begins with states bearing the full consequences of running them poorly,” Cato’s Romina Boccia and Tyler Turman explain.
https://ow.ly/Hfin50Y9ABp
https://ow.ly/Hfin50Y9ABp
February 6, 2026 at 2:02 PM
The lesson from Minnesota’s fraud scandal is clear: more federal oversight won’t fix the problem. “True accountability in America’s welfare programs begins with states bearing the full consequences of running them poorly,” Cato’s Romina Boccia and Tyler Turman explain.
https://ow.ly/Hfin50Y9ABp
https://ow.ly/Hfin50Y9ABp
María Corina Machado’s movement represents Venezuela’s best hope for freedom, says Ian Vásquez.
In this preview of the Winter 2026 issue of Free Society, Vasquez details how Machado exposed the Chavista regime’s massive electoral fraud and unified Venezuela’s opposition.
https://ow.ly/fjhO50Y9CiQ
In this preview of the Winter 2026 issue of Free Society, Vasquez details how Machado exposed the Chavista regime’s massive electoral fraud and unified Venezuela’s opposition.
https://ow.ly/fjhO50Y9CiQ
February 5, 2026 at 11:30 PM
María Corina Machado’s movement represents Venezuela’s best hope for freedom, says Ian Vásquez.
In this preview of the Winter 2026 issue of Free Society, Vasquez details how Machado exposed the Chavista regime’s massive electoral fraud and unified Venezuela’s opposition.
https://ow.ly/fjhO50Y9CiQ
In this preview of the Winter 2026 issue of Free Society, Vasquez details how Machado exposed the Chavista regime’s massive electoral fraud and unified Venezuela’s opposition.
https://ow.ly/fjhO50Y9CiQ
💡 AI is reshaping our economy in a good way. It is a force for innovation, productivity, and human flourishing.
An analysis by Cato Institute’s Kevin Frazier shows how AI can create jobs, boost productivity, and expand opportunities.
https://ow.ly/HkXp50Y9zX0
An analysis by Cato Institute’s Kevin Frazier shows how AI can create jobs, boost productivity, and expand opportunities.
https://ow.ly/HkXp50Y9zX0
February 5, 2026 at 11:00 PM
💡 AI is reshaping our economy in a good way. It is a force for innovation, productivity, and human flourishing.
An analysis by Cato Institute’s Kevin Frazier shows how AI can create jobs, boost productivity, and expand opportunities.
https://ow.ly/HkXp50Y9zX0
An analysis by Cato Institute’s Kevin Frazier shows how AI can create jobs, boost productivity, and expand opportunities.
https://ow.ly/HkXp50Y9zX0
President Trump is waging war without congressional authorization—bombing Venezuelan boats and seizing the country’s leader. Robert Levy also argues that the tactics employed by ICE exceed legal and constitutional limits.
https://ow.ly/UGWo50Y9BMK
https://ow.ly/UGWo50Y9BMK
On the Expansion of Executive Power: Addendum III
On balance, whatever one may think about the wisdom of Trump’s policies, the means by which many of them are implemented exceed legal and constitutional limits.
ow.ly
February 5, 2026 at 10:45 PM
President Trump is waging war without congressional authorization—bombing Venezuelan boats and seizing the country’s leader. Robert Levy also argues that the tactics employed by ICE exceed legal and constitutional limits.
https://ow.ly/UGWo50Y9BMK
https://ow.ly/UGWo50Y9BMK
SCOTUS is weighing whether police can use dogs to sniff for drugs under apartment doors without a warrant. Cato’s Matthew Cavedon, Laura Bondank, and Dan Greenberg argue that such warrantless searches undermine the Fourth Amendment and threaten fundamental liberties.
https://ow.ly/LmNw50Y9zLb
https://ow.ly/LmNw50Y9zLb
February 5, 2026 at 10:30 PM
SCOTUS is weighing whether police can use dogs to sniff for drugs under apartment doors without a warrant. Cato’s Matthew Cavedon, Laura Bondank, and Dan Greenberg argue that such warrantless searches undermine the Fourth Amendment and threaten fundamental liberties.
https://ow.ly/LmNw50Y9zLb
https://ow.ly/LmNw50Y9zLb
Iran’s brutal regime is committed to destroying freedom of conscience. “But they are fighting a battle they cannot win. The fact that other faiths continue not only to survive but to thrive offers hope for Iranians of all faiths,” writes Cato’s Doug Bandow.
https://ow.ly/Lv8l50Y9zsS
https://ow.ly/Lv8l50Y9zsS
Iran’s Brutal Religious Persecutions
The ongoing murderous repression of protesters in Iran is symptomatic of a long-term and deeper cruelty on the part of the regime: the attempt to eradicate freedom of conscience.
ow.ly
February 5, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Iran’s brutal regime is committed to destroying freedom of conscience. “But they are fighting a battle they cannot win. The fact that other faiths continue not only to survive but to thrive offers hope for Iranians of all faiths,” writes Cato’s Doug Bandow.
https://ow.ly/Lv8l50Y9zsS
https://ow.ly/Lv8l50Y9zsS
The IRS currently treats crypto as property, meaning every use, exchange, or sale triggers a capital gains tax. This creates excessive compliance burdens and phantom tax liabilities, disconnected from economic reality.
Adam Michel explains how to get crypto taxation right: https://ow.ly/3aoA50Y9zhI
Adam Michel explains how to get crypto taxation right: https://ow.ly/3aoA50Y9zhI
February 5, 2026 at 9:30 PM
The IRS currently treats crypto as property, meaning every use, exchange, or sale triggers a capital gains tax. This creates excessive compliance burdens and phantom tax liabilities, disconnected from economic reality.
Adam Michel explains how to get crypto taxation right: https://ow.ly/3aoA50Y9zhI
Adam Michel explains how to get crypto taxation right: https://ow.ly/3aoA50Y9zhI
Debates over how to keep young people safe online are likely to intensify. “Our best solutions will be those that prioritize education over regulation, enabling a wide range of options that fit different families’ needs,” says Cato’s Jennifer Huddleston.
https://ow.ly/qulO50Y8Uu3
https://ow.ly/qulO50Y8Uu3
Kids & Internet: Education Over Regulation, and Many Options to Fit Different Families’ Needs
Our best solutions will be those that prioritize education over regulation, enabling a wide range of options that fit different families’ needs. We must also consider that questions about youth online safety affect not only the next generation but all internet users.
ow.ly
February 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Debates over how to keep young people safe online are likely to intensify. “Our best solutions will be those that prioritize education over regulation, enabling a wide range of options that fit different families’ needs,” says Cato’s Jennifer Huddleston.
https://ow.ly/qulO50Y8Uu3
https://ow.ly/qulO50Y8Uu3
Without immigrants, US government public debt at all levels would be at least 205% of GDP—nearly twice its 2023 level, David Bier reports.
Compared to the US-born population, immigrants of every education level reduced the debt-to-GDP ratio from 1994 to 2023.
https://ow.ly/glnB50Y8lqS
Compared to the US-born population, immigrants of every education level reduced the debt-to-GDP ratio from 1994 to 2023.
https://ow.ly/glnB50Y8lqS
February 5, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Without immigrants, US government public debt at all levels would be at least 205% of GDP—nearly twice its 2023 level, David Bier reports.
Compared to the US-born population, immigrants of every education level reduced the debt-to-GDP ratio from 1994 to 2023.
https://ow.ly/glnB50Y8lqS
Compared to the US-born population, immigrants of every education level reduced the debt-to-GDP ratio from 1994 to 2023.
https://ow.ly/glnB50Y8lqS
It’s no mystery why the US risks losing its measles-elimination status. Measles is dangerous, MMR works, and falling vaccination rates fuel outbreaks. Public health works best when guidance comes from medical professionals and local authorities—not Washington, says Cato’s Dr. Singer.
February 4, 2026 at 10:30 PM
It’s no mystery why the US risks losing its measles-elimination status. Measles is dangerous, MMR works, and falling vaccination rates fuel outbreaks. Public health works best when guidance comes from medical professionals and local authorities—not Washington, says Cato’s Dr. Singer.
President Trump’s plan to install a Christopher Columbus statue at the White House shows why government shouldn’t be in the monument business. As Cato’s Jeffrey Miron notes, “This action addresses no market failure while using taxpayer funds to take a position on a contentious historical figure.”
February 4, 2026 at 10:01 PM
President Trump’s plan to install a Christopher Columbus statue at the White House shows why government shouldn’t be in the monument business. As Cato’s Jeffrey Miron notes, “This action addresses no market failure while using taxpayer funds to take a position on a contentious historical figure.”
Federal aid and intervention haven’t boosted K‑12 outcomes despite soaring spending.
Cato’s Neal McCluskey argues it’s time to phase out federal K‑12 funding and regulations and return control to states and local communities for innovation and accountability.
https://ow.ly/jhIJ50Y8UjL
Cato’s Neal McCluskey argues it’s time to phase out federal K‑12 funding and regulations and return control to states and local communities for innovation and accountability.
https://ow.ly/jhIJ50Y8UjL
February 4, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Federal aid and intervention haven’t boosted K‑12 outcomes despite soaring spending.
Cato’s Neal McCluskey argues it’s time to phase out federal K‑12 funding and regulations and return control to states and local communities for innovation and accountability.
https://ow.ly/jhIJ50Y8UjL
Cato’s Neal McCluskey argues it’s time to phase out federal K‑12 funding and regulations and return control to states and local communities for innovation and accountability.
https://ow.ly/jhIJ50Y8UjL