Pay Gap Hypocrisy 

Today President Obama will sign two executive orders intended to spotlight the pay gap between men and women. (Obama's orders will be limited in their effect and apply only to federal contractors.) 

Meanwhile in the Senate, debate is expected to begin this week on the Paycheck Fairness Act, which the New York Times reports "would add new regulations on how private companies pay their employees." 

Sound bites aside, more regulation isn't going to help. What all American workers need -- men and women alike -- are sound policies that will promote job creation and economic growth. 

But the hypocrisy is stunning. While President Obama decries the gender wage disparity as a "national embarrassment," the Obama White House is paying its female staffers only 88 cents for every dollar earned by its male workers. 

On CBS this morning, reporter Major Garrett noted, "The White House is getting … roughed up by its own pay equity rhetoric. An analysis of White House salaries, which nobody here disputes, shows that the median income of female staffers is 88 percent of that of male staffers." CNN's John King described it as "a textbook case ... of do as I say, not as I do." 

By the way, this hypocrisy is nothing new. Women on Obama's Senate staff earned less than their male counterparts. 

Tanning Salons vs. Abortion Facilities 

One of the most shameful details to emerge from the trial of abortionist Kermit Gosnell was just how little interest state health officials had in making sure that abortion facilities were sanitary. That blatant disregard for the health and safety of women allowed Gosnell to keep his slaughter house open far too long. That is a real "war on women." 

Unfortunately, liberals haven't learned any lessons from the Gosnell trial. Reports from New York's Department of Health indicate that only 25 abortion clinics are subject to inspection. Of those, nearly a third were never inspected from 2000 through 2012 and five were inspected only once. Meanwhile, state law requires tanning salons to be inspected at least once every two years.

That's a perfect example of the left's extremism when it comes to promoting abortion-on-demand. In one facility, half of the people who go in die. In the other facility, you'll leave with a tan and might develop skin cancer years later. Liberals are all for regulating and taxing tanning salons, but they will go to extreme lengths to block health and safety standards from applying to abortion clinics. 

Kudos To Ted Cruz 

Last week we reported that the Iranians were attempting to send Hamid Abutalebi to America as Iran's new ambassador to the United Nations. Abutalebi was a member of the terrorist group that attacked the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and kidnapped 52 Americans. 

News of Abutalebi's impending appointment rightly ignited a firestorm of criticism and outrage. Last night the Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to prevent Abutalebi from entering the United States. 

Kudos to Senator Cruz for stepping up and taking the initiative. 

2016 -- Deja Vu 

We still have an election to go through before we get to the next presidential contest. But two names are dominating the headlines right now -- Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush. It's been more than two decades since the last Bush vs. Clinton contest and for many Americans, all the talk of 2016 turning into a Jeb vs. Hillary race must seem like deja vu. 

All this speculation could be premature -- neither Jeb nor Hillary has formally declared for the presidency. Polls show Hillary running away with the Democratic nomination, leading Vice President Joe Biden on average by more than 50 points. Polling on the GOP side is much more chaotic, with four candidates bunched at the top and no one breaking 20%. But Jeb Bush is consistently among the leaders. 

On Morning Joe today, Bill Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard, was asked about all the Bush/Clinton hype. Here was his take: 
 

"I think there's no way there will be a Bush-Clinton race in 2016. I will buy all of you dinner. …This could be expensive in New York… [Jeb Bush] is a good man; he hasn't been involved in any of the fights of the Obama years. Republicans are kind of worked up about Obamacare… [and want] someone who is either engaged in those fights in Washington or a governor who's governed successfully in real time."

As for who those "real time" leaders might be, Kristol suggested Governors Scott Walker (WI) or Mike Pence (IN), Senators Ted Cruz (TX) or Marco Rubio (FL) or Representative Paul Ryan. 

Join Me In July! 

Join me in the nation's capital July 21st and 22nd for the Christians United for Israel Washington Summit. 

Founded by Pastor John Hagee, Christians United for Israel (CUFI) is the largest pro-Israel organization in the United States with over one million members. I am honored to serve on CUFI's Executive Board.

This year's Washington Summit will feature sessions on Iran's nuclear ambitions, refuting negative myths about Israel and other developments in the Middle East. There will be a Night to Honor Israel celebration Monday night. Tuesday CUFI supporters will meet with their congressional representatives making the case for a strong U.S./Israeli alliance.

My friends, you don't want to miss this year's Washington Summit. There will be an outstanding lineup of speakers, including:
 

Charles Krauthammer

Bill Kristol

Dennis Prager

Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer

Former CIA Director James Woosley

Discounted registration rates are still available, so register today. 

I look forward to seeing you there!