Policy Briefs

YIP's policy briefs provide clear, nonpartisan summaries of key national issues and policies. Designed for accessibility, they distill complex topics into concise, understandable analyses, bridging the gap between intricate policy debates and a broad audience. These briefs embody our commitment to informed, unbiased discourse, crucial for fostering a well-informed public and encouraging active engagement in policy discussions.

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Briefs harmonize diverse political perspectives in policy teams of 4-6 for insightful policy solutions.

Recent Policy Briefs

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Monetary Solutions for Inflation after COVID-19

Economic Policy

Kyan Howe

Given that the recent increase in inflation has impacted the U.S. economy in unprecedented ways, the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) response has become increasingly imperative. Namely, the contractionary monetary prescription—which the Fed has supplemented with quantitative tapering—is of critical importance in regards to the future of the U.S. economy. As such, this brief will address imperative issues with the Fed’s actions in regards to tapering, and recommend certain policies that can aid the Fed to reduce the supply of the circulating medium.

Climate Change: Where are we now?

Public Health Policy

Stephanie Wang

Since the turn of the century, climate change has become an increasingly important issue in American politics. Two-thirds of U.S. adults believe that the government is doing too little to mitigate the “climate crisis”—but there remains a significant partisan divide on the issue. In this brief, we will discuss the causes and effects of climate change, as well as the policies and initiatives aimed at slowing it down.

A $15 Minimum Wage on Balance

Economic Policy

Kyan Howe

The idea of increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 is a serious policy prescription in the modern day. This brief will give an overview of the $15 minimum wage, the history behind it, the impact of the policy itself, and end with a policy recommendation.

Make Housing Affordable Again

Social Policy

Elizabeth Miller

Housing has always been a central social issue. This is even more true in the ongoing economic uncertainty after the pandemic. However, housing prices have only continued to increase over the last decade, meaning that fewer Americans are able to own a home. Making housing affordable is a necessity, and the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) would provide necessary support and safety nets for those most impacted by rising housing prices and protect vulnerable members of our communities.

U.S. Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics

Foreign Policy

Sarika Rahman

Tensions rise between the U.S. and China as a result of the U.S.-led diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Beijing Olympics. This brief explains the reasoning behind the boycott, as well as the past efficacy of such practices. Finally, it analyzes the possibility of further action from the U.S. in response to the current state of relations.

Omicron: The Unprecedented Surge

Public Health Policy

Stephanie Wang

The Omicron surge that originated in Botswana and South Africa has swept across the world. This SARS-CoV-2 strain, though seemingly milder, is much more transmissible than previous variants, contributing to extreme case counts, especially in the United States. As a result, the Omicron surge has invigorated political debates surrounding vaccine mandates, school closures, and other public health measures, hence exacerbating regional divisions in political ideology and the COVID-19 burden.