NEWS AND OPINION:

Let us all recall that Father’s Day is Sunday. There are an estimated 72 million fathers across the nation; 29 million of those fathers are also grandfathers, according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Meanwhile, a pair of lawmakers are marking the date with some legislation — and it’s a bipartisan thing.

“Ahead of Father’s Day, Senators Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, and Raphael Warnock, Georgia Democrat, have introduced the Dads Matter Act of 2024 to raise awareness and provide guidance about the importance of father involvement and engagement,” the two lawmakers said in a joint announcement shared with Inside the Beltway.

“Involved fathers are pillars of strength in our families, embodying resilience, guidance, and unconditional love. The Dads Matter Act would promote father engagement and lay the foundation for a stronger, more compassionate society,” Mr. Rubio said in a statement.

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As for Mr. Warnock, he stated that “Georgia’s maternal mortality rate is a crisis that we must address with every tool at our disposal. That includes redoubling our efforts to uplift the role of fathers in keeping their family healthy during pregnancy and early childhood. With Father’s Day quickly approaching, now is the time to spread awareness about the critical role of fathers in improving maternal health outcomes and creating thriving families and communities.”

$22.4 BILLION FOR DAD

Father’s Day spending is expected to reach $22.4 billion this year, according to an annual consumer survey conducted by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. This is the second-highest figure in the survey’s history, after last year’s record of $22.9 billion, the federation said in a statement.

“Father’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate our fathers and paternal role models who have played such a positive role in our lives,” said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the federation, also in a statement.

Indeed, the federation’s research reveals that half of consumers plan to purchase a gift for a father or stepfather, followed by those purchasing gifts for a husband (26%), son (10%), brother (8%), friend (8%) or grandfather (6%).

“Similar to 2023, three-quarters of consumers plan to celebrate Father’s Day this June. On average, those shopping for Father’s Day plan to spend $189.81 on gifts and celebrations, just shy of last year’s record of $196.23. Consumers ages 25-34 are the biggest spenders this year, at an average of $275.67,” the federation said.

The findings are based on a survey of 8,580 U.S. adult consumers conducted May 1-8 and released June 3.

WAR ON THE WARRIORS

Fox News Books, the publishing platform of Fox News Media, is the source of yet another bestseller.

“The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep us Free” authored by Army veteran and “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Pete Hegseth, is the 11th title for Fox News Books and the second time Mr. Hegseth has topped The New York Times’ bestseller list in the nonfiction category.

“Publishing this book has been a moving experience from start to finish. I am honored and humbled that ’The War on Warriors’ has resonated with so many people; most especially with actively serving troops, veterans, and military families. This book is for them, and for our country,” the author said in a statement shared with Inside the Beltway.

Titles from Fox News Books have sold over 2.5 million copies, according to the network.

THE TRANSHUMAN CANDIDATE

We have another book to consider. That would be “Transhuman Citizen: Zoltan Istvan’s Hunt for Immortality” by Ben Murnane.

This is a new book based on the life and times of — yes — Zoltan Istvan, who ran for president in 2016 and 2020 under the banner of the Transhumanist Party.

“This is the story of America’s zaniest presidential candidate - who wants to turn the whole population into cyborgs. It’s a true story … stranger than fiction. His presidential campaigns have attracted global attention” publisher Changemaker Books said.

The book arrives July 1.

Mr. Istvan himself tells Inside the Beltway that he is in Ireland — home of the book’s author — to launch the book and fire up a promotional tour. In the meantime, what is transhumanism? Here’s the definition, courtesy of Britannica.com:

“Transhumanism is a philosophical and scientific movement that advocates the use of current and emerging technologies — such as genetic engineering, cryonics, artificial intelligence (AI), and nanotechnology — to augment human capabilities and improve the human condition,” according to Britannica.

Visit Mr. Istvan at his website, zoltanistvan.com.

WEEKEND REAL ESTATE

For sale: Handsome midcentury modern home built in 1957 in the Glenbrook neighborhood of Houston. Three bedrooms, three “jaw dropping vintage” baths, a “round rotunda” sunken living room with flagstone fireplace and walls plus floor-to-ceiling columns and domed ceiling; 4,104 square feet. Original kitchen with modern plumbing and appliance updates, original exterior brickwork and landscaping; mature trees and garden areas. Priced at $465,000 through har.com — enter MLS number 50297407 in the search function.

POLL DU JOUR

• 67% of people in 32 countries say they have a “good understanding” of artificial intelligence.

• 60% say AI will change their job in the next five years.

• 36% expect AI to replace their job in the coming years.

• 37% think AI will make their job “better.”

• 52% say they know what products and services use AI.

• 50% say AI makes them nervous.

• 53% say they are “excited” about products and services that use AI.

• 47% think their personal data will be safe with companies which use AI.

• 41% think their personal data will not be safe with companies which use AI.

SOURCE: An Ipsos poll of 23,685 adults conducted online from April 19-May 3 and released Thursday. The pollster surveyed approximately 2,200 people in India, about 1,000 people each in Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the U.S., and about 500 people each in Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and Turkey.

• Contact Jennifer Harper at jharper@washingtontimes.com, and a happy Father’s Day to all our dads, grandads, stepdads and those who are like a dad.