Norms, Precedents and Senate Confirmation

October 2, 2020
The Supreme Court vacancy created by Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing has thrust the Senate’s constitutional confirmation function into an already chaotic 2020 election cycle. Senate Majority Leader McConnell appears… Read More

For Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation process, the Constitution is on Senate GOP’s side

September 29, 2020
(This piece originally appeared in the Washington Examiner.) Republicans are poised to remake the Supreme Court in their image. On Saturday, President Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett… Read More

Members of Congress are specializing less often. That makes them less effective.

September 28, 2020
In a new op-ed for the Washington Post, Craig Volden and Alan Wiseman make the case that Congress needs more expertise – and explain how to encourage changing that… Read More

Three things to know about what the Senate can do regarding Trump’s Supreme Court nominee

September 24, 2020
Sarah Binder, senior fellow of governance studies at the Brookings Institution, penned a piece in the Washington Post detailing the tools each party has in the Senate during the… Read More

Can the Senate Confirm a Supreme Court Nominee Before Election Day?

September 24, 2020
President Trump recently announced that he would name a nominee to fill the vacancy left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg this Saturday, leaving 38 days… Read More

Road to the Supreme Court Runs Through Capitol Hill

September 23, 2020
(This post originally appeared on Legislative Procedure.) President Donald Trump announced that he will soon nominate someone to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. Read More

The Senate isn’t the problem, senators are

September 22, 2020
According to today’s conventional wisdom, people are deeply divided about politics. Liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, are at odds with one another when it comes to identifying the problems… Read More

No, Ben Sasse, repealing the 17th Amendment would not improve the U.S. Senate

September 18, 2020
From Mischiefs of Faction: The prevailing wisdom among opponents of the 17th Amendment, who range from Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) to Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to Senator Ben… Read More

Video: Understanding and Misunderstanding the Filibuster with James Wallner

September 16, 2020
The filibuster is one of the great bugbears of American politics. Democrats and Republicans routinely blame the infamous practice when the Senate fails to act on their policy priorities, but… Read More

Event: Understanding and Misunderstanding the Filibuster – James Wallner in Conversation

September 2, 2020
Click here to RSVP for the event. The filibuster is one of the great bugbears of American politics. Democrats and Republicans routinely blame the infamous practice when the… Read More