Polarization is an output of our process, not the cause of all our woes
Our recent piece, “Congress is Broken. But don’t blame polarization,” provoked a number of useful discussions about how political scientists should interpret the results of empirical models like DW-NOMINATE. Read More
Han Solo’s lessons on politics
Image source: ABC By Colleen J. Shogan The latest film installment of the Star Wars saga features the backstory of one of its most memorable and beloved characters, the rogue… Read More
Building Article I Conservatism
By Philip Wallach The Federalist Society has been famously influential in shaping conservatives’ constitutional vision since its founding in 1982. Its promotion of original-meaning originalism and the concept of… Read More
New resource on Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Reform
The Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Reform was established by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-123) to make recommendations and develop legislative language that… Read More
Rep. Darin LaHood on congressional dysfunction and the prospects for reform
By Marian Currinder Efforts to reform congressional dysfunction typically come from senior members who are tired of not getting anything done, former members who can speak openly (and critically)… Read More
Could advisory committees help repair a broken Congress?
By Stuart Kasdin Congress and the media have recently celebrated Congress’ success in funding the government, after only a short shutdown. With this Congress, even producing continuing resolutions in… Read More
Rethinking member ambition and the reelection goal
Image source: Lee Drutman/Vox By Marian Currinder That members of Congress are ambitious is a political science axiom. Getting elected (and reelected) to Congress requires ambition, as does the earnest… Read More
What would heal Congress?
Congress as an institution faces a critical juncture. Continuing on its current path will make it an extraneous appendage, whose presence is tolerated only grudgingly, as a nod to… Read More
Ten ways to unsuck Congress
“This place sucks.” Sen. Joe Manchin’s candid commentary came during discussions with Democratic leadership about whether the West Virginia senator would run for reelection. Manchin’s remarks were less a… Read More
What ails Congress? Six explanations
Summary Everyone has an opinion on what is wrong with Congress. This post covers the field, laying out six different types of explanations as to why America’s legislature is struggling,… Read More