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
House Committee on Administration releases additional data on sexual harassment claims
Source: Jim Mone, AP By Marian Currinder The House Committee on Administration recently released additional statistics on harassment in the congressional workplace. Committee Chairman Gregg Harper (R-MS) described the… Read More
Whither the class of 2018?
Source: Wikipedia Breaking Wave By Richard M. Skinner Few patterns are more reliable in American politics than the president’s party losing seats in the House of Representatives at the… Read More
ICYMI: Congress Indispensable
Philip Wallach writes in National Affairs: “Congress is a mess. It seems incapable of passing major legislation; it is divided by bitter animosities, held in almost universal contempt,… Read More
ICYMI: #Resistance and the crisis of authority in American politics
James Wallner writes in the Library of Law & Liberty: “When Leandra English, former chief of staff to the former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, asked a… Read More
Rep. John Ratcliffe On the Separation of Powers Restoration Act
Rep. John Ratcliffe’s (R-TX) Separation of Powers Restoration Act was introduced early this year. Unlike some bills, the act’s title precisely encapsulates its purpose: restoring the power disparity… Read More
Congress’s Death Is Greatly Exaggerated
By Matt Glassman Lamenting the underperformance of Congress has a long history in American public life. Nineteenth century cartoonists portrayed Congress in terms familiar to modern observers: dysfunctional, corrupt,… Read More
Should Members of Congress Get DC Housing Stipends?
Benjamin Freed writes in the Washingtonian: “Both the United Kingdom and France give members of their parliaments allowances for capital-area housing. British MPs, who earn base annual… Read More
Why We Do Not Need a More Powerful Presidency
Casey Burgat and Kevin Kosar write in Washington Monthly: “Once upon a time, we had a legislative branch that could help govern. The House and Senate had long-serving leaders… Read More