ICYMI: Top Reads on Congress

Kate Ackley, “House modernization leaders seek consensus despite hurdles,” Roll Call. July 10, 2019:

“In the committee’s first months, Kilmer and Graves have taken a bipartisan tack that is itself uncommon and usually elusive on Capitol Hill.”

 

Lindsey McPherson, “Pelosi: Debt limit vote possible before August recess,”Roll Call. July 9, 2019:

“Pelosi’s hard line in the debt limit talks has to do with the federal fiscal year deadline of Oct. 1, after which there could be another partial government shutdown if lawmakers and the White House can’t agree on appropriations levels. ”

Kimberly Leonard, “‘Congress can fix this’: Judges weigh striking down Obamacare,” Washington Examiner, July 9, 2019:

“‘Why does Congress want the judiciary to become the taxidermist for every legislative, big-game accomplishment that Congress achieves? Congress can fix this,’ he said.”

 

Howard Gleckman, “Seven think tanks describe their vision of government, and how they’d fund it,” Forbes, July 8, 2019:

“The foundation asked seven policy shops, ranging from the conservative to the progressive, to come up with plans aimed at putting the US on a more sustainable fiscal path.”

Paul M. Krawzak, “Congress returns to pressure to get spending deals done,” Roll Call, July 8, 2019:

“The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that so-called extraordinary measures, the accounting maneuvers that have been used to avoid breaching the debt limit since the last suspension expired in March, could be exhausted by late September or early October.”

James Wallner, “Senate names first official parliamentarian on July 1, 1935,” Legislative Procedure Blog, July 1, 2019:

“Senators’ increased dependence on the parliamentarian, whether or not they are presiding over the chamber, suggests an erosion of procedural knowledge in the Senate.”

Katherine Tully-McManus, “Senate sets new record for longest vote,” Roll Call, June 28, 2019:

“The vote was held  open for a total of 10 hours and 8 minutes…”

Kevin Kosar, “Making sure Congress isn’t outgunned,” Cato Unbound, June 27, 2018:

“The debate over the OTA, it seems we all agree, is a small part of a gross imbalance in our Constitution’s separation of powers…Such general consensus on a broad issue is rare in Washington. But, the devil inevitably is in the details…”

Richard Skinner, “Technology and transparency: the path to a modern Congress?” Vox. June 26, 2019:

“The select committee will continue its work over the year. Even if its recommendations do not become law, it can still add to the broader movement to restore congressional capacity.”