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How the House Rules Committee started multitasking (and made House lawmaking even more centralized)
During most of the modern polarized era, the outlines of the House lawmaking process have remained the same. For major legislation, the Rules Committee issues a special rule that… Read More
Changes to MTR rules remind us that Congress must ‘recommit’ to serving people over party
In one of its first official acts, the 117th U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve the parliamentary rules that will govern lower chamber proceedings for the next two… Read More
House of Representatives authorizes electronic submission of committee reports
The House of Representatives took another step toward adjusting its operations to the COVID-19 reality. This past week, the Clerk’s office authorized electronic submission of committee reports. Previously, committees… Read More
Why the House needs a new technology working group
“The time has come to use advanced electronic data processing techniques in the legislative processes of Congress.” – Rep. Jack Brooks (D, TX), 1969. The House of Representatives cannot… Read More
Building a 21st century Congress that works
RSVP Less than one in four Americans have a favorable opinion of Congress. Many legislators and congressional staff feel frustrated that they cannot get things done. Yet,… Read More
Report of the Task Force Project on Congressional Reform
The American Political Science Association, the Brookings Institution, and the R Street Institute convened top scholars of Congress to examine the state of Congress and possible reforms. Download the… Read More
Testimony on zombie programs, aka unauthorized appropriations
Written testimony of Kevin R. Kosar Vice President of Policy, R Street Institute Before the U.S. Senate, Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs,… Read More
ICYMI: Top reads —and listens— on Congress
Casey Burgat, “Impeachment: What happens now?” LegislativeProcedure.com, September 25, 2019 “Political observers and talking heads were quick to point out that Pelosi’s announcement did not answer important questions… Read More
Reinvigorating congressional reauthorizations
To: The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress From: E. Scott Adler, University of Colorado, Boulder Reform: Reinvigorating congressional reauthorizations While congressional… Read More
White Papers and Analysis
Congressional Capacity and Reform Proposals Louis Fisher, Congress Must Protect its Constitutional Power Over War Kevin R. Kosar, The Atrophying of the Congressional Research Service’s Role in Supporting… Read More