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Is Paul Ryan delivering on his promise for regular order?

April 13, 2016  ·  LegBranch Team
When Paul Ryan accepted the nomination for the speakership he promised his colleagues that he’d deliver a more regular process. He promised more inclusion in developing strategy, more opportunities for… Read More

R.I.P. FY2017 Budget

March 21, 2016  ·  LegBranch Team
The prospects of a congressional budget resolution are nearing zero. For weeks members in the House and Senate searched for a path forward. As of today, each institution is trail-blazing… Read More

Simulating the Senate Vote to Confirm Merrick Garland

March 18, 2016  ·  LegBranch Team
On Wednesday, President Obama appointed Merrick Garland to replace Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court.   Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (IA) have… Read More

New Budget Drama and Procedural Inventiveness. Got to love the House.

February 24, 2016  ·  LegBranch Team
The optimism following the 2-year budget deal struck last October is officially over. Many House majority members who were unhappy with the deal remain unhappy. Over the past month… Read More

Senate SCOTUS politics in 2016

February 19, 2016  ·  LegBranch Team
The passing of Justice Antonin Scalia this past weekend throws a new wrinkle into Senate politics. As if things were difficult enough for Majority Leader McConnell, he now has to… Read More

Quantifying the Value of Nikki Haley’s Endorsement

February 17, 2016  ·  LegBranch Team
It was leaked this afternoon that South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley will endorse U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.  Questions about Haley’s endorsement have persisted for months.  Until today, the only… Read More

How long will the “open process” last?

February 3, 2016  ·  LegBranch Team
During the Republican retreat two weeks ago Speaker Ryan doubled down on his commitment open the process in the House. The original pledge was offered to satisfy conservative members’… Read More

Is Nikki Haley a Strong Vice Presidential Candidate? Evidence from Research on the “Veepstakes”

January 13, 2016  ·  LegBranch Team
After seven years in office, last night President Obama gave his final State of the Union address.  Immediately following Obama’s speech, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley delivered the GOP’s primetime… Read More

What’s on Tap in Congress in 2016?

January 7, 2016  ·  Joshua Huder
This was originally published at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University. The 114th Congress was a whirlwind of activity compared to its predecessors. Accomplishments like trade promotion authority, a… Read More

Regular order: Republicans’ risky venture into open debate

December 1, 2015  ·  LegBranch Team
Members in the House are calling for regular order. If you have no idea what “regular order” means, don’t worry. You’re not alone. In fact, you’re probably in the company… Read More