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The Senate isn’t the problem, senators are
According to today’s conventional wisdom, people are deeply divided about politics. Liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, are at odds with one another when it comes to identifying the problems… Read More
No, Ben Sasse, repealing the 17th Amendment would not improve the U.S. Senate
From Mischiefs of Faction: The prevailing wisdom among opponents of the 17th Amendment, who range from Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) to Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to Senator Ben… Read More
Congress May Remove a Paywall to Justice
Note: On Tuesday, the House Judiciary passed H.R. 8235, the Open Courts Act of 2020, by voice vote. Would you believe the same committee that voted along party lines to impeach… Read More
Attempting to oust the Speaker of the House offers short-term nothing for long-term discomfort
Reports emerged yesterday of a plan among House Freedom Caucus (HFC) members to oust Speaker Pelosi via a “motion to vacate the chair.” This motion has been a more… Read More
New report: Congressional Brain Drain
A new report from New America by Alexandra Furnas and Timothy LaPira examines legislative capacity in the 21st century. Executive Summary This research report comprehensively investigates congressional capacity… Read More
Video: Understanding and Misunderstanding the Filibuster with James Wallner
The filibuster is one of the great bugbears of American politics. Democrats and Republicans routinely blame the infamous practice when the Senate fails to act on their policy priorities, but… Read More
Event: Hack the Capitol 3.0
RSVP here. The ICS Village, in partnership with R Street Institute and Wilson Center’s Science and Technology Innovation Program (STIP), present Hack the Capitol 3.0! Hack the Capitol… Read More
Event: How to make Congress more Effective—A Conversation with the Leaders of the House Select Committee on Modernization
RSVP here. The Association of Former Members of Congress hosts a discussion with the leaders of the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress today at… Read More
New report – The Future of Citizen Engagement: Coronavirus, Congress, and Constituent Communications
In case you missed it, during August the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) released a major report about how members of Congress used new tools to connect with constituents during… Read More
ICYMI: Shall we have a king?
King George III. Painting by Allan Ramsay, 1765. In January 1787, America’s top diplomat, John Jay, asked George Washington, its leading citizen, “Shall we have a King?” Neither… Read More