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Lessons on Congressional Reform from Donald M. Fraser

July 15, 2019  ·  Emily Baer-Bositis
Source: Congressional Pictorial Dictionary. This month, former Congressman Donald M. Fraser (D-MN) passed away at the age of 95. For many observers of… Read More

ICYMI: Top Reads on Congress

July 13, 2019  ·  Aubrey Neal
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… Read More

Recent news on the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress

July 11, 2019  ·  Kevin Kosar
“So far, the panel has held six hearings, including its first on March 12. Kilmer and the top Republican, Tom Graves of Georgia, have hired three full-time staffers and… Read More

Video: How House leadership is chosen and trained: A conversation with Matthew Green

July 10, 2019  ·  Kevin Kosar
 How is the speaker and the other leaders of the House chosen? What factors who wins these races… Read More

Who reaches the pinnacle of power in Congress, and why?

July 9, 2019  ·  James Wallner
Few would dispute the critical role that party leaders play in Congress today. They are intimately involved in every stage of the legislative process. Leaders set the agenda, resolve disagreements… Read More

How McConnell blocked amendments on the defense bill

July 8, 2019  ·  James Wallner
The Senate voted Monday to begin debate on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (S. 1790). Senators approved the motion to proceed to… Read More

Why members of Congress should get a raise, whether they deserve it or not

July 3, 2019  ·  Lee Drutman
You’ve surely heard the old line, “The best Congress money can buy.” Typically, it’s said sardonically. In the classic formulation, it’s not your money doing the buying. It’s special interests… Read More

Modernizing Congress: Bringing Democracy Into the 21st Century

July 2, 2019  ·  Lorelei Kelly
Download this report published by the Beeck Center of Georgetown University. Read More

APSA Task Force Memorandum: Floor and committee processes in the House of Representatives: Issues, options for reform, and potential consequences

July 1, 2019  ·  Molly E. Reynolds
To:             The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress From:       Molly E. Reynolds, Senior Fellow; Brookings Institution; E. Scott Adler, University of… Read More

ICYMI: Top Reads on Congress

June 28, 2019  ·  Aubrey Neal
Liz Hempowicz and Berin Szoka, “Political interference at DOJ threatens the rule of law, and Congress needs to act,” The Hill, June 27, 2019: “The relationship between the White… Read More