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Congress’ science and technology knowledge problem
By Kevin R. Kosar “Suppose you were an idiot,” Mark Twain once quipped, “and suppose you were a member… Read More
ICYMI: Top reads on Congress
Mila Atmos, “Podcast with Brad Fitch, President and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation,” FutureHindsight: “Brad Fitch is the President and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation, a non-partisan… Read More
If we want to improve lawmaking, we need to distinguish capacity from advantage
Citizens, the news media, and legislators themselves have become increasingly concerned about Congress’s ability to carry out its core functions, from lawmaking to representation of public opinion on policy matters… Read More
ICYMI: Top reads on Congress
Kate Ackley, “Dingell, McCain honored for lifetime as defenders of Congress and democracy,” Roll Call: “The Congressional Management Foundation will honor the late Sen. … Read More
Intraparty organizations’ electoral coordination and party leader retribution
The dynamics in Congress today increasingly reference intraparty organizations like the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) or the New Democrat Coalition. Groups like these, which have existed since at least the… Read More
Are amendment strategies learned through experience or contingent on the institution?
Seniority in Congress is a standard explanation for why some legislators are more effective lawmakers. Studies in political science reinforce this assumption with empirical observations that senior members are more… Read More
ICYMI: Top reads on Congress
Kia Rahnama, “What Congress cans do when Trump appointees defy it,” The Atlantic: “The legal framework governing situations such as this is seldom used and little known…Although the Constitution… Read More
The liberal Democratic origins of the conservative House Freedom Caucus
Perhaps no group better epitomizes what James Madison described as the “mischiefs of faction” in the 21st century than the House Freedom Caucus (HFC). Madison defines a faction as “a number of citizens,… Read More
Honest messengers: How symbolic messaging votes in Congress match vote choices on “real” votes
Members of Congress take many votes on policies that have no hope of becoming law. Often called “messaging votes” or “position taking votes,” they allow members the chance to reveal… Read More
ICYMI: Top reads on Congress
James Wallner, “Congress Has a Duty to Intervene in Trump’s Trade War,” The Bulwark: “As the United States and China announce dueling tariffs and send the stock markets spiraling, millions… Read More