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Self-government in a republic of 325 million
In the 2016 and 2018 elections, both sides claimed that they represented the “real” American people. Candidates from both parties called for the people to rise up and take the… Read More
Examining the Problem Solvers Caucus proposed rules changes
In her bid to regain the Speaker’s gavel, Rep. Nancy Pelosi has been quietly meeting and assuaging members who were previously dead-set on opposing her nomination. And, in typical fashion,… Read More
What happens when the House picks a Speaker?
In the wake of the federal elections last week, all eyes immediately turned toward the Democratic Party and the impending transfer of power in the House of Representatives. While many… Read More
Why we should expect to see more rule-breaking in Congress from now on
On June 12, 2016, the United States was confronted with another horrific gun massacre, this time at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, resulting in the deaths of 49… Read More
LegBranch conversations: An interview with John Lawrence
Kevin Kosar, Vice President of Policy at the R Street Institute and co-director of the Legislative Branch Capacity Working Group, interviews John Lawrence about his book, The Class of… Read More
Special House rules explained
In teaching introductory legislative procedure, the House Rules Committee is justifiably given a fair amount of attention given its outsized role in determining policy consideration for the… Read More
Opinion: Will the Democratic House pursue Kavanaugh’s impeachment?
After last week’s midterm elections, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) declared that Democrats in the next Congress will prioritize issues including ethics reform, infrastructure and healthcare. Some committee leaders, however, may… Read More
2018 saw more women elected to Congress. Should we expect women to govern differently?
The 2018 election saw the largest contingent of new women elected to the House since that other “Year of the Woman” election in 1992. Making her case to reclaim the… Read More
Jeff Flake doesn’t have to go gentle into that good night
In a famous poem, Dylan Thomas urges his father, “Do not go gentle into that good night … Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Thomas’ poem is about… Read More
Why so little dissent? Explaining the stability in this week’s House GOP leadership contests
The House Republican Conference met Wednesday to choose their top leaders for the 116th Congress. Despite the fact that the midterm elections cost them between 30 and 40 seats and, importantly,… Read More