The day after the election, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) stood before assembled reporters. “Good morning, everyone,” he said with a slight smile on his owlish mien. “It is certainly a happy day for the GOP”…. (Read more)
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How one congressional staffer made a dif...
It is not easy being a staffer on Capitol Hill. No, the work is not road paving or ditch digging—but it comes with plenty of stress. A staff position is anything but secure. Unlike a civil servant, a congressional staffer is an at-will employee whether he is employed in a legislator’s office or by a committee. […]
Harris or Trump could imperil the peacef...
“Presidential power,” declared presidential historian Richard Neustadt, “is the power to persuade.” By virtue of being the center of attention, a president can move the minds of Congress and the public. A party’s presidential nominee has similar power. He or she has been the center of a massive campaign that has involved raising and spending […]
Will senators hard-bargain to revive the...
Last month, Sen. George Helmy (D-NJ) gaveled the Senate to order. The clerk then read a communication from Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-WA) declaring Helmy authorized to perform the duties of the chairman. Thereafter, the Garden State senator announced to the handful of chamber staff who were the only other occupants of the […]
How senators can restore the world’s gre
Today’s Senate is dysfunctional by any measure. The “world’s greatest deliberative body” spends most of its time voting on routine presidential nominations to the executive and judicial branches. When the Senate does consider legislation, most senators feel they have little substantive input. Bills are crafted behind closed doors under the purview of party leaders. The […]
Believe it or not the House Budget Commi...
The average person wold be forgiven for thing Congress is completely bungling budgeting… (Read more)