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Director’s Desk
Kristin Nicholson | March 6, 2025
Dear Friends: First, let me say that we are closely monitoring the rapid changes and uncertainty impacting federal agencies and personnel. We are grateful, as always, for your service and are here to help you understand the changing landscape, and more broadly, to help in any way we can. If you have questions or concerns
FY25 Appropriations Politics: Why a Potential Full-Year CR is Relevant to the Fight over Trump Impounding Funds
Matt Glassman | March 6, 2025
On Friday, President Trump endorsed a full-year CR for the FY25 appropriations, which will likely end the appropriations process for this fiscal year. After its failure to enact full year appropriations bills by October 1, Congress has passed a series of continuing resolutions (the first through December 20; a second through
Mister Chairman: Reversing Trends for Women Chairing House Committees
Katina Slavkova | February 12, 2025
Last December, shortly before House Majority Leader Steve Scalise released the Republican Steering Committee’s recommendations for committee chairs in the incoming 119th Congress, former Republican representative from Virginia, Barbara Comstock, objected strongly to initial reporting that no women were being selected for these positions. Two days later when the majority leader’s office formally
Kristin Nicholson | February 11, 2025 Dear Friends, There’s a lot to keep track of these days, and a great deal of uncertainty – particularly for civil servants. We deeply appreciate the opportunity to work with so many federal personnel over the years, and we’ll continue to offer our insights and perspectives on the relationship between Congress and the executive branch. Kristin Nicholson | January 6, 2025 Dear Friends: Happy New Year! If you’re in the path of the winter storm, I hope you’re safe and warm. In an unusual confluence of events, Congress will be in session on a snow day today, as they convene to certify the 2024 electoral vote count. It is also a somber anniversary for many Laura Blessing | January 6, 2025 Many political narratives on the late 1970s are incomplete, simplifying a politically complex legacy of President Carter, who died on December 29. Carter is both more nuanced and more relevant to American politics today than is commonly understood. He presages—and hurries—major shifts that would become cemented with the Reagan Revolution. In many ways, the public Josh Huder | December 18, 2024 Laura, Matt, and Josh discuss the holiday CR, Democrats and Republicans organizational decisions, and things to look for in the 119th Congress. Kristin Nicholson | December 12, 2024 Dear Friends, The transition between one Congress and the next is always a fascinating time, full of not only the annual pile-up of must-pass items but also the moves and machinations of new members, new leaders, and sometimes new majorities seeking to make their mark on a new Congress. Things are playing out fairly predictably GAI | December 12, 2024 Guest Post by Lorelei Kelly , Research Faculty Lead on Congressional Modernization at GeoDES, Georgetown Democracy, Education + Service, McCourt School of Public Policy Hidden beneath divisive campaign season headlines, Congress has a positive story to share. Prompted by an inefficient, outdated workflow and historically low public trust in government, Democrats and Republicans have worked Kristin Nicholson | November 7, 2024 Dear Friends, Election Day 2024 is behind us, but it leaves in its wake one big immediate-term question (who will control the House?) and a long list of others that will take months and years to answer. One thing we do know is the lame duck session begins next Tuesday, and it should be
Director’s Desk
Director’s Desk
Signaling the Right Turn: How to Understand Jimmy Carter
The Holiday CR, Organizing Congress, and what to look for in the 119th
Director’s Desk
Modernization in Congress: Keeping the Momentum Going
Director’s Desk