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It seems the Founders are out of fashion. Alexander Hamilton’s language could use some updating—but not in the rhythmic style of the eponymous musical. Rather, a core principle of governance, his views of the judiciary as a branch showing “neither force nor will, merely judgment”, are out of step. It
By Professor Mark Richardson, Georgetown University The Supreme Court is expected to hand down rulings on a number of major cases during the last week in June. The past few years have brought major decisions reshaping jurisprudence and law – including those that overturn long standing precedents – and this
As Congress struggles to act on a myriad of challenges, much of the blame – rightly or wrongly – is being laid at Speaker Johnson’s feet. Currently, he stands in the way of foreign aid packages to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, an FAA reauthorization, the farm bill, and more. However,
Another shutdown threat barely averted, and another stopgap spending bill passed with more to follow, while major legislation stagnates. If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. But how difficult is this moment we’re in? Congress has been derided as a “do nothing” institution before: in 1880, in 1948, and more
The first session of the 118th Congress was historically unproductive. Only 35 measures were signed into law, with only the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Defense Authorization Act of significant note. Several major items on the agenda—border security, foreign aid, tax extenders—saw no floor action, while others—the Farm bill, FAA
Last week, Freedom Caucus members blocked another a series of spending bills from reaching the House floor. Their opposition has stymied Speakers McCarthy and Johnson alike, forcing them to rely on Democratic votes to pass continuing resolutions and other must-pass legislation. These repeated failures raise questions about the possibility of
After a chaotic and historically unproductive first session, the 118th Congress appears to be off to a more hopeful start in the new year. Recent news indicating congressional leaders have finally secured an agreement on the top-line numbers for funding the federal government for the remainder of FY24 is certainly
Congress narrowly averted a government shutdown Saturday when Speaker McCarthy shocked Capitol Hill and expedited a clean continuing resolution on the House Floor, funding the government at current levels for 45 days, against the wishes of hardliners in his conference. The bill passed easily on bipartisan lines, was quickly taken
In Federalist 78, published in the spring of 1788, Alexander Hamilton famously referred to the judiciary as “the least dangerous” branch of the federal government. A fair question 235 years later is whether it has become the least accountable branch, at least at the top level. Unlike lower-court judges and
By Matthew Green, Professor, Department of Politics (The Catholic University of America) The past seven months have made it abundantly clear that the House speakership is one of the most difficult jobs in Washington. In January, for the first time in a century, the majority party’s nominee for speaker –
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