Updates
The Holiday CR, Organizing Congress, and what to look for in the 119th
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.
Director’s Desk
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
Modernization in Congress: Keeping the Momentum Going
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 Prompted by an inefficient, outdated workflow and historically low public trust in government, Democrats and Republicans have worked
Post-Election Happy Hour Roundtable
Josh Huder | November 15, 2024
Laura, Matt, and Josh review the 2024 Election, Congress and the 2nd Trump administration, recess appointments, leadership races in the House and Senate, the filibuster, and more.
Director’s Desk
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
The Government We Deserve?
Laura Blessing | November 7, 2024
Election Day 2024 is behind us. The country is taking stock of who we are and where we might be going. The final calls on some congressional races are still forthcoming, as predicted. There are many ways of viewing the political moment we’re in, but any reading of political history shows precursors to phenomena of
Director’s Desk
Kristin Nicholson | October 3, 2024
Dear Friends, In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating toll on the southeastern US, I want to first express my hope that all of you and your loved ones are out of harm’s way. The damage is hard to fathom. As federal resources continue to surge toward areas in need, many members of Congress have
The Annual Appropriations Dance
Josh Huder | October 3, 2024
Congress has once again missed its annual deadline to fund the federal government for the entire fiscal year. This has become an all-too-familiar dance on Capitol Hill: Congress fails to adopt a budget; the House and Senate draft very different spending bills; nothing happens for a few months; then we watch as Congress fumbles around
Congress Two Beers In: Back to School Edition
GAI | September 9, 2024
On our latest podcast’s episode, Senior Fellow Mark Harkins talks with two college seniors to get the Gen Z perspective on our current state of politics. Mentioned material can be found at https://johnhaskell.substack.com/
Director’s Desk
Kristin Nicholson | September 5, 2024
Dear Friends, It never fails: September arrives and finds me utterly baffled that summer could have flown by so quickly. I hope you managed to wring lots of fun, sun and relaxation out of this one. Of course, summer isn’t quite over for Congress, which returns next week for a short stretch before disbanding again