Updates
Disarming the Speaker
Laura Blessing | March 12, 2024
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 recently with the divided government
Director’s Desk
Kristin Nicholson | February 5, 2024
Dear Friends, The biggest news on Capitol Hill this week will be the bipartisan immigration deal reached by Senate negotiators. Surprising no one, it has already produced turmoil in both chambers. Many Senate Republicans, as well as a few Democrats, have signaled their opposition, and House Republicans have promised the bill will never
Political Dynamics of the Second Session of the 118th Congress
Matt Glassman | February 5, 2024
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 reauthorization, the FY24 appropriations—
Second Verse, Same as the First: 2024 Appropriations Watch
Katina Slavkova | January 10, 2024
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
2023 Year in Review & What’s to Come in 2024
GAI | January 3, 2024
Congress and appropriations reporter Jenn Shutt joins Laura to wrap up the year: appropriations, international supplemental funding, NDAA and what’s unprecedented, unusual -and usual- about this year. Shutt notes that the House has been “building the rollercoaster as they’re riding it”.
Speaker Johnson and the CR dilemma
Josh Huder | November 10, 2023
Matt, Mark, and Josh discuss the Speaker’s election, the CR dilemma, and a few other odds and ends.
“I don’t know what’s going on but I object”
Josh Huder | October 13, 2023
To quote Steny Hoyer, “I don’t know what’s going on but I object.” Matt and Josh discuss the House of Representatives in October 2023, the GOP speakership vote, Speakers Pro Tempore, and more.
Director’s Desk
Kristin Nicholson | October 3, 2023
Dear Friends, Well! After one of the craziest weekends any of us can remember witnessing on the Hill, I’m certainly relieved to be writing a very different note this week than I had expected. As everyone knows, a last-minute about-face by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Saturday afternoon teed up easy passage of a
We Barely Averted a Shutdown- Now What?
Josh Huder | October 3, 2023
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 up in the Senate,
Speakers and Special Rules with Tony Madonna
Josh Huder | September 21, 2023
Mark and Josh talk with Professor Tony Madonna about Kevin McCarthy’s unusual speakership, among other things. Tony is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Georgia and author of numerous studies of House and Senate procedure.