Category: Updates

Dear Friends, It feels like we’ve said “unprecedented” so often recently, it’s starting to lose its meaning. But there is really no other way to describe the past few weeks (and indeed, months and even years). July is typically a busy time on Capitol Hill, but not usually for the

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

Dear Friends, While the upcoming presidential debate might be grabbing headlines this week, there’s also a flurry of activity on the House side of the Capitol as members seek progress on spending bills before heading home for a 4th of July recess. If all goes according to plan (never a

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

Tune in for our latest podcast episode “Unprecedented” with Mark, Josh, and Matt. https://media.blubrry.com/twobeersin/gai.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Congress-Two-Beers-in-May-1.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (43.2MB)Subscribe: RSS | More

Dear Friends, With FY2024 funding bills finally off the to-do list, the House and Senate have a bit more bandwidth to focus on other priorities. But even as I write this, events are overtaking the chambers’ planned schedules. Following Iran’s weekend attack on Israel in retaliation for a recent strike,

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,

Dear Friends, “It’s a huge month for appropriations” isn’t always something we say about March, but nothing is normal on the Hill these days. Now that six FY24 funding bills have finally reached the President’s desk, we look to the next (partial) shutdown deadline ten days away. With huge, complicated

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

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