Party Polarization Is an Illusion

What exactly are political parties, and how do they matter?

James WallnerJuly 25, 2018Congress, Polarization, Agenda ControlComment

Why filling the vacant Supreme Court seat is bad for the country

A deadlocked court would be better for the future of U.S. politics.

James WallnerJuly 11, 2018Supreme Court, Senate, Confirmation Process, Presidency, ConstitutionComment

What's Wrong with American Politics

Congress no longer seen as preeminent institution

James WallnerJuly 3, 2018Congress, Political Dysfunction, Gridlock, Deliberation, ConflictComment

Polarization is an output of our process, not the cause of all our woes

We seek to clarify and deepen our original discussion about polarization in this post.

James WallnerJune 27, 2018Congress, PolarizationComment

Rethinking Politics

It is time to question the way in which we think about politics.

James WallnerJune 18, 2018Comment

McConnell Is the Longest-Serving GOP Leader. But Not the Most Consequential.

Mitch McConnell is a tough guy to figure out

James WallnerJune 15, 2018Senate, Leadership, McConnell, Mansfield, GridlockComment

Congress is Broken. But Don't Blame Polarization

“Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There’s no better rule.”

James WallnerJune 9, 2018Congress, Polarization, Leadership, Gridlock, DeliberationComment

A coalition at risk: GOP leadership put loyalty over debate

Republican leaders try to fend off a rogue effort to force House action

James WallnerJune 7, 2018Congress, House of Representatives, Republicans, Immigration, Discharge PetitionComment

Don't expect the Senate's inaction to change anytime soon

There is a lot more to the Senate’s dysfunction than Democratic intransigence alone

James WallnerJune 7, 2018Senate, Gridlock, Obstruction, Politics of EffortComment

An Impotent Congress

Americans have good reason to believe that their government isn’t working

James WallnerMay 18, 2018Congress, Gridlock, Politics of Effort, PolarizationComment

Sorry Trump, earmarks will only make budgeting harder for Congress

Reviving earmarks will only make today’s dysfunction worse

James WallnerApril 6, 2018Budget Process, Earmarks, Reform, Donald TrumpComment

Mitch McConnell promised to fix the broken Senate. Instead, it's only gotten worse.

“All men dread the power of oppression out of their own hands, and almost all men wish it irresistible when it is there.”

James WallnerMarch 30, 2018Senate, Leadership, Legislative Process Comment

Congressional Budgeting is a Matter of Will, Not Procedure

History is important. We ignore its lessons at our peril.

James WallnerMarch 30, 2018Congress, Budget ProcessComment

Republicans are making it harder to confirm Trump's nominees

Republicans are helping Democrats slow action on President Trump’s nominees

James WallnerMarch 27, 2018Senate, Parliamentary Procedure, Obstruction, Filibuster, Nuclear Option, NominationsComment

Filibuster change won't fix flawed appropriations process

Government shutdown boosted efforts to change Senate rules

Their target? The legislative filibuster.

James WallnerFebruary 27, 2018Comment

What Is the Purpose of the Senate?

Senate has become a cliché

James WallnerFebruary 14, 2018Comment

When hatred of Trump leads to disdain for debate

Trump critics “play the tyrant”

James WallnerFebruary 8, 2018Political Rhetoric, Political Discourse, Never TrumpComment

Can the filibuster long survive?

Republicans make it easier for Democrats to obstruct

James WallnerFebruary 8, 2018Senate, Legislative Process, Filibuster, Parliamentary ProcedureComment

In the midst of a shutdown battle, Republicans should embrace conflict

Only thing remarkable is how utterly unremarkable and familiar it has become

James WallnerJanuary 18, 2018Congress, Budget, ConflictComment

Orrin Hatch's retirement may set off musical chairs in GOP Senate committee leadership

Republicans are set to play a game of musical chairs on the Senate’s most important committees.

James WallnerJanuary 8, 2018Senate, Republicans, Orrin Hatch, Committee leadershipComment