The hottest Congress Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Useless Partisanship Weakens Necessary Partisanship

Drezner’s World • 1100 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Partisanship Oversight Congress
  1. Partisanship is important in politics but can become harmful if taken too far, leading to government dysfunction.
  2. Transparency and proper communication are essential in high-ranking government positions, like Secretary of Defense.
  3. Having a functioning opposition party is crucial for proper governance, as it ensures accountability and oversight.

With Russia ‘on the march’ in Ukraine, the US pulls away

Aaron Mate • 207 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Affairs Congress Political strategy International relations
  1. The US government initially believed that its support for Ukraine would effectively counter Russia's advances. However, their recent admission shows that this support did not yield the expected results.
  2. After a significant funding boost, officials now realize that Russia is still making territorial gains in Ukraine, contrary to their earlier predictions.
  3. The situation has prompted discussions about the need for negotiations with Russia, a shift from previous views that such talks would be premature.

Top Links 620 Sanewashing & Starmaggedon. Congress really is at an impasse & would Lenin really have approved of the IMF?

Chartbook • 300 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Congress Economics History Culture
  1. Congress is currently stuck and unable to make decisions effectively. This shows how divided and complicated politics can be.
  2. There's talk about Britain's bond yields reaching concerning levels, but it's important to consider the larger global context. U.S. bond yields are also very high right now.
  3. The discussion around whether Lenin would approve of the IMF brings up interesting questions about economics and political ideology. It encourages us to think about how different philosophies view financial institutions.
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Seaplanes Bring Out the Worst in the Potomac Flotilla

CDR Salamander • 1257 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Defense Congress Acquisition National Security
  1. During wartime, aircraft are crucial and seaplanes historically played a role in rescuing flyers in distress.
  2. The ShinMaywa US-2 seaplane is seen as a modern, versatile, and necessary asset for military operations.
  3. Issues in military acquisition systems can hinder the procurement of vital equipment like seaplanes.

The weird alliance between Matt Gaetz and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (it's a good thing)

Bad News • 1218 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Foreign Policy Bipartisanship National Security Military Intervention
  1. Matt Gaetz and the Congressional Progressive Caucus formed an unlikely alliance on war policies.
  2. There was a significant bipartisan effect on voting for war resolutions.
  3. The presence of U.S. troops in Syria impacts the future of the Kurdish autonomous region.

When Presidents Show Backbone, Israel Caves

Spoils of War • 589 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Presidents Congress United Nations Aid
  1. U.S. presidents have historically influenced Israel's actions by showing backbone and making clear demands.
  2. Actions taken by U.S. presidents like Eisenhower and Carter have led Israel to comply with international resolutions.
  3. Threats of trade sanctions and aid cutoffs have been effective in pushing Israel to withdraw from occupied territories.

congressional immunity

bad cattitude • 327 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Legislation Accountability Government Policy
  1. The new funding bill includes a hidden section that grants Congress members immunity from legal oversight. This means they can ignore subpoenas and investigations, making it hard to hold them accountable.
  2. This immunity is retroactive, which could stop ongoing legal cases from gathering important data from Congress. It's like they're protecting themselves from any scrutiny of their actions.
  3. Such actions go against the idea that public officials should be accountable to the people. If Congress can avoid investigation, it's a big problem for democracy.

US troops are occupying Syria's oil fields. Congress refuses to withdraw them

Geopolitical Economy Report • 737 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Syria Congress International Law
  1. US military has been illegally occupying Syrian territory since 2014, blocking access to oil and wheat, despite international criticism.
  2. The US Senate voted 13-84 against withdrawing troops from Syria, rejecting a resolution to remove troops not authorized by Congress.
  3. US continues to occupy Syria's oil fields and Iraq, with troops stationed in the region and involvement in conflicts around these areas.

The '24 Election and Institutional Change

Matt’s Five Points • 179 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Congress Political Dynamics Institutional change
  1. Elections have a big impact on politics, not just for immediate decisions but for long-term institutional changes as well. The 2024 election will shape how Congress and the presidency work together.
  2. Short-term politics often drive changes in political institutions. When parties gain power, they tend to prioritize their goals over the rules, leading to shifts in how power is distributed over time.
  3. The balance of power after the 2024 elections will influence significant issues like the filibuster and how nominations are handled. Different outcomes can lead to major changes in how legislation is passed and how the government operates.

Short bill, lots of lessons

Matt’s Five Points • 179 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Legislation Political strategy Public Policy Government oversight
  1. The Israel Support Assistance Act is a short bill that highlights how Congress can influence executive policy through budget control. Even though it might not become law, it shows how powerful Congress can be using funding restrictions.
  2. This bill features several types of provisions, such as appropriations limitations and fencing provisions, which directly affect how the government can use allocated funds. These techniques give Congress a way to steer or block executive actions.
  3. Even though most of the provisions may not be enforced, they're part of a strategy to make political statements and possibly create division among Democrats. It's a way for Congress members to show where they stand on issues without necessarily aiming for a law.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day • 314 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil War Slavery Democracy Congress
  1. The Civil War was a costly conflict that shocked the nation and prompted urgency to end it
  2. Abraham Lincoln pushed for bold action to save American democracy by addressing slavery through constitutional amendments
  3. The survival of American democracy hinged on the decisions made by Congress and the Administration during a tumultuous time

Top Scientists Misled Congress About Covid Origins, Newly Released Emails And Messages Show

Michael Shellenberger • 1835 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Emails Cover-up
  1. Top scientists misled Congress about Covid origins by denying lab leak possibilities despite actual concerns
  2. Newly released emails and messages show discrepancies in public statements versus private conversations
  3. Evidence suggests possible cover-up and pressure from 'higher-ups' in shaping scientific narrative

Could October 7 Bring Down the Squad?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 964 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Congress Lobbying Polls Democrats
  1. Democratic Rep. Summer Lee faced backlash from Pittsburgh's Jewish community for her actions and comments regarding Israel and Hamas.
  2. The Squad members, including Summer Lee, are facing serious primary challenges from well-funded opponents due to their stance on Israel and their support of movements like Ceasefire Now.
  3. The Democratic Party is experiencing internal conflict over attitudes towards Israel, with more moderate Democrats and the pro-Israel lobby opposing the harsh criticism of the Jewish state by some left-wing members of the party.

A "Woke Agenda" Burned in Effigy by Missouri Senators

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 497 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Political Events Policies Lawmakers Political issues
  1. Missouri Senators burned a 'Woke Agenda' in effigy, causing controversy and sparking discussions about their actions.
  2. The Senators involved have been part of the state's GOP supermajority for years and have supported controversial legislation regarding various issues.
  3. The fiery display sparked concerns about the priorities of lawmakers, with focus on issues such as education funding, healthcare access, and attacks on marginalized communities.

"You are being misinformed"

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1707 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Climate Science Congress Scientific Integrity Misinformation
  1. Misinformation in climate science is a significant issue, especially due to outdated climate scenarios like RCP8.5 and RCP4.5.
  2. Scientific integrity is crucial to uphold in producing accurate information for policy-making.
  3. Financial conflicts of interest can complicate expertise, leading to the perpetuation of misinformation.

The Cowardice of Ann Wagner

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 437 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Sexual misconduct Political endorsements Allegations
  1. Ann Wagner originally opposed supporting Jim Jordan but later endorsed him for Speaker, citing issues like border security and human trafficking.
  2. Hannity's show seems to be pressuring GOP members to support Jim Jordan for Speaker.
  3. Wagner's flip-flop to endorse Jordan raises concerns, especially since Jordan faced allegations of knowing about sexual misconduct at Ohio State.

CROSSPOST: Josh Marshall: State of Play on Capitol Hill

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 99 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Elections Leadership Political parties Current Events
  1. Elon Musk has become a major player in government discussions, shaking things up in ways even Donald Trump can't control. It's like Musk is the new chaos agent, and everyone has to deal with the mess he creates.
  2. Trump is trying to lead the charge but is struggling because Musk's influence is unpredictable and strong. This situation shows that Trump doesn't have the same grip on power as he used to.
  3. The recent events in Congress highlight the rising tension within the Republican Party. Many Republicans are defying Trump's wishes, which is unusual and suggests a shift in loyalty and power dynamics.

Why Republicans and Democrats in Congress Are Working Together to Lift 400,000 Kids out of Poverty

Michael Shellenberger • 563 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Bipartisanship Congress Government aid Legislation
  1. Republicans and Democrats in Congress worked together to lift 400,000 kids out of poverty through a new deal on the Child Tax Credit.
  2. Missouri Republican Congressman Jason Smith and Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden collaborated on this new tax credit package.
  3. The tax deal received significant Republican support in the House of Representatives and is expected to pass through the Senate as well.

Are They Better Off?

News Items • 255 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Security Policy Making Debt Ceiling Congress
  1. Key Census data may undercount the retirement income of older Americans by hundreds of billions of dollars a year.
  2. America needs to address the unsustainability of the Social Security program through benefit reductions, tax increases, or a combination of both.
  3. Recent data suggests that American retirees, on average, are wealthier than commonly believed, which may impact policy decisions regarding Social Security reform.

A sword of Damocles over the administrative state

Bruce Fein's Pioneering Lyceum • 117 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Administrative state Congress Supreme Court Regulation Legislation
  1. The Supreme Court may change the rules for federal rulemaking, impacting how executive branch regulators interpret laws.
  2. Congress needs to take responsibility for writing clear laws to prevent excessive regulatory power.
  3. Requiring Congress to vote on all regulations would increase accountability and reduce the size of the administrative state.

Ukraine "foreign aid" bills are taxpayer-funded stimulus packages for the parasites of the D.C. Beltway

The Dossier • 354 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Aid Congress Defense Spending Government funding
  1. American 'foreign aid' to Ukraine is mostly spent in the United States, benefiting Beltway corporations
  2. Government spending on defense does not create real jobs or value, but adds to the national debt and inflation
  3. These 'foreign aid' bills serve as stimulus for the Beltway elite rather than enhancing national security

Procedural Notes on the Motion to Vacate

Matt’s Five Points • 179 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Process Legislation Congress Elections Political parties
  1. A motion to vacate the Speaker's position can happen quickly if done as a Question of Privilege. This allows immediate discussion, unlike a regular resolution.
  2. If the Chair decides the motion is valid, it will lead to a structured debate with set time limits for both sides. If no objections succeed, they will debate it openly.
  3. If the resolution is passed, the Speakership becomes vacant immediately, but that doesn't mean a new Speaker is chosen right away. The House can decide to address other matters first.

Biden to deploy American boots on the ground in Gaza, in accommodating the demands of a fanatical voting base

The Dossier • 284 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Election Congress National Security
  1. President Biden plans to deploy American troops to Gaza to build a port, risking their safety in a dangerous war zone.
  2. The decision to involve the military in Gaza construction raises concerns over the misuse of resources and lack of Congressional oversight.
  3. Political motives, such as appealing to voters in crucial swing states, may be a driving force behind the deployment of troops in Gaza.