The hottest Congress Substack posts right now

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Top U.S. Politics Topics

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.

Gaming Election Law

David Friedman’s Substack • 134 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Presidential Election Congress Election Strategy
  1. There was a hypothetical scenario where Democrats could have strategically prevented Trump from being certified as the President through a complex legal process, but ultimately it was deemed unlikely to happen due to various factors.
  2. If a candidate is disqualified after winning the majority of electoral votes, it could lead to complex and uncertain scenarios such as the House getting involved in the election process and potential power struggles between political parties.
  3. The article also mentions a potential loophole in California's primary system that could have led to a Republican senator in a typically Democratic state, but it was clarified that the scenario was not possible due to the timing of different elections.

Weekend Update #69. Ukraine Does Better in South Carolina than Expected

Phillips’s Newsletter • 126 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Foreign Policy Aid Republican party Congress
  1. South Carolina primary shows divisions in Republican Party over Trump's stance on Ukraine
  2. Ukraine facing challenges with ammunition supply, leading to withdrawals from exposed positions
  3. Ukraine's success in deconstructing Russian air power is hindered by low anti-air ammunition and Russian losses in key aircraft
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Another year is coming to a close without a federal privacy bill

The Exformation Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Congress Privacy Bipartisanship Enforcement
  1. A federal privacy law remains out of reach of Congress for another year.
  2. Two scenarios for privacy law development: Option A - state-based bills expanding to all states, Option B - federal bill.
  3. Compliance with 50 different state privacy bills is costly and creates additional risks for companies.

How Transparency Changes Everything

OpenTheBooks Substack • 298 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Transparency Spending Congress Oversight
  1. Transparency in government spending is crucial in holding politicians accountable and changing how we are governed.
  2. New technologies allow us to bring government spending into the light and make it accessible to the public in real-time.
  3. Citizens play a key role in demanding transparency and responsible spending of tax dollars to bring about positive change.

This week: U.S. House asks “Is there a right to repair?”

Fight to Repair • 78 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Congress Technology Intellectual Property Legal issues
  1. The U.S. House will hold a hearing to explore the concept of 'right to repair'
  2. The hearing will cover various topics including intellectual property issues and potential policy changes
  3. The hearing will feature experts and panelists discussing laws like the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and proposed bills like The REPAIR Act

Why the First Impeachment Matters

Can We Still Govern? • 157 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Impeachment Foreign Policy Congress Whistleblowers Accountability
  1. The first impeachment reveals how Trump thinks about public power and governs.
  2. Trump's actions during the first impeachment show he prioritizes personal interests in foreign policy and seeks to usurp Congressional power.
  3. In a second Trump administration, expect evasions of accountability, loyalty to political hacks, and attacks on career officials who do the right thing.

Hanny Ahern: Collected Works

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Paintings Drawing AI Congress
  1. The artist reflects on the role of AI in art creation, highlighting the humorous expectation for artists to train AI to reproduce their work.
  2. The artist showcases a series of paintings created in response to a public figure's congressional testimony, demonstrating a compelling exploration of representation.
  3. The collection features a mix of acrylic, crayon, and other mediums, showcasing diverse artistic styles and techniques.

Trump's Davos Speech Yearns For The 1890s And A New Gilded Age!

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 12 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Economy Congress Reform
  1. Trump's tax policies aim to favor wealthy individuals and corporations while shifting the tax burden onto everyday Americans. This approach could lead to economic challenges and deeper recessions.
  2. There is criticism of the inflation issues facing Americans, which some believe is fueled by elite financial practices rather than external factors like foreign oil prices. Wealthy individuals often benefit from market manipulations that hurt consumers.
  3. The current economic situation may be linked to excessive defense spending and misguided financial strategies, suggesting that real change requires a re-evaluation of how money is managed in the U.S.

A sneak peek at Chinese fast fashion giant Shein's DC lobbying efforts

Wenhao’s news blog • 58 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Lobbying Congress Criticism
  1. Shein has hired powerful lobbying firms and influential individuals to lobby Congress amid criticism of its practices.
  2. The company faces scrutiny over labor and business practices, especially regarding allegations of forced labor in China's Xinjiang region.
  3. Shein's lobbying efforts show the company's proactive approach to navigating challenges and protecting its interests in the US market.

URGENT: Ex-White House advisor Andy Slavitt is refusing to comply with a subpoena over questions about how he tried to censor me and others in 2021

Unreported Truths • 72 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Administration Congress
  1. Former White House advisor Andy Slavitt is refusing to comply with a Congressional subpoena.
  2. Ignoring a Congressional subpoena is a federal crime, but the Biden Administration will not prosecute Slavitt.
  3. Claims of executive privilege are being used to justify Slavitt's refusal to testify, despite past cases ruling against such claims.

The game theory of the Republican speakership crisis

Matt’s Five Points • 39 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy Congress Party Dynamics Leadership Coalition building
  1. The Republican Party is struggling to choose a Speaker because there are deep divisions within the party. This makes it hard to find a candidate everyone can support.
  2. The Freedom Caucus, a group of more extreme Republicans, has a lot of power and has been blocking proposals from the GOP leadership. They are willing to play hardball, which can hurt the party's ability to govern.
  3. Finding a new Speaker isn't just about winning a vote; it's about forming a strong coalition. Without a stable majority backing, the Speaker's power is weak, making it tough for any leader to move forward effectively.

What is the point of confirmation hearings?

Matt’s Five Points • 159 implied HN points • 23 Mar 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Judiciary Elections Public Policy
  1. Confirmation hearings are mostly for show, not for real information gathering. Senators often already know how they'll vote and use these sessions to make public statements.
  2. The main goal of these hearings is to shape public opinion. Politicians want their actions and decisions to be seen in the best light, regardless of the actual content of the discussions.
  3. Even if they seem pointless, these hearings can have benefits. They can raise awareness of issues, communicate party positions, and help the public understand the political process better.

Legislative procedure isn't really hard

Matt’s Five Points • 139 implied HN points • 08 Mar 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Congress Decision-making Public Policy
  1. Legislative procedures may seem confusing with all the jargon, but they're similar to everyday group decisions like a family deciding where to eat. Understanding the basic concepts makes it easier to follow.
  2. Procedures are necessary to prevent chaos in decision-making, as they help manage how discussions happen and ensure everyone's voice can be heard without fights breaking out.
  3. At their core, legislative processes boil down to three main questions: what to discuss, how long to discuss it, and how to change proposals. This structure is similar across many group settings, not just Congress.

BREAKING NEWS: A Trump Attorney’s Shocking Proffer to Prosecutors Opens a Major New Front in the Federal January 6 Investigation: Members of Congress

Proof • 63 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigation Congress White House
  1. A Trump attorney's proffer to prosecutors has opened a new front in the January 6 investigation involving members of Congress.
  2. Details of White House Christmas parties in December 2020 are of significance due to a bombshell report involving Trump attorney Jenna Ellis.
  3. The stakes of the feds' January 6 probe have been changed by a fired traffic-court lawyer hired as a key player in the coup plot.

5 Lessons The Left Can Learn From Ryan Grim’s New Book, “The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution”

JoeWrote • 23 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Progressives Congress
  1. The Democrat establishment views progressive politicians as a bigger threat than Republicans, as seen in their actions against The Squad.
  2. Progressive politicians, like The Squad, face a steep learning curve when entering Congress without prior political experience, leading to challenges in navigating the political landscape.
  3. Progressives should not be afraid to lose, as it is important to stand by their principles even in the face of opposition and criticism.

What Caused Democrats' Support for Cluster Bombs?

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 60 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democrats Republicans Congress Legislation
  1. Republicans manipulated Democrats' hatred for certain Republicans to block a bill opposing cluster bombs
  2. Republicans purposely associated cluster bomb opposition with Marjorie Taylor Greene to deter support
  3. Democrats fell into the trap set by Republicans, resulting in a vote that allowed the transfer of cluster bombs

Congressman: Republicans Would Not Have Standing to Sue If Biden Uses 14th Amendment

The Washington Current • 19 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Law Finance Debt Congress
  1. Republicans may not be able to legally challenge if President Biden invokes the 14th Amendment to ensure the government pays its bills and avoids economic calamity.
  2. Section 4 of the 14th Amendment guarantees that the U.S. government's debts will be paid.
  3. Rep. Jamie Raskin believes that using the 14th Amendment doesn't invite legal challenges, and Republicans would struggle to prove injury if they sued.

The Festival of Jackasses

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legislation Defense Military Congress
  1. We elect the members of Congress, so their behavior reflects us as a society. There's always been a presence of 'jackasses' in politics, but we notice them more as we become jaded to their actions.
  2. Senator Tommy Tuberville's abuse of power in blocking military officer nominations is causing significant disruptions in the military's functioning. His actions are impacting readiness and causing distractions within the defense establishment.
  3. Tuberville's actions highlight the risk of one individual holding national defense hostage based on personal opinions. This emphasizes the importance of preventing such instances to maintain a strong defense and safeguard against exploitation by adversaries.

MAJOR BREAKING NEWS: Federal Whistleblower Called “Credible” by Intelligence Community Inspector General Says U.S. Military Has “Quite a Number” of Spacecraft in Custody of “Non-Human” Origin

Proof • 65 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Military Congress Whistleblower Intelligence
  1. A federal whistleblower with credible credentials claims the US military has recovered spacecraft of non-human origin.
  2. The evidence provided could establish the existence of highly advanced intelligent life beyond Earth.
  3. The story has sparked official hearings, expert endorsements, and a wave of public interest in UFO and alien technology claims.

Should the US Congress Audit the Federal Reserve?

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 15 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legislation Federal Reserve Congress
  1. The Federal Reserve in the US is uniquely designed and operates independently, unlike other central banks worldwide, being neither part of the government's executive branch nor an independent federal agency.
  2. Calls for a full audit of the Federal Reserve have been advocated by various politicians like Ron Paul and Thomas Massie, aiming for transparency in the Fed's operations and financial decisions.
  3. Besides legislative actions, potential reforms for the Federal Reserve may involve the judiciary branch, particularly through cases that could impact the agency's independence, questioning the traditional Chevron doctrine.

House Omnibus Procedural Notes

Matt’s Five Points • 79 implied HN points • 14 Mar 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Congress Voting Political strategy
  1. The omnibus bill was huge, over 2,700 pages, and combined many important financial matters, including aid for Ukraine. This made it easier to pass popular and less popular items together.
  2. To ensure the government stayed open, the House passed a short-term budget extension along with the omnibus, just in case it faced delays in the Senate.
  3. The House used a previous Senate-passed bill to speed up the approval process for the omnibus, avoiding a lengthy debate and making it easier to vote on quickly.

March 12, 2024 (Tuesday)

Letters from an American • 10 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Investigation Congress Media Legislation
  1. Democratic voters in Georgia and Republican voters in various states have chosen their candidates for the presidential nomination, shaping the upcoming election.
  2. Special Counsel Robert Hur's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee highlighted the Democrats' strategy to counter Republican tactics during investigations.
  3. The hearing regarding President Biden's handling of classified documents showed a contrast between Biden and Trump, with Democrats using media time to emphasize this contrast.

February 15, 2024

Letters from an American • 11 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Congress Elections Impeachment National Security
  1. House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) canceled votes & sent House into recess until Feb 28 over national security funding disagreement
  2. Delay in passing national security measures puts critical aid for Ukraine at risk & demonstrates political gridlock
  3. Chaotic environment in the House, with discussions about appropriations delays, Homeland Security secretary impeachment, and escalating power of Trump's base

March 4, 2024

Letters from an American • 10 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Congress Judicial Review
  1. The Supreme Court ruled that states cannot remove Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot, leading to a unanimous decision.
  2. The court avoided defining the events of January 6, 2021, as an insurrection and went beyond the necessary scope in their ruling.
  3. The court's decision hinted at a larger issue where courts are involving themselves in lawmaking rather than just judicial review.

Head of CIA OSINT emphasizes centrality of Twitter and Telegram surveillance

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 4 HN points • 28 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence Surveillance Data Analysis National Security Congress
  1. The head of CIA OSINT highlights the importance of surveillance on Twitter and Telegram for gathering open source intelligence.
  2. CIA's focus on AI technology has improved data analysis efficiency for vast amounts of surveillance data.
  3. The CIA incorporates controversial surveillance technologies like facial recognition and cellphone tracking data into their open source intelligence methodology.