January 6th’s Second Attack on the Constitution?

“Thompson likely made this statement out of frustration due to several high-ranking Trump associates invoking this right, denying the committee information about an event President Biden described as the day the Constitution "faced the gravest of threats." Yet, his statement only adds to those threats as it directly contradicts the Supreme Court’s Fifth Amendment interpretation in Griffin v. California — that any insinuation of a defendant's guilt based on the invocation of their Fifth Amendment right violates their Fifth Amendment right to avoid witnessing against themselves.”

NationalJacob WrightApril 4, 2022Constitution, January 6th, CongressComment

Arguments Over Stock Ban Reveal Greater Disconnect Between the Public and Federal Government

“A study by the Pew Research center found that only 24% of Americans trust the federal government to do what is right “most of the time.” This percentage has significantly decreased from 60% in 2001 and 77% in 1964. This growing disconnect largely stems from disparities in wealth between politicians and the public.”

NationalJohn PowersFebruary 16, 2022Stock Market, Insider Trading, Congress, Pelosi, Public OpinionComment

Senator Valerie Foushee is Ready to Take Her Career in Service All the Way to Congress

“With over 24 years of public service under her belt, Senator Valerie Foushee is ready to take her fight to Congress. Shortly after Rep. David Price (NC-06) announced his retirement in November of 2021, Senator Foushee emerged as an obvious challenger to represent residents of Orange and Durham County.”

Fellows, InterviewsDiane OngFebruary 14, 2022NCPOL, Congress, 2022 Elections, Primaries, House of RepresentativesComment

Congressional Democrats Race Against the Clock to Pass Massive Expansion of Nation’s Social Safety Net

“Racing towards a self-imposed September 27th deadline of passage, Democrats in Congress are fighting tooth and nail to pass the largest expansion of the United State’s social safety net since the New Deal. The bill, with a whopping $3.5 trillion price tag, has caused divisions within the Democratic Party and has staunch opposition from Republicans in Congress — meaning the reconciliation process is likely the only path forward.”

NationalLogan KaelinSeptember 19, 2021Joe Biden, Biden, Democrats, Congress, Federal Spending, InfastructureComment

Biden’s $2 Billion “Infrastructure” Plan

“President Biden’s first 100 days in office have been an improbable three months of steady progress, kicking off a Biden administration that aims to be far more transformative than progressives initially expected. Few of us expected that this president — given his record, a knife’s-edge Congress, and a COVID-19 crisis that makes it hard to look an inch beyond one’s nose — would begin to be talked about as, potentially, transformational. One of the highlights of this progress is the $2 trillion infrastructure plan the president proposed in March, a plan that he has called ‘a once-in-a-generation investment in America.’”

NationalManav ShahApril 18, 2021Biden, Joe Biden, CongressComment

The GOP Greenes Out

“Most Americans reject the beliefs of QAnon - yet seventeen percent believe in it. Most members of the government have openly denounced such forms of extremism, although a few politicians in the Republican Party seem to embrace them, most notably Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of GA-14 - the leading face of QAnon in the American government.”

NationalLejla BrkaFebruary 10, 2021QAnon, Marjorie Taylor Green, CongressComment

The Fight Over The Filibuster

“Many Democrats think Republicans have historically abused the filibuster to force their minority views on the entire country but, in recent years, the filibuster has been used by Democrats to block funding for Trump’s border wall, to protect unemployment benefits, and to stop Republicans from restricting abortion access. Abolishing the filibuster could allow Democrats to get things done while they are in power, but without a filibuster, the next time Republicans have the Senate majority Democrats will not have as immediate and effective a measure to prevent them from restricting voting access and eliminating reproductive rights.”

NationalGrace KinleyFebruary 2, 2021Senate, Congress, FilibusterComment