Congress
Just Security’s expert authors offer analysis of U.S. Congress’ role in national security, foreign affairs, the rule of law, and rights. Coverage includes analysis and informational resources related to the legislative process, oversight and investigations of the executive branch, and major debates on the separation of powers and Congress’ constitutional role.
2,549 Articles
Avoiding the Next Yemen: Applying Hard Lessons for Security Partnerships
The humanitarian crisis in Yemen, wrought by a conflict entering its fourth year, has called into question the nature and purpose of American security partnership with Saudi Arabia.…
Norms Watch: Damage to Democracy and Rule of Law in January 2019
Welcome to the latest installment of Norms Watch, our series tracking both the flouting of democratic norms by the Trump administration and the erosion of those norms in reactions…
The Threat That Mustn’t Be Named
On Tuesday, America’s national security leaders took part in a rite of congressional oversight — the annual Worldwide Threats hearing. This session — featuring the…
To Roger Stone: Witness Intimidation Is Not Protected Speech
Roger Stone, arraigned today, is not accepting the Mueller indictment passively. He is, not surprisingly, loudly and publicly attacking the charges — decrying the “inquisition,”…
Schiff’s First Order of Business for the House Intelligence Committee
The start of a new Congress wipes the slate clean for the House of Representatives, which must adopt new rules, establish new committees, and write new legislation. One major opportunity…
What the Constitution Says About Trump’s Obstruction of Pelosi’s Afghanistan Trip
President Donald Trump’s retaliation against Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s withdrawing the State of the Union invitation — denying Pelosi’s use of military aircraft to travel…
Pentagon’s Climate Change Report Lacks Analysis the Law Requires
Hurricanes and wildfires in the U.S. and humanitarian crises abroad illustrated the national security impact of climate change in 2018. Yet the Pentagon’s congressionally required…
Why Trump’s Directing Cohen, Others to Lie Would Be Far Worse Than Watergate
The threats to U.S. national security make these alleged acts of suborning perjury, false statements, and obstruction of justice much worse than Watergate.
New House Rules Promote Aggressive Congressional Oversight
The new Democratic majority has taken formal control of the House and has fortified congressional oversight power in its new rules package. At the same time, a lot of additional…
Decoding What Barr Really Said About Letting the Public See the Mueller Report
"Barr didn’t answer the key question of whether he’d make Mueller’s final report public—or, if he did, his answer missed the mark."
Attorney General Nominee Barr on Transparency: A Direct Answer? Or Misdirection?
In his written opening statement for his confirmation hearing as attorney general, William Barr says his goal is "to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law."…
Annotation of the Pentagon Report to Congress on Detainee Abuse by U.S. Partners in Yemen
In a mere two pages of carefully parsed prose, DoD has provided what can only be described as a deliberately misleading and deceptively evasive account of U.S. and Emirati actions…