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.
2,559 Articles
National Security-Related Congressional Hearings, June 20–24
Below is a calendar of congressional hearings on national security matters for this week. Monday, June 20 10:30am – House Oversight and Government Reform – Subcommittee on…
Another Legal View of the Dissent Channel Cable on Syria
Since Vietnam, East Pakistan, and the Balkans, it has been a time-honored tradition that State Department officials who disagree with official policy may challenge it through the…
Would airstrikes against Assad be lawful and effective?: Reactions to the State “dissent cable”
Editor’s note: This post also appears on Lawfare. As you have probably read, 51 career foreign service officers in the State Department have written an internal memorandum recommending…
National Security-Related Congressional Hearings, June 13–18
Below is a calendar of congressional hearings on national security matters for this week. Monday, June 13 5:00pm – House Rules – General Debate: Department of Defense Appropriations…
Recap of Recent Posts on Just Security (June 4–10)
I. Cybersecurity Kristen Eichensehr, Giving Up on Cybersecurity — Strategically (Monday, June 6) II. Surveillance & Intelligence Jennifer Daskal, Beware of the Emergency…
JASTA and Reciprocity
In April, Curt Bradley and Jack Goldsmith wrote in The New York Times that the Justice Against State Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) then under consideration in the Senate —…
Beware of the Emergency Exception Loophole in the Email Privacy Act
The Email Privacy Act, which passed the House 419-0, is slated for consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week. The legislation updates the now 30-year old…
National Security-Related Congressional Hearings, June 6–10
Below is a calendar of congressional hearings on national security matters for this week. Tuesday, June 7 2:15pm – Senate Foreign Relations – Russian Violations of Borders,…
Recap of Recent Posts on Just Security (May 28–June 3)
I. Guantánamo Military Commissions Steve Vladeck, Why the D.C. Circuit Can’t Really Duck the Article III Issue in Al Bahlul (Thursday, June 2) Daphne Eviatar, Sparring Over…
A Return to Torture? Unlikely
One could be forgiven for thinking that all signs point towards torture making a comeback. Calls for the resumption of torture have been disturbingly prominent in this year’s…
Recap of the Recent Posts on Just Security (May 21–27)
I. Guantánamo Jen Daskal, Guilty Pleas For GTMO Detainees (Without Ever Setting Foot on US Soil) (Monday, May 23) II. Transparency, Legality & the the Use of Force David…
Important First Step by HPSCI on Pre-Publication Review Reform
Editor’s note: This post also appears on Lawfare. We are happy to learn, via Secrecy News, that the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) has weighed in constructively…