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.

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2,544 Articles
President Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Salman stand next to each other.

A Long-Forgotten Law Could Force the U.S. to Re-Evaluate its Relationship with Saudi Arabia

Section 502B(c) is a potent tool to accelerate congressional oversight of support to countries with concerning human rights records. 
People take part in a demonstration outside Georgia's Parliament in Tbilisi on March 8, 2023 called by Georgian opposition and civil society groups against government plans to introduce controversial "foreign agent" legislation, reminiscent of Russian legislation to pressure critics. The calls came after more than sixty of people were detained and dozens of police officers wounded in violent clashes that broke out in the capital Tbilisi late the day before, amid fears of democratic backsliding in Georgia. Some of the protesters carry a sign that says, "Stop Russia." (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Backsliding: Georgia’s Crackdown on Civil Society May Be Just a Start

If the Biden administration wants to curb authoritarian trends, it should maintain its heightened attention to civil liberties in Georgia.
The U.S. Supreme Court building lit by sunlight against a blue sky.

It’s Time for the Supreme Court to Take Ethics Seriously

For the Court’s reputation and rule of law values, the Justices should put their own house in order, rather than have it done for them.
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Policy Alert: Iran-U.S. Hostilities Ratcheting Up in Syria

Tensions between Iran and the United States are escalating again following tit-for-tat hostilities in Syria.
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Senate Foreign Relations Committee FY2024 State Department Budget Hearing: Key Takeaways

"An overarching concern of the senators was the organizational capacity of the State Department to respond nimbly to [global] challenges."
People wave flags in support of Donald Trump

7 Experts on Trump’s Call for Protests and Social Media Threat Models

Comparing expert analyses of the threat of domestic extremist violence with assessments by social media platforms.
Chagossian Islanders and their supporters arrive at the Court of Appeal in central London, Feb. 5, 2007, some holding protest signs, as they prepared to fight a court ruling that would prevent the islanders going back to their homes in the remote Chagos archipelago, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The islanders had already won two legal cases in the UK courts - in 2000 and 2006 - that ruled their expulsion was illegal. Their removal began in the 1960s, after the US and UK reached a secret deal to turn the island of Diego Garcia into a US military base, without local inhabitants. (Photo byCARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images)

“Inexcusably Inhuman Wrongs”: US, UK Must Deliver Long Overdue Justice at Diego Garcia

They forcibly removed the entire indigenous Chagossian people from the island, and a Navy planner involved later expressed deep regret.
Close up image of a woman's hand typing on a computer keyboard in the dark.

Two Supreme Court Cases Could “Break the Internet”: What Role Should Free Speech Play?

Instead of demonstrating eagerness to reconsider Section 230, the Justices appeared unsure about how exactly the law should be interpreted.
The title of the podcast episode "What the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers Don't Want You to Know" and audio waveforms.

The Just Security Podcast: What the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers Don’t Want You to Know

In courtrooms, on Twitter, and in media reports the groups are trying to clean up their image, and people are buying it. 
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland sits at a desk and testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee

Attorney General Merrick Garland and Intelligence Community Leaders Testify on the Reauthorization of Section 702 of FISA

Editor’s Note: This article, originally published on March 2, has been updated to reflect the testimony of top intelligence leaders before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence…
CAMP SHORAB, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 11: A U.S. Army helicopter flies outside of Camp Shorab on a flight to Camp Post on September 11, 2017 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. About 300 marines are currently deployed in Helmand Province in a train, advise, and assist role supporting local Afghan security forces. Currently the United States has about 11,000 troops in the deployed in Afghanistan, with a reported 4,000 more expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Last month, President Donald Trump announced his plan for Afghanistan which called for an increase in troop numbers and a new conditions-based approach to the war, getting rid of a timetable for the withdrawal of American forces in the country. (Photo by Andrew Renneisen/Getty Images)

Opaque Transparency on the Use of Force: Observations on the 2022 “1264” Report

The 2022 report illustrates the limits of congressionally mandated reporting requirements on matters of war and peace and the need for Congress to be more proactive in informing…
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas wears a dark suit and red tie while sitting in the East Room of the White House.

Republicans Are Calling to Impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Here’s Why Their Case is Bunk

The arguments to impeach Sec. Mayorkas boil down to disapproval of the Biden administration’s relaxation of Trump-era immigration policies.
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