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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2,459 Articles
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), speaks at a press conference while Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Devin Nunes (R-CA), and Doug Collins (R-GA), stand with him on stage.

Republican Leaders are Playing a Dangerous Game

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, recently told an NBC News reporter, “Every elected official in the Ukraine was for Hillary Clinton.…
Ranking member Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) watches minority counsel Steve Castor and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) confer during a House Intelligence Committee meeting in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 19, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Seven Outright Falsehoods in GOP Staff Report on Impeachment

"In order to depict the events at the heart of the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry in a light that could at all be construed as a defense of President Trump’s conduct, it appears…
Gordon Sondland, the U.S ambassador to the European Union, testifies before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 20, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Why Does Gordon Sondland Still Have a Job?

The Ambassador should resign or be removed and the best timing for that is now, writes Ryan Goodman.
The U.S. Supreme Court at night.

With Supreme Court Mired in Dark Money, Time for Large Dose of Transparency

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse writes that there is a dual problem with the Supreme Court: not only the web of special-interest, secret donor influence surrounding it; but an extraordinary…
Gordon Sondland (L), the U.S ambassador to the European Union, confers with his attorney Bob Luskin (L) while testifying before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 20, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Here’s the Proof that Trump’s “No Quid Pro Quo” Call Never Happened

Congress may have been mistakenly led to believe there were two phone calls. There was only one. It was on Sept. 7, and it was highly incriminating.
Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney answers questions during a briefing at the White House October 17, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Trump’s Hold on Ukrainian Military Aid was Illegal

The Trump White House created an irregular budgetary process to match its irregular foreign policy process on Ukraine. Trump's withholding of military aid to Ukraine was illegal…
Side by side photographs of Rudy Giuliani, Devin Nunes, and Derek Harvey.

Timeline: Rep. Devin Nunes and Ukraine Disinformation Efforts

Comprehensive chronology of Rep. Devin Nunes and his top aide Derek Harvey's alleged work with Giuliani and indicted businessman Lev Parnas.
Trump outside the White House on April 12, 2018.

Understanding the Two Mazars Subpoena Cases Before the Supreme Court [UPDATED to reflect 11/25 stay of mandate]

Two cases currently before the Supreme Court involve whether the Constitution prohibits subpoenas issued to Donald Trump’s accounting firm, Mazars USA, LLP, requiring Mazars…
Fiona Hill, the former top Russia expert on the National Security Council, testifies during the House Intelligence Committee hearing as part of the impeachment inquiry into US President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on November 21, 2019. David Holmes sits next to her.

Fiona Hill: A “Domestic Political Errand” Eclipsed the “Regular Channel” on Ukraine Policy

Hill’s testimony clarified that what had appeared to be the secretive “irregular” channel actually had sign-off from the president. And while several career officials charged…
Fiona Hill, former Special Assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump and Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs on the United States National Security Council, arrives on Capitol Hill on October 14, 2019 in Washington, DC.

White House Counsel Sends Fiona Hill Letter on “Executive Privilege” on Eve of Public Hearing

On Thursday, Deputy White House Counsel Michael M. Purpura sent a letter to Fiona Hill’s attorney setting out the administration’s views of executive privilege. The letter…
Ranking member Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) questions National Security Council Director for European Affairs Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams, adviser to Vice President Mike Pence for European and Russian affairs during testimony before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 19, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Trump and GOP Call to ID Whistleblower Exposes Glaring Gaps in Protections

There are punishments for disclosing a whistleblower's identity in such a case. But the entire system is a patchwork of laws that needs to be rethought.
Former Special Envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker is surrounded by officers and staff as he departs a closed-door deposition led by the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill on October 3, 2019 in Washington, DC. Volker resigned from his position on September 27.

Chart: Side-by-Side Comparison of Kurt Volker’s vs Other Witnesses’ Testimony in Impeachment Inquiry

It appears that Ambassador Volker lied to Congress in violation of federal law for denying knowledge or involvement in President Trump and Giuliani’s efforts to press Ukraine…
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