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.
2,468 Articles

Congress Wakes Up, Finally Decides to Tackle Kleptocracy
A brief overview of some of the bills in question, including the most important piece of anti-kleptocracy legislation the U.S. has ever seen,

Getting the Jay Treaty Right on “Executive Privilege”
A central historical claim in ongoing debates about the president's ability to keep diplomatic correspondence from the House of Representatives is not just flawed, but gets the…

Know Your Rights: Conversations with Congress
Federal employees have the right to communicate with Congress free from intimidation, bullying and unfair harassment.

Trump’s Extortion of Ukraine Is an Impeachable Abuse of Power
The publicly known facts about President Trump’s interactions with Ukraine constitute a prima facie case for impeachment based on abuse of presidential power.

For Scientific Integrity in Government, Fix Political Appointments Process
The Brennan Center's National Task Force on Rule of Law and Democracy recommends ways to rein in abuses by converting long-held norms into law.

Ukrainian Funding Delay Created a Paper Trail That Congress Should Follow
The Office of Management and Budget prevented the release of the Ukraine funding through its apportionment authority, a bureaucratic process that necessarily creates a paper trail.

Pompeo’s Letter Is the Trump Administration’s Opening Salvo of Obstruction
The Trump administration now seems to be reverting to its previous strategy of total obstruction based on maximalist interpretations of executive authority.

Greg Craig: The Government’s Latest Swing at FARA Enforcement & What Comes Next
In an offshoot of the Paul Manafort case in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, former Obama White House counsel and veteran Washington lobbyist Greg Craig was acquitted…

Deciphering the Pompeo-House Clash Over Witnesses
Top congressional oversight expert breaks it down — what are the competing claims, and which ones are stronger or weaker?

There Is No Constitutional Impediment to an Impeachment Inquiry that Concerns National Security
The Constitution assigns the House of Representatives the impeachment power precisely to address situations where an urgent national security risk means accountability can’t…

Top Expert Backgrounder: Trump’s Impeachment–What Comes Next?
Yale Law School's Harold Koh describes the next set of decisions on the current road to impeachment of President Trump.

The Iceberg’s Tip: Ukraine Phone Call and the Months-Long Conspiracy to Violate Federal Campaign Finance Laws
Top election law expert writes about "the absurdity of the Justice Department’s refusal to investigate."