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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2,468 Articles
Trump holds up a chart of military hardware sales as he meets with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Oval Office at the White House on March 20, 2018 in Washington, D.C.

An “Emergency” Arms Deal: Will Congress Acquiesce in Another Blow to Its Authority?

If Congress can’t stand up to protect its own prerogatives on arms sales, then its chances of being heard on anything else will be permanently diminished.
Julian Assange leaves after speaking to the media from the balcony of the Embassy Of Ecuador on May 19, 2017 in London, England.

Assange May Have Committed a Crime, But the Espionage Act Is the Wrong Law to Prosecute

Is Wikileaks leader Julian Assange a journalist? If journalism is a profession, it is because, like other professions, it has standards and a code of ethics. As an example, a journalist…
BI Director Robert Mueller speaks during a news conference at the FBI headquarters June 25, 2008 in Washington, DC. The news conference was to mark the 5th anniversary of Innocence Lost initiative.

Mueller’s Message: The Obstruction That Nearly Halted Criminal Case Against Russians

"Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s statement on Wednesday may reset the conversation about his investigation’s findings, and how Congress and the American public move forward…

Loopholes Allow Foreign Adversaries to Legally Interfere in U.S. Elections

The Mueller Report established beyond a reasonable doubt that Russia invaded the 2016 presidential election to disrupt our democracy, harm presidential candidate Hillary Clinton…
The dome of the U.S. Capitol Buidling and the US flag.

How Impeachment Proceedings Would Strengthen Congress’s Investigatory Powers

Congressional oversight expert explains several ways in which Congress would have more legal powers to investigate President Trump for potential wrongdoing if it launches an impeachment…
A Huawei logo is displayed at a retail store in Beijing on May 23, 2019.

An Emergency or Business as Usual? Huawei and Trump’s Emergency Powers

Should the emergency declaration be used purely as leverage in a trade war, it would clearly be an abuse of the intent of emergency powers.
Julian Assange is restrained by men and police.

Indictment of Assange for Espionage Directly Threatens Press Freedoms

This article is co-published with The Bulwark.   Boy, did I ever get this wrong. Back in mid-April, when the Department of Justice unveiled an indictment of Julian Assange,…
Security personnel stand guard outside a mosque during Friday noon prayer in Colombo on May 3, 2019, following a series of bomb blasts targeting churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. Signs outside the mosque read, “Terrorism & Extremism has no place in Islam. Sufism is against terrorism.” “We stand with Christian brethren in grief. You are Us! We condemn terrorism in whatever form. Let us grieve together, let us rise together!”

In Legislation to Reduce Global Violence, Can U.S. Move Beyond a Focus on “Extremism”?

The real priority for the United States is to address not just ‘extremism’ but violent conflict overall by being clear-eyed about the complex factors driving it and what contributes…
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building in Washington DC.

Tax/Audit Reform Could Be the Legislative Purpose for Obtaining Trump’s Tax Returns

Recent congressional testimony reveals a legislative purpose for obtaining President Donald Trump's tax returns: reforming the taxing and auditing of high-income taxpayers.
US Attorney General William Barr testifies during a US House Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on the Department of Justice Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, April 9, 2019. He leans his head sideways into his hand.

When Is a “Literally True” Statement False and a Crime

"Reluctant witnesses, perhaps taking a cue from Attorney General William Barr’s April 9 testimony before a House committee, may think that so long as their testimony is literally…
A name plate for former White House Counsel Don McGahn sits on the witness table prior to a House Judiciary Committee hearing in which McGahn was subpoenaed to testify May 21, 2019 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

The Three-Level Game in the White House Effort to Block McGahn’s Testimony

"It is a wonder that the attorney general is gambling on this case, to be brought on this record, to vindicate his constitutional theory."
US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gives a thumbs-up as he is applauded during the ceremonial swear-in of Brett Kavanaugh as Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court by Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy before US President Donald Trump on October 8, 2018, at the White House in Washington, DC.

Why the Fight for the Supreme Court Became So Ugly

In a new documentary, called “Supreme Revenge,” airing Tuesday night on PBS, FRONTLINE goes back decades to tell the story of how the Supreme Court confirmation process has…
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