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

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.

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…

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…

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…

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.

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,…

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…

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.

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…

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."

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…