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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House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) holds up copies of the Starr Report during a House Judiciary Committee markup vote on a resolution to issue a subpoena to the Justice Department to receive the full unredacted Mueller report, on Capitol Hill April 3, 2019 in Washington, DC.

The Barr-Nadler Subpoena Standoff: Still Room for Accommodation?

In its standoff with the House Judiciary Committee over the Mueller report, the Justice Department’s assertions when it comes to protecting its law enforcement equities, are…
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) presides over a mark-up hearing where members may vote to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for not providing an unredacted copy of special prosecutor Robert Mueller's report in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill May 08, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Q&A on House-Justice Dept Showdown Over Release of Unredacted Mueller Report and Contempt of Congress

We asked top expert Andy Wright, who has served in both the White House Counsel's Office and on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) chairs the House Oversight Committee as Michael Cohen, former attorney and fixer for President Donald Trump testifies on Capitol Hill February 27, 2019 in Washington, DC.

The Mazars USA Subpoena as an Existential Threat to President Trump

The ‘friendly’ subpoena recently served on the tax and accounting firm Mazars USA seeking client records related to Donald J. Trump and the Trump Organization may not have…
Four adult civilians and three children was among the remains of a factory after a reported airstrike by Saudi-led coalition in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, on January 20, 2019.

Getting Past the Veto on Ending Yemen War: How Congress’ Next Moves Can Succeed

Congress can now take two paths to end Yemen War, in light of President's Trump successful veto. A short-term and long-term strategy.
Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten, Patrick M. Shanahan, Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of the Air Force Heather A. Wilson listen during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 11, 2019 in Washington, DC.

The Pentagon’s 2018 Civilian Casualties Report: What’s In It and What’s Next

The Pentagon’s latest annual report, released this morning, lists shockingly low numbers of "credible" civilian casualties. It also illustrated the need for better processes…
Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) waits to start a House Judiciary Committee hearing where Attorney General Robert Barr declined to appear, Capitol Hill on May 2, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Amid the Nadler-Barr Standoff: Some History of Struggles Over Hearing Processes

Attorney General William Barr refused to appear before the House Judiciary Committee at its hearing today on the Mueller Report, further escalating the battle between the executive…
U.S. Attorney General William Barr leans his head sideways onto his hand as he testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee May 1, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Barr and Congress: Is the Focus on Criminality Too Narrow?–Five Experts Weigh In

The Senate Judiciary Committee’s questioning of Attorney General William Barr yesterday raises the question of whether Congress, in responding to the findings in Special Counsel…
Attorney General nominee William Barr testifies at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee January 15, 2019 in Washington, DC.

What Congress Should Ask Bill Barr When He Testifies

Think we are missing some crucial questions? Send us a note (lte@justsecurity.org) and we can add your question to the list with attribution.
President John F. Kennedy's murderer Lee Harvey Oswald during a press conference after his arrest in Dallas.

JFK Records Suit Tests CIA Secrecy on Assassination

Morley v. CIA has wound its way through the courts for 16 years, and revealed some juicy nuggets along the way. The plaintiff, who is the biographer of two top CIA operations officers,…
U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) speaks as Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and other democrats listen during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol January 4, 2019 in Washington, DC.

A Caution on Congressional Subpoenas and “Constitutional Crisis”

Last week, as part of its ongoing investigation into White House security clearance procedures, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform subpoenaed former White House personnel…
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford and Patrick M. Shanahan, Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense, are seen before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 11, 2019 in Washington, DC.

New DoD Policy on Amends Needs to Address Transparency Gap

New information from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) reveals a previously unrecognized transparency gap in the U.S. military’s efforts to acknowledge and address civilian…

The (Redacted) Mueller Report: First Takes from the Experts

A roundup of leading experts' views on the publicly released — and redacted — Mueller report.
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