Congress
683 Articles

The Just Security Podcast: Eliminating the Judicial “Blue Slip”
An obscure process called the “blue slip,” allows a single Senator to stop a judicial nomination in its tracks.

Dear Senator Durbin, It’s Time to End the “Blue Slip” for Judicial Nominees
It's long past time for the Senate to abandon the anti-democratic "blue slip" process for judicial nominations.

Members of Congress Shouldn’t Trade Stocks, But Even in Solutions Loopholes Remain
Most lawmakers agree that the guardrails surrounding congressional stock trading are insufficient, but not all solutions are created equal.

Treaty Negotiations with Pacific Island Nations Must Address Accountability Gaps
In its decades-long relationship with the Marshall Islands, Palau, and Micronesia, "the United States has refused to fulfill the most basic requirement of allyship: accountability.…

Rep. Jordan’s Dangerous New Panel is Nothing Like the Church Committee
The 1970’s era probe of executive branch intelligence abuse was honest oversight that spurred improvements benefiting the American people.

The Treasury Department’s Material Support Carveouts are a Welcomed First Step – But Congress Must Act to Create a Sustainable Fix
Congress needs to pass legislation to expand vital protections for NGOs delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance.

Gutting Congress’ Ethics Office Was a Disaster – and an Opportunity
The House "gutting their own ethics regulator with their first vote in Congress was so obviously unethical, so clearly about maintaining power and avoiding accountability, that…

Setting the Board: Congressional Investigations and the New House Rules Package
Expert Explainer on the new House of Representatives' Rules Package and what it means for investigations and oversight.

Congress Mandates Sweeping Transparency Reforms for International Agreements
"While there are still important gaps in the oversight regime, this legislative enactment represents the most significant transparency reform for international agreements in a…

The FY 2023 NDAA Falls Short on Security Assistance Oversight
The NDAA did little to address the civilian harm, corruption, and weapons diversion linked to U.S. security assistance and cooperation.

Incremental Progress on Civilian Harm in the FY2023 National Defense Bill
The NDAA includes much-needed measures to prevent and respond to civilian harm resulting from U.S. military operations abroad.

Missed Opportunities and Minor Progress: The FY 2023 National Defense Bill and War Powers
One big disappointing omission and otherwise a mixed bag from the standpoint of winding down the United States’ forever wars -- despite leaders of both parties having proclaimed…