Senate
64 Articles
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Does the McConnell amendment provide a justification for military operations against Iran?
The Senate’s rebuke of President Trump announcing a precipitous withdrawal from Syria creates dangerous ambiguity as to whether confronting Iran should be considered part of…
Taking Stock of the FBI’s Role in Senate Confirmations after Kavanaugh
I previously wrote that at least some of Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation challenges are symptomatic of the White House’s general disdain of the vetting process. That may seem…
New Atrocities Prevention & Response Legislation Introduced
I posted earlier about a new bipartisan bill to advance accountability in Syria: the Syrian War Crimes Accountability Act of 2017 (current status is here). Two additional pieces…
Guilty Pleas For GTMO Detainees (Without Ever Setting Foot on US Soil)
Last week Steve wrote about the then-not-yet public provision in the Senate version of the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would permit Guantánamo detainees…
The Senate Killed JASTA, Then Passed It…
About a month ago, I wrote a long primer on JASTA (the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act), a bill that is designed to make it far easier for 9/11 victims and their families…
The State Department’s Records and Response Problems Are Not New, They’re Systemic
The State Department’s records management, FOIA compliance, and oversight responsiveness have endured withering scrutiny in court and on Capitol Hill since disclosure of Hillary…
Sen. Paul’s Great Surveillance ‘Filibuster’ and What to Expect Next
Senator Rand Paul, joined by Senator Wyden and other surveillance reform advocates, as well as five members of the House of Representatives, spent much of last night on the Senate…
Senator McConnell’s Modest Proposal to Reform Section 215: Don’t!
With only 14 legislative days remaining (in the House, anyway) before Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act (which the government argues, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance…
Actual text (!) of the Corker/Cardin Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015
Perhaps you’ve read a few–even a few dozen–stories describing the negotiated compromise legislation that passed unanimously out of the Senate Foreign Relations…
Kaine’s Proposed AUMF Would Allow Limited Ground Combat Against ISIL
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), this morning released a draft proposal of an AUMF against the Islamic State that would authorize American ground troops to engage in limited combat in Iraq…
DOJ and ODNI Support the Senate Version of the USA FREEDOM Act
The headline won’t surprise those who have been following the surveillance reform debate. But on August 19, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Leahy sent a letter to Attorney…
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on the AUMF after Iraq and Afghanistan
This morning at 10:00am, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is holding an important hearing on the future of the AUMF after Iraq and Afghanistan. Testifying before the committee…