Category Archives: Senate

Reforming Polarization and Gridlock: Series on Congressional Reform

Posted on March 14, 2012 by

For someone who studies congressional development, the past couple years have been frustrating. Many people with noble intentions proposed reforms to remedy our dysfunctional Congress. However, these discussions have almost universally missed the causes of gridlock and polarization. They offer remedies … Continue reading →

Posted in Filibuster, Legislative Politics, Legislative Procedure, Polarization, Political Institutions, Senate, Separation of Powers | 1 Comment

People know why the Senate is Weird, Quick Hit Style

Posted on January 6, 2012 by

We’re swinging back into a semi-normal routine after vacation. If you haven’t already read the BE Press Forum on the Senate, it has several very solid articles from multiple leading Senate scholars. If you have the time and interest, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Quick Hit, Senate | Leave a comment

Belatedly Breaking Silence on Filibuster Reform

Posted on March 18, 2011 by

Before I move on to the point of this post, let’s raise our glasses to the lack of filibuster reform. Without the McConnell and Reed deal, we might have changed our blog’s name to some other obscure procedural reference. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Filibuster, Legislative Theory, Senate | 4 Comments

Voting on the Coburn Amendment: Distributive or Horse Race Politics?

Posted on December 2, 2010 by

On Tuesday the Senate voted on an amendment sponsored by Tom Coburn of Oklahoma—political science’s favorite senator—that would have placed a temporary moratorium on the practice known as earmarking.  Exemplifying his disdain for the practice, Coburn in the past referred … Continue reading →

Posted in Legislative Politics, Legislative Procedure, Senate | Leave a comment

“Why won’t They Reform the Filibuster?”

Posted on November 1, 2010 by

Ezra Klein posted an article Friday about “Six things Obama has done Wrong.” His last point on the administration’s failures is their inability to change the filibuster. The filibuster has undoubtedly created problems for Democrats. As Klein mentioned, it held … Continue reading →

Posted in Filibuster, Legislative Politics, Legislative Procedure, Legislative Theory, Senate, The Presidency | 1 Comment