Obama Demands That Congress Do ‘the Work of Self-Government’ Obama Demands That Congress Do ‘the Work of Self-Government’
The emotional highpoint of a bold and progressive speech was a demand that Congress address gun violence.
Feb 13, 2013 / John Nichols
Wait, Harry Reid Can Ignore Holds? Wait, Harry Reid Can Ignore Holds?
Why does the Senate majority leader let senators’ holds kill some nominations, but not others?
Feb 12, 2013 / George Zornick
Eliminating Saturday Postal Service Threatens Vote-by-Mail Democracy Eliminating Saturday Postal Service Threatens Vote-by-Mail Democracy
Election officals across the country express concerns about the USPS move to cut delivery. Congress should take note and block the cut.
Feb 8, 2013 / John Nichols
What We Will Lose When Tom Harkin Leaves the Senate What We Will Lose When Tom Harkin Leaves the Senate
An FDR Democrat who got big things done, the retiring senator has been a rare moral voice in a chamber of compromise and cynicism—especially on human rights issues.
Feb 1, 2013 / John Nichols
Appointing Senators, Be They Republicans or Democrats, Is Wrong Appointing Senators, Be They Republicans or Democrats, Is Wrong
Massachusetts Governor Patrick skips over Barney Frank and picks a personal “ally” to join two other appointed-rather-than-elected senators.
Jan 30, 2013 / John Nichols
There Was No Reason to Surrender on Filibuster Reform There Was No Reason to Surrender on Filibuster Reform
There’s a lot of unconvincing spin coming from the Senate Democrats who brokered an awful “filibuster reform” deal with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Thu...
Jan 24, 2013 / George Zornick
New Congressional Task Force on Climate Change Aims to ‘Break Through Barricades of Denial’ New Congressional Task Force on Climate Change Aims to ‘Break Through Barricades of Denial’
Obama now has allies in Congress for his new climate change push, who will also turn to the public for help.
Jan 24, 2013 / George Zornick
Filibuster Reform Is Essential to Enacting Gun-Safety Legislation Filibuster Reform Is Essential to Enacting Gun-Safety Legislation
Every evidence suggests, in the absence of the reforms proposed by Senators Jeff Merkley and Elizabeth Warren, any debate about meaningful gun-safety legislation will be preempted,...
Jan 18, 2013 / John Nichols
Congressional Progressives: Abolish the Debt Ceiling Congressional Progressives: Abolish the Debt Ceiling
Some members want to end this standoff over the debt ceiling—and all others.
Jan 17, 2013 / George Zornick
For Kerry’s Seat, Party Activists Push Barney Frank Online For Kerry’s Seat, Party Activists Push Barney Frank Online
Although Governor Deval Patrick said it won’t affect his choice of a replacement, the petition drive could raise pressure to involve citizens in the process.
Jan 14, 2013 / Ari Melber