Commentary — The Great Anchor

The Great Anchor

Mitch McConnell looks like a hypocrite on Supreme Court nominees, but he didn't have to

Mitch McConnell looks like a hypocrite on Supreme Court nominees, but he didn't have to

SenateJames WallnerAugust 6, 2019Confirmation Process, Mitch McConnell, ConstitutionComment

The Senate is gridlocked, but not for the reason you might think

The Senate is gridlocked, but not for the reason you might think

SenateJames WallnerAugust 1, 2019GridlockComment

Why is the Senate gridlocked?

Why is the Senate gridlocked?

SenateJames WallnerJuly 31, 2019Amendments, GridlockComment

Senate GOP were better off when Harry Reid was in charge

Senate GOP were better off when Harry Reid was in charge

SenateJames WallnerJuly 26, 2019Amendments, Mitch McConnell, Harry Reid, Budget Agreement, Debt CeilingComment

Who Reaches the Pinnacle of Power in Congress, and Why?

Who Reaches the Pinnacle of Power in Congress, and Why?

CongressJames WallnerJune 26, 2019Leadership ElectionsComment

Make America Diverse Again

Make America Diverse Again

Political TheoryJames WallnerJune 12, 2019Multiculturalism, Ideology, Constitutionalism Comment

GOP overreaction to Justin Amash suggests it's a party for the party, not for the people

GOP overreaction to Justin Amash suggests it's a party for the party, not for the people

CongressJames WallnerMay 24, 2019Political Parties, Impeachment, Freedom Caucus, Justin Amash Comment

Congress hates Trump's tariffs, yet sits by idly instead of acting

Congress hates Trump's tariffs, yet sits by idly instead of acting

CongressJames WallnerMay 21, 2019Trade, Resolutions of Disapproval, Trade PolicyComment

Congress Has a Duty to Intervene in Trump’s Trade War

Congress Has a Duty to Intervene in Trump’s Trade War

Legislators started giving away their power to regulate trade almost a century ago. It’s time to take it back.

CongressJames WallnerMay 16, 2019Trade Comment

The ‘World’s Greatest Deliberative Body’? Yeah, Right.

The ‘World’s Greatest Deliberative Body’? Yeah, Right.

A proposal to change Senate rules to facilitate confirmations reveals that lawmakers aren’t up for substantive debate.

SenateJames WallnerMarch 18, 2019Nuclear Option, Rules Changes, Rule XXII, Post-Cloture Debate Comment

Senate Republicans blame Democrats for a problem the GOP helped create

Senate Republicans blame Democrats for a problem the GOP helped create

Facts are stubborn things

SenateJames WallnerFebruary 14, 2019Confirmation Process, Rules ChangesComment

McConnell maintains firm grip despite pledging to restore the Senate

McConnell maintains firm grip despite pledging to restore the Senate

Republican Leader Follows in Reid’s footsteps

SenateJames WallnerFebruary 13, 2019AmendmentsComment

Mitch McConnell said the 115th Congress was 'the best,' but it's more dysfunctional than ever

Mitch McConnell said the 115th Congress was 'the best,' but it's more dysfunctional than ever

“Most accomplished” Senate in decades avoided most important issues

Congress, SenateJames WallnerFebruary 1, 2019Legislative ProcessComment

Partisan competition is not the cause of Congress’s dysfunction

Partisan competition is not the cause of Congress’s dysfunction

Partisans work together to shut down the Senate

Political Science, CongressJames WallnerJanuary 29, 2019Partisanship Competition, Political Dysfunction, Shutdown, Government ShutdownComment

Congress Has Forgotten How to Fight

Congress Has Forgotten How to Fight

Political conflict and violent conflict are not the same thing

James WallnerJanuary 9, 2019Congress, Civil War, Politics, ViolenceComment

Real Purpose of the Senate: To Check the Actions of the House

Real Purpose of the Senate: To Check the Actions of the House

The House and Senate are necessary ingredients for institutionalized conflict

James WallnerDecember 5, 2018Senate, Bicameralism, Niccolo Machiavelli, James Madison, House of RepresentativesComment

Jeff Flake doesn't have to go gentle into that good night

Jeff Flake doesn't have to go gentle into that good night

There are better ways to force a vote protecting Mueller

James WallnerNovember 16, 2018Senate, Agenda Control, Parliamentary Procedure, Jeff Flake, Mitch McConnell, LeadershipComment

Anticipating Trouble

Anticipating Trouble

Congressional Primaries and Incumbent Behavior

James WallnerOctober 31, 2018Primary Elections, Polarization, Political Dysfunction, Legislative Process Comment

Russell Kirk and the Republican predicament

Russell Kirk and the Republican predicament

Republicans should be reading Russell Kirk

James WallnerOctober 24, 2018Republicans, Russell Kirk, Political Dysfunction, Conservatism Comment