congress

A handy guide to all Congress happenings on both sides of the aisle. Thank goodness for this political body that keeps Presidential power in check.

False Start
January 3rd was the first day of the new session of Congress for 2023. In the fall elections, voters elected a majority of Republicans giving them control of the House of Representatives. As is always the case, the first order of business is to elect a Speaker. The former Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, is a Democrat and in the minority Party. Republicans must elect their own Speaker for the next two years. This is something that is almost pro forma—in the pre-Trump era at least.
By Robert Bowen3 years ago in The Swamp
Divided Government
In the 2022 elections, voters chose a divided government. Voters elected 222 Republicans to the House of Representatives and 213 Democrats giving Republicans control. They gave a one seat majority (51-49) to Democrats in the Senate. The White House remains in the hands of a Democrat, Joe Biden. The presidential election is not until 2024. The members of Congress for the next two years will be sworn in on Tuesday January 3rd.
By Robert Bowen3 years ago in The Swamp
Radical Plan: Make Congress Actually Vote!
» KEY POINTS Many Amendments to the Constitution are needed in order to force bills to be discussed and voted upon in a timely manner. The leaders of each chamber must have their power to control the legislative process severely curtailed so that minority voices can be heard. Legislation must be clean and single clause in order to avoid pork and allow each element to be reviewed and approved on its own. All Congresspeople must vote and cannot avoid their duty to do so.
By J.P. Prag3 years ago in The Swamp
How to Force Congress to Do Some Work for a Change
» KEY POINTS Legislative rules have not created an easy flow of discussion and movement of bills. Congress has instead unintentionally built weapons to be used against each other. The silence of the Constitution is hindering progress towards an effective Legislative Branch.
By J.P. Prag3 years ago in The Swamp
Nothing Says Christmas in America Like Gun Violence
The United States of America has one of the worst gun violence problems in the world, which is an understatement. Americans seem to think that violence in African countries or 'under-developed' countries is the worst. People will warn you of violence if you tell them you're going to South America or any African country.
By IwriteMywrongs3 years ago in The Swamp
The Day the Earth Fucked Off
I remember back when I was a young child, my mother’s wise advice: “MYOB.” “Mind your own business.” Usually said to me if I tattled on my younger brother, or stuck my quickly-growing nose into my parents' business when not invited to do so. It was not only wise advice but also a warning to fuck off before my dad would come after me with a belt.
By The Mouthy Renegade Writer3 years ago in The Swamp
Alaska Should Have 19 Senators
» KEY POINTS In order to balance power in the Senate, each State and Territory should receive a set of Senators in relation to their population and another set in relation to the amount of land they control. The Senate should increase in membership while the House of Representatives should shrink. All members of Congress should be elected on 4-year cycles that expire in the middle of Presidential terms, resulting in country-wide federal elections every 2 years.
By J.P. Prag3 years ago in The Swamp
Management is required in the China-US relationship.
The fact that US president Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping spoke on Monday is the most encouraging thing. The two biggest economies in the world's relations have been deteriorating at an alarming rate; according to some reports, Chinese officials recently stalled preparations for a meeting between the two men outside of Bali's G20 summit. But the world has already witnessed the Ukraine conflict escalate into a full-scale invasion by Vladimir Putin of Russia. Even more disastrous would be a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
By Nourish3 years ago in The Swamp
How We Can Have Actual Representation in Government
» KEY POINTS The House of Representatives should be elected directly by the people through proportional voting for Political Parties. The Federal Government needs to get out of the business of defining what is a Political Party in order to break the Democrat/Republican oligopoly. 4.4 million people living in the Territories should have just as many rights to representation as those living in States.
By J.P. Prag3 years ago in The Swamp
Yes, Congress Really is a Bunch of Old, Rich, White, Christian, Hetero, Misaligned Men
» KEY POINTS Congress does not reflect the American people in the most fundamental and even superficial ways. Political alignment, gender/sexuality, race, religion, age, earnings, net worth, and education of Congresspeople do not even come close to the electorate. There is no amount of law, policy, redistricting, quota filling, or any other method that can change the current situation.
By J.P. Prag3 years ago in The Swamp
Winner Takes All is a Losers System
» KEY POINTS An elected official in the House of Representatives or the Senate cannot cover the will of all their constituents. Their only concern is getting just enough votes to beat their opponents, not actually being the voice of many different people in Congress. Only by eliminating the "winner takes all" system of elections can every person have their views raised in the federal government.
By J.P. Prag3 years ago in The Swamp
I’m Not Thankful To Be An American. Top Story - November 2022.
Well, it’s Thanksgiving Weekend 2022. A day of family, friends, food, and thankfulness. I have a lot to be thankful for. I’m thankful for many things this year. One of the new ones for me is being thankful for being a writer. I couldn’t say the same last Thanksgiving. I’m thankful for the opportunity to write so many blogs and to make so many wonderful friends. It’s been awesome to have a voice these past 11 months.
By The Mouthy Renegade Writer3 years ago in The Swamp