News
President-Elect Obama Off to a Good Start, Panelists Agree
Nov 18, 2008At a Congress Project seminar, a panel of former White House aides, a journalist, and a congressional scholar agreed that Barack Obama's actions during the White House transition will help ensure him legislative success with Congress.
Financial Crisis Will Limit Options of New President and Congress
Sep 24, 2008Both presidential candidates as well as Congress have begun preparing for the transition to a new administration. But the current market meltdown will shuffle their plans, said panelists at a Congress Project roundtable.
Reflecting on Issues Close to Congress
Dec 03, 2007Three Wilson Center directors visited St. Edwards University in Austin to discuss political, economic, and environmental issues currently being debated in the U.S. Congress.
Has Our Legislative Branch Lost Its Institutional Bearings?
Mar 26, 2007Are Members of Congress ignoring their responsibilities to preserve and protect the institution's dignity and character, and does this portend a danger for our representative democracy?
Congressional Ethics Enforcement: Is Congress Fulfilling Its Constitutional Role?
Jan 25, 2007The constitutional role of the House of Representatives to police its Members for misconduct has been been non-functional for most of the last two years due to partisan in-fighting. Putting the system back on track for the good of the House and nation will require a commitment by leaders of both parties. Exactly what procedural changes are necessary may still be a matter of contention.
Individual Privacy in a New Security Age
Jul 03, 2006Privacy issues are at the forefront of public debate, as the U.S. government strives to balance privacy with security. A recent Congress Project seminar delved into this issue.
Energy Policy: Waiting for Change
Jul 01, 2005Congress Project Director Don Wolfensberg discusses his observations on Congress's squabbles over energy policy.
The Politics of Energy
Jul 01, 2005As gasoline prices remain high across the nation and Congress grapples with creating a national energy policy, the Wilson Center held several meetings exploring energy politics--from the current bill's passage through Congress to Asia's growing demand for natural gas, to the increased need for U.S.-Canada cooperation over the gas supply.
Congress and the Politics of Energy Policy
May 16, 2005The 109th Congress is once again attempting to forge a national energy policy after failing to do so in the last several Congresses. At this Congress Project seminar, a panel of Capitol Hill policymakers and observers discussed the prospects for enacting an energy bill in this Congress.
Past Ethics Task Forces Are a Good Model for House Restoration
Apr 29, 2005Congress Project Director Don Wolfensberger urges House to emulate past bipartisan ethics task forces to overcome partisanship and strengthen the institution.