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Congress

Politics Keeps Driving Out the People Who Want to Reform It
Jared Golden is the latest problem-solving politician to decide Congress isn’t worth the cost. And so the doom loop takes another turn.
 • Lee Drutman
How Democrats could win a shutdown fight, and why they won’t
Notes on a theory of strategic conflict (Or: why Democrats should stop rehearsing Bach fugues for a punk rock battle of the bands)
 • Lee Drutman
Why America Has the World's Oldest Politicians
How our creaky electoral system created the most advanced gerontocracy on earth.
 • Lee Drutman
One "Big Beautiful Bill" and the calculated confidence of unapologetic unpopularity
Or: How participation gaps, policy design, and status-driven voting let Republicans keep doing reverse Robin Hoods.
 • Lee Drutman
What if Congress had more than two parties?
Proportional representation could create a more functional Congress. A new report outlines how and why it just might work.
 • Lee Drutman
Wither the Senate?
Thoughts and charts on the bias and legitimacy of America's distinctly malapportioned upper chamber
 • Lee Drutman
The 2024 House Elections Present a Very Odd Vision of Democracy
Does your vote matter? Thanks to our antiquated system of single-winner districts, the answer is probably: NO. Here’s why. PLUS: how to fix it to make…
 • Lee Drutman
Wanted: A few reasonable people to run for Congress
Must be willing to put up with toxic dysfunction, constant threats of violence, tireless fundraising, long travel. American needs you.
 • Lee Drutman
There are many ways to organize a House of Representatives. Not all involve a powerful speaker.
A short history lesson to expand our imagination.
 • Lee Drutman
The U.S. House has sailed into dangerously uncharted territory. There’s no going back.
Seven data points mapping the weirdness of this moment, and a plea for reform.
 • Lee Drutman
GOP learns the hard way: Turning the base up too high blows out your Speaker
Plus, my take on Independent Sinema, and: why do we all feel like political losers these days?
 • Lee Drutman
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