Author: Daniel Schuman

FBF: It’s almost recess, but first Chevron, IGs, and committee video (7/29/2024)

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The House of Representatives cut short the legislative session on Thursday and won’t be back in town until September 9th. At that point, they’ll have three weeks to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government.

The Senate will leave town later this week and won’t reconvene until September 9th.

Loving criticism. I spill my not-so-secret plan to revive and reinvigorate the Congressional Research Service in the Washington Monthly. Tell me what you think.

Cybersecurity. If you’re a district staffer concerned about personal cybersecurity, sign up for training on July 31st hosted by the American Governance Institute, the R Street Institute, and Demand Progress.

Nominations. The Senate Rules Committee scheduled a July 30th hearing on Senate procedures to confirm nominees. Witnesses include Elizabeth Rybicki and Sean Stiff, both from CRS, and Jenny Mattingley, currently at the Partnership for Public Service and formerly at OMB and the Senior Executives Association.

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FBF: The Post-Biden Era: 7/22/2024

July 22, 2024

Good morning and welcome back to what likely will be an insane two weeks before the August recess. As we get started, a few programming notes.

The next edition of the First Branch Forecast will come from news@firstbranchforecast.com. Please add that email to your address book, whitelist it, or say whatever incantation is necessary for it to make it into your inbox.

A virtual cybersecurity class for district staff will be hosted by yours truly at the American Governance Institute, the R Street Institute, and Demand Progress on July 31. Its focus is general cybersecurity advice concerning personal accounts used by congressional staff. Cybercriminals are happy to target staff and they don’t distinguish between your professional and personal accounts, but personal accounts are generally outside the scope of support provided by Congress. If you’re a district staffer, RSVP here.

Presidential politics is generally outside of this newsletter’s scope, but I must note Pres. Biden’s written statement, posted on Twitter, that he will end his campaign to seek reelection as president. Biden had faced criticism owing to concerns about declining capabilities to serve, declining electability, and possibly owing to the policy preferences of those who wished him to step aside. He endorsed Vice President Harris as his political successor. This Yahoo! profile explores how she behaved in the Senate.

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FBF: What a week! July 15, 2024

There’s a lot happening in the world, but we will stay focused on Congress. Welcome to the First Branch Forecast. But first…

Other News In Brief

Former Pres. Trump was the apparent victim of an assassination attempt. This is a developing news story, so please remember that early news reports are not always accurate. Political violence is unacceptable.

The Republican National Convention is this week.

President Biden is resisting entreaties to drop out of the race as Democrats publicly and privately encourage him to step aside out of concern for his health and electability.

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FBF: We’re back! Week of July 8, 2024

Good morning and happy belated 4th of July! Did you miss receiving the First Branch Forecast? Well, we’re back and at our new home at the American Governance Institute.

It seems a few things happened while we were on hiatus. As usual, we’re going to stay focused on building a strong Congress, an accountable Executive branch, and a durable democracy.

Today’s issue is abbreviated, so let me name-check:

  • The Supreme Court’s striking down of Chevron review, which is more about transferring power to the federal courts than to Congress. Everyone seems to want to do Congress’s job, which is reason #1 why Congress should act to strengthen itself.
  • The Supreme Court’s creation of presidential immunity for official actions, which allows a president to commit unlawful acts without criminal accountability. Surely this won’t potentially create problems should a certain ex-president return to office.
  • President Biden’s disastrous debate performance raised big questions about his competency, implicating the 25th Amendment, the ability of the press to learn about a president’s health and to accurately report that information, and what role (if any) there is for members of Congress in pushing out an incumbent. I think we’re about to break another precedent, folks.
  • Several criminal and ethics proceedings against members, including Rep. Cuellar and Sen. Menendez.
  • Did you think this would be the Congress where we saw an attempt to revive inherent contempt? There’s nothing inherently wrong with it, with some civil society groups and members pushing for a fix in the last Congress.
  • Oh, and that funny Supreme Court is making enforcement of rules by agencies much harder.

Since this newsletter is coming to you from a new email address – firstbranch@americalabs.org –  please be sure to add it to your address book and forward it to anyone who might be interested. (They can subscribe here.) You can always email me directly at daniel@americalabs.org.

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