After years of fighting, the Senate has reached a compromise regarding the use of Russian rocket engines for U.S. military space launches. The agreement lifts the ban implemented in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act until 2022, after which the Pentagon can no longer issue launch contracts to firms using Russian made rockets. “Firms,” … Continue reading
Following an election, market participants strive to explore the new political landscape. Pundits are commenting, and slowly but surely, people discover what the new landscape looks like. Interestingly though, if you ask political economists (sometimes called Public Choice economists) the most fascinating aspect of an election is perhaps not what parties gain control of which houses of … Continue reading
Primary season is still in progress, yet this election cycle has already been one of the most rancorous in recent memory. Whether the race is about a Democrat in a Red State, a tea party challenger running against the establishment, or a tight race in a swing state, all the Senate races have one thing … Continue reading
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted on the bill that will approve the Keystone XL pipeline this past Wednesday, June 18th, 2014. The bill was approved in the panel, but it is unclear whether or not it will pass in the entire Senate. The Keystone Pipeline bill is a proposed bill that would … Continue reading
A wave of high-profile retirement announcements continues to sweep through Congress. Consequently, there will be significant shifts of power within both chambers, as well as electoral developments that have the potential to change which party controls the Senate in the 114th Congress. New committee chairmanships and open-seat elections will have significant implications for both the … Continue reading
Recently, a new piece of legislation has hit the senate floor; one that entails expanding current sanctions on Iran as well as creating new sanctions for the purpose of impeding Iran from attaining nuclear weapons. This bill comes at a time when talks and a Joint Plan of Action (JPA) have already been made in … Continue reading
Senate Democrats, led by Harry Reid (D-NV), eliminated the filibuster option in November, killing any chance for Senate Republicans to have a say in executive, appellate and district nominees. In other words, President Obama can put anyone he wants into power with a little help from his friends in the Senate. Traditionally, Senate Rules have … Continue reading
While Senator Ted Cruz’s September 24 speech condemning the Affordable Care Act was not technically a filibuster, the length of time he spent talking without yielding the floor is notable in the history of speeches delivered in the Senate. Filibusters are intended to delay or prevent voting on a piece of legislation. A senator may … Continue reading
In the past weeks U.S. Representative Steve King, a Republican from Iowa’s 4th district, has emerged as the leader of the anti-immigration reform coalition in the House. Cantaloupes and drug mules aside, King has become the face of conservative opposition to any proposed reform that includes a pathway to citizenship, or even legal status. King’s … Continue reading
Over the course of the past few weeks, the Senate has been more hectic than usual. There has been much debate over the use of filibusters in the Senate, and the more often than not useless delays that they have been causing. Historically, the filibuster has been a way to obtain a bipartisan compromise; but … Continue reading
