Something New: UnderstandingCongress.org

A new source for nonpartisan information and analysis on Congress

I have soft-launched this new site, which builds off my Understanding Congress podcast.

What’s it about?

In short, UnderstandingCongress.org aims to explain the what, why, and how of Congress. There you will find:

• directions on how to see what bills are being considered and passed by Congress;

• explainers on how the budget process works (and fails);

• data on the funding and resources of Congress;

• analyses of Congress’s interactions with the executive and judicial branches;

• information on and recommendations to reform Congress; and

• lots more.

The site’s design is still being worked on and improved, but go ahead and please have a look!

Much of the content is curated; some will be original. I have loaded some content into it but there is so much more to add.

This is where you come in—send me any great explainers you have! Topics covered include: budget process, committees, congressional history, congressional reform, chamber leadership, elections, legislative process, staffing/resources, and who serves/has served in Congress.

I am looking for articles, blogposts, reports, videos, podcasts, books, etc. that are authoritative, explanatory, and evergeen (viz., no mere flash-in-the-pan commentary). I also want content that is readable by non-political scientists and not locked behind paywalls. Please send me your suggestions!

Why am I building this site?

Because Congress is essential and so little understood.

The US Constitution made our national legislature the center of our representative governance system. It is the only branch built to work through our diverse nation’s disagreements and seek consensus. To have a nation of laws we need to have a national legislature that leads on policymaking (rather than letting the executive and courts make policy on the fly.)

Most importantly of all, Congress is supposed to serve we the people and to do so within our consitutional ssytem. The more we understand Congress, the better we can select its members and judge their performance.

My hope is that the site will be of use to everyone, whether you are a wonk, a high school or college student, a member of the media, a person in the advocacy or policy worlds, or a citizen who wants to better understand how Capitol Hill works (and fails).

Please let me know what you think!