VA constitutional amendments: How their 2-session rule works
On this episode: Not every law or amendment makes it to the ballot overnight. In Virginia, proposed constitutional amendments must pass through two legislative sessions—with an election in-between—bef...
30 Jan 202512min
What DOGE can learn from Clinton's effort to 'reinvent government' in the '90s
On this episode: Dr. Elaine Kamarck helped lead the National Performance Review in the 90s as part of the Clinton administration. It was nicknamed REGO for “reinventing government,” and focused on cut...
28 Jan 202530min
Budget reconciliation, explained
On this episode: The budget reconciliation process occurs if Congress passes a budget resolution for the fiscal year that gives reconciliation instructions. It’s used to override the filibuster and ex...
24 Jan 202521min
How state legislatures might change election laws this year
On this episode: Every year, state lawmakers consider thousands of bills that would change how Americans vote and how officials administer elections. Most states — 44 — have already started their leg...
22 Jan 202523min
The Congressional Review Act's big role in enacting Trump’s agenda
On this episode: When the Congressional Review Act was signed into law in 1996 by Bill Clinton, it gave Congress a way to hit pause on federal agency rules they believe have gone too far or otherwise ...
16 Jan 202517min
The difference between executive orders and other presidential actions, and why it matters
On this episode: Donald Trump returns to the White House next week hoping to hit the ground running, eager to enact his agenda as quickly as possible. A primary tool in his arsenal are executive order...
14 Jan 202518min
The most important election this year might be happening in your backyard
On this episode:This number might be a little hard to believe, but did you know that there are more than 500,000 elected officials in the United States? Less than 1% of them are at the federal level…w...
9 Jan 202515min
Citizen Initiatives: The history of giving power to the people
On this episode: If you live in one of the 26 states where citizens can put laws directly on the ballot, you’ve probably seen ballot measures pop up during elections—deciding everything from property ...
17 Dec 20241h 24min
