On Capitol Hill, a Day of Celebration and Gnawing Memories

by Margaret Carlson January 8, 2025January 8, 2025

The biennial swearing-in day for members of Congress and the quadrennial count of presidential electors went off as smoothly as a Tesla, but no one could forget four years ago.

Politics

California’s Stifled Voice on Foreign Policy

by Markos Kounalakis May 29, 2024May 28, 2024

There are no Californians on the Senate Intelligence, Armed Services, and Foreign Relations Committees. Why that’s bad for all Americans.

Politics

Marjorie Taylor Greene, Bowed But Not Broken

by Margaret Carlson May 8, 2024May 8, 2024

Her latest attempt to knock off a House Speaker ran into the calm determination of Mike Johnson. How long can she stay muzzled?

Politics

As 2023 Ends, Hold Your Political Pundits Accountable!

by Bill Scher December 28, 2023December 28, 2023

The Washington Monthly’s politics editor and columnist on the three big things he got right and one that didn’t quite hit the target.

Politics

The Washington Monthly Newsletter: December 7, 2023

by Bill Scher December 7, 2023December 8, 2023

“Is Speaker Mike Johnson In Over His Head?” and the latest from the Washington Monthly website.

Main

Mike Johnson Is Not an Upgrade from Kevin McCarthy

by Bill Scher October 26, 2023October 26, 2023

The new speaker’s record doesn’t inspire confidence he will make Washington functional. But squint, and you’ll see glimmers of hope.

Politics

Crossing the (Jim) Jordan

by Matthew Cooper October 15, 2023October 17, 2023

There are so many reasons why Republicans would be bonkers to elect Representative Jim Jordan as Speaker of the House on Tuesday. The first is that the twitchy, shirt-sleeved House Judiciary Committee Chairman and one of the founders of the House Freedom Caucus is not the face a normal GOP would want to put before […]