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Press Releases

Bipartisan Support for Surveillance Reform on Display at House Judiciary Committee Hearing

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WASHINGTON, DC — During this morning’s House Judiciary Committee hearing, everyone from Ranking Member Nadler to Subcommittee Chair Biggs celebrated and demonstrated the bipartisan appetite for robust reform of warrantless surveillance that affects people in the United States. In response to the hearing, Demand Progress Senior Policy Counsel Sean Vitka issued the following statement: “There is no … Continued

Press Releases

Demand Progress in support of Somalia WPR

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WASHINGTON, DC — On Thursday, the House will vote on H.Con.Res.30, a war powers resolution introduced by Representative Matt Gaetz. The bill would remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Somalia a year after its passage. During that period, Congress would be able to debate and vote on the continued presence of U.S. military in Somalia. Ahead … Continued

First Branch Forecast

First Branch Forecast for April 24, 2023: Norms and power

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TOP LINE Countermajoritarianism defined the week, as it has this Congress. House leadership unveiled an unserious debt limit proposal designed to hold their factions together while they hope Dems make an unforced error. Senate Republicans, meanwhile, stand athwart majority rule in the Judiciary Committee. Senate Democrats can reclaim their power, but only if they stick … Continued

Press Releases

Statement on the FBI’s Release of Updated FISA Guidelines

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WASHINGTON, DC — The FBI just released two documents regarding queries of information collected under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA): the “FBI FISA Query Guidance,” and the “FBI FISA Query Guidance Nutshell.” In response to this news, Demand Progress Senior Policy Counsel Sean Vitka issued the following statement: “These two documents do nothing to prove that the … Continued

First Branch Forecast

First Branch Forecast for April 17, 2023: Welcome back, Congress

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TOP LINE Without unified majority control and frequent long-term absences, the Senate hasn’t been much more than a conveyor belt for judicial nominations this Congress. The possibility that Senator Dianne Feinstein may extend her absence and not return at all to the body potentially stalls out even that function as the Judiciary Committee deadlocks. The … Continued

First Branch Forecast

First Branch Forecast for April 10, 2023: Keeping up appearances

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TOP LINE One of us is back from a trip that included a stop in (no kidding) Indonesia. Unfortunately, the journey, while lovely, was not paid for by a friendly billionaire. We’re reminded during this recess of the unique role Congress holds to preserve our democratic system both by holding the other branches to account … Continued

First Branch Forecast

First Branch Forecast for April 3, 2023: No Foolin’

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TOP LINE Friends, in the last issue we promised that we’re taking a break until April 17th, which we are, we swear. But because there’s been a lot of news this past week, we’re going to point you in the right direction for a few items and leave it at that. As you know, Congress … Continued

First Branch Forecast

First Branch Forecast for March 27, 2023: Jello Pudding

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TOP LINE The House majority is approaching a crossroads. In order to fulfill its aspirations of a strong Congress with more member input, it needs to continue reinvestment in the capacity of Congress. Some deficit hawks, however, are pushing toward shrinking Congress in a way that undercuts these aspirations. The irony is that cutting the … Continued

First Branch Forecast

First Branch Forecast for March 20, 2023: Keep the MRA Funded

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TOP LINE The contrast of fast and slow continues to stand out to us in this new Congress. The House is prepping its appropriations work with breakneck speed, while the Senate will stretch its process out at a more leisurely pace. With only themselves to respond to the baking crisis that emerged suddenly, Senators chose … Continued

First Branch Forecast

Don’t Slash Hill Staff Pay Says Left-Right Coalition

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There’s a growing effort this appropriations season to decrease Member Representational Allowance (MRA) funds, which would inevitably result in lower pay for congressional staff, something a new coalition led by Demand Progress is fighting. Today, Demand Progress sent a bipartisan letter to leadership on the House Committee on Appropriations, urging them to retain MRA funding … Continued