Category Archives: legislation and legislatures

Potential Major Development in the Senate: Reid Triggers Nuclear Option for First Time

October 6, 2011, 4:59 pmlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

This could have all kinds of implications for judicial nominations and the workings of the Senate across a range of issues if it is not quickly diffused. Either this gets dialed back quickly or it escalates, and it does so… Continue reading

‘‘Good government’ rules that aren’t”

October 2, 2011, 4:41 pmlegislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

D. Mark Renaud and Robert L. Walker have written this WaPo oped, which seems right to me, about the new proposed Obama administration ethics rules.

“Eleventh-hour lawmaking with morning-after questions; Passed in the chaos of the Legislature’s last hours, a senator’s ‘gut and amend’ bill on notifying women about breast cancer risks could bring a multimillion-dollar windfall to a firm in his district.”

September 28, 2011, 7:35 amlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

The LA Times on “gut and amend.”

“In recent decades, Congress has repeatedly crafted laws that weaken or disregard the notion of criminal intent.”

September 27, 2011, 9:00 pmlegislation and legislatures, statutory interpretationRick Hasen

Fascinating WSJ article.

Scratching Head Department

September 27, 2011, 12:23 pmcampaigns, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Perdue suggests suspending Congressional elections for two years — was she serious?’ (via Byron Tau)

Politico: “Obama plan gets chilly reception from K Street”

September 23, 2011, 7:45 amlegislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Here.

“Lobbyists Line Up to Sway Special Committee”

September 21, 2011, 9:23 pmcampaign finance, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

The NY Times reports.

“Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch; Proposed Amendments Limiting Gifts From Registered Lobbyists and Lobbying Organizations”

September 20, 2011, 2:40 pmcampaign finance, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Notice and comment period for proposed rules (h/t Mark Elias).

“Congressional Millionaires To Weigh Obama’s Proposed ‘Buffett Rule'”

September 20, 2011, 1:41 pmcampaign finance, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

This item appears at the Open Secrets blog.

“Bundlers Poised for Power over Supercommittee”

September 19, 2011, 8:00 amcampaign finance, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

An important report from Politico.

“Side Jobs Bolster Some Lawmakers’ Paychecks”

September 18, 2011, 10:16 pmconflict of interest laws, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

WSJreports.

“Congress finds, and lists, meaning in Constitution”

September 18, 2011, 10:13 pmlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

“Lobbying Reform Push Lacks a Scandalous Spark”

September 14, 2011, 9:22 pmlegislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Politico reports. [Disclosure: I was a member of the task force discussed in this article.]

“Revolving door of employment between Congress, lobbying firms, study shows”

September 13, 2011, 1:37 pmconflict of interest laws, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

WaPo reports on this new study by Legistorm.