Category Archives: legislation and legislatures

“Filibuster challenge fails”

December 27, 2012, 7:43 amlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

I missed this news last week: “Ruling that the courts have no power to do anything about it, a federal judge on Friday threw out a claim that Senate filibusters are an unconstitutional denial of majority rule. U.S. District Judge… Continue reading

Harvard Law Review Publishes My “Fixing Washington” Piece, Lessig’s Reply

December 20, 2012, 4:45 pmcampaign finance, chicanery, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

From the new issue of the Harvard Law Review: Fixing Washington Book Review by Richard L. Hasen :: REPUBLIC, LOST: HOW MONEY CORRUPTS POLITICS — AND A PLAN TO STOP IT. By Lawrence Lessig. New York, N.Y., and Boston,… Continue reading

The NRA and Lobbying/Campaign Finance Reform

December 19, 2012, 8:49 pmcampaign finance, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Former Bush ethics czar Richard Painter pens an interesting NYT oped: Republican politicians must free themselves from the N.R.A. protection racket and others like it. For starters, the party establishment should refuse to endorse anyone who runs in a… Continue reading

“Will record number of women in Senate mean less gridlock?

December 17, 2012, 10:35 amlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

“Leading Scholars: Constitution and Tradition Support Changing Filibuster Rules by Majority Vote”

December 12, 2012, 9:46 amlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Brennan Center press release: In January, the newly-convened Senate has the authority to change filibuster rules by a majority vote, according to a letter sent to the Senate todayby a group of leading academics and constitutional scholars. The letter… Continue reading

“Filibuster Talks Limp Forward With No Bipartisan Deal — Yet”

December 12, 2012, 7:55 amlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

TPM reports.

“Dems Entertain Bipartisan Talks for Filibuster Reform”

December 11, 2012, 8:29 amlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

TPM reports.

“Senate filibuster faces federal court challenge”

December 10, 2012, 9:08 amlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

“In New House, a Political Past is Actually OK”

December 10, 2012, 8:37 amcampaigns, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Front-page NYT report.

“Lobbyists see powerful opportunities in second term”

December 10, 2012, 8:23 amlegislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

WaPo: “Energy lobbyists are gearing up for a boom in business to help shape and implement a wave of regulations governing energy production, greenhouse gas emissions, renewable fuels and other energy and environmental measures that K Street expects the newly… Continue reading

“Sen. Mitch McConnell Filibusters His Own Bill”

December 7, 2012, 6:34 pmlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Real Clear Politics: “Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) may have made United States Senate history today when he beat his filibustered his own bill on allowing the president to increase the debt ceiling on his own.”

“Interest Groups Push to Fill Margins of Health Coverage”

December 7, 2012, 6:32 pmlegislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

NYT: “The chiropractors were out in force, lobbying for months to get their services included in every state’s package of essential health benefits that will be guaranteed under the new health care law.”