Kevin R. Kosar
@kevinrkosar.bsky.social
Senior Fellow, AEI.
Host of the Understanding Congress podcast.
Editor of UnderstandingCongress.org.
Host of the Understanding Congress podcast.
Editor of UnderstandingCongress.org.
Danielle Thomsen, Molly Reynolds, Daniel Stid, and I will be on stage for this event on December 4 at 12pm. Come or tune in!
www.aei.org/events/the-m...
www.aei.org/events/the-m...
www.aei.org
November 21, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Danielle Thomsen, Molly Reynolds, Daniel Stid, and I will be on stage for this event on December 4 at 12pm. Come or tune in!
www.aei.org/events/the-m...
www.aei.org/events/the-m...
Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
For more on the growing interbranch conflict, see this great piece from @kevinrkosar.bsky.social www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/14/s...
Senate and Trump on a collision course over the leadership of the GAO - UnderstandingCongress.org
Gene L. Dodaro is not a household name. He is a mild-mannered man who is rarely seen without a necktie and dark suit, and who speaks in a flat, matter-of-fact tone. He has worked for the federal gover...
www.understandingcongress.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
For more on the growing interbranch conflict, see this great piece from @kevinrkosar.bsky.social www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/14/s...
Published today! The latest classic book reprint by AEI Press.
Edward C. Banfield was canceled at Harvard University for his views on the state of cities and what government should do.
Read more about it and get it: amzn.to/4r5P9W8
Edward C. Banfield was canceled at Harvard University for his views on the state of cities and what government should do.
Read more about it and get it: amzn.to/4r5P9W8
November 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Published today! The latest classic book reprint by AEI Press.
Edward C. Banfield was canceled at Harvard University for his views on the state of cities and what government should do.
Read more about it and get it: amzn.to/4r5P9W8
Edward C. Banfield was canceled at Harvard University for his views on the state of cities and what government should do.
Read more about it and get it: amzn.to/4r5P9W8
Yep, and X.com is down. Will the Republic stand?
X. It’s what’s happening
From breaking news and entertainment to sports and politics, get the full story with all the live commentary.
X.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Yep, and X.com is down. Will the Republic stand?
“The politician... must always have something to say even when nothing urgently needs to be said. If he lived in a society without problems he would have to invent some (and of course ‘solutions’ along with them) in order to attract attention.”
-Edward C. Banfield
Get it: amzn.to/4r5mHng
-Edward C. Banfield
Get it: amzn.to/4r5mHng
November 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
“The politician... must always have something to say even when nothing urgently needs to be said. If he lived in a society without problems he would have to invent some (and of course ‘solutions’ along with them) in order to attract attention.”
-Edward C. Banfield
Get it: amzn.to/4r5mHng
-Edward C. Banfield
Get it: amzn.to/4r5mHng
"Why run for Congress if not to do something good for the country? If Republicans don’t find an agenda to stand for in the next 12 months, they will soon find themselves in a position to pass nothing at all."
www.wsj.com/opinion/repu...
www.wsj.com/opinion/repu...
Opinion | An Agenda-Less GOP Congress
Republicans don’t seem to have any priorities beyond populist stunts.
www.wsj.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:40 PM
"Why run for Congress if not to do something good for the country? If Republicans don’t find an agenda to stand for in the next 12 months, they will soon find themselves in a position to pass nothing at all."
www.wsj.com/opinion/repu...
www.wsj.com/opinion/repu...
My latest for the Examiner.
Senate and Trump on a collision course over the leadership of the GAO
www.washingtonexaminer.com/premium/3880...
and
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/14/s...
Senate and Trump on a collision course over the leadership of the GAO
www.washingtonexaminer.com/premium/3880...
and
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/14/s...
November 14, 2025 at 2:20 PM
My latest for the Examiner.
Senate and Trump on a collision course over the leadership of the GAO
www.washingtonexaminer.com/premium/3880...
and
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/14/s...
Senate and Trump on a collision course over the leadership of the GAO
www.washingtonexaminer.com/premium/3880...
and
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/14/s...
"Clay held the Union together during this tumultuous period of American history, built up Congress as an institution, and provided a vision of how republican politics could function in the legislature." - Jay Cost
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/13/i...
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/13/i...
November 13, 2025 at 1:58 PM
"Clay held the Union together during this tumultuous period of American history, built up Congress as an institution, and provided a vision of how republican politics could function in the legislature." - Jay Cost
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/13/i...
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/13/i...
By what authority can the Speaker unilaterally shut down the House?
Max Spitzer, who worked in the House Parliamentarian's office, explains the backstory of this immense power. www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/11/t...
Max Spitzer, who worked in the House Parliamentarian's office, explains the backstory of this immense power. www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/11/t...
The Speaker’s Authority to Convene and Adjourn the House - UnderstandingCongress.org
By Max Spitzer What the modern House Member desires most of all is certainty of schedule. Members are incredibly busy, pulled in every conceivable direction, and an unpredictable, chaotic floor schedu...
www.understandingcongress.org
November 13, 2025 at 11:44 AM
By what authority can the Speaker unilaterally shut down the House?
Max Spitzer, who worked in the House Parliamentarian's office, explains the backstory of this immense power. www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/11/t...
Max Spitzer, who worked in the House Parliamentarian's office, explains the backstory of this immense power. www.understandingcongress.org/2025/11/11/t...
"Forbes has calculated that in the 10 months since the election, Trump’s wealth rose by an astonishing $3 billion—from $4.3 billion to $7.3 billion."
www.thefp.com/p/inside-tru...
www.thefp.com/p/inside-tru...
Inside Trump’s Crypto Cash Machine
The Trump family’s staggeringly lucrative crypto business has added billions to the president’s net worth in a matter of months—and left more than a whiff of corruption, writes Joe Nocera.
www.thefp.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:29 AM
"Forbes has calculated that in the 10 months since the election, Trump’s wealth rose by an astonishing $3 billion—from $4.3 billion to $7.3 billion."
www.thefp.com/p/inside-tru...
www.thefp.com/p/inside-tru...
"Lots of lonely people are gathering online in an environment of poisonous political rhetoric... They’re living with anxiety of an unbundled self and ... grasping for a sense of belonging, meaning, purpose, and perhaps most of all, community." thedispatch.com/article/mass...
The Great Unbundling of Humanity
Community connection has given way to faceless mobs.
thedispatch.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:46 AM
"Lots of lonely people are gathering online in an environment of poisonous political rhetoric... They’re living with anxiety of an unbundled self and ... grasping for a sense of belonging, meaning, purpose, and perhaps most of all, community." thedispatch.com/article/mass...
I chatted with Kurt Couchman about his new book on why Congress should enact a balanced budget amendment. Listen in at www.understandingcongress.org/podcast/shou...
Should Congress Pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution? (with Kurt Couchman) - UnderstandingCongress.org
The topic of this episode is, “Should Congress pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution?” The federal government experienced a shutdown in autumn 20025, which is one of many that have occu...
www.understandingcongress.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I chatted with Kurt Couchman about his new book on why Congress should enact a balanced budget amendment. Listen in at www.understandingcongress.org/podcast/shou...
From last night. Capitol Hill always does Halloween right.
November 1, 2025 at 11:37 PM
From last night. Capitol Hill always does Halloween right.
Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
The new issue of Beverages, Books, and More is here: Sasquatch, celebrities and a couple of drink recommendations.
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
October 30, 2025 at 1:43 PM
The new issue of Beverages, Books, and More is here: Sasquatch, celebrities and a couple of drink recommendations.
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
"Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is struggling to quickly hire 10,000 qualified agents for mass deportations, even as it offers signing bonuses of up to a year's salary." -@Axios, www.axios.com/2025/10/29/i...
Hiring 10,000 ICE agents is easier said than done
Border czar Tom Homan acknowledges a "high fail rate" on the agency's physical standards for recruits.
www.axios.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:44 PM
"Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is struggling to quickly hire 10,000 qualified agents for mass deportations, even as it offers signing bonuses of up to a year's salary." -@Axios, www.axios.com/2025/10/29/i...
The new issue of Beverages, Books, and More is here: Sasquatch, celebrities and a couple of drink recommendations.
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
October 30, 2025 at 1:43 PM
The new issue of Beverages, Books, and More is here: Sasquatch, celebrities and a couple of drink recommendations.
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
Want a signed copy of my book, Whiskey: A Global History? You can get them here www.ebay.com/itm/17753194... or you can message me and we can handle the sale via Venmo/Zelle/PayPal. ($16.99, which includes the shipping cost.)
October 29, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Want a signed copy of my book, Whiskey: A Global History? You can get them here www.ebay.com/itm/17753194... or you can message me and we can handle the sale via Venmo/Zelle/PayPal. ($16.99, which includes the shipping cost.)
“An out-of-session House also means that legislation that does get passed this autumn is less likely to move through any process remotely resembling regular order,” Kosar said... rollcall.com/2025/10/29/h...
The House was out in October. Does it matter? - Roll Call
With legislation and hearings stalled, this was the month that wasn’t on the House side of the Capitol.
rollcall.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:42 PM
“An out-of-session House also means that legislation that does get passed this autumn is less likely to move through any process remotely resembling regular order,” Kosar said... rollcall.com/2025/10/29/h...
Want a signed copy of my book, Whiskey: A Global History? You can get them here www.ebay.com/itm/17753194... or you can message me and we can handle the sale via Venmo/Zelle/PayPal. ($16.99, which includes the shipping cost.)
October 29, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Want a signed copy of my book, Whiskey: A Global History? You can get them here www.ebay.com/itm/17753194... or you can message me and we can handle the sale via Venmo/Zelle/PayPal. ($16.99, which includes the shipping cost.)
"not only has Trump had to withdraw more nominees than any recent president in their first year in office — none have withdrawn as many nominees in their first two years as Trump has in his first." www.wakeuptopolitics.com/p/trump-has-...
Trump Has Withdrawn a Record Number of Nominees This Year
The reasons are mixed, but some — like Paul Ingrassia — reflect subtle GOP pushback.
www.wakeuptopolitics.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:54 PM
"not only has Trump had to withdraw more nominees than any recent president in their first year in office — none have withdrawn as many nominees in their first two years as Trump has in his first." www.wakeuptopolitics.com/p/trump-has-...
The government shutdown also means military cemeteries are understaffed and cannot pay contractors to set headstones, mow the grounds, pick up trash, etc.
www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news...
www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news...
Great Lakes National Cemetery "unable to host" headstone cleaning event due to government shutdown
The Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan, said it wasn't able to coordinate a headstone cleaning event on Saturday due to the ongoing government shutdown.
www.cbsnews.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The government shutdown also means military cemeteries are understaffed and cannot pay contractors to set headstones, mow the grounds, pick up trash, etc.
www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news...
www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news...
Interesting piece on LeBron and his philanthropic efforts in Akron, Ohio.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | LeBron James is defined by his hometown. Now he’s reshaping it.
He says he’s just a kid from Akron, Ohio. But he’s not just any kid.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 19, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Interesting piece on LeBron and his philanthropic efforts in Akron, Ohio.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Trump's DHS may spend up to $200 million on a government advertising campaign, reports Axios. www.axios.com/2025/10/15/t...
U.S. government pays for 2025's most expensive political ad campaign
The next closest ad campaign is the $41 million effort to support California's redistricting measure.
www.axios.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Trump's DHS may spend up to $200 million on a government advertising campaign, reports Axios. www.axios.com/2025/10/15/t...
My latest piece for the Washington Examiner. You can read it for free at:
"After decades of red ink, a fresh push for a balanced budget amendment emerges"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/17/a...
"After decades of red ink, a fresh push for a balanced budget amendment emerges"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/17/a...
October 17, 2025 at 2:20 PM
My latest piece for the Washington Examiner. You can read it for free at:
"After decades of red ink, a fresh push for a balanced budget amendment emerges"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/17/a...
"After decades of red ink, a fresh push for a balanced budget amendment emerges"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/17/a...
There is an official budget process—and then there is the way the legislature actually funds the federal government. The two decreasingly resemble each other.
kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/unorthodox...
kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/unorthodox...
Unorthodox lawmaking comes to budgeting, leaving elected officials adrift
And get this sweet offer before it goes away on Saturday
kevinrkosar.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:20 AM
There is an official budget process—and then there is the way the legislature actually funds the federal government. The two decreasingly resemble each other.
kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/unorthodox...
kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/unorthodox...