Author archives

Paul Jenks is a veteran expert on Congress and legislation who reports from Washington, D.C.

CongressLine: Presidential Patronage

Paul Jenks’ commentary addresses the background of the scramble for thousands of presidentially appointed offices within the government that accompanies a new administration. The selection process has evolved over the past couple of hundred years and every position outside of the new president’s personal staff requires Senate approval.

Subjects: Congress, Government Resources, Legislative

CongressLine: SPQR

Paul Jenks’ discourse this month is on how the Senate has risen to its current prominence, hence his article title, descriptive of the Senate and people of the United States.

Subjects: CongressLine

CongressLine: The Committee Markup

Paul Jenks describes how the committee markup is where the real work of Congress takes place. According to Paul, in the House, where floor amendments can be strictly regulated, they are the only place a member can propose a change. In some cases, the actual bill is written completely in a markup. This usually happens for appropriations bills, but is done increasingly for other really big bills.

Subjects: Congress, CongressLine, Legal Research, Legislative