During the past two weeks, the congressional committees conducting Russia investigations were active in interviewing witnesses and requesting documents and information, most notably from other arms of the government. One of the most intriguing news items about the Russia investigations, however, relates to the controversial…
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Kushner Testimony, Private Interviews, Sanctions Past and Present, Russian Retaliation, & Trump Legal Team
The past week in the Russia investigations brought highly anticipated testimony from Trump’s son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner, mainly focused on questions of Trump campaign collusion, which were augmented by the previous week’s revelations of Kushner’s presence at a meeting held by Donald Trump Jr and attended…
Sessions Testimony, Obstruction of Justice, DoJ Drama, Potential Subjects of Mueller’s Probe
This week’s Russia investigation news began with Attorney General Jeff Sessions testifying in an open Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. Following Sessions’ testimony were the explosive reports about President Trump’s consideration of dismissing special counsel Robert Mueller, and reports of the subjects…
Comey Testimony, Congressional Announcements, Expansion of Special Prosecutor’s Scope
Not surprisingly, it has been a busy week for the highest-profile investigations into Russian interference in the election and ties to the Trump campaign. The biggest story this week was the closely watched testimony given by former FBI director James Comey at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. Other developments…
Oregon (2026 Democratic Primary Preview Series)
Oregon should easily remain a Democratic stronghold in 2026. Democrats control both of the state’s Senate seats & 5 of its 6 House seats. Incumbent Senator Jeff Merkley should secure re-election, maintaining Democrats’ sweep in the Senate.
AI Protests Grow From Within (Technology Policy Brief #169)
As AI rapidly expands its impact over our lives, jobs, and politics, more and more people are raising alarms about its potential harms. In many cases, those speaking out about the danger are those who know the most: current and former workers in the industry.
A Collision Course For Social Security (Social Justice Policy Post #193)
For years, congress has kicked the proverbial can of Social Security’s financial deficit down the road to be dealt with at a later date. In 2026, we may be looking at the end of that road. This year’s Social Security Trustees’ Report warns that the retirement fund is only 6 years from absolute insolvency, when the program will no longer have the funds to continue paying benefits.
The Summer of Wildfires Part 1: The U.S. (Environmental Policy Brief #166)
So far this year, over 45,000 wildfires have burned more than 12 million acres across the U.S. and Canada, and it’s only July. The U.S. has seen more wildfires so far this year than any January to July in the past decade. The ever-worsening climate crisis increases the risk of wildfires, the length of wildfire season, and limits responders’ ability to contain the fires.
Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Leaves Millions Without Groceries (Economic Policy Brief #93)
In July of 2025, President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBBA) into law, setting into motion one of the most sweeping transformations to the American welfare state in modern history. At the center of this legislative overhaul is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As the nation’s preeminent anti-poverty initiative since 1964, SNAP provides an estimated 42 million Americans with vital funds for food.
With NRSC v. FEC, SCOTUS Topples Another Bulwark Against Corruption (Elections & Politics Brief #206)
There are a lot of cases that the Supreme Court, under Chief Justice John Roberts since 2005, loves to take on; cases involving the First and Second Amendments, executive power overreach, and voting protections. But one of the most consistently targeted topics by SCOTUS is the issue of campaign finance.