Here Are the 'Improvements' That Won a Senate Vote on Sentencing Reform
The last-minute changes show how hard it is to make the criminal justice system more proportionate and discriminating.
Congress
Federal Judge Upholds Maine's Ranked-Choice Voting
A Republican representative lost his seat in the new instant runoff system, so he sued.
Jeff Flake: America 'By No Means Immune' to Authoritarianism
"The road to democracy is not irreversible-not in Moscow, not in America, not anywhere."
Taxypayers Off the Hook for Sex Harassment Settlements in Congress: Reason Roundup
Plus: A congressman would "love" to regulate speech, and there's good news for hemp but not for much else in the new Farm Bill.
Congress Just Passed a Farm Bill That Legalizes Industrial Hemp. Other Than That, It's a Disaster.
The House Freedom Caucus calls it "a sprawling, cronyist agriculture bill."
Republican Leaders Sneak Support for Yemen War Into Farm Bill Vote: Reason Roundup
Plus: Google hearing once again reveals legislative ignorance on tech and IRS auditors target more low-income taxpayers.
Rep. Justin Amash: Spending Deal 'Will Be Bad for the American People'
Drama over a possible government shutdown came to a head today. But Amash is sure of "one thing": The eventual deal won't be good for the country.
Guess Which Congressman Thought a Malfunctioning iPhone Was Google CEO Sundar Pichai's Fault
"Congressman, iPhone is made by a different company."
McConnell Says He Will Bring Criminal Justice Bill to Senate Floor for Vote
After weeks of pressure from the White House and fellow Republicans, Mitch McConnell says he will schedule a vote for the FIRST STEP Act.
Trump Considers Tying Criminal Justice Reforms to Border Wall Funding
The FIRST STEP Act might get shoved into an end-of-year spending bill.
George H.W. Bush Averts Government Shutdown From the Grave: Reason Roundup
Plus: France postpones planned fuel-tax hike after Yellow Vest protests.
Paul Ryan Is Kinda Sorry He Was a Total Failure at Balancing the Budget
Ryan presided over three years of growing deficits and laid the groundwork for worse to come.
The NAFTA Rewrite Is Flawed, but Not Getting It to Congress This Year Might Be an Even Bigger Mistake
Trump's best chance to enact the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement may have already passed.
Trump Ex-Lawyer Cohen Pleads Guilty to Lying to Congress About Russian Negotiations
Negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow continued during the primaries, he now says.
In Rebuke to Saudis and Trump, Senate Votes to At Least Talk About Pulling U.S. Troops From Yemen: Reason Roundup
Plus: good signs in Supreme Court case on asset forfeiture and Ashley Judd talks prostitution.
Will a Lame-Duck Congress Once Again Overextend Itself?
It's time for a new approach on taxes.
Republican Senators Urge McConnell to Act on Criminal Justice Reform Bill
Supporters are concerned about the bill's future if it doesn't pass this year.
Ranked-Choice Voting Flips House Seat in Maine
GOP Rep. Bruce Poliquin fails to get a majority vote. Jared Golden joins the House's new Democratic majority.
Bernie Sanders Targets Walmart With Latest Anti-Corporate Crusade
After taking on Amazon, the democratic socialist has a new target: Walmart.
Mitch McConnell Touts Wild Spending Bills as 'Bipartisan' Accomplishments
Should the Senate majority leader really be celebrating more reckless spending?
House Democrats Plan to Use Their New Majority to Target Trump. Let's Hope It Keeps Them Too Busy to Legislate: Reason Roundup
Plus: menthol cigarettes may be banned, Big Tech warms to new regulation, and NYC building raided over illegal Airbnb listings.
Divided Government Means More Fiscal Discipline
In the next two years, Congress will probably do next to nothing. That's a good thing.
Democrats Did Better Than Early Election Results Revealed: Reason Roundup
Plus: The FDA will ban flavored e-cigarette sales at most places, and Chris Christie is being floated as Jeff Sessions' replacement.
Space Force: The Real Loser From Yesterday's Election Results?
If the Space Force goes down before it ever got up on its feet, that's probably for the best.
Steve King Slams NRCC for Supporting Gay Candidate, Hopes Kagan and Sotomayor 'Elope to Cuba'
The Iowa Republican is dialing up the anti-gay rhetoric.
10 House Races Libertarians Should Watch on Election Night
Democrats are expected to take the House majority, but will libertarian-friendly Republicans like Thomas Massie and Justin Amash keep their seats?
Control of the Senate Could Depend on These 10 Races
Plus, a Gary Johnson honorable mention.
The Only Remarkable Thing About Beto O'Rourke Is How Much the Media Love Him
No, Beto O'Rourke isn't "shaking up" the Senate race in Texas.
Poll Shows Wide Support For Criminal Justice Reform Bill In Congress
Prosecutor groups and criminal justice reform advocates are putting out dueling polls on a major bill in Congress.
'We've Never Had Deficits Like This During Peace and Prosperity Before'
Brian Riedl has a plan to stabilize the national debt at 95 percent of GDP. He says trying it might be political suicide, but the alternative is much worse.
Immigration Debate Could Use Some Historical Context
Maybe both sides need to take a trip to Ellis Island.
Senate Narrowly Advances Kavanaugh Nomination
The final vote is likely to take place this weekend.
Here's What Congress Was Doing While You Were Watching the Kavanaugh Circus
The passage of tax reform 2.0 blows a huge hole in the budget, and a much-touted opioid bill might just make the crisis worse.
Another Day, Another Terrible Congressional Spending Bill
If there's something the government does well, it's spend money.
New Kavanaugh Accuser Says Nominee Abetted Gang-Rape, Groped Girls, and Spiked Punch With Drugs at High-School Parties
The allegations were released on Twitter this morning by lawyer Michael Avenatti, who is asking for an FBI investigation.
Working for TSA Is Only Thing Worse Than Being Searched by TSA, Report Finds
The House report will make you feel sorry for TSA employees against your will.
Can DHS Shoot Down Citizen Drones? House Votes Today: Reason Roundup
Plus: why Gary Johnson will be good for the Senate, "toxic culture" at the TSA, the dismissal of an anti-FOSTA lawsuit, and a new economic freedom index.
President Trump's Personal Feelings Could Stand Between Puerto Rico and Statehood
Puerto Ricans are considered U.S. citizens, but many in the country argue that they lack adequate representation.
House to Vote on 'Human Trafficking' Bill That Strengthens PATRIOT Act Spying
The PATRIOT Act fell out of fashion-but swap "human trafficker" for "terrorist" and let the civil liberties infringements roll!
Louisiana Congressman Wants to Drug-Test All of Congress
Because that's totally going to fix congressional incompetence.
Congress Just Passed a $150 Billion Spending Package Without Any Consideration for Looming Trillion-Dollar Deficit
Just days after the latest CBO projections showed the deficit getting worse, Congress signs off on another bi-partisan spending increase.
Universal Savings Accounts a Silver Lining in GOP Tax Reform
The Republican tax plan contains one reform worth cheering for.
GOP's 'Tax Reform 2.0' Will Make It Harder to Balance the Budget
Plan would extend last year's tax cuts past 2025, but spending cuts are still missing.
House Considers Stupid, Unnecessary Bill Making It Illegal to Kill Cats and Dogs for Food
Americans don't eat their pets. Why does the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act even exist?
Who's Ready for an Obama Lecture About Trump?: Podcast
Critiquing an ex-president's warnings about anti-media rhetoric, non-voting, and unelected bureaucrats
House Passes Bill to Reclassify Dozens of Offenses as 'Crimes of Violence'
Opponents say the bill, rushed to the floor without a hearing, would dangerously expand what's considered an "aggravated offense."
Despite Indictment, Rep. Duncan Hunter Remains Favorite to Win Another Term in Congress
The Republican lawmaker is accused of misusing campaign dollars for for personal expenses including a trip to Italy, massive bar tabs and video games.
