JD Rackey
@jdrackey.bsky.social
Associate Director of Structural Democracy @ Bipartisan Policy Center | Fmr. @ModernizeCmte | Interested in all things Congress 🏛 | Opinions = My Own, RT ≠ Endorsements | he/him
I don’t believe we should be reading too much into what missing this month of session will mean for the larger congressional agenda. As I told @justinjpapp.bsky.social, “Congress always finds a way to get itself out of the predicaments that it puts itself in.”
rollcall.com/2025/10/29/h...
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 29, 2025 at 8:20 PM
I don’t believe we should be reading too much into what missing this month of session will mean for the larger congressional agenda. As I told @justinjpapp.bsky.social, “Congress always finds a way to get itself out of the predicaments that it puts itself in.”
rollcall.com/2025/10/29/h...
rollcall.com/2025/10/29/h...
Reposted by JD Rackey
An interesting discussion emerging on the implications of Loper Bright & Sen. Schmitt’s report at the Yale Journal on Regulation’s Notice & Comment blog. Today my @bipartisanpolicy.org colleagues and I added our thoughts on the implications for congressional capacity www.yalejreg.com/nc/congress-...
Congress after Loper Bright: Prioritize Modernization and Learning, by Dane Stangler, Michael Thorning, & J.D. Rackey - Yale Journal on Regulation
This post is part of Notice & Comment’s symposium on the Senate Post-Chevron Working Group Report. For other posts in the series, click here. We agree with Sen. Eric Schmitt that “Congress must reclai...
www.yalejreg.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:27 PM
An interesting discussion emerging on the implications of Loper Bright & Sen. Schmitt’s report at the Yale Journal on Regulation’s Notice & Comment blog. Today my @bipartisanpolicy.org colleagues and I added our thoughts on the implications for congressional capacity www.yalejreg.com/nc/congress-...
An interesting discussion emerging on the implications of Loper Bright & Sen. Schmitt’s report at the Yale Journal on Regulation’s Notice & Comment blog. Today my @bipartisanpolicy.org colleagues and I added our thoughts on the implications for congressional capacity www.yalejreg.com/nc/congress-...
Congress after Loper Bright: Prioritize Modernization and Learning, by Dane Stangler, Michael Thorning, & J.D. Rackey - Yale Journal on Regulation
This post is part of Notice & Comment’s symposium on the Senate Post-Chevron Working Group Report. For other posts in the series, click here. We agree with Sen. Eric Schmitt that “Congress must reclai...
www.yalejreg.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:27 PM
An interesting discussion emerging on the implications of Loper Bright & Sen. Schmitt’s report at the Yale Journal on Regulation’s Notice & Comment blog. Today my @bipartisanpolicy.org colleagues and I added our thoughts on the implications for congressional capacity www.yalejreg.com/nc/congress-...
Reposted by JD Rackey
❔Do members of Congress get paid during a federal shutdown?
❔How does the 27th Amendment impact congressional pay?
❔What are the differences between the House and Senate?
Our JD Rackey breaks down these frequently asked questions and more in Marketplace ➡️ https://ow.ly/juTW50X75PP
❔How does the 27th Amendment impact congressional pay?
❔What are the differences between the House and Senate?
Our JD Rackey breaks down these frequently asked questions and more in Marketplace ➡️ https://ow.ly/juTW50X75PP
How do members of Congress get paid?
They have direct deposit like a lot of U.S. workers, but some don’t get paid on a biweekly basis.
ow.ly
October 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
❔Do members of Congress get paid during a federal shutdown?
❔How does the 27th Amendment impact congressional pay?
❔What are the differences between the House and Senate?
Our JD Rackey breaks down these frequently asked questions and more in Marketplace ➡️ https://ow.ly/juTW50X75PP
❔How does the 27th Amendment impact congressional pay?
❔What are the differences between the House and Senate?
Our JD Rackey breaks down these frequently asked questions and more in Marketplace ➡️ https://ow.ly/juTW50X75PP
I was a little surprised when I got this inquiry that anyone would care about this level of minutiae but yes, members of Congress use direct deposit. www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
How do members of Congress get paid?
They have direct deposit like a lot of U.S. workers, but some don’t get paid on a biweekly basis.
www.marketplace.org
October 5, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I was a little surprised when I got this inquiry that anyone would care about this level of minutiae but yes, members of Congress use direct deposit. www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
Happening today!!
Next We’d. is the Congresional Hackathon 7.0! This event is not only a critical venue for ongoing modernization efforts but it is also a lot of fun! If you care about improving congressional operations this is a must-attend event, I hope to see you there! bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/moderni...
Modernizing Congress, One Hackathon at a Time | Bipartisan Policy Center
Despite all that the parties disagree on, there is a clear bipartisan consensus that congressional operations need improvement
bipartisanpolicy.org
September 17, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Happening today!!
Next We’d. is the Congresional Hackathon 7.0! This event is not only a critical venue for ongoing modernization efforts but it is also a lot of fun! If you care about improving congressional operations this is a must-attend event, I hope to see you there! bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/moderni...
Modernizing Congress, One Hackathon at a Time | Bipartisan Policy Center
Despite all that the parties disagree on, there is a clear bipartisan consensus that congressional operations need improvement
bipartisanpolicy.org
September 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Next We’d. is the Congresional Hackathon 7.0! This event is not only a critical venue for ongoing modernization efforts but it is also a lot of fun! If you care about improving congressional operations this is a must-attend event, I hope to see you there! bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/moderni...
Reposted by JD Rackey
Our own J.D. Rackey joined @wsj.com's Kim Strassel to discuss efforts to strengthen productivity and collaboration in Congress, including the work of the bipartisan Subcommittee on Modernization & Innovation.
🔊 Listen:
🔊 Listen:
August 20, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Our own J.D. Rackey joined @wsj.com's Kim Strassel to discuss efforts to strengthen productivity and collaboration in Congress, including the work of the bipartisan Subcommittee on Modernization & Innovation.
🔊 Listen:
🔊 Listen:
Reposted by JD Rackey
NEW: Turnover among chief local election officials continued to climb following the presidential election, reaching 41% in 2024—up from 39% in 2022.
🧵New analysis by @RachelOrey, @Jferrer505, and @danmthomp explores how turnover trends evolved through 2024.
🧵New analysis by @RachelOrey, @Jferrer505, and @danmthomp explores how turnover trends evolved through 2024.
August 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM
NEW: Turnover among chief local election officials continued to climb following the presidential election, reaching 41% in 2024—up from 39% in 2022.
🧵New analysis by @RachelOrey, @Jferrer505, and @danmthomp explores how turnover trends evolved through 2024.
🧵New analysis by @RachelOrey, @Jferrer505, and @danmthomp explores how turnover trends evolved through 2024.
Reposted by JD Rackey
Happy to share my first @brookings.edu FixGov piece was published today. I take stock of the Senate confirmation process at the 200-day mark of the Trump administration. Among the key findings is the unprecedented degree to which Trump’s nominees have faced procedural barriers.
August 11, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Happy to share my first @brookings.edu FixGov piece was published today. I take stock of the Senate confirmation process at the 200-day mark of the Trump administration. Among the key findings is the unprecedented degree to which Trump’s nominees have faced procedural barriers.
Reposted by JD Rackey
Congratulations to the Senate for passing Legislative branch appropriations bill (along with veterans affairs and agriculture) w/o including the House's awful cuts in funding for the GAO + Library of Congress and for protecting GAO's impoundment authority. @heinrich.senate.gov @murray.senate.gov
August 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Congratulations to the Senate for passing Legislative branch appropriations bill (along with veterans affairs and agriculture) w/o including the House's awful cuts in funding for the GAO + Library of Congress and for protecting GAO's impoundment authority. @heinrich.senate.gov @murray.senate.gov
Reposted by JD Rackey
I just posted a new paper on @ssrn.bsky.social, titled "The Chadha Presidency". Here's the link, and I'll post the abstract in the next post. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
The <i>Chadha </i>Presidency
<p><span>Where is Congress? Why hasn’t it reined in some of the worst abuses of the Trump Administration? This Article argues that a significant part of the ans
papers.ssrn.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I just posted a new paper on @ssrn.bsky.social, titled "The Chadha Presidency". Here's the link, and I'll post the abstract in the next post. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Such a huge win for Congress!! LegiDex not only helps improve work efficiency for congressional staff but it also means Congress no longer needs to pay outside vendors for access to its own data in usable formats!
cha.house.gov/2025/7/subco...
cha.house.gov/2025/7/subco...
Subcommittee on Modernization & Innovation Announces New House of Representatives Online Staff Directory
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Administration
cha.house.gov
July 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Such a huge win for Congress!! LegiDex not only helps improve work efficiency for congressional staff but it also means Congress no longer needs to pay outside vendors for access to its own data in usable formats!
cha.house.gov/2025/7/subco...
cha.house.gov/2025/7/subco...
Behind the scenes, congressional modernization is still happening this Congress! Good piece by @justinjpapp.bsky.social rollcall.com/2025/07/07/t...
They wanted to ‘fix Congress.’ They still do, modernizers say - Roll Call
Despite losing a key Democratic champion to retirement, modernization advocates say the work isn’t done in the 119th Congress.
rollcall.com
July 7, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Behind the scenes, congressional modernization is still happening this Congress! Good piece by @justinjpapp.bsky.social rollcall.com/2025/07/07/t...
Reposted by JD Rackey
I'm reading GAO targeted by House Republicans, by @ktullymcmanus.bsky.social
GAO is targeted by House Republicans in new spending bill
The Legislative Branch appropriations subcommittee aims to cut Congress’ own budget by $51 million.
www.politico.com
June 23, 2025 at 8:07 PM
I'm reading GAO targeted by House Republicans, by @ktullymcmanus.bsky.social
Reposted by JD Rackey
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
Term limits are all bad. They have a dozen deleterious effects on government and zero good ones. They achieve none of the goals their proponents say they do. No one should ever advocate for term limits.
Term limits are all bad. They have a dozen deleterious effects on government and zero good ones. They achieve none of the goals their proponents say they do. No one should ever advocate for term limits.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
That there are norms that are supposed to shape how both civilians and military behave towards each other and that they are poorly understood by both.
Alternatively, don't always listen to the generals.
That there are norms that are supposed to shape how both civilians and military behave towards each other and that they are poorly understood by both.
Alternatively, don't always listen to the generals.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
Restaurants run on razor thin margins. Successful ones might only clear 5% net profit each month.
Restaurants run on razor thin margins. Successful ones might only clear 5% net profit each month.
June 17, 2025 at 12:23 PM
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
Term limits are all bad. They have a dozen deleterious effects on government and zero good ones. They achieve none of the goals their proponents say they do. No one should ever advocate for term limits.
Term limits are all bad. They have a dozen deleterious effects on government and zero good ones. They achieve none of the goals their proponents say they do. No one should ever advocate for term limits.
A leg branch budget perspective on the proposed budget of the military parade, 🧵
June 6, 2025 at 2:52 PM
A leg branch budget perspective on the proposed budget of the military parade, 🧵
Reposted by JD Rackey
The U.S. GAO and Inspectors General have issued 19,000+ unaddressed recommendations to address federal waste, fraud, and abuse. But #oversight hearings and expert testimony have long been in decline.
@jdrackey.bsky.social explores how Congress can restore its oversight role ➡️ bit.ly/4j8ISU8
@jdrackey.bsky.social explores how Congress can restore its oversight role ➡️ bit.ly/4j8ISU8
bipartisanpolicy.org
June 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The U.S. GAO and Inspectors General have issued 19,000+ unaddressed recommendations to address federal waste, fraud, and abuse. But #oversight hearings and expert testimony have long been in decline.
@jdrackey.bsky.social explores how Congress can restore its oversight role ➡️ bit.ly/4j8ISU8
@jdrackey.bsky.social explores how Congress can restore its oversight role ➡️ bit.ly/4j8ISU8
Reposted by JD Rackey
✔️ Maine does not use a nonpartisan primary system.
🔎 @jdrackey.bsky.social, Michael Thorning, and Joshua Ferrer analyzed over two decades of election data to explore how primary election formats impact voter participation and representation.
Learn more. bit.ly/3ShH9kA
🔎 @jdrackey.bsky.social, Michael Thorning, and Joshua Ferrer analyzed over two decades of election data to explore how primary election formats impact voter participation and representation.
Learn more. bit.ly/3ShH9kA
June 3, 2025 at 3:43 PM
✔️ Maine does not use a nonpartisan primary system.
🔎 @jdrackey.bsky.social, Michael Thorning, and Joshua Ferrer analyzed over two decades of election data to explore how primary election formats impact voter participation and representation.
Learn more. bit.ly/3ShH9kA
🔎 @jdrackey.bsky.social, Michael Thorning, and Joshua Ferrer analyzed over two decades of election data to explore how primary election formats impact voter participation and representation.
Learn more. bit.ly/3ShH9kA
It sounds counterintuitive but Congress should invest in itself *more* if it wants to better oversee, control, and even downsize executive branch agencies. Good reporting by Justin Papp & @jimsaksa.com
rollcall.com
June 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It sounds counterintuitive but Congress should invest in itself *more* if it wants to better oversee, control, and even downsize executive branch agencies. Good reporting by Justin Papp & @jimsaksa.com
Reposted by JD Rackey
🔎 Nonpartisan watchdogs across the federal government issue hundreds of reports and recommendations annually to combat waste, fraud and abuse.
But data suggests these recommendations aren't effectively entering the policymaking process. NEW by @jdrackey.bsky.social👇
bit.ly/4j8ISU8
But data suggests these recommendations aren't effectively entering the policymaking process. NEW by @jdrackey.bsky.social👇
bit.ly/4j8ISU8
bipartisanpolicy.org
May 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
🔎 Nonpartisan watchdogs across the federal government issue hundreds of reports and recommendations annually to combat waste, fraud and abuse.
But data suggests these recommendations aren't effectively entering the policymaking process. NEW by @jdrackey.bsky.social👇
bit.ly/4j8ISU8
But data suggests these recommendations aren't effectively entering the policymaking process. NEW by @jdrackey.bsky.social👇
bit.ly/4j8ISU8
A lot has been said about DOGE, its operations, and the efficiencies it may (or may not) be unlocking.
In my new piece for @bipartisanpolicy.org , I take a step back to consider why policymakers thought we needed DOGE in the first place. 🧵1/4
In my new piece for @bipartisanpolicy.org , I take a step back to consider why policymakers thought we needed DOGE in the first place. 🧵1/4
May 19, 2025 at 12:35 PM
A lot has been said about DOGE, its operations, and the efficiencies it may (or may not) be unlocking.
In my new piece for @bipartisanpolicy.org , I take a step back to consider why policymakers thought we needed DOGE in the first place. 🧵1/4
In my new piece for @bipartisanpolicy.org , I take a step back to consider why policymakers thought we needed DOGE in the first place. 🧵1/4
Another great piece by Yuval Levin: “Congress’s weakness is our deepest constitutional problem…”
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
The Missing Branch
In an era of intense constitutional combat, Congress is nowhere to be found.
www.theatlantic.com
May 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Another great piece by Yuval Levin: “Congress’s weakness is our deepest constitutional problem…”
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
As Congress heads into reconciliation season there will be, as always, a lot of attention on the Senate Parliamentarian. The process can be a little opaque so @michaelthorning.bsky.social & I put together this brief explainer on some of the common FAQs about the Office of the Senate Parliamentarian:
What is the Role of the Senate Parliamentarian? | Bipartisan Policy Center
Learn about the vital role of the Senate Parliamentarian, the history of the office, how it guides Senate procedure, its influence on budget reconciliation,…
bipartisanpolicy.org
April 28, 2025 at 6:28 PM
As Congress heads into reconciliation season there will be, as always, a lot of attention on the Senate Parliamentarian. The process can be a little opaque so @michaelthorning.bsky.social & I put together this brief explainer on some of the common FAQs about the Office of the Senate Parliamentarian:
A good write up on yesterday’s hearing. Congress can do better, but it needs more resources to do so.
Outside groups call on Congress to buck the trend and invest in itself - Roll Call
Congress should get “strategic” about funding its Article 1 duties, some advocates tell lawmakers, even as cuts are in vogue.
rollcall.com
April 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
A good write up on yesterday’s hearing. Congress can do better, but it needs more resources to do so.