Josh Huder
@joshhuder.bsky.social
Political scientist posting mostly about Congress. Senior Fellow at The Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University, McCourt School of Public Policy.
Democrats over-performed during the shutdown, polled well, and won elections. However, an ACA deal, nuclear Senate, or impoundment rules were a big stretch, at best, and mostly not feasible.
More shutdown and "trying harder" can't change Republican majorities. joshhuder.substack.com/p/an-entirel...
More shutdown and "trying harder" can't change Republican majorities. joshhuder.substack.com/p/an-entirel...
November 10, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Democrats over-performed during the shutdown, polled well, and won elections. However, an ACA deal, nuclear Senate, or impoundment rules were a big stretch, at best, and mostly not feasible.
More shutdown and "trying harder" can't change Republican majorities. joshhuder.substack.com/p/an-entirel...
More shutdown and "trying harder" can't change Republican majorities. joshhuder.substack.com/p/an-entirel...
Republicans won't nuke the filibuster because they don't want to vote much (most?) of Trump's agenda. Why go on the record about unpopular policies when you can silently kill them instead?
November 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Republicans won't nuke the filibuster because they don't want to vote much (most?) of Trump's agenda. Why go on the record about unpopular policies when you can silently kill them instead?
Look, Pelosi was a great leader but that included a ruthless streak that mired numerous political careers to stay on top for over 20 years and in office for almost 40.
If you want members genuinely enabling the next generation, write about Ed Perlmutter or Charlie Dent.
If you want members genuinely enabling the next generation, write about Ed Perlmutter or Charlie Dent.
November 7, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Look, Pelosi was a great leader but that included a ruthless streak that mired numerous political careers to stay on top for over 20 years and in office for almost 40.
If you want members genuinely enabling the next generation, write about Ed Perlmutter or Charlie Dent.
If you want members genuinely enabling the next generation, write about Ed Perlmutter or Charlie Dent.
Senator Tuberville has made some pretty epic tactical blunders during his time in the Senate. But, he gets this one spot on: Americans do not care about Senate rules.
Nuking the filibuster wouldn't create the uproar many Democrats assume. But Republicans won't do it anyway.
Nuking the filibuster wouldn't create the uproar many Democrats assume. But Republicans won't do it anyway.
November 6, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Senator Tuberville has made some pretty epic tactical blunders during his time in the Senate. But, he gets this one spot on: Americans do not care about Senate rules.
Nuking the filibuster wouldn't create the uproar many Democrats assume. But Republicans won't do it anyway.
Nuking the filibuster wouldn't create the uproar many Democrats assume. But Republicans won't do it anyway.
Who is staffing this anonymous Republican senator who claims Congress doesn't have a role in deciding what constitutes an emergency?
This gets a big 'F' in my class. www.semafor.com/article/10/2...
This gets a big 'F' in my class. www.semafor.com/article/10/2...
October 29, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Who is staffing this anonymous Republican senator who claims Congress doesn't have a role in deciding what constitutes an emergency?
This gets a big 'F' in my class. www.semafor.com/article/10/2...
This gets a big 'F' in my class. www.semafor.com/article/10/2...
It's sort of stunning to hear Republicans discuss repealing portions of the bill they just passed into law a week ago. www.semafor.com/article/07/1...
July 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
It's sort of stunning to hear Republicans discuss repealing portions of the bill they just passed into law a week ago. www.semafor.com/article/07/1...
Also, extremely relevant.
June 28, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Also, extremely relevant.
You should absolutely read @stevevladeck.bsky.social explainer for Trump v. CASA case limiting lower court iniunctions. Here the kicker paragraph: open.substack.com/pub/stevevla...
June 28, 2025 at 3:13 PM
You should absolutely read @stevevladeck.bsky.social explainer for Trump v. CASA case limiting lower court iniunctions. Here the kicker paragraph: open.substack.com/pub/stevevla...
This makes four members this Congress who leaped more senior colleagues to win ranking member positions.
(h/t @jamiedupree.bsky.social's Regular Order)
(h/t @jamiedupree.bsky.social's Regular Order)
June 25, 2025 at 1:33 PM
This makes four members this Congress who leaped more senior colleagues to win ranking member positions.
(h/t @jamiedupree.bsky.social's Regular Order)
(h/t @jamiedupree.bsky.social's Regular Order)
There's no such thing as a legal "pocket" rescission. It's an impoundment and it is illegal.
June 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
There's no such thing as a legal "pocket" rescission. It's an impoundment and it is illegal.
The administration is leveraging Congress's failure to pass appropriations bills to deny Democratic states infrastructure funding. The new Army Corp plan funds Republican states double that of Democratic states.
May 19, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The administration is leveraging Congress's failure to pass appropriations bills to deny Democratic states infrastructure funding. The new Army Corp plan funds Republican states double that of Democratic states.
I don't want to detract from what would be a big bill if congressional Republicans can pull it off, but claiming this "one of this most difficult pieces of legislation ever" is just blindingly absurd.
The programs and legislation this bill might amend or dismantle were FAR more difficult to pass.
The programs and legislation this bill might amend or dismantle were FAR more difficult to pass.
April 8, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I don't want to detract from what would be a big bill if congressional Republicans can pull it off, but claiming this "one of this most difficult pieces of legislation ever" is just blindingly absurd.
The programs and legislation this bill might amend or dismantle were FAR more difficult to pass.
The programs and legislation this bill might amend or dismantle were FAR more difficult to pass.
There are a lot of good reasons to oppose a shutdown but this is the dumbest. If the government shuts down even more illegal things will happen?
Keeping the government open doesn't rein in executive power or check unlawful activity. It's not constitutionally heroic.
Keeping the government open doesn't rein in executive power or check unlawful activity. It's not constitutionally heroic.
March 12, 2025 at 6:59 PM
There are a lot of good reasons to oppose a shutdown but this is the dumbest. If the government shuts down even more illegal things will happen?
Keeping the government open doesn't rein in executive power or check unlawful activity. It's not constitutionally heroic.
Keeping the government open doesn't rein in executive power or check unlawful activity. It's not constitutionally heroic.
ANY member can enforce the rules. These motions are privileged under House rules. The Speaker cannot block them. The rules are only enforced to the degree that members enforce them.
Reps rely too much on leadership to perform the functions they themselves are responsible for.
Reps rely too much on leadership to perform the functions they themselves are responsible for.
March 6, 2025 at 6:31 PM
ANY member can enforce the rules. These motions are privileged under House rules. The Speaker cannot block them. The rules are only enforced to the degree that members enforce them.
Reps rely too much on leadership to perform the functions they themselves are responsible for.
Reps rely too much on leadership to perform the functions they themselves are responsible for.
This is exactly the kind of favoritism and corruption the Framers tried to guard against by giving Congress the power of the purse.
If lawmakers are reliant on the president to fund their programs, it creates dependence on presidents and presidents can extort them.
If lawmakers are reliant on the president to fund their programs, it creates dependence on presidents and presidents can extort them.
March 6, 2025 at 1:47 PM
This is exactly the kind of favoritism and corruption the Framers tried to guard against by giving Congress the power of the purse.
If lawmakers are reliant on the president to fund their programs, it creates dependence on presidents and presidents can extort them.
If lawmakers are reliant on the president to fund their programs, it creates dependence on presidents and presidents can extort them.
President Trump and Musk nearly shutdown the government in December rather than pass an omnibus so they could put their stamp on FY25 funding.
Now, the President is whipping a full year CR in the House.
Now, the President is whipping a full year CR in the House.
March 5, 2025 at 3:08 PM
President Trump and Musk nearly shutdown the government in December rather than pass an omnibus so they could put their stamp on FY25 funding.
Now, the President is whipping a full year CR in the House.
Now, the President is whipping a full year CR in the House.
And why is the national debt a problem now for the first time since the 1990s? Federal debt has been a problem for the better part of 2 decades, really since the financial crisis.
Trump inherits almost the exact same debt (as a percentage of GDP) as Biden did in 2021.
Trump inherits almost the exact same debt (as a percentage of GDP) as Biden did in 2021.
February 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
And why is the national debt a problem now for the first time since the 1990s? Federal debt has been a problem for the better part of 2 decades, really since the financial crisis.
Trump inherits almost the exact same debt (as a percentage of GDP) as Biden did in 2021.
Trump inherits almost the exact same debt (as a percentage of GDP) as Biden did in 2021.
No, @politico.com, the President does not get pause law to retroactively review if it "aligns with his priorities."
January 28, 2025 at 1:46 PM
No, @politico.com, the President does not get pause law to retroactively review if it "aligns with his priorities."
McCarthy smartly added Massie to Rules, knowing Massie was more of an independent conservative than an HFC member.
This concession would create more of an HFC bloc on Rules, potentially creating even bigger headaches for Johnson when trying to move legislation.
This concession would create more of an HFC bloc on Rules, potentially creating even bigger headaches for Johnson when trying to move legislation.
January 4, 2025 at 1:06 PM
McCarthy smartly added Massie to Rules, knowing Massie was more of an independent conservative than an HFC member.
This concession would create more of an HFC bloc on Rules, potentially creating even bigger headaches for Johnson when trying to move legislation.
This concession would create more of an HFC bloc on Rules, potentially creating even bigger headaches for Johnson when trying to move legislation.
@mattngreen.bsky.social back in his biannual spot on CSPAN!
January 3, 2025 at 5:33 PM
@mattngreen.bsky.social back in his biannual spot on CSPAN!
On the one hand, he can't deliver many of the promises he would make. On the other, this is literally how Speakers win the job. If true, it would be a big red flag.
So either this is (1) a bluff or (2) an incredibly naive statement. We'll find out in a couple hours.
So either this is (1) a bluff or (2) an incredibly naive statement. We'll find out in a couple hours.
January 3, 2025 at 2:51 PM
On the one hand, he can't deliver many of the promises he would make. On the other, this is literally how Speakers win the job. If true, it would be a big red flag.
So either this is (1) a bluff or (2) an incredibly naive statement. We'll find out in a couple hours.
So either this is (1) a bluff or (2) an incredibly naive statement. We'll find out in a couple hours.
Musk can't identify the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee but has ideas about how to fund the government.
This explains the last 48 hours pretty well.
This explains the last 48 hours pretty well.
December 20, 2024 at 3:14 PM
Musk can't identify the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee but has ideas about how to fund the government.
This explains the last 48 hours pretty well.
This explains the last 48 hours pretty well.
Imagine you were considering a new boss and some rando recommends a guy with no experience, a habit of spreading misinformation, little concern for you or your clients, and zero accountability to anyone.
This is the decision representatives would make if they elected Musk as Speaker.
This is the decision representatives would make if they elected Musk as Speaker.
December 19, 2024 at 6:13 PM
Imagine you were considering a new boss and some rando recommends a guy with no experience, a habit of spreading misinformation, little concern for you or your clients, and zero accountability to anyone.
This is the decision representatives would make if they elected Musk as Speaker.
This is the decision representatives would make if they elected Musk as Speaker.
This is from Jenkins and Stewart's 2018 paper. Seniority violations are higher today than at any time since the Civil War. The norm remains stronger among Democrats than Republicans, but the trend is clear.
December 18, 2024 at 1:22 PM
This is from Jenkins and Stewart's 2018 paper. Seniority violations are higher today than at any time since the Civil War. The norm remains stronger among Democrats than Republicans, but the trend is clear.
Funding negotiations are going about as badly as you might expect. First, the plan was CR. Now, they're back to negotiations and consensus-building. It doesn't exactly scream confidence that House Republicans have the votes for either plan.
November 20, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Funding negotiations are going about as badly as you might expect. First, the plan was CR. Now, they're back to negotiations and consensus-building. It doesn't exactly scream confidence that House Republicans have the votes for either plan.