Kevin R. Kosar
@kevinrkosar.bsky.social
Senior Fellow, AEI.
Host of the Understanding Congress podcast.
Editor of UnderstandingCongress.org.
Host of the Understanding Congress podcast.
Editor of UnderstandingCongress.org.
"Lots of lonely people are gathering online in an environment of poisonous political rhetoric... They’re living with anxiety of an unbundled self and ... grasping for a sense of belonging, meaning, purpose, and perhaps most of all, community." thedispatch.com/article/mass...
The Great Unbundling of Humanity
Community connection has given way to faceless mobs.
thedispatch.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:46 AM
"Lots of lonely people are gathering online in an environment of poisonous political rhetoric... They’re living with anxiety of an unbundled self and ... grasping for a sense of belonging, meaning, purpose, and perhaps most of all, community." thedispatch.com/article/mass...
I chatted with Kurt Couchman about his new book on why Congress should enact a balanced budget amendment. Listen in at www.understandingcongress.org/podcast/shou...
Should Congress Pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution? (with Kurt Couchman) - UnderstandingCongress.org
The topic of this episode is, “Should Congress pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution?” The federal government experienced a shutdown in autumn 20025, which is one of many that have occu...
www.understandingcongress.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I chatted with Kurt Couchman about his new book on why Congress should enact a balanced budget amendment. Listen in at www.understandingcongress.org/podcast/shou...
From last night. Capitol Hill always does Halloween right.
November 1, 2025 at 11:37 PM
From last night. Capitol Hill always does Halloween right.
Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
The new issue of Beverages, Books, and More is here: Sasquatch, celebrities and a couple of drink recommendations.
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
October 30, 2025 at 1:43 PM
The new issue of Beverages, Books, and More is here: Sasquatch, celebrities and a couple of drink recommendations.
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
"Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is struggling to quickly hire 10,000 qualified agents for mass deportations, even as it offers signing bonuses of up to a year's salary." -@Axios, www.axios.com/2025/10/29/i...
Hiring 10,000 ICE agents is easier said than done
Border czar Tom Homan acknowledges a "high fail rate" on the agency's physical standards for recruits.
www.axios.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:44 PM
"Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is struggling to quickly hire 10,000 qualified agents for mass deportations, even as it offers signing bonuses of up to a year's salary." -@Axios, www.axios.com/2025/10/29/i...
The new issue of Beverages, Books, and More is here: Sasquatch, celebrities and a couple of drink recommendations.
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
October 30, 2025 at 1:43 PM
The new issue of Beverages, Books, and More is here: Sasquatch, celebrities and a couple of drink recommendations.
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/sasquatch-...
Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
Want a signed copy of my book, Whiskey: A Global History? You can get them here www.ebay.com/itm/17753194... or you can message me and we can handle the sale via Venmo/Zelle/PayPal. ($16.99, which includes the shipping cost.)
October 29, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Want a signed copy of my book, Whiskey: A Global History? You can get them here www.ebay.com/itm/17753194... or you can message me and we can handle the sale via Venmo/Zelle/PayPal. ($16.99, which includes the shipping cost.)
“An out-of-session House also means that legislation that does get passed this autumn is less likely to move through any process remotely resembling regular order,” Kosar said... 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 30, 2025 at 1:42 PM
“An out-of-session House also means that legislation that does get passed this autumn is less likely to move through any process remotely resembling regular order,” Kosar said... rollcall.com/2025/10/29/h...
Want a signed copy of my book, Whiskey: A Global History? You can get them here www.ebay.com/itm/17753194... or you can message me and we can handle the sale via Venmo/Zelle/PayPal. ($16.99, which includes the shipping cost.)
October 29, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Want a signed copy of my book, Whiskey: A Global History? You can get them here www.ebay.com/itm/17753194... or you can message me and we can handle the sale via Venmo/Zelle/PayPal. ($16.99, which includes the shipping cost.)
"not only has Trump had to withdraw more nominees than any recent president in their first year in office — none have withdrawn as many nominees in their first two years as Trump has in his first." www.wakeuptopolitics.com/p/trump-has-...
Trump Has Withdrawn a Record Number of Nominees This Year
The reasons are mixed, but some — like Paul Ingrassia — reflect subtle GOP pushback.
www.wakeuptopolitics.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:54 PM
"not only has Trump had to withdraw more nominees than any recent president in their first year in office — none have withdrawn as many nominees in their first two years as Trump has in his first." www.wakeuptopolitics.com/p/trump-has-...
The government shutdown also means military cemeteries are understaffed and cannot pay contractors to set headstones, mow the grounds, pick up trash, etc.
www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news...
www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news...
Great Lakes National Cemetery "unable to host" headstone cleaning event due to government shutdown
The Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan, said it wasn't able to coordinate a headstone cleaning event on Saturday due to the ongoing government shutdown.
www.cbsnews.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The government shutdown also means military cemeteries are understaffed and cannot pay contractors to set headstones, mow the grounds, pick up trash, etc.
www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news...
www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news...
Interesting piece on LeBron and his philanthropic efforts in Akron, Ohio.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | LeBron James is defined by his hometown. Now he’s reshaping it.
He says he’s just a kid from Akron, Ohio. But he’s not just any kid.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 19, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Interesting piece on LeBron and his philanthropic efforts in Akron, Ohio.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Trump's DHS may spend up to $200 million on a government advertising campaign, reports Axios. www.axios.com/2025/10/15/t...
U.S. government pays for 2025's most expensive political ad campaign
The next closest ad campaign is the $41 million effort to support California's redistricting measure.
www.axios.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Trump's DHS may spend up to $200 million on a government advertising campaign, reports Axios. www.axios.com/2025/10/15/t...
My latest piece for the Washington Examiner. You can read it for free at:
"After decades of red ink, a fresh push for a balanced budget amendment emerges"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/17/a...
"After decades of red ink, a fresh push for a balanced budget amendment emerges"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/17/a...
October 17, 2025 at 2:20 PM
My latest piece for the Washington Examiner. You can read it for free at:
"After decades of red ink, a fresh push for a balanced budget amendment emerges"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/17/a...
"After decades of red ink, a fresh push for a balanced budget amendment emerges"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/17/a...
There is an official budget process—and then there is the way the legislature actually funds the federal government. The two decreasingly resemble each other.
kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/unorthodox...
kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/unorthodox...
Unorthodox lawmaking comes to budgeting, leaving elected officials adrift
And get this sweet offer before it goes away on Saturday
kevinrkosar.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:20 AM
There is an official budget process—and then there is the way the legislature actually funds the federal government. The two decreasingly resemble each other.
kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/unorthodox...
kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/unorthodox...
So many political and policy fights are exactly this: debates about causation. What causes this problem? What remedy will improve matters? Etc.
lawliberty.org/establishing...
lawliberty.org/establishing...
Establishing Causation Is a Headache – Theodore Dalrymple
Politicians and other celebrities should remain silent on medical subjects in which they have no expertise.
lawliberty.org
October 14, 2025 at 12:39 PM
So many political and policy fights are exactly this: debates about causation. What causes this problem? What remedy will improve matters? Etc.
lawliberty.org/establishing...
lawliberty.org/establishing...
"So far, it’s been crickets from Senate Republicans about preserving the upper house’s treaty-making prerogative. A little history might remind them of what they should be doing."
Trump, Qatar, and the Senate’s treaty power www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/07/t...
Trump, Qatar, and the Senate’s treaty power www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/07/t...
Trump, Qatar, and the Senate’s treaty power - UnderstandingCongress.org
On October 1, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order giving Qatar a security guarantee—something the Constitution reserves for the treaty-making process set out in the Constitution. By ac...
www.understandingcongress.org
October 12, 2025 at 11:23 PM
"So far, it’s been crickets from Senate Republicans about preserving the upper house’s treaty-making prerogative. A little history might remind them of what they should be doing."
Trump, Qatar, and the Senate’s treaty power www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/07/t...
Trump, Qatar, and the Senate’s treaty power www.understandingcongress.org/2025/10/07/t...
"The Pentagon needs sober, judicious leadership, not a drama queen who makes things jarring and fevered."
www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
Opinion | The Embarrassing Pete Hegseth
The Pentagon needs sober, judicious leadership, not a drama queen who makes things jarring and fevered.
www.wsj.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
"The Pentagon needs sober, judicious leadership, not a drama queen who makes things jarring and fevered."
www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
Great explainer episode with @kevinrkosar.bsky.social and @pwallach.bsky.social
This would make a really nice class “reading” assignment if you’re trying to work appropriations shenanigans into your syllabus.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/u...
This would make a really nice class “reading” assignment if you’re trying to work appropriations shenanigans into your syllabus.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/u...
What Are Budget Rescissions and Pocket Rescissions? (with Philip Wallach)
Podcast Episode · Understanding Congress · 10/06/2025 · 30m
podcasts.apple.com
October 6, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Great explainer episode with @kevinrkosar.bsky.social and @pwallach.bsky.social
This would make a really nice class “reading” assignment if you’re trying to work appropriations shenanigans into your syllabus.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/u...
This would make a really nice class “reading” assignment if you’re trying to work appropriations shenanigans into your syllabus.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/u...
Want me to mail you a copy of Government Project?
It is a profound book that holds lessons for our times.
The Wall Street Journal deemed it a politics book of the year.
See kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/want-me-to...
It is a profound book that holds lessons for our times.
The Wall Street Journal deemed it a politics book of the year.
See kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/want-me-to...
October 9, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Want me to mail you a copy of Government Project?
It is a profound book that holds lessons for our times.
The Wall Street Journal deemed it a politics book of the year.
See kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/want-me-to...
It is a profound book that holds lessons for our times.
The Wall Street Journal deemed it a politics book of the year.
See kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/want-me-to...
"What is needed first is a recommitment to republicanism as legislative government. We the people should take seriously the necessity of a Congress that reflects the public will and strives earnestly to implement it." theamericanenterprise.com/you-cant-rep...
You Can’t Replace Congress with the President
In today’s American political system, the president is the unquestioned leader. But this was not how the framers of the Constitution envisioned the government would function. Correcting this lopsided ...
theamericanenterprise.com
September 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
"What is needed first is a recommitment to republicanism as legislative government. We the people should take seriously the necessity of a Congress that reflects the public will and strives earnestly to implement it." theamericanenterprise.com/you-cant-rep...
This Yuval Levin essay and its 9 figures are worth your time.
"Status quo or revolution? The peculiar fiscal footprint of the Trump administration"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/09/30/s...
"Status quo or revolution? The peculiar fiscal footprint of the Trump administration"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/09/30/s...
September 30, 2025 at 2:40 PM
This Yuval Levin essay and its 9 figures are worth your time.
"Status quo or revolution? The peculiar fiscal footprint of the Trump administration"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/09/30/s...
"Status quo or revolution? The peculiar fiscal footprint of the Trump administration"
www.understandingcongress.org/2025/09/30/s...
Congress's power of the purse is weakening and the Post Office is circling the drain. But there's good news... kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/the-power-...
The power of the purse is weakening and the Post Office is circling the drain
But there's good news; scroll down and you'll see!
kevinrkosar.substack.com
September 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Congress's power of the purse is weakening and the Post Office is circling the drain. But there's good news... kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/the-power-...
Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
We asked about coalition formation in Portland’s first elections under STV and an enlarged city council. That involved analyzing interest-group endorsements of candidates. Here are some PCA results. One notable finding was some business-labor cross-endorsement. www.aei.org/research-pro...
September 26, 2025 at 6:26 AM
We asked about coalition formation in Portland’s first elections under STV and an enlarged city council. That involved analyzing interest-group endorsements of candidates. Here are some PCA results. One notable finding was some business-labor cross-endorsement. www.aei.org/research-pro...
Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
There are tables in the paper about endorsement overlap. Jaehun Lee led the charge on data collection and is top-notch about precision. I enjoyed working with him and @kevinrkosar.bsky.social. MI’s support made my collaboration possible.
September 26, 2025 at 6:39 AM
There are tables in the paper about endorsement overlap. Jaehun Lee led the charge on data collection and is top-notch about precision. I enjoyed working with him and @kevinrkosar.bsky.social. MI’s support made my collaboration possible.