Stories tagged: "congress"


Where is Paul Ryan?

Ever since he decided not to run for re-election in 2018, the former Speaker of the House and congressman from Wisconsin's 1st District has stepped back from public life. But like former Gov. Scott Walker, he still carries a tremendous amount of power in Republican circles, and now, he's slowly wading back into politics by weighing in on the current state of his party.

Bob Spindell Fake Elector Feature Image
Democrats Demand Ouster of Elections Commission Official for Bragging About Suppressing Voters of Color

Bob Spindell, chair of the 4th Congressional District Republican Party, said he won’t quit despite the uproar over an email he sent celebrating reduced Black and Hispanic turnout in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee, Madison, & Minneapolis By Train: What We Know, What We Don’t, & What’s Next

Could an old form of transportation be the key to new growth? Answers to all your questions about what it will take to expand Amtrak in Wisconsin.

The Worst-Drawn Districts in America: How Wisconsin Got Here, How It’s Hurting Us, & How We Can Fix It

In 2017, a federal court ruled the state legislative districts Wisconsin Republicans drew in 2011 were so excessively partisan, they were unconstitutional. And the ones currently in effect aren't any better.

The federal government has been shut down by Republican actions in Congress three times in the past ten years. Now Congress itself is crippled by a House of Representatives that cannot begin operating while Republicans remain deadlocked over choosing a Speaker. (Image via Shutterstock)
It’s Not That ‘Nobody Wants to Work’ — It’s That Too Many GOP Politicians Won’t Show Up for Work

The Republicans’ battle for Speaker of the House is the natural result of wanting to “prove” government doesn’t work—by refusing to do the actual work of governing.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., listens to the fifth round of votes in the House chamber as the House meets for a second day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republicans Repeatedly Failed to Elect a New House Speaker. Here’s What That Means and Why It Matters

The new Republican-controlled House has thus far failed six separate times to elect a House Speaker—the first time such a debacle has occurred since 1923. Until the new Congress elects a speaker, the House cannot assign members to committees, introduce or vote on legislation, help constituents, or even swear in members.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., walks to the chamber for final votes as the House wraps up its work for the week, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. McCarthy is seeking enough GOP backing to become Democrat Nancy Pelosi's successor when Republicans take control of the House in the new Congress. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
House Republicans’ Agenda Focuses on Social Security Cuts and Sham Investigations—Not Working Families

Between Republicans’ economic agenda, spurious investigations, and threatened impeachments, the House is looking at a busy but unproductive year.