Congress

The First Step Act has passed the House, but it's likely to face opposition from both sides of the aisle in the Senate.

• By Ashley Hackett

Colorado's legislature had a productive year. But, because of the state's term limits, that output probably won't last.

• By Seth Masket

As religious tensions flare in the House, four Democratic congressmen are launching a new group dedicated to science-based policy, separation of church and state, and freedom for all—including atheists.

• By Francie Diep

In most states, primary elections make official just who gets to call themselves the Democratic or Republican nominee. But that doesn't mean party leaders have to be neutral in those contests.

• By Seth Masket

Scott Pruitt's proposed policy to require that data and methods behind scientific studies be made publicly available has left Democrats in Congress rankled.

• By Francie Diep

News and notes from Pacific Standard staff and contributors.

• By Pacific Standard Staff
• Member Exclusive

Critics say the new legislation is too broad and will endanger the lives of sex workers.

• By Kate Wheeling

Hours after threatening a veto, Trump signed the bill, saying it will increase defense spending.

• By Kate Wheeling

A number of controversial issues have emerged in recent weeks as roadblocks to a new budget bill.

• By Dwyer Gunn

These three charts show that new proposed work requirements are a solution in search of a problem.

• By Dwyer Gunn

Incentives in the congressional spending bill and innovation in the private sector signal that this technology may soon become a reality.

• By Ryan Edwards & Kasparas Spokas

There was a recurring theme during former astronaut James Reilly's confirmation hearing to become the new USGS director: the importance that he prevent the agency from corruption.

• By Francie Diep

Retail lobbyists are pushing through a law that will limit equal access for disabled Americans in commercial spaces.

• By David M. Perry

The latest deal, once again, kicked longstanding budget issues down the road, and puts more pressure on future generations.

• By Linda J. Bilmes

The tax on both domestic crude and imported petroleum products generated $500 million a year, on average, in federal revenue.

• By Kate Wheeling

Here's what you need to know about the big bipartisan spending package Congress just passed.

• By Dwyer Gunn

The congressional spending deal includes a sale of roughly 100 million barrels of oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a cache of federally owned oil.

• By Kate Wheeling

Donald Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address tomorrow. Last year's (well-received) speech before Congress can serve as a blueprint for what we can expect to hear.

• By Seth Masket

Despite Whitefish's small size, the energy company was hired to help restore electrical service to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

• By Candace Butera

Barring any new deal in the next hour, the federal government will officially shut down and cease non-essential functions at 12:01 a.m.

• By Dwyer Gunn

Lawmakers now have until December 22nd to agree on another funding bill.

• By Dwyer Gunn

Defenders say that his crimes are less bad than Trump's or Moore's, but that doesn't mean he should stay.

• By David M. Perry

Economist Gary Hufbauer explains what Congress' proposed tax reform legislation would mean for American businesses.

• By Dwyer Gunn

We're closer to a constitutional convention, where any new amendment could be put before a simple majority vote, than you might realize.

• By Seth Masket