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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Senate history office offers overview here on resources for chairs v rank and file: www.senate.gov/about/office...

U.S. Senate: About Committee & Office Staff | Historical Overview

Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Good question! My guess: Most Senate resources (eg access to a clerk) in late 19th and early 20th centuries accrued to committee chairs. Money for non-chairs to have staff etc increased over early 20th c. As committee chair, Borah clearly had clerk & stationery to write Owen about his taxi mishap.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Robert Owen (former senator at that point) later wrote to Senator Borah to reassure him that he had reproduced the material.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Congressional problems, 1933: Senator leaves papers from another senator in a 🚕 and doesn't know the 🚕 driver's name or company 😳

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Can’t believe I’ve been tweeting this for 250 years 😂

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Reposted by Sarah Binder

Andrew Rudalevige @rudalev.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Some thoughts on the Slaughter-house Six and the death of Humphrey’s Executor on @goodauth.bsky.social … and look for @sarahbinder.bsky.social and Mark Spindel on the companion Cook decision too! goodauthority.org/news/after-t...

goodauthority.org

After the Supreme Court’s Slaughter decision, how far does the president’s power extend?

There’s a place for Congress in structuring the executive branch.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

New @goodauth.bsky.social post w/ Mark Spindel on Supreme Court Trump v Cook decision. Throws 🛟 to Gov Cook but carves out possibly only a tenuous safe harbor for the Federal Reserve. We also revise chief justice's revisionist history of central banking in America 🤓 goodauthority.org/news/scotus-...

goodauthority.org

SCOTUS stays Cook slaughter

What Trump v. Cook means for the Federal Reserve.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

😂 I did apologize for the length of my email 🤣🤣🤓

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

My go-to lecture slide for that quote. Best I could do, pre-AI 😉

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Figure ⤴️ note: Tallies show % of senators present and voting, by party; 18 senators missed the Yellen vote amidst a polar 🌨️🧊 vortex; voice votes treated as 100% support for both parties.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Kevin Warsh confirmed Fed chair on most partisan confirmation vote ever (since Congress mandated vote to confirm chair). Dems likely viewed Warsh too close to Trump, unwilling to distance himself from POTUS even on q of who won 2020 election. Writing's been on the wall; remarkable shift all the same

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

That's why Mark and I titled the book, the "myth" of independence 🤓 press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...

press.princeton.edu

The Myth of Independence

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Most importantly: Congress reasserted itself as boss: Senate determined whether/when the president could replace his own hand-picked Fed chair with a new hand-picked Fed chair. Contra Kevin Warsh's claim at his confirmation hearing that "Fed independence is largely up to the Fed," Fed needs backup!

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

In this case, courts showed up for Powell & Fed, as did Powell's key champion, Senator Tillis (surely w/ support of a few other GOP senators). True, Powell played a role here-- standing up for Fed (& Gov. Lisa Cook) and courting support assiduously for years on Capitol Hill.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Key takeaway from Trump (🌮) move to abandon criminal investigation of Powell & Fed renovation cost overruns: Fed independence" is no sure thing. The Fed needs defenders-- players who will come to the Fed's defense when politicians try to bully central bankers for lower rates.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Wishful Axios thinking that GOP can move Warsh nom to a floor vote just as Dems secured confirmation vote for Justice Jackson in 2022. Then, 50/50 Senate had a temporary majority discharge rule to free measures/noms tied in comm. Today, GOP would first need 60 votes for cloture on discharge motion

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

🤣🤣 2 big, 2 small. On purpose! And I used a ⚖️ 🤓

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

No shortage of carbs for this ❄️🌨️ 😂

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Reposted by Sarah Binder

Good Authority @goodauth.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

The Federal Reserve is still playing defense. Here are four takeaways from the latest bouts between Trump and the Federal Reserve. Read the latest from @sarahbinder.bsky.social & Mark Spindel: goodauthority.org/news/the-fed...

goodauthority.org

The Federal Reserve is still playing defense

The Federal Reserve is still playing defense. Four takeaways from the latest bouts between Trump and the Federal Reserve.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

The Fed might seem on a roll. Today it drew support from SCOTUS; last week, from markets & key GOP senators. But the Fed is not out of the woods. New @goodauth.bsky.social post w/ Mark Spindel on why Fed remains on defense & vulnerable to POTUS efforts to steer it. goodauthority.org/news/the-fed...

goodauthority.org

The Federal Reserve is still playing defense

The Federal Reserve is still playing defense. Four takeaways from the latest bouts between Trump and the Federal Reserve.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

New post for @democracyproject.bsky.social's "100 ideas" on the challenges of president-proofing legislative agencies-- especially GAO. Time is running out for Congress to consider ways to protect its non-partisan watchdog from a vortex of presidential power. democracyproject.org/posts/insula...

democracyproject.org

Insulating Legislative Agencies

A broad range of views on democracy to help break the stalemate caused by partisan conflict.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Powell goes full Schattschneider 🤓! Expand the scope of conflict, get audience off the sidelines & into the game. Gambit to rally political support for Fed & put Trump on defensive. Reminder that Fed depends on political support (from lawmakers, markets, judges, POTUS) to secure its “independence”

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

I did notice that (having failed originally to find the McGovern/Massie resolution when I searched for joint resolutions + Venezuela 🙄) Need to order up a "Living in a Pre-Chadha World" t-shirt from @mollyereynolds.bsky.social 🤓

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Where's Congress on Venezuela? New Brookings post: Don't count on Congress but don't count it out either. Bipartisan Sen. WPR discharge vote today is case in point: WH failed to keep GOP in line. POTUS use of force is not a cakewalk for POTUS or slim GOP majorities. www.brookings.edu/articles/the...

brookings.edu

The global implications of the US military operation in Venezuela | Brookings

Brookings scholars assess the global implications of the U.S. military operation in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Over 30% of petitions filed in 2025 have hit magic 218. True, lawmakers file fewer petitions today than @ height of bipartisan conservative coalition (1930s/40s). But remarkable hit rate today reflects Speaker overreach, stifling a pivotal majority faction in era of slim at-risk fragile majorities.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Discharge rule continues campaign for 2025 MVP award🏆! Coalition to extend ACA support hits 218 signatures, matching record 4 "entered" discharge petitions set 90 years ago (1937-8). Speakers today may have peak agenda power, but that's no match for angry 218 (and an organized minority).

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Rare House discharge success today. Reminder that the rule was born of legislators' frustration with an overbearing and overreaching Speaker (Czar) Joe Cannon in 1910. Granted, Speakers Cannon & Johnson had different reasons to batten down the floor agenda. But overreach can sometimes prove costly!

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Now this is a great speech for a POTUS to deliver when he visits the Federal Reserve (in 1937). Watch FDR live! (starts at .22) sarahbinder.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/... Or read the whole speech here 🤓 www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/ad...

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

What to expect while you're expecting (Massie's discharge petition ...)

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Massie introduced rule on July15 to discharge unrelated bill. Rule has to be pending in Rules panel for 7 *legislative* days before he can file discharge petition. So it'll be Sept before he can file petition. At that point, any MC can sign it at Clerk's desk. www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...

congress.gov

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

I think these institutional consequences deserve far more attention than they've received-- especially with respect to the reputation and relevance of the Senate's neutral expert parliamentarian going forward. This issue matters regardless of one's views about reforming the filibuster!

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Senate GOP tactics to make 2017 tax cuts "permanent" required nuclear move on Senate floor-- weakening authority of the parliamentarian, blowing hole in Byrd Rule, & possibly making future debt crisis more likely. New @goodauth.bsky.social post on fallout from OBBB goodauthority.org/news/three-b...

goodauthority.org

Three big takeaways from that “One Big Beautiful Bill.“

Republican tactics seem likely to weaken the Senate – and make fiscal crisis more likely.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Correct. That’s listed at very end of Budget Committee memo from minority staff: “Still Under Review Support for Artificial Intelligence. This provision provides federal aid to states under the condition that states agree not to regulate AI. (Section 0012)”

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

And yes, this assumes GOP majority continues to follow past practice in how Senate handles points of order under budget law /reconciliation. That process protects the “3/5th discipline” senators baked into Byrd rule to place some limitations on what majorities can stuff into reconciliation.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Reminder on Byrd process: Parliamentarian has identified OBBB text that violates Byrd rule. Her advice doesn’t block text. She’s saying: If GOP still keep Byrd-offending text in OBBB & send it to floor, a senator can cry fowl (😉). Supporters would then need 60 votes to keep each proposal in bill.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Senate parliamentarian never sleeps! More Byrd droppings! These Ag panel droppings will get most 👀: Mandating ⬆️ state $$ contributions to fund SNAP & banning undocumented from food benefits These Byrd calls very slightly shift OBBB to center. Likely angers hawks, but might help Thune. Full list ⬇️

budget.senate.gov

Several Additional Provisions in Republicans’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Are Subject to 60-Vote Threshold, According to Senate Parliamentarian | U.S. Senate Committee On The Budget

The Official U.S. Senate Committee On The Budget

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Byrd droppings piling up from S Banking text. GOP-sought savings from Fed/CFPB are good reminder of Fed's *structural* independence. Guessing Byrd rule blocks zero'ing out of CFPB & Fed staff salary cuts, since Fed is self-funded & not reliant on Congress for appropriations.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Just adding: a procedural move can be “out of order” (meaning it is arguably *not* in accordance with established Senate procedure), but that doesn’t stop a majority from doing it. Turning routine Byrd challenge into question chair turns over to Senate *might* not be in order but chair could do it

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Why did Trump send such a narrow and small rescission request to Congress? New @Brookings.edu FixGov post on the politics and rules of rescinding appropriations spending under federal budget law— and what’s at stake. www.brookings.edu/articles/tru...

brookings.edu

Trump wants Congress to vote for his rescissions. Are Republicans willing to own the cuts?

President Trump has sent a “rescission” package to Capitol Hill, proposing $9.4 billion in cuts to international aid and public broadcasting.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Yes: you can see (one metric) of impact of SALT cap repeal by state partisanship below. Dems hold all the seats where taxpayers have most to gain from repeal (green oval). But a set of both blue & red states would be hard hit by Medicaid ✂️. Those red state votes of course matter for fate of OB,BB.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Suggests speed bumps ahead in Senate (assuming swing district GOP walk the plank to ensure House passage, which seems historically reasonable bet). Recalling unpopularity of 2017 tax cuts, this year’s version (even if ✂️✂️ pared back in Senate) seems eventually ripe 🎯 for Dems come 2026 midterms.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

House GOP pay-fors more draconian for tax cuts this year compared to 2017 TCJA. Primary 2017 revenue raiser was🧂🧢 (after "border tax" killed). This time, slimmer GOP seeks more costly tax cuts & more politically salient revenue raisers (Medicaid/SNAP/ACA/Pell✂️). Pulls bill much farther to the right.

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Congress was hiding in plain sight 🤓. Join me & @johnsides.bsky.social for Episode 2 of @goodauth.bsky.social's Where's Congress? We consider the big (yes), beautiful (eye of beholder) bill House GOP are trying to pass thru House --Senate GOP views be damned (for now) www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfR...

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

All of the news accounts I can find and even the CRS report about Chere Rexroat's elevation to acting AOC are frustratingly in the passive tense! Congress took back the appointment power in 2023 Scroll down past the Jay-Z story 🤣.... www.archpaper.com/2023/05/dail... sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R41...

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Sarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Would Democrats take advantage of GOP-proposed tax-free "MAGA savings accounts" for their kids? Would be a good test of "partisanship is a powerful drug." Pre-register your survey experiment(s) now 🤓

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