JD Rackey
@jdrackey.bsky.social
Associate Director of Structural Democracy @ Bipartisan Policy Center | Fmr. @ModernizeCmte | Interested in all things Congress 🏛 | Opinions = My Own, RT ≠ Endorsements | he/him
Updated over the weekend to include full 118th data and added the 119th. Reminder, this chart tracks introductions not votes/passage.
November 24, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Updated over the weekend to include full 118th data and added the 119th. Reminder, this chart tracks introductions not votes/passage.
Censure resolutions are back in the limelight in the House. Last year I wrote about how the increased introduction of accountability tools has led to a decline in their meaning. A short 🧵
November 20, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Censure resolutions are back in the limelight in the House. Last year I wrote about how the increased introduction of accountability tools has led to a decline in their meaning. A short 🧵
The interbranch conflict over spending--rescissions, impoundments, etc.--has thrust a less well-known figure into the spotlight: the Comptroller General of the United States.
My @bipartisanpolicy.org colleague @michaelthorning.bsky.social & I break down what the CG does & the appointment process.
My @bipartisanpolicy.org colleague @michaelthorning.bsky.social & I break down what the CG does & the appointment process.
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The interbranch conflict over spending--rescissions, impoundments, etc.--has thrust a less well-known figure into the spotlight: the Comptroller General of the United States.
My @bipartisanpolicy.org colleague @michaelthorning.bsky.social & I break down what the CG does & the appointment process.
My @bipartisanpolicy.org colleague @michaelthorning.bsky.social & I break down what the CG does & the appointment process.
A leg branch budget perspective on the proposed budget of the military parade, 🧵
June 6, 2025 at 2:52 PM
A leg branch budget perspective on the proposed budget of the military parade, 🧵
There is also reason to believe those hearings are less focused on IDing waste, fraud, & abuse as Congress has decreased how much it’s listening to federal watchdogs, mainly GAO and OIGs. 3/4
May 19, 2025 at 12:35 PM
There is also reason to believe those hearings are less focused on IDing waste, fraud, & abuse as Congress has decreased how much it’s listening to federal watchdogs, mainly GAO and OIGs. 3/4
The story is one of a lack of information processing power as a result of a decline in committee work. Congress is holding fewer oversight hearings than it has in decades! 2/4
May 19, 2025 at 12:35 PM
The story is one of a lack of information processing power as a result of a decline in committee work. Congress is holding fewer oversight hearings than it has in decades! 2/4
A lot has been said about DOGE, its operations, and the efficiencies it may (or may not) be unlocking.
In my new piece for @bipartisanpolicy.org , I take a step back to consider why policymakers thought we needed DOGE in the first place. 🧵1/4
In my new piece for @bipartisanpolicy.org , I take a step back to consider why policymakers thought we needed DOGE in the first place. 🧵1/4
May 19, 2025 at 12:35 PM
A lot has been said about DOGE, its operations, and the efficiencies it may (or may not) be unlocking.
In my new piece for @bipartisanpolicy.org , I take a step back to consider why policymakers thought we needed DOGE in the first place. 🧵1/4
In my new piece for @bipartisanpolicy.org , I take a step back to consider why policymakers thought we needed DOGE in the first place. 🧵1/4
I’m testifying in front of the House Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee at 11am! I’ll be discussing why Congress needs to invest more in itself if it wants to live up to its constitutional responsibilities & constituent expectations.
April 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I’m testifying in front of the House Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee at 11am! I’ll be discussing why Congress needs to invest more in itself if it wants to live up to its constitutional responsibilities & constituent expectations.
To start, of the 202 recommendations, 102 have been implemented with another 48 on their way!!
January 30, 2025 at 4:52 PM
To start, of the 202 recommendations, 102 have been implemented with another 48 on their way!!
There’s a lot happening in the news lately about the role of Congress and its ability to exercise its Article I authorities. A missing piece of that convo has been a look at Congress’s capacity. My latest provides a recap of recent progress & offers ideas about the future. 🧵
January 30, 2025 at 4:52 PM
There’s a lot happening in the news lately about the role of Congress and its ability to exercise its Article I authorities. A missing piece of that convo has been a look at Congress’s capacity. My latest provides a recap of recent progress & offers ideas about the future. 🧵
This time around: Friday, I’ll be chairing a panel with a great group of papers focused on Collaboration and Negotiation in Congress. Saturday, I’ll be presenting some ideas for Reforming Congress alongside some great colleagues. #SPSA2025
January 8, 2025 at 2:08 PM
This time around: Friday, I’ll be chairing a panel with a great group of papers focused on Collaboration and Negotiation in Congress. Saturday, I’ll be presenting some ideas for Reforming Congress alongside some great colleagues. #SPSA2025
Excited to be headed to #SPSA2025! This is my 10yr anniversary w/ SPSA from when I attended my first conference as an undergrad (pic of the program back then)!! I’m not sure I knew then that I’d make this my career but what a ride it’s been!
January 8, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Excited to be headed to #SPSA2025! This is my 10yr anniversary w/ SPSA from when I attended my first conference as an undergrad (pic of the program back then)!! I’m not sure I knew then that I’d make this my career but what a ride it’s been!
Days 3 & 4: Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
December 31, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Days 3 & 4: Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 2: Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
December 29, 2024 at 3:27 PM
Day 2: Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 1: Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
December 28, 2024 at 2:26 PM
Day 1: Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
We just got the best gift of the holiday season, the House Modernization Subcommittee final print for the 118th Congress! Congrats to all on their excellent work this Congress!
December 20, 2024 at 7:20 PM
We just got the best gift of the holiday season, the House Modernization Subcommittee final print for the 118th Congress! Congrats to all on their excellent work this Congress!
We conclude with some thoughts about prospects for reform. 4/4
December 11, 2024 at 3:00 PM
We conclude with some thoughts about prospects for reform. 4/4
We also add some color to the other factors that impact member behavior. 3/4
December 11, 2024 at 3:00 PM
We also add some color to the other factors that impact member behavior. 3/4
We find that primary threats do not universally impact all types of behavior. 2/3
December 11, 2024 at 3:00 PM
We find that primary threats do not universally impact all types of behavior. 2/3
4) There’s still room for improvement! As my @BPC_Bipartisan colleagues and I show, you can configure the calendar in a way that increases full work days AND decreases travel days. bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/optimiz...
December 5, 2024 at 9:29 PM
4) There’s still room for improvement! As my @BPC_Bipartisan colleagues and I show, you can configure the calendar in a way that increases full work days AND decreases travel days. bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/optimiz...
This is quite an ambitious calendar for the House! Kudos to House leaders for trying to change things up a bit with 69 travel days and 67 full work days, a 🧵 for some context!
December 5, 2024 at 9:27 PM
This is quite an ambitious calendar for the House! Kudos to House leaders for trying to change things up a bit with 69 travel days and 67 full work days, a 🧵 for some context!
3) Committees should experiment alternative hearing formats that might be more conducive towards achieving these goals.
November 20, 2024 at 4:40 PM
3) Committees should experiment alternative hearing formats that might be more conducive towards achieving these goals.
2) Committees should focus on policy solutions and implementation, not problem definition.
November 20, 2024 at 4:40 PM
2) Committees should focus on policy solutions and implementation, not problem definition.
We propose 3 recommendations for Congress. 1) Committees should focus more on information gathering and less on theatrics.
November 20, 2024 at 4:40 PM
We propose 3 recommendations for Congress. 1) Committees should focus more on information gathering and less on theatrics.
In particular, we look at declining rates of executive branch officials appearing before congressional committees and why this trend will need reversing moving forward.
November 20, 2024 at 4:40 PM
In particular, we look at declining rates of executive branch officials appearing before congressional committees and why this trend will need reversing moving forward.