New Blog Posts

  • Sequestration: An Extreme Consequence of Congress’ Ineffectuality

    Annette Beck, MPA Introduction Sequesters are designed to reduce spending, however they often fail in this regard and instead create real harms: endangering public safety, forcing federal agencies to furlough their employees, and creating a climate where politicians can game the budget system Congress should either amend sequestration’s terms, or repeal it and replace it…

  • Do Democrats Also Engage in Voter Suppression?

    Jerry Wei, MPP Tuesday, November 3, 2015 was Election Day in America.  What was at stake? These were local and state elections, including a high profile fight over discrimination. State, and in particular local elections are notorious for low-turnout, mostly because these elections are scheduled “off-cycle,” – that is, held in years when national-level elections…

  • Understanding the Growing Threat of Islamic Extremism in Russia

    Andre Avanessians, MPP, Staff Writer, Brief Policy Perspectives During a recent House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ), and a panel of experts discussed the extent of Islamic extremism within Russia, and its impact on Putin’s domestic policy decisions. Although no policy recommendations were made, Russia’s recent military actions…

  • Evaluating the Current Sanctions Against Russia

    Konark Sikka, MPP, Staff Writer, Brief Policy Perspectives 2014 saw Russia’s reemergence in the global sphere of geopolitics when the EuroMaidan protests developed and grew, and when Russia seized the moment to wrest Crimea away from Ukraine. This action led to United States and European Union (EU) sanctions. Now that Russia has militarily intervened in…

  • New Bill Makes DC Poised to Become National Leader in Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

    David Meni, MPP, Staff Writer, Brief Policy Perspectives The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2015 — a bill introduced to the District of Columbia city council by councilwoman Mary Cheh — could produce some  of the most significant policy changes to street design and pedestrian safety in the city’s history. The recommendations that went…