Rule of thumb #1 of Member voting psychology

The tax bill provides a great opportunity to help legislative novices understand a rule of thumb of Member voting psychology.

It’s fairly easy to vote against a bill because of something bad the bill does. It’s much harder to…

The 10 most important American economic policy issues of 2010

Here is my view of the 10 most important American economic policy issues of 2010.

1. The weak U.S. macroeconomy

Bowles & Simpson succeeded

Much of the press coverage of Friday’s result from the President’s fiscal commission focused on the failure to get 14 of 18 votes for recommendations, the supermajority threshhold established by the President’s executive order. A commission created by executive order cannot legally…

Speaker Pelosi’s Last Big Decision

House Democrats’ practical transition to minority status precedes the formal transfer of power on January 5th. Speaker Pelosi has one big decision to make before she becomes Minority Leader: Will she bring up a Senate-passed tax bill for an up-or-down House vote?

Support the tax deal

Terms of the deal

Here’s what I understand the deal to be:

• Extended for two years, through December 31, 2012:
• All 2010 individual income tax rates;
• 2010 capital gains and…