January 29, February 24 and March 24, 2021 | 6 p.m. ET
Via Zoom
To celebrate the illustrious career of Distinguished University Professor James A. Thurber, American University hosted the James A. Thurber Dialogues on American Democracy. In these public conversations, Professor Thurber partnered with leading experts/authorities on democratic vitality to examine the grave dangers that threaten the American Experiment, and examined the precarious-yet-possible pathways to achieving a “more perfect union.”

The first conversation on Friday, January 29 featured U.S. Senator Cory Booker, who is also the author of United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good. Watch the recording here.

­The second conversation in this series featured Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist, Historian, author of Twilight of Democracy and GULAG: A History. Watch the recording here.

The third and final conversation featured Robert Putnam (renowned political scientist, author of The Upswing and Bowling Alone)and Shaylyn Romney Garrett (co-author with Robert Putnam of The Upswing). Watch the recording here.

This event series was sponsored by American University’s Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, the Kennedy Political Union, and the United States Capitol Historical Society.

February 3, 2021 | 4:30 p.m. ET
Via Zoom

2019-2020 Understanding Legislative Negotiation Grant Recipients

We are pleased to announce the winners of our 2019-2020 Understanding Legislative Negotiation grants.

2019 Gill Family Foundation Scholarship

CCPS is pleased to announce that Simon Heuberger is the recipient of this year's award. Learn more about Simon.

Professor James A. Thurber testifies before Congress

Read Prof. Thurber’s testimony on the topic of unauthorized appropriations.

American University Launches Program on Legislative Negotiation

The Program on Legislative Negotiation addresses the gridlock in Congress and in state legislatures.
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Read the program's latest Request for Proposals: Understanding Legislative Negotiation Research Grants.

David Barker on One Nation, Two Realities

CCPS Director David Barker talked about his book, One Nation, Two Realities: Dueling Facts in American Democracy, and the current political stalemate between Congress and the White House.

Madison Prize Honors Senators Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray

U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA) have been named as the inaugural recipients of the Madison Prize for Constitutional Excellence by American University School of Public Affairs. The new award recognizes lawmakers who strive for legislative compromise in the same spirit outlined by James Madison in Federalist 10. In an era of extreme polarization in American politics, the Madison Prize is an effort to draw attention to legislators who work across the aisle to resolve difficult issues.
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Congress & the Presidency Journal

This publication is an interdisciplinary journal of political science and history, published by American University, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies since 1984. The journal is now being published three times a year. Congress & the Presidency features articles on Congress, the President, the interaction between the two institutions, and national policy-making.
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