On January 29-30, 2025, the IDEA, in collaboration with Listen.Learn.Discuss (https://listen-learn-discuss.osu.edu/), hosted a two-day discussion series both in person and online with Dr. Kevin, a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) (https://www.aei.org/profile/kevin-r-kosar/) and OSU alum. Dr. Kevin, a widely recognized expert on U.S. Congress, governance, and election reform, led the conversation on congressional reforms and the complexities of legislative processes. 

The first session, “2025 Congress: Navigating Promises and Practicalities,” was a public Q&A event moderated by Dr. Michael Neblo, the director of IDEA. The next day, IDEA hosted a roundtable discussion with Dr. Kevin for faculty, staff, and graduate students, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in Congress.

Throughout both discussions, Dr. Kevin addressed a range of critical topics, including the recent Chevron ruling regarding deference, public engagement with Congress, the role of expertise in policymaking, congressional budget and spending challenges, term limits and legislative effectiveness, congressional staff, and institutional capacity. 

Dr. Kosar discussed the recent overturning of Chevron, a Supreme Court doctrine that once provided wide deference to agencies to make their own policies and decisions when interpreting statutes. He explained that the doctrine was initially designed to prevent courts from making policy decisions, allowing agencies to interpret broad laws instead. However, concerns grew over time as agencies used vague statutory language to expand their regulatory authority. Dr. Kosar explained that the court’s recent decision to strike down the doctrine places the responsibility back on Congress to draft more laws, which presents a significant challenge given the legislative branch's limited capacity. 

Another central theme was public engagement with Congress. Dr. Kevin reflected on the lack of direct communication between citizens and lawmakers, pointing out that in his experience, most audiences he speaks with have never contacted their representatives. "How many of you have contacted just one of your members of Congress? I’ve never spoken to a group where it was a majority. Never. Often, there’s nobody," he said, which has led to disproportionate influence from well-funded interest groups and highly motivated activists, leaving the average citizen disengaged from the legislative process. The conversation then turned to the role of expertise in policymaking. While Dr. Kosar acknowledged the power of social media to mobilize political energy, he also cautioned that it often leads to fleeting activism rather than substantive change. "Social media has fueled a lot of interesting political energies," he remarked, emphasizing that policymaking requires sustained effort, deep knowledge, and institutional expertise, which cannot be replaced by online activism alone. 

Students were ready to engage in the discussion and had lots of questions. One student raised concerns about government spending and appropriations and asked why Congress consistently delays critical budget decisions until the last moment. Dr. Kosar explained that the current incentive structure does not reward early decision-making, and described a cycle where leaders defer spending bills until they can force a last-minute vote, creating urgency that pressures lawmakers into swift approval. This, Dr. Kosar argued, contributes to inefficient governance and increases the likelihood of shutdowns or rushed budget resolutions. 

Another student asked about term limits for congressional members and whether long tenures reduce office efficiency. Dr. Kosar responded by referencing political science research, which suggests that shorter terms often result in weaker legislators who lack the experience necessary to craft effective policy. While acknowledging frustrations with career politicians, he argued that frequent turnover can leave lawmakers more vulnerable to external influences, as they lack the institutional knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of governance. 

Another topic of discussion was the viability of a Congressional Regulation Office, an idea that had been floated as a potential solution to the growing complexity of regulatory oversight. Another student asked whether such an office could help Congress better manage its legislative responsibilities. Dr. Kevin pointed to past efforts to create similar bodies, such as the Office of Technology Assessment, and suggested that integrating a regulatory unit into the Congressional Budget Office could be a feasible path forward. 

In closing, Dr. Kevin offered a broader perspective on the resilience of representative democracy, noting that while challenges persist, the U.S. has navigated political turmoil. He pointed to historical periods of extreme division, including the Civil War and the unrest of the 1960s, to illustrate the country’s ability to endure difficult political climates. "We have a resilient system. It’s gone through some really bad things in the past," he concluded, urging students to stay engaged in the democratic process. 

The two-day event provided a rare opportunity for participants to gain an in-depth understanding of Congress's inner workings and challenges. As the country enters a new legislative session, discussions like these offer valuable insights into the evolving landscape of American governance. “At IDEA, we know that many students really want to be able to get beyond media coverage and social media reactions about what the 119^th Congress is likely to be able to accomplish,” said Amy Lee, IDEA’s Associate Director. “We think it’s really important to share a broad spectrum of viewpoints with students, and Dr. Kevin brings very insightful observations from a conservative perspective, as well as incredible institutional knowledge of Congress. We have plans for more speakers throughout the year, and we hope that over the course of it, we’ll be able to share a whole range of new perspectives with students.”

Dr. Kosar is on the left, and Dr. Neblo is on the right.