Thank you for Contacting us

One major sticking point at the Constitutional Convention was the representation of states. Small states sought a system that would grant them equal power in the legislature, while larger states desired proportional representation based on state population. The Great Compromise of 1787 resolved this impasse by creating a legislative branch with two chambers, the House and the Senate, that allowed for both population-based and state-based representation. This solution has had enduring consequences for American politics.

This policy brief is the second in a series investigating potential legislative initiatives in the 120th Congress, which will take office in January 2027. It focuses on proposals to end stock trading by elected officials.

Over the last several months, the price Americans pay for gasoline and other fuels has increased significantly. In this brief, we describe these price changes as a first step in understanding their causes and consequences. We also pose questions that we will address in future briefs on this subject.