I’ve decided to follow what’s going on with the U.S. House in 2023, albeit from a distance – but why? It’s partially because I wrote the following right after the 2022 election:

“I would recommend that people pay attention to what goes on in the House and take notes, because it should provide juicy fodder for voters who might be on the political fence about the consequences of handing levers of power to the modern GOP.”

I re-read this quote and wondered – “Well, who’s going to take the notes?” I realized that I probably shouldn’t wait around for someone else to do it, plus I have serious interest in what this iteration of the House will try to do anyway.

I will swear that this little lightbulb went off in my head before I remembered that Amy Siskind sort of already did what I’m doing, except she compiled through her “The Weekly List” the tawdry events of the Trump administration. While my general idea is probably to some extent “something borrowed,” I’d like to hope that our stuff will be different enough so I won’t step on her toes!

As it stands, I certainly don’t intend to try covering everything going on in the House. Curious citizens who want “comprehensive” could just watch C-SPAN all day. Instead, I hope to be able to pick out several stories every month that are not only spectacular in some way, but also illustrative about what the Rs and Ds are trying to get accomplished. I also have a personal interest in learning more about House members and districts that I don’t typically follow. It’s a big nation with lots of diversity, and I fully believe it’s good to venture out of one’s bubble to see how other folks think and act.

I just hope that by keeping track of events every month, we’ll be able to look back in advance of the 2024 elections, and see with a little extra clarity if we should stay the course or if we need a different direction.