Decodedc

Members of Congress are notorious for being tight-lipped about the details of the legislative process -- especially when they’re talking to journalists. In part this is because of the intense polarization of our day. It's also because lawmakers are wary of describing the kind of compromise and flexibility it takes to actually get legislation passed. At the same time, the two-year election cycle in the House of Representatives and the narrow margin of control in both chambers makes for an environment in the Capitol of constant campaigning. Sound depressing? It is for us, too. But luckily there are exceptions to the informational lock-down reporters face: Members of Congress who are on their way out. Retiring lawmakers suddenly become great sources of honest information about how the legislative branch operates. Today we’re introducing a new feature to our podcast and blog: “DecodeDC: Exit Interviews.” In the next few months we’ll be interviewing some of the dozens of lawmakers who have announced their retirem