Congress’ productivity improves somewhat in 2015
Congress passed 113 laws, 87 of them substantive, in 2015, making it the most productive first session since 2009.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Drew DeSilver
Senior Writer/Editor
Drew DeSilver is a senior writer at Pew Research Center.
Publications
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America’s middle class is shrinking. So who’s leaving it?
in terms of income status, the past four decades have been very good to people working in financial and natural-resources industries or as executives and managers, but not so good for sales workers or people in blue-collar manufacturing jobs.
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Supreme Court could reshape voting districts, with big impact on Hispanics
How the Supreme Court decides a redistricting case from Texas could affect Hispanic voting strength and House representation from coast to coast.
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As more money flows into campaigns, Americans worry about its influence
There’s more money in the political system than at any time since the reforms of the 1970s, a trend that concerns most Americans regardless of party or ideology.
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U.S. public seldom has welcomed refugees into country
Public opinion data going back to the 1930s shows that generally speaking, Americans oppose large numbers of refugees entering the country.
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How Americans are – and aren’t – making eco-friendly lifestyle changes
Two-thirds of Americans say people will have to make major changes in the way they live to reduce the effects of climate change, but data on how much people have actually adopted several recommended lifestyle changes paints a very mixed picture.
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As American homes get bigger, energy efficiency gains are wiped out
U.S. homes are more energy-efficient per square foot than they used to be. But they’re also bigger, and their increased size offsets most of the efficiency gains.
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The most – and least – energy-intensive nations
The U.S. Virgin Islands is the most “energy intensive” place on Earth — meaning it uses the most energy per unit of GDP — while gambling hub Macau is one of the least.
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Freedom Caucus districts look much like other GOP-held districts
The attitudes of Republicans living in House Freedom Caucus members’ districts look very similar to those in other Republican-represented districts.
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What is the House Freedom Caucus, and who’s in it?
We’ve confirmed the identities of 36 members of the caucus, and they are among the most conservative and recently elected of Republican representatives.
