DATES
Thursday evenings
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - Thursday, July 24, 2025

LOCATION
Capitol Hill Adjacent Restaurant - TBD

Congressional Fellowship

The Cato Institute’s Congressional Fellowship in Constitutional Studies

Join us for the Cato Institute’s 2025 Congressional Fellowship in Constitutional Studies – an eight-week fellowship for congressional staff who are interested in the philosophical roots and practical applications of constitutional law from a libertarian perspective. Open to congressional staff of any party or ideology, lawyers and non-lawyers alike, the fellowship will consist of weekly receptions and discussions featuring experts from various fields of constitutional law. Through readings, lectures, and discussions, participants will have an opportunity to explore core principles of the constitution on issues such as surveillance, foreign and domestic, criminal justice, and the first amendment and free speech online. Discussions will be collegial, nonpartisan, and off-the-record.

Those who are interested in participating can find more information below and are encouraged to submit a statement of interest. Preference will be given to early submissions, and participants must commit to attending no fewer than six of the eight sessions.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at GovAffairs@​cato.​org.

Sessions will be held on Thursdays at a Capitol Hill-adjacent restaurant from 6:00–8:00 p.m. May 22 – July 24. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

To express interest in the Fellowship, please fill out the short form no later than May 16.

Tentative Schedule

THURSDAY, MAY 22 

5:30-8:30 PM

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

6:00-8:00 PM

THURSDAY, JUNE 12

6:00-8:00 PM

THURSDAY, JUNE 26

6:00-8:00 PM

Separation of Powers and Chevron Deference
Reception and Discussion

THURSDAY, JULY 3

6:00-8:00 PM

THURSDAY, JULY 10

6:00-8:00 PM

THURSDAY, JULY 17

6:00-8:00 PM

The Constitution and Foundations of American Governance
Reception and Discussion

THURSDAY, JULY 24

6:00-8:00 PM

Closing Reception
With Cato Scholars, Staff, and Program Alumni

Constitutional Studies at a Glance

Cato’s scholars address a wide range of constitutional and legal issues—including federalism, property rights, civil liberties, criminal law and procedure, qualified immunity, civil asset forfeiture, and the Second Amendment, to name a few. Cato expects the judiciary to be the “bulwark” of our liberties, as James Madison put it, neither making up nor ignoring the law but interpreting and applying it through the natural rights tradition we inherited from the Founding generation.

 *The Cato Institute's Congressional Fellowships have been designed to conform with House and Senate ethics rules. 

**Please note that still images, videos, and general descriptions of the Fellowship may be used in future promotional materials.

If you have any questions, please contact GovAffairs@cato.org.