In 1994, Republicans gained control of Congress for the first time in 40 years. They promised to change the way Congress did business and to restore America to its founding principles by making government smaller and more accountable. Their Contract with America laid out both the goals of the revolution and specific policy proposals to reach those ends. The general theme of the Class of 1994 was to restrain “government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public’s money.”

To mark this 10th anniversary, the Cato Institute will hold a conference to examine the successes and failures of the Republican revolution. What hurdles and setbacks did the new majority face? Was any progress made in reforming the tax code, regulation, Social Security, welfare, health care, and other federal policies? Do Americans have less government and more liberty after 10 years of Republican rule? Or have Republicans lost their zeal for reform and become a new establishment party?