Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

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Ep. 253 | Constitutional Chats Podcast | Why Close the Department of Education? May 03, 2025

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There's been a lot of discussions in the current administration to streamline government. Part of that includes shuttering departments, including the Department of Education. Did you know for the vast majority of American history, the Department of Education didn't exist and was created in 1979? To walk us through the process of shutting down a department and the reasons for it, we are happy to welcome Neal McCluskey, director of Cato's Center for Educational Freedom. Neal has worked on education reform for over two decades and will share his insights with our panel.

Ep. 252 | Constitutional Chats Podcast | Tariffs, Presidential Powers and Other Constitutional Issues in the News! Apr 29, 2025

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We have a very exciting guest on our show this week. He identifies 4 great changes in American history brought upon by the President in office at the time: Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln and FDR. If President Trump is able to fulfill his campaign promises, our guest believes we could be experiencing the 5th period of great change. One of the targeted areas of change the current administration is focusing are our trade agreements globally and tariffs. Joining our all-star student panel to discuss tariffs and other constitutional issues in the news is historian and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich.

Ep. 251 | Constitutional Chats Podcast | America's Mission Statement Apr 18, 2025

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A mission statement for an organization is a list of aspirational goals. It brings purpose and summarizes values. Through that lens, perhaps we should look at our Declaration of Independence and Constitution as the mission statement for our country. Both documents lay out our country's values and goals in becoming a "more perfect union." Our guest today, our board member Jay McConville, wrote an essay for one of our recent online studies in which he contrasts our country's mission statement with that of communism via The Communist Manifesto. Jay is a military veteran, CEO and civic volunteer and we look forward to him sharing his research with our student panel.

Ep. 250 | Constitutional Chats Podcast | Are The Courts Overreaching? Apr 10, 2025

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Through the separation of powers, the Founders fully intended for each branch of government to be combative with the others. This fighting amongst the branches, they hoped, would protect our liberties and inhibit abuse of power. Each presidential administration must deal with the judicial branch in implementing their agenda, when cases involving their agenda are brought to court. This is what we are discussing today. To help us understand the intricacies of the current judiciary and executive relationship, we are pleased to have as our guest a veteran of all three branches. Professor John Yoo is currently the Emanuel S. Heller Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. He previously clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court, was general counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee and worked in the George W. Bush administration as a deputy assistant attorney general.

Ep. 249 | Constitutional Chats Podcast | Understanding the Senate: How the Senate Floor Really Works Apr 04, 2025

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It's been called "The World's Greatest Deliberative Body." One-third of its members are elected every two years, and serve six year terms. Presided over by the Vice President of the United States. We are of course talking about the United State Senate. The Founders created the Senate with a purpose, to be a place when debate happens as a "House of Reason." To walk us through the Senate and what separates it from the way the House of Representatives does business, we are thrilled to have two guests on our show this week. Josh Holmes, host of the popular "Ruthless" podcast, served as Chief of Staff to Speaker Mitch McConnell from 2010-2013 and also worked in the U. S. House of Representatives. Jade West served as Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee and as Executive Director of the U.S. Senate Steering Committee.

Ep. 248 | Constitutional Chats Podcast | How Does the House Floor Really Works Mar 28, 2025

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One of the genius aspects of the United States Constitution is the emphasis on protecting individual liberty. The document protects liberty through separation of powers so power is not concentrated exclusively in any one branch. To fulfill the desires of the people, the process through which national legislation is introduced begins on the floor of either the U.S. House or the U.S. Senate. Today, we are talking about the process and procedures for legislation on the floor of the U.S. House. To walk us through this sometimes confusing process, we are delighted to welcome former Virginia Congressman Robert Hurt. Congressman Hurt served in Congress for 6 years and is the former Dean of the Helms School of Government of Liberty University.

Ep. 247 | Constitutional Chats Podcast | How Does The Committee System in Congress Really Work? Mar 21, 2025

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Did you know there are thousands upon thousands of bills filed every year in the US House and Senate? Only a fraction of those reach a floor vote and only a small amount of those are passed and signed into law. Before a bill can reach the floor, it must first go through the committee process. To help us learn what this process is and what it entails, we are delighted to welcome Cyrus Artz. Cyrus is the former staff director of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, and currently a senior policy advisor in the Office of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Join us as Cyrus shares his insight and experience with our student panel!

Ep. 246 | Constitutional Chats Podcast | How A Bill Becomes A Law Mar 13, 2025

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Article 1 of the US Constitution creates Congress and gives Congress the power to write and pass laws. But what does that process look like? What is the procedure through which a bill introduced in one chamber is then passed in the other chamber? What is the committee process and its effect on whether or not a bill comes to the floor for a vote? What influence can the average American have in this process? To discuss this rather complex process, we are excited to welcome Dr. Dave Brat to our chat this week. Dr. Brat is a former member of Congress and currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Business Engagement, Office of Business Relations at Liberty University.

Ep. 245 | Constitutional Chats Podcast | A Day In The Life Of A Speaker Of The House Mar 06, 2025

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Next in the line of succession for the Presidency, after the Vice President. Presiding officer over all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Responsible for implementing a legislative agenda. Today we are discussing one of the most powerful positions in our federal government, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. What are the duties of the speaker? How does the Speaker influence federal policymaking. What role does the Speaker play politically in getting individuals elected and reelected? To walk us through the day to day life of the Speaker of the House, we are happy to welcome Dan Meyer. Dan served as Chief of Staff to two U.S. House Speakers and has a wealth of insight into their roles.

Ep. 244 | Constitutional Chats Podcast | Anita McBride | A Day In The Life Of A First Lady Feb 26, 2025

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Constitutional Chats Podcast Episode 247

For being such a public figure, the role of the First Lady of the United States is not well-defined. Some have taken very public roles and played a part in crafting and changing policy and others prefer to be a bit more low-profile. Since the role is not defined by any law or statute, it is up to each First Lady to determine the visibility and role they will play in a presidential administration. To guide our student panel through these ever-changing roles, we have a veteran of 4 White House administrations across 3 decades, three-time author and an internationally recognized expert on the legacies of American first ladies and operations of the White House: Anita McBride.

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