Constitutionally Speaking

Latest Episodes:

Episode 77: Filibuster Feb 18, 2022

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In this episode, Jay and Luke discuss procedures in the Senate. After giving a broad overview of how the institution works, they dig deep into the filibuster -- how it works, why it works, and some surprising answers as to whom it benefits.

Episode 76: House Party! Feb 01, 2022

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In this episode of Constitutionally Speaking, Luke and Jay continue their explanation of Congress, this time looking at the party structure in the House of Representatives. After Jay offers some broad considerations about the function and structure of the parties, Luke takes a deep dive into how the majority party (right now, the Democrats) actually work in the House.

Episode 75: Congressional Committees Nov 23, 2021

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In this episode of Constitutionally Speaking, Jay and Luke discuss the role of committees in Congress. Committees are the workhorses of Congress, where the real legislating happens. The guys evaluate different theories of committee organization, and Luke makes the case that their flexibility makes them still useful in the era of omnibus legislating.

Episode 74: Jay’s New Book! Nov 09, 2021

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Luke interviews Jay about his new book, James Madison: America’s First Politician, which is out on November 9th. Jay introduces a new bonus for podcast listeners — autographed book plates! — and the two dive (once again!) into Madison’s fascinating political career.

Episode 73: The Electoral Connection Sep 23, 2021

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In this week’s episode, Jay and Luke examine what makes members of Congress tick. The answer: paranoia. Specifically, the all-abiding fear that they might lose reelection. The congressional drive toward reelection frames their entire career in Congress, especially how they interact with their constituents back home. It determines how they view their districts and how they communicate with it. Those who are good at this job tend to win reelection. Those who don’t, don’t.

Episode 72: Congress Since the 1990s Sep 16, 2021

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In this final installment of their ‘Historical Congress’ series, Luke and Jay discuss various facets of the legislative group since the 1990s.

Episode 71: Congress’s Post-Watergate Period Sep 09, 2021

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Jay and Luke discuss Congress’s evolution and role after the Watergate scandal.

Episode 70: Congress Confronts the Presidential Government — Progressivism, the New Deal, and the Great Society Sep 02, 2021

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Luke and Jay take a look at Congress’s confrontation with reform, from the collapse of the Populist movement through the rise of modern American liberalism. As the Civil War generation fades into the past, new cleavages and governing patterns emerge.

Episode 69: The Rise of the Senate in the 19th Century Aug 26, 2021

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Jay and Luke take a look at the long period of congressional dominance in the 19th century, and they explain how congressional supremacy survived everything from the Civil War to civil-service reform.

Episode 68: Congress and the Civil War Aug 19, 2021

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Jay and Luke discuss Congress and the mid 1800s.

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