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Understanding Congress

AEI Podcasts
Congress
American Enterprise Institute
House Of Representatives
Benghazi
Legislative Effectiveness
United States Senate
Congressional Investigations
Congressional Capacity
State Of the Union Address
Center For Effective Lawmaking
Hillary Clinton
Demosclerosis
Mitch Mcconnell
Elliot Mamet
Public Dissatisfaction
Constitution
Bipartisan Cooperation
University Of Virginia
Federal Budget
Electoral College

Congress is the least liked and perhaps least understood part of government. But it’s vital to our constitutional government. Congress is the only branch equipped to work through our diverse nation’s disagreements and decide on the law. To better understand the First Branch, join host Kevin Kosar and guests as they explain its infrastructure, culture, procedures, history, and more.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes69Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryGovernment

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Artwork for Understanding Congress

Latest Episodes

The topic of this episode is, “Why should we care about Congress's power of the purse?”

Well, we are just getting through the FY2026 budget process, which Congress was supposed to finish nearly half a year ago. And the next budget process has begun.... more

The topic of this episode is, “What’s wrong with Congress?”

I can’t recall the last time I met someone who said, “Congress is doing great. The first branch of government is getting things done and playing its central role in our Constitutional syste... more

The topic of this episode is, “What is the primary problem?”

Every two years, we have congressional elections, which feature both primary elections and general elections. For nearly everyone who listens to this podcast, this seems like an eternal fe... more

The topic of this episode is, “What are congressional norms and why do they matter?”

To many Americans, the United States Congress appears to be a rather nasty place. There are lawmakers calling each other names, introducing resolutions to censure l... more

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Recent Guests

Shalanda Young
Distinguished scholar in residence and adjunct professor of law at NYU's Law School, former Director of the US Office of Management and Budget
New York University
Episode: Why Should We Care About Congress’s Power of the Purse? (with Shalanda Young)
Nick Troiano
Executive director of Unite America and author of The Primary Solution
Unite America
Episode: What Is the Primary Problem? (with Nick Troiano)
Brian Alexander
Associate Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee University, author of A Social Theory of Congress, Legislative Norms in the Twenty-First Century
Washington and Lee University
Episode: What Are Congressional Norms and Why Do They Matter? (with Brian Alexander)
Kurt Couchman
Author and Senior Fellow at Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity
Episode: Should Congress Pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution? (with Kurt Couchman)
Philip Wallach
Senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, focuses on regulatory policy issues and Congress's relationship with the administrative state.
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: What Are Budget Rescissions and Pocket Rescissions? (with Philip Wallach)
Jay Cost
Gerald R. Ford Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and author of 'James Madison, America's First Politician'.
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: Was James Madison the First Majority Leader? (with Jay Cost)
Annelise Russell
Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Kentucky, studying legislators' use of social media
University of Kentucky
Episode: Why Are Legislators on Social Media? (with Annelise Russell)
Gabe Fleisher
Creator and editor of Wake Up to Politics
Episode: Is Congress Getting Anything Done? (with Gabe Fleisher)
Derek Kilmer
Former member of Congress for Washington's 6th District
Formerly served on the Appropriations Committee and co-led the House's Modernization Committee
Episode: What Does a Member of the House of Representatives Do All Day? (with Fmr. Rep. Derek Kilmer)

Host

Kevin Kosar
Kevin Kosar is known for his expertise in understanding governmental functions and legislative processes. As the host, he engages guests in discussions that explore the operational frameworks of Congress as well as the historical context of its evolution.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 31 ratings
  • Dennis Karpf

    Excellent and knowledgeable guests informed and questioned by concise and cogent moderator. Our citizenship obligations should include every high school civics course to require listening to this podcast. Our fractured republic can be improved by the information of Congress provided by this podcast. Well done.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dennis.karpf
    United States3 years ago
  • PERFECT for learning

    These episodes are so incredibly helpful in understanding congress!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    statedept1515
    United States4 years ago
  • This podcast brings fresh points of view in how Congress runs from experts. It explains the more inside look to those things that everyday citizens only scrap the surface of. I appreciate the book recommendations throughout this series.

    Audible
    5
    WendyLimbaugh
    United States5 years ago
  • Informative

    This podcast brings fresh points of view in how Congress runs from experts. It explains the more inside look to those things that everyday citizens only scrap the surface of. I appreciate the book recommendations throughout this series.

    Audible
    5
    WendyLimbaugh
    United States5 years ago
  • Wonderful, instructive podcast.

    A podcast devoted to understanding Congress has never really been tried. And here we finally are, with perhaps the best guide (Kevin Kosar) to its operations in both theory and practice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    North Carolina prof
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the insightful analyses and knowledgeable guests, noting the podcast's effectiveness in enhancing their understanding of congressional operations.
Audiences commend the relevance of topics covered, often mentioning the importance of such discussions for civic education.
Many find the discussions on historical context and legislative practices both informative and engaging, highlighting the host's ability to pose thought-provoking questions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#115
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#116
Taiwan/Government
Apple Podcasts
#135
Israel/Government
Apple Podcasts
#177
South Korea/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Is the Primary Problem? (with Nick Troiano)
Q: What should we do regarding the current primary system?
We should consider reforms such as opening primaries to independent voters and exploring alternative election methods like ranked choice voting.
What Is the Primary Problem? (with Nick Troiano)
Q: What do we know about primaries and how good of a candidate they produce?
Primaries are seen to be producing candidates who often cater to party extremes and are not necessarily reflective of the majority's interests.
Was James Madison the First Majority Leader? (with Jay Cost)
Q: How did Madison become the first Majority Leader?
Madison's hard work and intellectual prowess earned him respect and influence in Congress, allowing him to function as a de facto majority leader before the formal position existed.
Was James Madison the First Majority Leader? (with Jay Cost)
Q: What is a majority leader in Congress?
The majority leader in the Senate manages the floor agenda and the party coalition for legislative victories, while the House's majority leader functions similarly but in support of the Speaker.
Does Congress’s Power to Declare War Mean Anything? (With Gary Schmitt)
Q: Why hasn't Congress formally declared war since World War II?
Congress hasn't declared war largely because recent conflicts lack the scale of World Wars, and congressional authorizations have been used instead.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Understanding Congress

What is Understanding Congress about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on unraveling the complexities of the American legislative system, this podcast offers engaging discussions that illuminate the operations, challenges, and historical significance of Congress. Key topics often include legislative procedures, governing norms, and the influence of political dynamics on decision-making, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in civics and government functionality. The host frequently invites experts who provide insights into various aspects of congressional practices and propose potential reforms, highlighting the necessity for civic engagement and understanding in a democratic society.

Uniquely, the podcast blends historical analysis with contemporary issues, urging listeners to consider... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Understanding Congress?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Understanding Congress:

1. The NPR Politics Podcast
2. Know Your Enemy
3. Uncommon Knowledge
4. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
5. The Foreign Affairs Interview

How many episodes of Understanding Congress are there?

Understanding Congress launched 5 years ago and published 69 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Understanding Congress?

Recent guests on Understanding Congress include:

1. Shalanda Young
2. Nick Troiano
3. Brian Alexander
4. Kurt Couchman
5. Philip Wallach
6. Jay Cost
7. Annelise Russell
8. Gabe Fleisher

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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