Reforming Congress – Kevin Kosar, Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute

January 14, 2021  

  • Video
  • 0:20 – Introduction
  • 3:01 – CRS vs. private think tank experience
  • 7:26 – What policy areas do you follow?
  • 10:20 – What fundamental questions are you studying relating to Congress? What are your findings?
  • 17:24 – How is the congressional capacity framework being used to identify distinct areas of improvement within Congress?
  • 23:08 – What do you think the role of congressional hearings should be for Congress?
  • 28:53 – If House and Senate leadership are the major drivers of legislation, what opportunities are available for committees to have a more constructive role in the information gathering and decision making process?
  • 32:30 – What problems and solutions do you see relating to personal office staff and committee staff?
  • 38:22 – What is the best way to increase institutional knowledge into House and Senate personal member offices? Should support be given to personal staff or should it be directed to the Congressional Research Service (and other legislative agencies)?
  • 40:12 – If committees had an increase of their budgets, how do you think committees would direct their resources?
  • 43:44 – Considering that Congresses start over every two years, what kinds of institutions can be created or supported to promote long term improvement?
    [Lightning Round]
  • 50:30 – What do you think “congressional representation” should mean?
  • 53:49 – How would your ideal Congress allocate its time?
  • 57:02 – How should debate, deliberation, or dialogue occur or be structured in Congress?
  • 58:30 – What fundamental institutional improvements should Congress make within 50 years?
  • 1:00:30 – What book or article most shaped your thinking with respect to congressional reform?
  • 1:02:10 – What plans do you have for your research over the long term?
Kosar_Interview