Reforming Congress – Sean Theriault, University of Texas

December 7, 2021  

  • Video
  • 0:14– Background
  • 1:14– Ph.D. focus area
  • 2:26– Office of Legislative Counsel experience
  • 3:31– Broad areas of research
  • 4:35– Concept of the broadening
  • 9:12– Does the broadening concept relate to the spending habits of Congress?
  • 10:07– Broadening relating to rights
  • 15:25– Gingrich’s senators research
  • 19:21– Relationships aspects of the Senate
  • 22:20– Analysis of the Senate research
  • 24:13– How do you measure the relationships between senators?
  • 27:48– How does the filibuster effect relationships?
  • 31:37– Changing culture in the Senate over time
  • 34:50– Why is there an adherence to party interest?
  • 38:20– Recent history of the Senate during the Trump era
  • 42:05– Polarization in the general population
  • 45:54– Media role regarding polarization
    [Lightning Round]
  • 46:42– What do you think congressional representation should mean?
  • 49:33– How would your ideal allocate its time?
  • 51:25– How should debate, deliberation, or dialogue occur or be structured in Congress?
  • 54:02– What fundamental institutional improvement should Congress make within 50 years?
  • 57:22– What book or article most shaped your thinking with respect to congressional reform?
  • 59:16– Long term plans