Reforming Congress – Sean Theriault, University of Texas

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