C-SPAN's The Weekly

Mar 06 2025 416 ep. 26 mins 1.1k

C-SPAN's The Weekly Podcast artwork

Connecting today's political discourse with the past 40 years of politics. Using audio taken from C-SPAN's vast Video Library, each episode focuses on a theme tied to current events providing a unique perspective on today's news.

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DEBT FRET: In their First Speeches to Congress, New Presidents Aguish About the National Debt

Mar 06 2025 12 mins

When presidents come into office, traditionally their first big speech to Congress is about the budget. Like President Trump this past week. Instead of a State of the Union address, new presidents share their economic agenda and vision for the coming four years. And almost always in that big budget speech, they anguish over the escalating national debt. Like President Ronald Reagan

SNL’S Chris Farley as Speaker Newt Gingrich: An Oral History

Feb 27 2025 18 mins

If someone were to ask you: name your favorite moment in Congress involving a character from Saturday Night Live -- how would you respond? There’s a good chance you would say it was this: Chris Farley – as Speaker Newt Gingrich – with Speaker Newt Gingrich –– August 4th, 1995 … It was the 100th day of the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives. And Ch

Congress Revises and Extends "Saturday Night Live"

Feb 20 2025 28 mins

"Saturday Night Live" – The comedy show has been on TV for half a century. And it seems like Congress has been talking about it for nearly that long. Like Democratic Senator Al Gore in 1990: "I saw a television show recently called Saturday Night Live, Mr. President. They have the habit of putting on humorous pretend commercials that look like real commercials." And Republican

Happy Valentine’s Day – Let’s Talk Tommy Gun - And Massacre

Feb 13 2025 20 mins

Americans are celebrating Valentine's Day. So, let's remember – the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Here's President Bill Clinton, speaking on February 15th, 1994 – the day after Valentine’s Day, to the law enforcement community in London Ohio … In the last three decades, violent crimes have increased by 300 percent. Over the last three years, almost a third of Americans ha

Presidents Talk Democracy Unfiltered

Feb 06 2025 13 mins

You might have seen or heard a new promo spot from C-SPAN – Presidents talking democracy … from Jimmy Carter through Donald Trump …. Carter: "Democracy is always an unfinished creation" Reagan: "Democracy is worth dying for" Bush: "Democracy belongs to us all" Clinton: "We are here in the sanctuary of democracy" Bush: "Great responsibilities fall once again to the great dem

A Ford Eulogy for Carter, A Carter Eulogy for Ford

Jan 30 2025 39 mins

Two presidents. Two eulogies. For each other. Political opponents who became friends. Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. Here's Jimmy Carter's eulogy for Gerald Ford in 2007. For myself and for our nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land." Those were the first words I spoke as president. And I still hate to admit that they received more applaus

John Tower 1989: Senate Debates Defense Secretary – And Alcohol

Jan 23 2025 38 mins

During the first two weeks of March 1989, the U.S. Senate debated President George Bush's nominee for Defense Secretary, John Tower. Among the Senators who spoke about former Senator Tower – one of his former colleagues -- Alaska Republican Ted Stevens … "my mind went back again to some Senators I have known here in the Senate who have been impaired. I saved one Senator one

Presidential Inaugurations: 11 Fun Facts About Administering The Oath of Office

Jan 16 2025 27 mins

Getting ready for January 20th – and the presidential inauguration? Then you might also be getting ready for fun facts about the swearing-in ceremony. Like in 2009 – when swearing-in President Barack Obama – Chief Justice John Roberts got the oath wrong. What did he get wrong? And -- what are some other inauguration fun facts? Like: • Which Chief Justice has administered t

Presidents Say Goodbye: Top Moments in Farewell Speeches from George Washington to Donald Trump

Jan 09 2025 33 mins

We're just days away from President Joe Biden leaving the White House. Which makes this a good time to remember other departing presidents – and their farewell addresses. Like Richard Nixon speaking to staff, August 9, 1974, the day he resigned the presidency. You are here to say goodbye to us, and we don't have a good word for it in English -- the best is au revoir. We'll see yo

ELECTORAL VOTE LOSERS: When vice presidents tell Congress they’ve lost

Jan 02 2025 20 mins

On Monday, January 6, 2025, Congress once again will meet in a Joint Session to certify the electoral votes in the presidential election. As President of the Senate and presiding over that ceremony, Kamala Harris will find herself a unique and rare position –a sitting vice president who ran for the presidency and then had announce his or her own electoral defeat. Learn more about