This blog post is part of AEI’s Best Podcasts of 2021 series. Click here to see other AEI podcast hosts’ favorite episodes of the year.

Congress is the least liked and perhaps least understood
part of government. But it’s vital to our constitutional arrangement. 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, guests join me to
explain its infrastructure, culture, procedures, history, and more.

Below are some of my favorite episodes from this year.
Thanks for listening!

1. What does the House Rules Committee do? — Episode #8, March 1

When people think about power in the House of
Representatives, they tend to focus on the speaker. But what makes the speaker
so influential? One power source is his or her immense influence over the Rules
Committee, which is the gateway through which legislation must pass. Don
Wolfensberger, who spent decades on the Hill and worked on the Rules Committee,
was my guest, and did a great job explaining the committee’s machinations.

2. Can Congress budget? — Episode #10, May 3

Trillion-dollar deficits may be the new normal in federal
budgeting. That prompts the question, can Congress budget? I put this question
to Allen Schick, the Yoda of budget policy. Schick is Professor Emeritus at the
School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland. He previously has held
positions at the Congressional Research Service, the Urban Institute, the
Brookings Institution, and AEI. His answer to my question was nuanced and wise,
and worth hearing.

3. Are earmarks good or bad? — Episode #11, June 7

In late winter 2020, Congress brought back earmarks but
in cleaned-up form. The new Community Grants Program includes various good
government provisions to ensure transparency and accountability. It even
requires the Government Accountability Office to audit some projects to expose
any boondoggles. My guest was Professor Zach Courser of Claremont McKenna
College. We discussed the history of earmarks, their contested definition, and
their value in helping Congress get things done for constituents.

4. What does the Committee on House Administration do? — Episode #12, July 5

Not many people paid much attention to the CHA, as it is
referred to on the Hill, prior to this year. But January 6, 2020, changed all
that. This committee’s jurisdiction comprises Capitol security, elections
policy, and congressional reform. I was fortunate to have Ranking Member Rep.
Rodney Davis (R, IL) as my guest. He gave listeners an inside look at the tough
issues the committee tackled.

5. What is the Congressional Review Act? — Episode #16, November 1

Regulations are not merely the business of the
administrative state! Congress has a role to play, and the Congressional Review
Act (CRA) is a tool it can use to strike down rules. Bridget Dooling, professor
at George Washington University and regulatory policy wonk, explained to
listeners where they can find regulations and how the CRA works. She also spoke
of the shortcomings of the law and the importance of Congress having sufficient
expertise on staff to engage regulatory policy.

The post Top 5 podcasts of 2021: ‘Understanding Congress’ with Kevin R. Kosar appeared first on American Enterprise Institute – AEI.