United States. Congress. Senate
'Kill Switch' Examines The Racist History Of The Senate Filibuster
Adam Jentleson traces the history of the filibuster, which started as a tool of Southern senators upholding slavery and then later became a mechanism to block civil rights legislation.
Journalist Jane Mayer On The 'Many Mysteries' In The Accusations Against Al Franken
The New Yorker reporter recently did a deep dive into the accusations of sexual misconduct that led to Sen. Franken's 2017 resignation. Mayer says the chief accuser's story is full of holes.
President Obama And The Courts: A Shift In Balance
Journalist Jeffrey Toobin notes how Obama's appointees are a new mix of ethnic minorities, women and gay judges. But a couple of these courts are hearing suits that could undo some of Obama's actions.
Sen. Mitch McConnell's Political Life, Examined, In 'The Cynic'
When journalist Alec MacGillis started looking into McConnell's early politics, he says he was "startled" by how moderate the Republican used to be. The book traces McConnell's shift to the right.
'Fresh Air' Remembers Former Vermont Sen. James Jeffords
Jeffords died Monday at the age of 80. In 2001, the moderate Republican decided to switch to an independent, tipping control to the Democrats. At the time, he explained his decision to Terry Gross.
Fresh Air Remembers Sen. Robert Byrd.
The longest-serving U.S. Senator in history died Monday. He was 92. In a 2004 interview on Fresh Air, Byrd discussed his 50-year Senate career with Terry Gross — and talked about the noteworthy votes he cast over the years.
Max Cleland, Mapping The 'Heart of a Patriot'
Max Cleland served in Vietnam — where he lost both legs and his right arm — before being elected to the U.S. Senate. His new memoir is Heart of a Patriot: How I Found the Courage to Survive Vietnam, Walter Reed and Karl Rove.
Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee
Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) is serving out his term after being ousted by Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse in the midterm elections. Considered to be the most liberal Republican in the Senate, Chafee is the only one to have voted against the war in Iraq. He made another notable split with the GOP when he opposed the nomination of John Bolton as Ambassador to the United Nations.
Shaping Character and Destinies: John McCain
In his new book, Character Is Destiny Sen. John McCain passes along the stories of heroes — both famous and obscure — whose values exemplify the best of the human spirit.