C-SPAN's The Weekly

It's the Fourth of July! Which makes now the perfect time to remember this Republican congressman from New York: "Rep. Felix Grucci from New York's 1st district. We probably don't have many fireworks company presidents in Congress. That's how some people might know your name. Tell us about the family business." "Well, the family business is one hundred twenty-five years old and it's been a family business. We've been lighting up the skies and delivering the ooh's and the ah's to millions of people not only around the country but around the world. We’ve done the last five with presidential inaugural, the Brooklyn Bridge centennial, Statue of Liberty and the most recent is the millennium moment here in Washington when we lit up the skies of both the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool and the Lincoln Memorial. It was quite an exciting evening." That was freshman Congressman Felix Grucci on C-SPAN in November 2000. How long did Representative Grucci last in Congress? And why think of him during the Fourth of July Weekend? Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time capsules! America is full of them ... and for America 250, Congress is even creating a new one. For this year's Fourth of July holiday, C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" presents a time capsule of its own. The contents: What American presidents have said about time capsules — or even put in time capsules. Like pictures of themselves. Here's what Senate historian Don Ritchie once told C-SPAN: "I was present in 1976 when we actually opened a safe that was essentially a time capsule that had given to the government in 1876. And President Ford came to the Capitol just before the Bicentennial, and opened the safe, we had no idea what was inside, there were pictures of Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife and other items that were donated at the time of the first centennial." Which other presidents have included pictures of themselves in time capsules? And what else have they put in? Find out in C-SPAN's "The Weekly." Because if you're celebrating the Fourth of July — and gearing up for America 250 — you'll want to hear all about American history, the American presidency — and time capsules. Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

William F. Buckley, Jr. The conservative icon died in February 2008 — but in 2025, he's back in the news. • In March, the U.S. Postal Service announced a new stamp with his picture • In June, a new biography, "Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America," was published • And in November, it would have been Bill Buckley's 100th birthday Over the years, members of Congress cited Bill Buckley and told stories about Bill Buckley ... and celebrated him after his death. Like this future Vice President: He led in a manner that earned both the respect and the friendship of his political adversaries. William F. Buckley, from his many years on television, the program, Firing Line, which was the longest running political television program in the history of American television, he demonstrated that wit and sharpness and civility can all go together, and it is a lesson that I suspect many of us on an ongoing basis can continue to learn and apply in the institutions of our government. That was Republican Congressman from Indiana, Mike Pence — April 23rd, 2008. But it wasn't just Republicans who praised and quoted William F. Buckley over the years on the floor of Congress. Democrats, too. Who were they? What did they say? And what stories about Bill Buckley did members of Congress like to tell? Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a big parade planned in Washington, DC for Saturday, June 14th, 2025. It's Flag Day — It's the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army — and it's President Trump's birthday — his 79th. Speaking at West Point five years ago, President Trump noted the calendar coincidence. Tomorrow America will celebrate a very important anniversary: the 245th birthday of the United States Army. Unrelated, going to be my birthday also. I don't know if that happened by accident. Did that happen by accident, please? But it's a great day because of that Army birthday. Donald Trump's and the Army's birthdays falling on the same day isn't the only fun fact about presidents and birthdays. In fact, there are 10 ten fun facts about presidents and birthdays you might not have known. Can you name all ten? If you can't, don't fret. They're all in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk is ending active involvement in the Trump administration and DOGE... His relationship with President Trump as a senior advisor and special government employee has been well documented… So has the billionaire's founding and serving as CEO of several companies…But Elon Musk isn't the only famous CEO who's had connections to presidents. In this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly," learn what other top-shelf CEOs have said about presidents they've supported or advised or even opposed. And hear stories from their involvement in politics. As we talk with the author who literally wrote the book on the subject. Dr. Tevi Troy. His book: "The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders in Chief and Titans of Industry." You'll hear clips from six celebrity CEO's who have appeared on C-SPAN – and then – against the backdrop of Elon Musk and Donald Trump -- Tevi Troy will tell us about their relationships with presidents. Who are the six celebrity CEOs? And what does Tevi Troy say about each of them? Find out in "The Weekly." Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of the U.S. Senate floor. It began 39 years ago -- June 2nd, 1986 – Day One of C-SPAN2. Here's one of the first things heard that first day of Senate TV: "Today begins the video history book. No longer will the great debates in this Chamber be lost forever. What a thrill it would be to watch Henry Clay, John Calhoun, or Daniel Webster in action. Of course, there were no cameras or tape recorders rolling when those congressional giants spoke. But sadly, the sights and sounds of great debates featuring such legends as Everett Dirksen, Lyndon Johnson, Hubert Humphrey, and Howard Baker, men who lived during the age of radio and television, were also lost forever. Now, future generations can have the opportunity to watch history in the making, thanks to videotape. So there are a number of good things about to happen." That was Republican Majority Leader Bob Dole. In a few days: the 39th anniversary of live, gavel-to-gavel television coverage of the U.S. Senate floor... Bob Dole listed several lions of the Senate ... In this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" — we hear from other lions of the Senate — lions of the Senate press corps ... three top Senate observers pick their favorite moments from 39 years of the Senate on TV. Our three special guests: • Carl Hulse of the New York Times • Paul Kane of the Washington Post • Chad Pergram of Fox News Which favorite moments did they pick – and why? And what big moments from Senate history before there was TV do they wish they could have witnessed? Find out in "The Weekly." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

50 years ago, the Vietnam War ended.. The South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army…. North Vietnam achieved its objective of reunifying Vietnam under communist rule.... There were 58,220 U.S. military fatalities …. America effectively lost the Vietnam War.... "It was a sad day to sit in the Oval Office and see on television the American troops being literally kicked off of an American embassy before it surrendered. I hope no American president goes through that experience again." That was Gerald Ford on C-SPAN in 1998… On April 29th 1975, as President, Gerald Ford told America about the fall of Saigon: "This action closes a chapter in the American experience." Since then, new chapters have opened in the American experience with Vietnam .... For this year's Memorial Day, this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" observes America's relationship with Vietnam changing in the 50 years since the fall of Saigon ... and we do so by checking in with a President every ten years after 1975. How has American policy toward Vietnam changed over 50 years? And how has American presidential language about Vietnam and the War changed? This Memorial Day, find out in C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ah -- Romance is in the air. And by romance in the air – we mean Governors giving their annual state of the state addresses and budget speeches in front of state legislatures. Like Tony Evers. Here’s what the Wisconsin Governor said during his 2025 state of the state address: “My forever prom date, Kathy, is up in the gallery, as well. Kathleen Frances, you are the cream to fill my cream puff.” In the next episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly” – we hear more governors say more lovely things about their spouses – just like Governor Evers did. • How long has Kathleen Frances Evers been the cream to fill Governor Tony Evers' cream puff? • Which Governor revealed a – shhhh -- bedroom secret? • And which Governor not only said something lovely about her husband – but then said something lovely about her in-laws? Find out in “The Weekly” – as we present the loveliest things governors said about their spouses in 2025 State of the State addresses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At some point, close listeners to C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" might have wondered: Why have we never done an episode featuring the best-of James Traficant? Well – wonder no more. Because – it's this week's episode! Why now? Two reasons: 1. This podcast is running on May 8th - That's right – Congressman James Traficant's birthday … he was born on May 8th, 1941; 2. We have a very special guest for this podcast … We're joined by one of America's foremost James Traficant experts – he's the editor at large of Reason magazine – Nick Gillespie We mark what would have been James Traficant's 84th birthday by playing best-of clips from his House floor speeches … spanning his 15 and a half years as a Democratic Congressman from Ohio -- then we'll hear Nick Gillespie react to each of them. Which James Traficant clips will you hear? Here's a hint: They all have one thing in common. They all include his iconic catch phrase, "Beam me up." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you imagine a time when a U.S. President and a Canadian Prime Minister were friends? ... And said nice things about each other in public? ... And the nice things they said about each other in public were neither remarkable nor newsworthy? Well, here's proof that such a time once existed: "The fact that we go on, we got along, President Reagan and Prime Minister Mulroney, two some said Irish, we were Irish, now that I think of it, and we became friends. But more to the point. We recognized the importance of getting along. It sent a positive message not only to our senior officials and our governments to work together, but to the people of Canada and the United States." That was the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada ... April 5th 1993 ... At a tribute in his honor ... Hosted by Ronald Reagan ...The event was held in Simi Valley California at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. Not used to hearing such language? Want to hear Brian Mulroney say more lovely things about Ronald Reagan — and hear Ronald Reagan say lovely things about Brian Mulroney? Then listen to the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." Remembering when Canada and the United States were partners in trade — and partners in friendship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton. But this year: No comedian. Which means: No jokes about C-SPAN … or about the Washington Hilton. In the past, at every dinner, there seemed to be at least one joke made about one or the other ... or sometimes both in the same joke — Like Conan O'Brien pulled off in 2013... Congratulations to C-SPAN for winning the bid to broadcast this event. They narrowly beat out HGTVQ, TV South America and the Hilton hotel how to check out channel. C-SPAN doesn't mind the ribbing. In fact, we did a podcast two years ago with the best-of jokes comedians told at the dinner ... about C-SPAN. We imagine the Washington Hilton can take a joke, too. So, in tribute to the hotel being a long-time central gathering spot for the political and media community — a true DC institution — and as a public service to those who still want to hear dinner jokes — this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" is equal parts history and loving roast ... We celebrate the hotel's 60th anniversary by presenting jokes told about it - by a group of people you won't hear at this year's dinner: professional comedians. Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The White House Correspondents Association dinner is just a week away. The big annual media black tie shindig in the basement of the Washington Hilton typically has several surprises. Like this film shown during 2000 dinner. "I want to thank the Academy for this tremendous honor. This may be the greatest moment of my life. I mean, hear since i was a little boy I wanted to be a real actor" That was Bill Clinton, his final dinner as president…. Holding a real-life Oscar and, in front of a mirror, practicing his Academy Award acceptance speech – that is, before Kevin Spacey shows up to snatch it back. Just like the dinner has surprises – this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" has its own surprise. We play best-of moments from four dinners – then hear four former presidents of the White House Correspondents Association talk about them. The former WHCA presidents who join us: • Carl Cannon • Ann Compton • Tamara Keith • and Susan Page What memories do they share? What tidbits do we learn about presiding over the big event? And what's it like eating dinner next to the president in front of thousands of people in person and a nationwide C-SPAN audience? Find out directly from these top White House correspondents in the new episode of "The Weekly." Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thirty years ago, C-SPAN showed the Senate Whitewater Committee hearings. The Special Committee to Investigate Whitewater Development Corporation and Related Matters was created in May 1995. Hearings ran for 300 hours over 60 sessions across 13 months. Did anything concrete come out of those hearings seen on C-SPAN? Well – at least one thing. A hit murder mystery now streaming on Netflix called "The Residence." How do you get from a 1996 Whitewater hearing about possible corruption in politics to a 2025 Netflix series – created by Shondaland -- about possible murder in the White House? Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" – directly from "The Residence" creator Paul William Davies. Other than the biggest murder mystery of all – whodunnit – what secrets of creating "The Residence" can political and White House history junkies learn from the show's creator? Hear directly from Paul William Davies in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're listening closely to the language currently being used by leaders of the United States and Canada about each other -- what a Republican president once said about the two countries might seem unfamiliar. The American people know that putting up walls around our country is a prescription for ruin, not renewal. What the world and the United States need now is more trade and more open trade. And that's why we've pushed for a new GATT round that includes the most ambitious multilateral trade negotiation agenda in history. That's why we've negotiated an historic trade agreement with Canada that will expand jobs, growth, and opportunity on both sides of the border. That was President Ronald Reagan … March 11th, 1988 .. speaking at the White House with business leaders .. The topic: the recently signed United States-Canada Free Trade Agreement. Against the backdrop of the current state of U.S.-Canada relations, the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" look back – to the 1980s … when the tone was different and the policies even more different still. What did President Reagan say about Canada? What were his trade policies toward our Northern neighbor? And what did President Reagan think about tariffs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 31st, 2019. The U.S. House debates and passes a resolution laying out the rules in the first impeachment inquiry of President Trump. House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer addresses the House that day — but there's something else on his mind as well: Today is a serious day. Last night was an extraordinary night. I rise for the millions of people who live in the Washington metropolitan area to congratulate and to exalt with all of our region on the extraordinary achievement of the Washington Nationals. What was the Washington Nationals' extraordinary achievement that Congressman Hoyer was talking about? Find out in the next episode of C-SPAN's "The Weekly"... Because ... it's our annual baseball episode! And it's timed for two major events: The podcast drops on opening day of the 2025 baseball season ... and 2025 marks 20 years of baseball back in DC. So, celebrate both milestones with something special — an oral history! — the biggest moments in Washington Nationals baseball history — as told by Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the third day of his second administration, President Trump signed six executive orders. One was: Declassifying files pertaining to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. The inclusion of JFK was of particular interest to the C-SPAN podcast "The Weekly." Three years ago -- in March 2022 — we did an episode marking the 30th anniversary of Oliver Stone's movie "JFK." ... That podcast featured only clips from Oliver Stone talking about "JFK" at the National Press Club. We heard Oliver Stone go after reporters and historians who doubted his conspiracy theory-driven version of the Kennedy assassination. Now, in preparation for the upcoming assassination records release, this week's episode of "The Weekly" is a new twist on our original Oliver Stone "JFK" podcast... This time, instead of hearing Oliver Stone go after his detractors, we'll hear his detractors go after Oliver Stone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next week is C-SPAN's 46th anniversary…. On March 19th, 1979, House TV began – for the first time Americans could watch live gavel to gavel coverage of the U.S. House floor on their television. … It was Day One of privately funded C-SPAN. To mark this anniversary on this podcast, we're trying something new. We asked three of America's greatest political podcasters to pick their favorite moment from the House on TV… We'll play the clip they picked… And then we'll talk to each of them about it. It's an unrehearsed, free-flowing conversation – about the U.S. House on TV – and three favorite moments. Our three podcast guests: • Jen Briney – "Congressional Dish" • Justin Robert Young – "Politics, Politics, Politics" • Andrew Heaton – "The Political Orphanage" Which clip did each podcaster pick? And why did they pick it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 in 1981… Our national debt is approaching $1 trillion. A few weeks ago I called such a figure, a trillion dollars, incomprehensible, and I've been trying ever since to think of a way to illustrate how big a trillion really is. And the best I could come up with is that if you had a stack of thousand-dollar bills in your hand only 4 inches high, you'd be a millionaire. A trillion dollars would be a stack of thousand-dollar bills 67 miles high. And President Bill Clinton in 1993 … I well remember 12 years ago President Reagan stood at this very podium and told you and the American people that if our national debt were stacked in thousand-dollar bills, the stack would reach 67 miles into space. Well, today that stack would reach 267 miles. What have other new presidents said in their economic speeches to Congress about the debt? Which presidents have blamed other presidents? And how has rhetoric about the debt changed over past decades in these speeches to Congress? Find out in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." As we hear new Presidents fret about the debt. Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Chris Farley – dressed up as Newt Gingrich and doing a doing masterful and frenetic impression of the Speaker – in front of the entire Republican conference. This month, SNL is celebrating its 50th anniversary. At C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly,” we’re marking an additional anniversary -- 30 years since that iconic moment on Capitol Hill when Chris Farley showed up in Congress as Newt Gingrich. What were the resolutions Newt Gingrich, er Chris Farley, introduced that day? What did Chris Farley say about Democrats? What did Newt Gingrich think of the impression? And how hard did Chris Farley bang the speaker’s gavel on the podium? Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly.” It’s part 2 of our look back at the impact Saturday Night Live has had on the U.S. Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"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 Congressman David Drier in 1993: "Mr. Speaker, more than a few of us in this Chamber are aficionados of a television program known as Saturday Night Live. My friend, from San Diego, even tells me that he has seen it one time" As "Saturday Night Live" marks its 50th anniversary … the C-SPAN podcast "The Weekly" marks the many, many times members of Congress talk about it. What is it about Saturday Night Live that so interests Congress? Which SNL skits and characters get their attention? And – for Al Franken -- which job was more fun: Being a Senator – or working on "Saturday Night Live"? All that – and much more Congress comedy -- in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices