Under the Dome
With divisiveness dominating headlines in a 24/7 news cycle, it’s hard to know what’s actually happening on the Hill. Each month, BPC Action’s leading lobbying team breaks down what’s really going on under the Capitol Dome—and members of Congress share how they’re working to build bridges and create change in a system plagued by gridlock.
Episode 20: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on Elections Reform
We’re a year out from the 2022 midterm elections, so this month, we’re discussing all things elections reform. Tune in as BPC’s Elections Director Matt Weil and Elections Fellow Katie Harbath share more about elections reform—particularly as it relates to tech accountability—and give us the 411 on election audits and redistricting.
Episode 19: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on Reforming Tech Policy
On the podcast this month, we’re joined by Tom Romanoff, Director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Technology Project, who shares the latest on the tech policy landscape. Also joining us—Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA) discusses his background as a video game developer and where he sees room for collaboration on tech reform.
Episode 18: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on Improving Higher Education Federal Lending
Dr. Matthew Chingos, vice president for education data and policy at the Urban Institute, joins us to discuss challenges facing the higher education system and how Congress can help reform the federal lending program.
Episode 17: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on Building a More Resilient Health Care System
BPC’s chief medical advisor Anand Parekh joins us to discuss the challenges the public health system faces in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact the pandemic has had on America’s opioid epidemic, and how Congress can build a more resilient health care system.
Episode 16: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on the Care Economy
This month’s episode touches base on the care economy as America turns the corner from the COVID-19 pandemic, including the shifting workforce and the nation’s child care and housing needs.
Episode 15: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on Infrastructure
On the podcast this month, we’re joined by Michele Nellenbach, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at BPC, who shares the latest on the landscape for an infrastructure package. Also on the show—members of BPC’s Smarter, Cleaner, Faster Infrastructure Task Force former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and former Maryland Congressman John Delaney discuss the Task Force’s new recommendations and bipartisan prospects on infrastructure.
Episode 14: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on Immigration Reform
On the podcast this month, BPC Action’s managing director Laura Hall shares the latest on the landscape for immigration reform. Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) also joins us to discuss one of the first bipartisan immigration bills this Congress that he helped spearhead and where he sees room for continued collaboration.
Episode 13: BPC Action’s Under the Dome with the Budget Breakdown
What’s the timeline for the budget process this year? What can we expect to be included? What about the growing deficit? Former top-level Senate budget staffers Bill Hoagland, SVP at BPC, and Sarah Egge, principal at SplitOak Strategies break it down.
Episode 12: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on the Reconcilition Process in the 117th Congress
Welcome to the first episode of 2021. On the podcast this month, we’re joined by Bill Hoagland, senior vice president at BPC, and Sarah Egge, principal at SplitOak Strategies. Both Bill and Sarah are former senior Senate staffers, and they’ll be giving us the 411 on the reconciliation process, its limitations and constraints, and when it will likely be employed during the 117th Congress.
Episode 11: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on Modernizing Congress featuring Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and William Timmons (R-SC)
BPC Action’s Executive Director Michele Stockwell gives us the lay of the land for the 117th Congress and what to expect the first few months of a Biden or Trump Administration. Also on the show: Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and William Timmons (R-SC), who serve on the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, share more about the committee’s work to make Congress more efficient and effective—and what’s next on the modernization effort.
Episode 10: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on America’s Housing Crisis featuring Secretary Henry Cisneros and Rep. David Price (D-NC)
A conversation on how COVID-19 has exacerbated the housing crisis and how it can be solved on a bipartisan basis featuring former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros and Rep. David Price (D-NC).
Episode 9: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on Telehealth and COVID featuring Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL)
A discussion on the importance of telehealth, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how Congress is working to increase access to this vital tool with Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), co-chair of the Ways and Means Committee’s Rural and Underserved Communities Health Task Force.
Episode 8: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on the Higher Education Crisis featuring Reps. Ann Kuster (D-NH) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY)
What challenges face higher education institutions as schools start back in the wake of COVID-19? And how can a more flexible immigration policy can help combat the economic challenges presented by the pandemic? BPC’s Kenny Megan and Theresa Brown join us to discuss. Also: Reps. Ann Kuster (D-NH) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) share how they are working on a bipartisan basis to address critical issues ranging from education to health care.
Episode 7: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on the Next Coronavirus Relief Package and Artificial Intelligence featuring Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Robin Kelly (D-IL)
Find out what’s happening on the Hill with the next coronavirus relief legislative package—and what the outlook is for workers, their families, and the economy. Also, Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) discuss how they’ve teamed up on an emerging issue: artificial intelligence.
Episode 6: BPC Action’s Under the Dome on Members Coming Together Across the Aisle Despite Physical Distancing ft. Reps. Comer (R-KY) and Cunningham (D-SC)
John Richter, Director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Governance Project, joins us to discuss the BPC’s American Congressional Exchange (ACE) program and how members of Congress are coming together across party lines despite physical distancing. We also sit down with Reps. James Comer (R-KY) and Joe Cunningham (D-SC) on their ACE trip to Kentucky to find out how they are forging common ground on their exchange.
Episode 5: The Importance of Inspectors General featuring Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and French Hill (R-AR) and former Bush OMB Official Robert Shea
Following the largest stimulus package in American history, effective and independent oversight is needed now more than ever. Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and French Hill (R-AR) share their insights on the oversight process, and former Republican OMB official Robert Shea discusses the role inspectors general play in government.
Episode 4: Congress’s Next Steps Tackling Coronavirus featuring Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX)
As Congress tackles the next COVID-19 response package, former senior Hill staffers Sarah Egge and Bill Hoagland discuss what they expect to see and where political hangups might be. Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Honorary Congressional Task Force on Rural Health, shares how he’s working with colleagues across the aisle to tackle coronavirus response legislation and the challenges facing America’s rural health care system.
Episode 3: Congress and Coronavirus featuring Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL)
As uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic grows, Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL), Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee, shares how Congress is preparing for impact. Director of BPC’s Elections Project Matt Weil joins to discuss how COVID-19 might affect the 2020 elections and BPC’s Director of Strategic Initiatives Michele Nellenbach shares insights of being a Hill staffer during crises.
Episode 2: It’s Budget Time featuring Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA)
It’s budget time! In this month’s episode, BPC Senior Vice President Bill Hoagland and Senior Advisor Franz Wuerfmannsdobler – former long-time Senate budget and appropriations staffers – give a rundown on the process. Rep. Scott Peters, a Democrat from California, shares his energy innovation priorities and how he forged an unlikely partnership across the aisle.
Episode 1: What to Expect from Congress in 2020 featuring Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)
In our first episode, BPC Action Executive Director Michele Stockwell shares what to expect from Congress in 2020. Later, freshman Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) joins us to discuss what it’s like being part of the groundbreaking class of females elected to the 116th Congress, her legislative priorities for the second session, and how she works with fellow veterans in the House to forge bipartisanship on key issues.