60-Second Civics Podcast
972 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★ - 76 ratings60-Second Civics is a daily podcast that provides a quick and convenient way for listeners to learn about our nation's government, the Constitution, and our history. The podcast explores themes related to civics and government, the constitutional issues behind the headlines, and the people and ideas that formed our nation's history and government.
60-Second Civics is produced by the Center for Civic Education. The show's content is primarily derived from the Center's education for democracy curricula, including We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Project Citizen, Foundations of Democracy, and Elements of Democracy.
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Episodes
60-Second Civics: Episode 4215, Senate Leadership: How Congress Works, Part 9
January 04, 2021 08:00Senators were originally considered to be ambassadors of their states rather than representatives of the people in the states. That all changed in 1913 with the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4214, Office of Speaker in England and America: How Congress Works, Part 8
January 03, 2021 08:00Today we contrast the speaker of the House of Commons with that of the House of Representatives. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4213, Leadership in the House vs. the Senate: How Congress Works, Part 7
January 02, 2021 08:00The House of Representatives and Senate have different leadership structures. The House chooses its own Speaker, but the Constitution mandates that the vice president is the president of the Senate. The Senate has a majority and a minority leader. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4212, A Powerful Speaker of the House: How Congress Works, Part
January 01, 2021 08:00The Speaker of the House of Representatives is a powerful position. The House selects its own Speaker, which explains why the Speaker is of the same political party as the majority party in the House. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4211, Influence of Political Parties on Congress: How Congress Works, Part 5
December 31, 2020 08:00Political parties have considerable influence in Congress. Party control traditionally has been stronger in the House than in the Senate. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4210, Senate Rules: How Congress Works, Part 4
December 30, 2020 08:00The Senate has rules, including the filibuster. Senate rules are treated more informally than in the House. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4209, Rules for House Committees: How Congress Works, Part 3
December 29, 2020 08:00Rules, rules, rules. Your mom has them, your school has them, even the House of Representatives has them. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4208, The Purpose of Congressional Committees: How Congress Works, Part 2
December 28, 2020 08:00The careful, deliberative work of Congress often occurs during committee meetings. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4207, Congressional Committees: How Congress Works, Part 1
December 27, 2020 08:00Both the House and Senate form committees that carefully examine proposed legislation and hear a variety of perspectives. Congress also holds oversight hearings to examine how the executive branch carries out laws enacted by Congress. This is the first episode in our series on how Congress performs its functions in the American constitutional system. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4206, Helping the Public: The Power of the Congress, Part 16
December 26, 2020 08:00Members of Congress and their staffers help the public in a variety of ways. Casework, for example, involves helping constituents solve problems that they have encountered with the federal government. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4205, Communication with Constituents: The Power of the Congress, Part 15
December 25, 2020 08:00On today's episode, we learn about how members of Congress communicate with their constituents Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4204, Delegate vs. Trustee Theory of Representation: The Power of the Congress, Part 14
December 24, 2020 08:00Today on the podcast: the delegate vs. trustee theory of representation Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4203, The Size of Congress: The Power of the Congress, Part 13
December 23, 2020 08:00Each member of the House of Representatives represents an average of more than 700,000 people. Among the world's legislatures, only India has larger constituencies. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4202, 535 Legislators: The Power of the Congress, Part 12
December 22, 2020 08:00Did you know that the Constitution originally gave each state legislature authority to decide who would serve as that state's senators? This changed in 1913 with the Seventeenth Amendment. Today there are 435 voting members of the House of Representatives and 100 Senators. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4201, Legislative Districts: The Power of the Congress, Part 11
December 21, 2020 08:00What can you do if you don't like the way your congressional district is drawn? Find out on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4200, Congress Represents the People and the States: The Power of the Congress, Part 1
December 20, 2020 08:00Both the people and the states have a voice in Congress Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4199, Inherent Powers: The Power of the Congress, Part 9
December 19, 2020 08:00The power to conduct investigations and compel testimony goes back to Parliament and the colonial legislatures. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4198, Enforcement Powers: The Power of the Congress, Part 8
December 18, 2020 08:00The enforcement powers of Congress have been used to enact sweeping civil rights and voting rights laws. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4197, Necessary and Proper: The Power of the Congress, Part 7
December 17, 2020 08:00The necessary and proper clause was controversial from the start. Today we learn about some of the debates about this important clause of the Constitution between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4196, Congress and Administrative Agencies: The Power of the Congress, Part 6
December 16, 2020 08:00Congress can both create and oversee administrative agencies. This is one of the implied powers of Congress. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4195, The Implied Powers: The Power of the Congress, Part 5
December 15, 2020 08:00Today on 60-Second Civics, we learn about the implied powers of Congress and explore its historical roots in a seminal Supreme Court case. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4194, More Enumerated Powers of Congress: The Power of the Congress, Part 4
December 14, 2020 08:00Today on the podcast, we explore several of the enumerated powers of Congress. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4193, Enumerated Powers of Congress: The Power of the Congress, Part 3
December 13, 2020 08:00The Constitution lists many specific powers that Congress has. These are called enumerated powers or express powers. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4192, How the Bill of Rights Limits Congress: The Power of the Congress, Part 2
December 12, 2020 08:00On today's episode, learn two ways that the Bill of Rights limits Congress. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4191, How the Framers Limited the Power of Congress: The Power of the Congress, Part 1
December 11, 2020 08:00We kick off our series on Congress by talking about both the power of Congress and limitations on this power. The Framers of the Constitution mistrusted concentrations of power in government, so they devised several ways to limit the power of Congress. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4190, The President and America's Reputation: The Power of the Presidency, Part 28
December 10, 2020 08:00Why is the president the preeminent figure in domestic and international politics? Find out on today's episode. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4189, Congress as Electoral College Tiebreaker: The Power of the Presidency, Part 2
December 09, 2020 08:00What happens if there is a tie in the Electoral College? Find out on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4188, The Role of the Electoral College: The Power of the Presidency, Part 26
December 08, 2020 08:00Did you know that it takes 270 electoral votes to win the presidency? We explain the role of the Electoral College on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4187, Prime Minister vs. President: The Power of the Presidency, Part 24
December 07, 2020 08:00There are important differences between Parliament and Congress, just as there are important differences between the powers and limitations on an American president and those on a British prime minister. Learn what these are on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4186, Prime Minister vs. President: The Power of the Presidency, Part 2
December 06, 2020 08:00How does the prime minister of the United Kingdom differ from the American president? Find out on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4185, Congress and the Supreme Court Limit the President: The Power of the Presidency, Part 23
December 05, 2020 08:00Congress, the Supreme Court, and public opinion limit the power of the president. Find out how on today's 60-Second Civics podcast Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4184, Congress Can Limit a President's Power: The Power of the Presidency, Part 22
December 04, 2020 08:00Congress has a number of ways to limit the power of presidents. For example, Congress can refuse to ratify treaties and decline to confirm presidential nominees. Congress can even refuse to fund the president's programs or abolish agencies. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4183, Check and Balances on the President: The Power of the Presidency, Part 21
December 03, 2020 08:00The president's power is limited by a few different methods. For example, an amendment to the Constitution limits the president to two elected terms in office. Another powerful check on the president's power is Congress. Learn about more of the ways the president's powers are limited on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4182, Executive Orders: The Power of the Presidency, Part 20
December 02, 2020 08:00Why have executive orders increased in recent years? Find out on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4181, Two Reasons for the Growth of Executive Power: The Power of the Presidency, Part 19
December 01, 2020 08:00The president recommends legislation to Congress. The executive branch also plays an important role in determining federal regulations and elaborating laws. These factors have led to the growth of executive power. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4180, The Balance of Power: The Power of the Presidency, Part 18
November 30, 2020 08:00ver time, power has flowed between Congress and the executive branch. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4179, Congress and the Court Reign in the President: The Power of the Presidency, Part 17
November 29, 2020 08:00Can Congress and the Supreme Court reign in the power of the president? You bet. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4178, Wars, Emergencies, and FDR: The Power of the Presidency, Part 15
November 28, 2020 08:00What does the Constitution say about presidential powers during emergencies or crisis? The answer may surprise you. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4177, Wars, Emergencies, and FDR: The Power of the Presidency, Part 15
November 27, 2020 08:00With the support of Congress, FDR responded to the multiple crises that occurred during his administration. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4176, Diplomat in Chief: The Power of the Presidency, Part 14
November 26, 2020 08:00How is the president America's diplomat in chief? Find out on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4175, The President and Treaties: The Power of the Presidency, Part 13
November 25, 2020 08:00The president can make treaties with the approval of two-thirds of the Senate. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4174, The President as Commander in Chief: The Power of the Presidency, Part 12
November 24, 2020 08:00The president is commander in chief, but only Congress can declare war. Congress has declared war only five times in the nation's history. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4173, The President and Foreign Affairs: The Power of the Presidency, Part 11
November 23, 2020 08:00The president's power is at its greatest when it comes to foreign affairs. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4172, The President As Leader of Foreign Policy: The Power of the Presidency, Part 10
November 22, 2020 08:00The president has a number of important powers, but the president's powers are limited in important ways. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4171, Franklin D. Roosevelt: The Power of the Presidency, Part 9
November 21, 2020 08:00Find out why Franklin D. Roosevelt was arguably the most influential president of the 20th century. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4170, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Wilson: The Power of the Presidency, Part 8
November 20, 2020 08:00Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson each contributed to the growth of presidential power. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4169, Jefferson and the Use of Presidential Power: The Power of the Presidency, Part 7
November 19, 2020 08:00Thomas Jefferson sought to be a model of republican simplicity. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4168, The Rise of Presidential Power: The Power of the Presidency, Part 6
November 18, 2020 08:00Some scholars trace the rise of the powerful modern presidency to Andrew Jackson, who expanded the use of the veto and appealed directly to the public to support his position on the recharter of the Second Bank of the United States. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4167, A Strong President, But Not Too Strong: The Power of the Presidency, Part 5
November 17, 2020 08:00The Framers of the Constitution wanted the president to be strong, but not too strong Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4166, Above Partisan Politics? The Power of the Presidency, Part 4
November 16, 2020 08:00The Framers of the Constitution envisioned the president as being above partisan politics. They wanted the president to be a person who had earned the esteem and confidence of the entire nation. This was one of the purposes of the Electoral College. Center for Civic Education