'The Interview': 3 Senators Who Quit on Why Congress Won’t Stand Up to Trump

Overview

This episode features a candid discussion with Senators Jeff Flake, Joe Manchin, and Tina Smith about the state of the Senate, the erosion of bipartisan collaboration, and the challenges of congressional oversight in the face of growing executive power. The conversation explores the Senate's diminishing role, the impact of party leadership, and the broader implications for democracy.

Notable Quotes

- We must never regard as normal the regular and casual undermining of our Democratic norms and ideals. - Jeff Flake, on the dangers of authoritarian tendencies.

- If we had term limits, maybe we'd get one good courageous term out of you. - Joe Manchin, reflecting on the potential benefits of term limits.

- Americans are telling us that the status quo is not working for them. - Tina Smith, on the need for bold legislative changes.

🛑 The Senate's Abdication of Power

- Jeff Flake criticized the Senate for willingly surrendering its Article 1 authority, particularly in areas like war powers and tariffs, allowing the presidency to amass unchecked power.

- Joe Manchin described the Senate as having abdicated its responsibilities, lamenting the loss of its collegial spirit and its role as a deliberative body.

- Tina Smith highlighted the Senate's failure to act as a check on the executive branch, noting the erosion of trust between parties and the inability to address pressing issues.

🤝 Bipartisanship and the Filibuster Debate

- Joe Manchin emphasized the filibuster as a tool for fostering dialogue and collaboration, while Tina Smith argued for reforming it to make obstruction more accountable.

- Jeff Flake defended incrementalism and the filibuster as mechanisms to prevent extreme swings in policy, contrasting it with the House's majoritarian approach.

- The senators discussed the decline of bipartisan efforts, with Tina Smith pointing to Senate rules as a barrier to effective governance.

📉 Party Leadership and Misaligned Incentives

- Tina Smith criticized party leadership for prioritizing electoral strategies over legislative effectiveness, citing dissatisfaction with Chuck Schumer's candidate selection process.

- Jeff Flake noted that political incentives, such as fear of primary challenges, prevent senators from speaking truth to power or asserting congressional authority.

- Joe Manchin advocated for open primaries and term limits as solutions to reduce hyper-partisanship and encourage courageous policymaking.

⚖️ The Senate's Role in Oversight and Foreign Policy

- The senators expressed frustration over the Senate's lack of oversight in areas like foreign policy and military actions, including the controversial double tap strike near Venezuela.

- Jeff Flake highlighted the Senate's failure to pass veto-proof legislation on critical issues like Ukraine support, despite bipartisan backing.

- Joe Manchin called for the Senate to prioritize national interests over political calculations, urging immediate action to restore its role as a stabilizing force.

🌊 Incrementalism vs. Bold Change

- Tina Smith argued that Americans are demanding transformative changes on issues like healthcare, childcare, and wages, rather than incremental solutions.

- Jeff Flake countered that incrementalism preserves institutional stability and prevents drastic policy swings, advocating for compromise as a legislative cornerstone.

- The senators debated whether bold, sweeping reforms or cautious, bipartisan approaches are better suited to address the nation's challenges.