Skip to content
RollCall logo

Video

How Congressional Debate Is Supposed to Work (And How It Really Works)

By David Hawkings
Posted January 4, 2018 at 6:24pm

By David Hawkings and Thomas McKinless

[jwp-video n=”1″]

Do congressional debates ever really succeed in changing any minds? Senior editor David Hawkings explains the different forms of debate in the House and the Senate, and how they tend to have very little effect on legislation.

Recent Stories

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., arrives for the House Republican Conference meeting in the Capitol on March 4.

Iranian energy sanctions bill revived for potential House vote

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S. D., leaves the Senate Republicans’ lunch meeting in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

Test lots of testing ‘going on,’ says Pelosi

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D-N.Y., at the "Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here" rally at Gloria Molina Grand Park in Los Angeles on April 12.

The Bernie Sanders tour puts California GOP on notice

Nadine Menendez, wife of former Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., leaves Manhattan federal court Monday after her trial.

Wife of ex-Sen. Bob Menendez found guilty in corruption case

The Supreme Court building at sunset.

Supreme Court again faces question of Trump immigration move

Capitol Lens | Mr. Smith goes to the Easter Egg Roll