Description

• Impeachment has become normalized in politics, with both parties using it as a campaign slogan and tool.
• The definition of high crimes and misdemeanors is open to interpretation, leading to debates about what constitutes an impeachable offense.
• Congress needs to assert its authority and strengthen its oversight power to prevent stonewalling and ensure compliance with subpoenas.
• The normalization of impeachment raises concerns about the future of democracy and the potential for abuse of power. Congress should work together to address executive actions and make them go away through legislation.
• Congress needs to reclaim its war powers and fulfill its constitutional duty to declare war.
• Partisanship and political calculation have led to the loss of congressional authority and a polarized environment.
• Courageous behavior should be rewarded regardless of party affiliation.
• Gerrymandering reform and the For the People Act are important steps towards fair elections.
• The founders would be both disappointed and hopeful about the current state of American democracy.
• Amending the Constitution for greater democracy and ending the dominance of political parties is crucial.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

04:47The History of Impeachment

06:10Defining High Crimes and Misdemeanors

09:01Impeachment as a Political Tool

10:29Congressional Authority and Impeachment

14:11The Normalization of Impeachment

28:43Taking Back Power from Executive Actions

29:39Congress' Abdication of War Powers

30:36Wimpiness of Members of Congress

31:06The Polarized Environment

31:36Hope for Governing and Working Together

32:01The Impact of Partisanship on Courageous Acts

32:30The Need for Courage to be Rewarded

32:45Disentangling from Political Party

33:06Gerrymandering Reform

34:07The For the People Act

35:41Being Primaried and Regretting Votes

36:15Running for Office Again

37:14Redistricting and Gerrymandering

38:00Drawing Multi-Member Districts

39:08The Founders' Perspective on Today's World

41:17Surprises for the Founders

44:14The Challenge to the Electoral College

45:13The Tantalizing Dream of Government

48:36Amending the Constitution for Greater Democracy

49:29Ending on a Bipartisan Note

ABOUT MASTERING THE ROOM

Mastering the Room is produced by the George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management and hosted by political analyst and professor Casey Burgat. In less time than the average D.C. morning commute, you'll get an inside take on today’s issues with information and perspectives you won’t get anywhere else.

MTR challenges guests to go beyond the Sunday show talking points and offer a deeper understanding of polarizing topics, discussing ideas that few have heard before.

Whether you agree with them or not, you’ll see unique arguments from surprising new angles. Packed with influencers, experts, and familiar names in DC and beyond, Mastering the Room is a podcast with access, connections, and proximity to power. 

To listen to vintage episodes from the original Mastering the Room podcast, click here.

ABOUT CASEY BURGAT

Mastering the Room host, Casey Burgat, is the Director of the Legislative Affairs program at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. 

Before joining GSPM, Dr. Burgat was a Senior Governance Fellow at the R Street Institute where his research focused on issues of Congressional capacity and reform. Mr. Burgat is known for his regular contributions to scholarly and journalistic publications, including CNN, the Washington Post, and Politico, and has appeared on various television and radio outlets. 

Dr. Burgat is the author of the 2025 Amazon best-seller  We Hold These "Truths," exploring society's myths and misconceptions about how government works (published by Authors Equity). He's also co-authored Congress Explained: Representation and Lawmaking in the First Branch, a textbook on all things Congress, published by Sage/CQ Press in the fall of 2022.