Molly Reynolds, fellow in Governance Studies, discusses her new book Exceptions to the Rule: The Politics of Filibuster Limitations in the U.S. Senate, and introduces "majoritarian exceptions" as a key instrument of majority party power in the Senate. Also in this episode, David Wessel provides us with his regular economic update. Thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo with assistance from Mark Hoelscher, and to producer Vanessa Sauter. Additional support comes from Jessica Pavone, Eric Abalahin, Rebecca Viser, and David Nassar. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter. The Brookings Cafeteria is a part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Bradley Hardy, the Okun-Model Fellow in Economic Studies and an associate professor in the School of Public Affairs at American University, talks about his research on why people participate, or don't, in social welfare programs like food stamps, and also new research on how past segregation may predict modern-day economic mobility. Also in this episode: Molly Reynolds, a fellow in Governance Studies, offers her assessment of what's happening in Congress, and what will happen in Congress after the August recess ends. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter. The Brookings Cafeteria is a part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Nader Kabbani, director of research at the Brookings Doha Center and a senior fellow in Global Economy and Development, provides a background on the Qatar-Gulf crisis and outlines its social, economic, and political implications. Also in this episode: David Wessel, senior fellow in Economic Studies and director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, answers a listener question on corporate income tax and addresses the role of taxes in economic growth for our regular 'Ask an Expert' segment. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter. The Brookings Cafeteria is a part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Elizabeth Mann, a fellow in the Brown Center on Education Policy in Governance Studies, discusses her work on the relationship between community colleges and employers and outlines how cooperation between the two can counter the skills gap in the American workforce. Also in this episode: Scott W. Allard, a nonresident senior fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program, chronicles poverty in the suburbs in our regular 'Metro Lens' segment. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter. The Brookings Cafeteria is a part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, a joint visiting fellow with Brookings and the University of Pennsylvania Perry World House and the former coordinator for Threat Reduction Programs in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation at the Department of State, discusses her work on global security issues, from weapons of mass destruction to the spread of infectious disease. Also in this episode: David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal & Monetary Policy and a senior fellow in Economic Studies, discusses inflation in our regular "Wessel's Economic Update" segment. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter. The Brookings Cafeteria is a part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Dany Bahar, a fellow in the Global Economy and Development program, explains the circumstances behind increasing social, political, and economic unrest in Venezuela and offers some recommendations on a response to the situation. Also in this episode: Molly Reynolds, a fellow in Governance Studies, describes why it has been so difficult for Senate Republicans to even begin writing legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare in our regular "What's Happening in Congress" segment. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter. The Brookings Cafeteria is a part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Ambassador James Dobbins discusses his new book Foreign Service: Five decades on the front lines of American diplomacy and his experiences working to advance U.S. national interests in some of the country's most difficult situations. Also in this episode: William Gale, the Arjay and and Frances Fearing Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy and a senior fellow in Economic Studies, recounts the Kansas tax cut experiment and outlines its implications for future tax reform efforts. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter. The Brookings Cafeteria is a part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Nathan Hultman, a nonresident senior fellow in Global Economy and Development, addresses the future of governmental response to climate change following President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Also in this episode: Martha Ross, a senior fellow at the Metropolitan Policy Program, takes a closer look at out-of-work Americans in our regular "Metro Lens" segment. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter. The Brookings Cafeteria is a part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow in the Governance Studies program and director of the Center for Effective Public Management at the Brookings Institution, discusses her new report "Hitting the wall: On immigration, campaign promises clash with policy realities" and addresses the costs associated with implementing Trump's proposed policies. Also in this episode: David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal & Monetary Policy, explains productivity growth in our regular "Wessel's Economic Update" segment. Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter. The Brookings Cafeteria is a part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

Stuart N. Brotman, a nonresident senior fellow in the Center for Technology Innovation, provides a brief history of net neutrality and addresses the future of the FCC's telecommunications rule-making under Title II. Also in this episode: Molly Reynolds, a fellow in Governance Studies, gives an update on the budget process in our regular "What's Happening in Congress Segment". Subscribe to Brookings podcasts here or on Apple Podcasts, send feedback email to [email protected], and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter. The Brookings Cafeteria is a part of the Brookings Podcast Network.