Simoncast host John Shaw of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute speaks with author Ira Shapiro.(Courtesy CNN / cnn.com )

Author Ira Shapiro discusses his books “The Last Great Senate: Courage and Statesmanship in Times of Crisis,” “Broken: Can the Senate Save Itself and the Country?” and “The Betrayal: How Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans Abandoned America.”

Ira Shapiro has worked in senior positions in the U.S. Senate and served as a leading U.S. trade negotiator, ultimately earning the rank of ambassador. He specializes in international trade law and policy, governmental affairs, U.S. Senate, Japan, WTO, and NAFTA.

Hosted by John Shaw. Produced and edited by Jaclyn Durcholz. This podcast is produced through a partnership with WSIU Public Radio. For more information, visit paulsimoninstitute.org/podcasts.