February 3, 2010

“Do not Ask – Do not Tell” in Archive

Just type in Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in the search box. Then select – Least Recent – as the sort by order and you will find the original programs when President Bill Clinton proposed this policy in 1993.

Many issues continue on the policy agenda a long time from inception to enactment. The Video Library is a useful way to review what has changed in approach, actors, and rhetoric.

January 29, 2010

Congressional Commitee Search Enhancements

New tools have been added to the C-SPAN Video Library to search congressional committees. Each committee has its own page now that lists all video we have, all subcommittees, and all members of the committees. There are two easy ways to get to the committee pages.

One way is to simply enter the committee name into the search box. Try Senate Health Committee, for example. The other way is to go to the Browse feature from the top navigation bar. You will see a link to congressional committees on the left side. This method allows you to see all the committees and subcommittees we have covered and to jump to the video of those committees.

Try out these new features. We think they will let you quickly find the extensive coverage of congressional committees that C-SPAN provides.

January 26, 2010

The State of the Union on C-SPAN

State of the Union Addresses going back to 1988 are archived in the Video Library. To find them use the advanced search and type in “State of the Union Address.” This search zeroes in on programs with that title.

The State of the Union Responses can be found the same way. Type “State of the Union Response” into the Program Title field in advanced search. You will find names such as Sebelius, Locke, Webb, Kaine, Whitman.

Where are they now? Their bio page in the Video Library holds the answer.

January 13, 2010

Conference Committees on C-SPAN

Over the last twenty-three years, C-SPAN cameras have covered many public meetings of conference committees on major legislation. In 2009 for example, C-SPAN covered conferences on the supplemental appropriations, the budget resolution, and the economic stimulus. However, this coverage is limited to the public meetings which are usually confined to the opening statements or the final meeting after agreement has been reached on the issues. Those agreements are reached behind closed doors where C-SPAN cameras are not permitted.

In the April, 2009 conference on the budget resolution, the conference chair was asked directly if there would be any more public meetings. Sen. Conrad (D-ND) responded that additional meetings were not likely unless they could not reach agreement. He added that they would then return for motions in public.

A review of past years show a number of multi-day conference committees which were substantive in nature. In 1989, for example, the Savings and Loan bailout conference was covered on five days for a total of twenty-seven hours. The last session was almost nine hours.

The following search shows conference committees in the Video Library. Conference Commitees

January 12, 2010

McGwire Testimony in Archive

Mark McGwire, who now admits to steroid use as a major league baseball player, testified before a House Committee in 2005 about steroid use. McGwire’s opening statement can be viewed here.