Can we build a better Senate through dialogue and debate? That is our mission here at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
On Thursday, June 27th, the Kennedy Institute was honored to host Sen. Bill Cassidy(R-LA) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse(D-RI) in our replica Senate Chamber in Boston for the fifth installment ofThe Senate Project debate series.
Moderated by NBC News’ Chief Political Analyst Chuck Todd and broadcast onC-SPAN, the Senators debated climate and energy, border policy, health care, and the filibuster. The Senate Project brings current US Senators before a national audience to model the culture of substantive discourse and debate in the search for common interest.
Listen to the full debate on Chuck Todd’s podcasthereand Sen. Bill Cassidy's interview on the Senate Project on Sirius XM's, “The Brief with Steve Scully” where he discussed The Senate Project here.
"I have the privilege of representing the Senate and all Americans in acknowledging the role of Senators Kennedy and Hatch … willing to work with anyone who puts their country above other priorities."
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
"There is a lot we disagree on. But we do a lot of
good work together."
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Since 2022, ten senators have participated in The Senate Project series, modeling civil, substantive discussion and debate aimed at bipartisan bridge-building.
“Through the example of Ted Kennedy, we have a model for remaining committed to your cause while being dedicated to working across the aisle for the good of the American people," the Kennedy Institute's CEO, Adam Hinds, said. "This is our fifth nationally televised Senate Project debate, it is clear that there is an appetite among the American people to see policymakers engage in deliberation in search of common ground even when they disagree."
The Senate Project and its founding partners take inspiration from the example of political bridge-building established by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, and the late Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, in working past party and political differences to forge consensus on landmark healthcare reform legislation and other bipartisan bills. The Senate Project is produced in partnership between the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, and the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Learn more about The Senate Project and watch past debates at TheSenateProject.org.
Generous support from our members and donors allows us to continue to uplift the ideals of civil discourse and finding common ground through initiatives like The Senate Project and our immersive, professionally-facilitated civic education programs. Since our opening in 2015, we have engaged more than a hundred thousand students in learning how our government works and practicing the skills of listening, compromise, and healthy debate that are needed to productively participate in our democracy.
We hope you will consider making a gift or becoming a member today to support these important programs.
