Washington Week with The Atlantic

News and Public Affairs Series / 23 Seasons

Washington Week with The Atlantic is the longest-running primetime news and public affairs program on television. The show features a group of journalists participating in a roundtable discussion of major news events and can be found at 8pm ET on most local PBS stations.

Watch Latest: S2025 E17

26m 46s

August 26, 2011

S2011 E2380 / 24m 10s

Libyan rebels seized Tripoli, invaded Col. Moammar Gadhafi's compound and he's on the run. What will it take to establish a new government? Also, Rick Perry vaults to the lead for the GOP presidential nomination, and Ben Bernanke assesses the economy. Joining Gwen Ifill: Nancy Youssef, McClathy Newspapers; Doyle McManus, LA Times; Michael Duffy, TIME Magazine; & Jim Tankersley, National Journal.

August 19, 2011

S2011 E2310 / 24m 17s

Perry is in the race, Pawlenty is out and Bachmann won the straw poll. The GOP candidates continue to blame Obama for the sluggish economic recovery. Also, President Obama plans to announce a jobs program. John Dickerson guest hosts with: Jeff Zeleny, New York Times; Karen Tumulty, Washington Post; Alexis Simendinger, RealClearPolitics.com, David Wessel, Wall Street Journal.

From the Vault: August 20, 1999

S2011 E2290 / 6m 22s

After Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) won the Ames Straw Poll this past Saturday, we look back into our vault and examine the 1999 straw poll won by George W. Bush. Michael Duff, Time Magazine, examines what it takes to win in Iowa. Also, a look at the early drug controversy in Bush's race for the White House.

August 12, 2011

S2011 E2240 / 21m 40s

Gwen Ifill reports from Iowa on the 2nd Republican primary debate and the Ames Straw Poll. Joined by Dan Balz, The Washington Post, they look at the testy exchanges on the debate stage. Plus, in the Washington Week studio, Judy Woodruff examines the White House's response to recent troublesome economic news with John Harwood of CNBC/The New York Times and Jackie Calmes, The New York Times.

August 5, 2011

S2011 E2170 / 22m 5s

The economy is the worst it's been in years. Why and how did we get to this point? Also, with all the infighting in Washington these past 3-months, how did the debt deal come together and how will it effect the 2012 elections? Also, voter confidence and its impact on the polls. With Michael Duffy, Time; Deborah Solomon, The Wall Street Journal; and Charles Babington, Associated Press.

July 29, 2011

S2011 E2100 / 24m 15s

Lawmakers prepare to work through the weekend to reach a debt deal and avoid a U.S. default. What will it take to break the stalemate and how would a default impact Americans? Plus, how Obama, Boehner, and Reid have played it so far. Joining Gwen Ifill: Major Garrett, National Journal; Jeanne Cummings, Bloomberg News; David Wessel, The Wall Street Journal; and Karen Tumulty, The Washington Post.

From the Vault: March 4, 1994

S2011 E2080 / 1m 37s

The House GOP included a balanced budget amendment as part of their "Cut, Cap and Balance" bill that is currently stalled in the democratic-controlled Senate. Balanced budget amendments have been proposed since 1963; the last was in 1997. On March 4 1994 Washington Week discussed the Senate's failure to pass a balanced budget amendment, 63-37.

July 22, 2011

S2011 E2030 / 24m 41s

House Speaker Boehner has walked away from debt ceiling talks at the White House. President Obama has called for new talks with congressional leaders on Saturday. Can a deal be made before the Aug 2 deadline?

From the Vault: May 14, 1993

S2011 E1990 / 5m 50s

President Clinton declared victory when his economic program to lower the federal deficit passes the House Ways and Means Committee in May 1993. But panelist Gloria Borger predicts political deadlock in the Senate between Democrats and Republicans over Clinton's desired tax hike.

July 15, 2011

S2011 E1960 / 24m 15s

President Obama predicts economic "Armageddon" if the debt ceiling isn't raised by the Aug 2 deadline. Democrats want tax hikes. Republicans want spending cuts. Gwen Ifill drills down on the facts & fiction surrounding the budget crisis with Michael Duffy, TIME Magazine; Gloria Borger, CNN; John Dickerson, Slate Magazine/CBS News; David Wessel, The Wall Street Journal.

From the Vault: December 22, 1995

S2011 E1940 / 4m 16s

The 1995 budget talks between President Bill Clinton and the Republican-controlled Congress over how to reduce America's spiraling deficit ended in political deadlock and a partial government shutdown. Republicans were demanding deep cuts in taxes and spending including Medicare; President Clinton wanted smaller cuts in spending and none at all in taxes. Sound familiar?

July 8, 2011

S2011 E1890 / 24m 17s

Discouraging June unemployment numbers help to frame the contentious debt ceiling negotiations. A look at GOP presidential hopefuls and their fundraising, and the White House changes course on acknowledging suicides in the military.

July 1, 2011

S2011 E1820 / 24m 52s

What will the global economic implications be if Congress does not raise the nation's $14.3 trillion debt limit? Also, Bachmann launched her presidential campaign. Plus, SCOTUS' ruling on the sale of violent video games to children. Joining Pete Williams: David Wessel of The Wall Street Journal; Major Garrett of National Journal; Jeff Zeleny of The New York Times; and Joan Biskupic of USA Today

From the Vault, June 27, 1997

S2011 E1800 / 6m 47s

The end of the Supreme Court session in 1997 with 16-opinions released in the final week. Among them, a number of landmark decisions including the overturning of the Brady handgun bill and the first ruling on whether the internet should be governed by free-speech provisions. Analysis provided for us by the Dean of the Supreme Court Press Corps, Linda Greenhouse.

June 24, 2011

S2011 E1750 / 24m 51s

President Obama's announcement to begin drawing down U.S. troops from Afghanistan and what it means; the impact on class action suits because of the Supreme Court's Wal-Mart decision; and the latest on the growing GOP presidential field. Joining Gwen: Martha Raddatz, ABC News; Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times; Nia-Malika Henderson, Washington Post; and Pete Williams, NBC News.

June 17, 2011

S2011 E1680 / 25m 46s

Analysis of the 2nd GOP Presidential debate, and a new fact check feature 'Just the Facts.' Plus, details of VP Biden's negotiations on raising the debt ceiling. Also, the Pentagon and Defense Dept post-Robert Gates & controversy over the US involvement in Libya. Joining Gwen: Michael Duffy, Time; Nancy Youssef, McClatchy Newspapers; Dan Balz, Washington Post; and Jim Barnes, National Journal.

Vault: October 6, 2006

S2011 E1640 / 8m 13s

In the Vault this week, some parallels between embattled Rep. Anthony Weiner's (D-NY) situation and that of Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) who resigned his seat in September 2006 after revelations he sent sexually explicit messages to an underage house page. Republicans lost the House and the Senate in the mid-term elections just five weeks later.

June 10, 2011

S2011 E1610 / 22m 16s

As his top staff resigns, Newt Gingrich's presidential ambitions seem to falter while Democrats distance themselves from Rep. Anthony Weiner after he confessed to sexually explicit online activity. Also, a report on the future of Afghanistan as U.S. troops get set to withdraw. Joining Gwen: James Kitfield, National Journal; John Dickerson, Slate/CBS News; and Karen Tumulty, Washington Post.

June 3, 2011

S2011 E1540 / 22m 15s

Today, with news of unemployment rising to 9.1%, Barack Obama visited Toledo, Ohio to refocus on the economy. The panel examines several disappointing economic numbers, the debate around the debt ceiling, the GOP demand for spending cuts, and the growing 2012 presidential field.

Vault: July 12, 1996

S2011 E1430 / 3m 53s

This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke for the second time before a joint meeting of Congress outlining his hopes for mid-east peace. The first time was shortly after he was first elected Prime Minister in 1996. Here's how Washington Week in Review covered the speech that year.

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