Category Archives: Congressional Briefings

The National History Center’s Congressional Briefings are designed to provide historical context and perspective on current issues for policy makers and members of their staff. The speakers reflect upon historical events and developments that have influenced the evolution of current policies and provide knowledge pertinent to the consideration of policy alternatives.

Response to COVID-19

Congressional Briefings, History News, Washington History Seminar

In accordance with federal recommendations, the NHC is suspending the WHS lecture series for the foreseeable future. Currently, all events until April 30, 2020 have been postponed but as the situation develops we may continue postponing events with the possibility of cancelling all Spring 2020 seminars. Our congressional briefing series will also be postponed.

If you have any questions about upcoming talks or rescheduled events, please contact Rachel Wheatley at rwheatley@historians.org. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

Upcoming Congressional Briefing

Congressional Briefings

Topic: Historical Perspectives on Congressional Oversight of Presidential Misconduct

Date: December 13, 2019

Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am EST

Location: 2186 Rayburn Office Building

The current impeachment proceedings in the House are the latest iteration of a long history of Congressional actions to assert oversight of presidents accused of misconduct.  That history will be discussed in this briefing by several leading historians of American presidents and politics. All are invited and please RSVP here or send an email to Rachel Wheatley at rwheatley@historians.org.

Moderator: Dr. James M. Banner Jr., George Washington University

Speakers: Dr. Jeremi Suri, University of Texas at Austin and Dr. Kathryn Cramer Brownell, Purdue University

Upcoming Congressional Briefing

Congressional Briefings

Topic: The Geopolitics of Middle East Oil: Historical Perspectives on the Current Crisis

Date: November 4, 2019

Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am EST

Location: 2043 Rayburn Office Building

The recent attacks on oil tankers in the Persian gulf and Saudi oil refineries serve as a stark reminder of the global economy’s dependence on petroleum from this politically unstable region. This briefing, which brings together several leading historians of the subject, will explain how the Middle East oil industry assumed such importance in international affairs and American foreign policy. All are invited and please send RSVPs to Rachel Wheatley at rwheatley@historians.org.

Moderator: Dr. David Painter, Georgetown University

Speakers: Dr. Anand Toprani, US Naval War College and Dr. Nathan Citino, Rice University