The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Rep. Katie Porter's working-class politics

Apr 13, 2023

Rep. Katie Porter, U.S. Representative from California's 47th District, discusses her unique approach to politics, characterized by authenticity and tough questions. She reflects on her journey from law school to Congress, emphasizing the disconnect between elites and everyday Americans. Katie critiques the overwhelming presence of millionaires in politics and advocates for genuine communication with voters. She also explores the challenges Congress faces, including campaign finance issues and the need for reform to truly represent working-class interests.

47:15

Episode guests

Rep. Katie Porter

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Episode notes

Intro

4min

Navigating Class Struggles in Politics

12min

Shaping Working-Class Politics in Law School

3min

Class, Wealth, and Congressional Dynamics

11min

Bridging the Communication Gap

7min

Reforming Congress: Hope or Despair?

5min

Campaign Finance and Congressional Transparency

7min

Rep. Katie Porter became well-known for using a whiteboard and asking tough questions during Congressional hearings. Her frank questions resonated with the public because they represented the concerns of so many Americans. In this episode, she joins Sean Illing to discuss her "brand" of authenticity, the problem with having so many millionaires in Congress, and her new book, I Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area

Guest: Rep. Katie Porter (@RepKatiePorter), U.S. Representative from the 47th Congressional District in Orange County, California.

References:

I Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan by Representative Katie Porter (Penguin Random House, 2023)

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This episode was made by:

Engineer: Patrick Boyd
Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall

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