GoodFellows: Conversations from the Hoover Institution Tiny Cars and 70’s Problems with Ben Sasse | GoodFellows | Hoover Institution
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Dec 10, 2025 Ben Sasse, former U.S. Senator from Nebraska and university president, dives into the declining trust in Congress and academia. He discusses the growing power of the executive branch, blaming social media for undermining deliberation. Sasse also examines the crisis in higher education, revealing many students lack basic math skills. Additionally, he critiques the administrative state’s rise since the 1970s and proposes reforming tenured positions to enhance faculty accountability. Light-heartedly, the guests humorously debate tiny cars and the unique identity of American football.
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Congressional Underreach Weakens Checks
- The U.S. Congress suffers from 'Article 1 underreach' where it avoids exercising power, letting the executive fill the vacuum.
- Ben Sasse argues this lack of ambition undermines checks and balances and public trust in government.
Public Cameras Hurt Deliberation
- Cameras and social media distort congressional hearings by incentivizing soundbites over substantive questioning.
- Sasse highlights the Intelligence Committee's effectiveness partly because it meets without cameras.
Budget Failures Erode Public Trust
- Congress rarely completes appropriations through regular order, undermining public confidence in fiscal governance.
- Sasse notes entitlements now consume most spending, leaving little discretionary budget for national security.
