If you want to follow the important work being done by Senate committees, watching live hearings and meetings is a great way to stay informed. Senate hearings often cover major issues and topics like upcoming legislation, government oversight, nominations for key positions, and national events. While not all hearings are available to the public, many high-profile ones are easy to access online or on TV.
Watching on C-SPAN
One of the best ways to watch Senate hearings live or on-demand is through C-SPAN. The public affairs network airs a wide variety of political and governmental programming, including numerous committee hearings and meetings from both the House and Senate. There are a few options for streaming C-SPAN to watch hearings:
- C-SPAN’s website – C-SPAN.org allows you to live stream their 3 TV channels which often broadcast hearings and meetings. You can also browse their extensive video library.
- C-SPAN apps – Download the free C-SPAN apps for iOS and Android to watch live or previous hearings on your mobile device.
- C-SPAN’s YouTube channel – A live stream of their programming plus archives of past hearings.
When major hearings occur that captivate public attention, C-SPAN is often the best outlet for watching the proceedings gavel-to-gavel. Visit their website to check on upcoming Senate hearings being covered and bookmark their live stream page.
Watching on Government Websites
In addition to C-SPAN, many Senate committees provide live streams on their own websites when they hold high-interest hearings. The Senate Judiciary Committee, for example, often streams their hearings live when they bring in prominent witnesses like Supreme Court nominees. Each committee website has its own rules on broadcasting hearings. Some possibilities for streaming Senate hearings online include:
- U.S. Senate Committees – Each Senate committee has its own website that may have a live stream when they are holding a hearing or meeting.
- Committee YouTube Channels – Some major committees maintain dedicated YouTube channels to simulcast hearings and proceedings.
- U.S. Senate Floor Proceedings – Hearings held on the Senate floor are sometimes broadcast through the Senate’s website.
If there is a specific hearing you want to watch, go directly to that committee’s website first to see if they will be streaming it. Senate committees hold hundreds of hearings per year, so only the highest profile ones are made accessible online.
Watching on Cable News
When hugely anticipated Senate hearings occur like Supreme Court nominations or Congressional testimonies by cabinet officials, they are usually carried live on many major cable news channels. Networks like C-SPAN, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and others typically broadcast the most newsworthy hearings in their entirety on their standard cable channels. Some possibilities for watching Senate hearings on TV include:
- News channel live TV – Turn on a 24/7 cable news network when a major hearing is occuring and they will often show it live.
- Network apps and streaming – Watch nework apps or live TV streaming if you don’t have cable.
- YouTube simulcasts – News networks frequently stream the same coverage they are broadcasting on TV via their YouTube channels.
The PBS NewsHour is another good option for watching select Senate hearings in full. While they don’t have as much live coverage throughout the day, PBS frequently airs recordings of noteworthy Senate proceedings on their evening news program and YouTube channel.
Following Hearing News and Highlights
If you don’t have time to watch a Senate hearing live or want to get video highlights, there are plenty of news sites and resources that can keep you informed.
Some options include:
- Hearing transcripts – Published transcripts document everything said during a hearing in text form.
- News articles – New outlets will report on key moments, exchanges, and comments.
- Clips and summaries – You can find excerpted video clips and hearing recaps through media outlets.
- Live blogs – Many news sites live blog Senate hearings as they occur to give real-time updates.
Major hearings often get widespread media coverage, so if there is a specific proceeding you’re interested in, you can follow updates through your preferred news providers.
Locating Archive Footage After the Fact
If there’s a Senate hearing from the past you want to watch, there are a couple places that house archives of committee proceedings:
- C-SPAN Video Library – C-SPAN records all the Senate hearings they air and keeps an extensively cataloged video library going back to 1987. Everything is searchable by date, committee, speaker, and topic.
- Congress.gov – The Library of Congress runs Congress.gov which provides access to House and Senate floor and committee footage. Video coverage goes back to 2009 but varies by committee and chamber.
- Committee YouTube Channels – Major Senate committees like Appropriations, Armed Services, and Judiciary have YouTube channels going back several years with archived hearing footage.
Utilize these C-SPAN, Congress.gov, and Senate YouTube channels to locate and watch any past hearings that interest you.
How to Watch Upcoming Senate Hearings
Wondering when the next big Senate hearing is happening and how you can tune in? Here are some tips for finding upcoming hearings to watch:
- Check committee websites – Senate committees will post notices and announcements about upcoming high profile hearings.
- Follow Congress reporters – Capitol Hill reporters constantly tweet about upcoming Congressional hearings.
- Check C-SPAN’s schedule – C-SPAN’s online schedule shows you which Senate and House hearings they are airing live.
- Sign up for alerts – Many news outlets let you sign up for alerts about major hearings.
- Follow the issues – Track issues you care about to stay aware of relevant Congressional proceedings.
Staying on top of the schedule of Senate hearings takes a bit of research and planning. But it ensures you never miss those monumental moments of Senate history as they happen live.
How to Watch Senate Hearings from Home
Don’t have a TV provider or cable subscription? You can still easily watch Senate hearings from the comfort of your home through the following options:
- Stream C-SPAN online – Watch C-SPAN’s live feed or vast archive without needing a TV provider.
- Use a digital antenna – A digital antenna can pick up local C-SPAN stations for free over the air.
- Check committee websites – Many committees stream hearings on their own sites and YouTube.
- Watch network apps – Apps from CNN, Fox, MSNBC provide live streams without needing paid TV.
- YouTube live – News outlets simulcast hearings on YouTube which is free to access.
Today, more Senate proceedings are available without cable than ever. With a little searching, you can find options to watch most major hearings direct from your smart TV, phone, tablet, or laptop.
Top Historical Senate Hearings
Some of the most impactful moments in Senate history have occurred during committee hearings. Here are some of the most famous Senate hearings that occurred over the decades:
1973 – Watergate Hearings
The Senate Watergate hearings investigated the break-in at DNC headquarters and eventually led to President Nixon’s resignation.
1986 – Oliver North Testifies on Iran-Contra
Oliver North, a member of the National Security Council, testified about the “Iran-Contra” weapons sales scandal.
1991 – Anita Hill’s Testimony Against Clarence Thomas
Anita Hill alleged sexual harassment violations by Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.
2018 – Christine Blasey Ford Testifies Against Brett Kavanaugh
Christine Blasey Ford accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault during emotional testimony.
2020 – Big Tech CEOs Testify to Congress
The CEOs of Facebook, Google, Apple, and Amazon testified over antitrust concerns.
These and other major Senate hearings stand out for bringing scandal, controversy, and accountability to the public stage.
Questions Senators Often Ask During Hearings
When watching Senate hearings, you’ll notice certain themes and questions come up frequently as Senators grill witnesses and nominees. Some common questions asked during hearings include:
- “Can you walk us through the timeline of events?”
- “When did you first become aware of this issue?”
- “What was your reaction when you learned about that?”
- “Did you have any conversations with the President regarding…?”
- “Why should Americans trust you on this important issue?”
- “Is there anything you regret or would have done differently?”
- “What qualifications make you fit to serve in this position?”
Senators use hearings as fact-finding missions and vetting opportunities. Expect plenty of intense questioning aimed at getting witnesses on the record explaining their actions, views, and fitness to serve.
Conclusion
Senate hearings provide a revealing look into the key issues and appointments facing the country. While not every hearing makes national headlines, even routine proceedings give insight into how the Senate conducts oversight and shapes policy. With numerous ways to watch live online or follow the highlights later, staying up to date on major Senate hearings is a vital way to stay an informed citizen.