History Logo
ShowsThis Day In HistoryScheduleTopicsStories
  • History Classics
  • Live TV
  • Your Profile
Your Profile
History
  • Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window)
  • Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window)
  • Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window)
  • Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window)
  • Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window)
Email Updates
  • Live TV
  • History Classics
  • Shows
  • This Day In History
  • Schedule
  • Topics
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • History Podcasts
  • History Vault
  • Shop
  • History Travel
  1. Home
  2. Topics
  3. U.S. Government and Politics
  4. Videos

U.S. Government and Politics - Videos

The U.S. government, with its three branches of government and a system of checks and balances, is responsible for governing the 50 states and all districts and territories of the United States.

Congressman Romualdo Pacheco
1:00 minTV-PG

History Shorts: The First Hispanic Congressman Fights for His Seat

Romauldo Pacheco ran to represent a large Southern California district that was sympathetic to his bid for office. But he encountered fierce opposition.

Watch now
4:27 minTV-PG

Here’s Why the Affordable Care Act Is So Controversial

In 2010 President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, (aka Obamacare), into law to give more Americans access to healthcare, but elements like the individual mandate have caused controversy. Republicans have tried to repeal the law numerous times.

Watch now
4:04 minTV-PG

Here’s How the National Park Service Got Started

Explore the history of how the National Park Service came to be and how Presidents Lincoln, Grant, Roosevelt and Wilson helped protect areas like Yosemite and Yellowstone. Learn the difference between National Forests and National Parks.

Watch now
3:20 minTV-PG

Here’s Why Reaganomics is so Controversial

Learn about President Ronald Reagan’s economic policies, which are known as Reaganomics, and why its trickle-down theory construct — giving huge tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations — is a controversial idea even to this day.”

Watch now
3:01 minTV-PG

The Judicial Branch

What are the origins of the judicial branch of the U.S. government? What powers does the Supreme Court have, and what are its most notable rulings?

Watch now
4:17 minTV-PG

The Second Amendment

How did the right “to keep and bear arms” become a part of the U.S. Constitution? How have ideas about this right and its protections changed over time?

Watch now
3:21 minTV-PG

The Executive Branch

What are the powers of the executive branch of the U.S. government? Who can be president in the United States? And what exactly goes into electing the person who sits in the Oval Office?

Watch now
4:18 minTV-PG

The Legislative Branch

How did the legislative branch of the U.S. government come to be? How does Congress work? And how does a bill get passed?

Watch now
2:48 minTV-PG

What Is Veto Power?

What power does the U.S. Constitution grant the president over laws passed by Congress? Learn more about the purpose of veto power and how presidents have used it.

Watch now
2:29 minTV-PG

James Comey and the Meddlesome Priest

Learn more about the “meddlesome priest” to which former FBI director James Comey referred in his Senate testimony on June 8, 2017.

Watch now
1:45 minTV-PG

Filibuster

What is a filibuster? 

Watch now
1:57 minTV-PG

Supreme Court

Learn all about how a Supreme Court nominee gets confirmed to the highest authority in the U.S.

Watch now
A+E NetworksOur Family of Brands
  • History Education
  • History Vault
  • Mobile/Apps
  • News
  • Shop
  • Share Your Opinion
Follow History
  • d
  • e
  • p
  • m
  • +
  • Biography
  • Crime and Investigation
  • History en Espanol
  • LRW
  • Military History
  • Ad Choices
  • Advertise With Us
  • Accessibility Support
  • Copyright Policy
  • Corporate Information
  • Employment Opportunities
  • FAQ/Contact Us
  • Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Notice
  • Terms Of Use
  • TV Parental Guidelines
  • Contact Us
  • Copyright Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Ad Choices
  • Accessibility Support

© 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.