

Balance of Power
Bloomberg
Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch us LIVE on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 9, 2025 • 55min
GOP Senators Float Health Plan
Ashley Davis, a Republican strategist from S-3 Group, shares insights on congressional dynamics and discusses the implications of the farmer bailout. U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts joins from Capitol Hill to explain GOP efforts on health care reform, emphasizing HSAs and state flexibility. They delve into looming Senate votes on ACA subsidies amid rising health care costs, and Ricketts advocates for bipartisan cooperation to support low-income Americans. The conversation also touches on national security issues and the ongoing support for Ukraine.

Dec 8, 2025 • 43min
Trump Unveils New Farm Aid
Elina Valtonen, Finland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, shares insights on NATO, Russia, and the importance of supporting Ukraine. Kelly Loeffler, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator, talks about inflation's impact on small businesses and praises Trump's economic agenda. Rick Davis offers a strategic perspective on political messaging, while Jeanne Sheehan Zaino analyzes the disconnect between voter sentiment and the administration’s claims. Together, they navigate complex political waters and discuss the implications of recent decisions on democracy and governance.

Dec 5, 2025 • 51min
Speaker Johnson Revives GOP Healthcare Policy Push
Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Leader, discusses the implications of Texas's new congressional map and criticizes Republicans on healthcare affordability. Lisa McClain, from Michigan, outlines GOP health priorities aimed at lowering premiums and shifting subsidies, while also sharing her personal vehicle choices. Constitutional lawyer Robert McWhirter offers insights on the legal aspects of redistricting and military actions, sparking a riveting debate on the intersection of law and politics!

Dec 4, 2025 • 42min
Signal Report Deepens Hegseth Scrutiny
Evelyn Farkas, former deputy assistant secretary of defense, and Marlon Stutzman, U.S. Representative from Indiana, delve into pressing military and political issues. Farkas discusses the legal ramifications of recent military strikes, emphasizing the need for compliance with international law and the potential for court-martials. Stutzman shares insights on budgeting and healthcare legislation, advocating for direct consumer payments over insurance subsidies and addressing concerns about redistricting and Republican party dynamics. Their expertise brings clarity to complex topics.

Dec 3, 2025 • 41min
Hegseth Rejects Boat Strike Claim
Nick Wadhams, a Bloomberg national security reporter, dissects the legality and implications of U.S. military strikes in Venezuela, addressing concerns over double-tap attacks. Jane Harman, former Congresswoman, urges for better Congressional oversight and discusses the challenges of inadequate briefings on intelligence matters. Caroline Hyde dives into the volatile world of AI, covering export control debates and the competitive landscape involving giants like Microsoft and Google, emphasizing how multiple players can thrive in the evolving tech ecosystem.

Dec 2, 2025 • 35min
Putin Meets Trump Team on Ukraine War
Liana Fix, a Senior Fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations, dives into Russia's negotiation tactics in the Ukraine conflict, cautioning against trusting superficial gestures. U.S. Representative Carlos Jimenez discusses the complexities of recent strikes on narco boats and the implications for regional security. Former SEC chair Gary Gensler underscores the speculative nature of cryptocurrency markets, advocating for fair regulations. Together, these insights explore the intertwined nature of diplomacy, security, and economic stability.

Dec 1, 2025 • 36min
Trump Mulls Next Venezuela Move
Iain Marlow, Bloomberg's National Security Editor, examines the potential implications of U.S. strikes on Venezuelan territory, raising war crime concerns and questioning the limits of U.S. authority over Venezuelan airspace. Rick Davis shares insights on Capitol Hill's response and oversight plans regarding the Pentagon's communication and accountability. Ben Jensen highlights modern negotiation dynamics in peace talks, emphasizing the role of security guarantees and AI simulations in predicting outcomes. A discussion on President Trump's recent comments adds a political twist.

Dec 1, 2025 • 14min
Weekly Washington Policy Pulse: Fed Chair, Bank Leverage (Dec. 1, 2025)
In this engaging discussion, Nathan Dean, a senior policy analyst from Bloomberg Intelligence, shares insights on key topics affecting investors. He reveals that Kevin Hassett is emerging as a frontrunner for Federal Reserve Chair. Dean explores the impact of new bank capital rules and previews a crucial House hearing on bank regulations. He also highlights challenges surrounding the National Defense Authorization Act, the uncertain future of Obamacare subsidies, and a potential $12–13 billion farm aid package, all while signaling shifts in the political landscape before year-end.

Nov 26, 2025 • 38min
Trump Extends Ukraine Talks Timeline
Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe speaks with: Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Commodities Strategist Mike McGlone. Bloomberg State Department Reporter Eric Martin. AEI Nonresident Senior Fellow Heather Conley. Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino and ROKK Solutions Senior Vice President Lisa Camooso Miller. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 25, 2025 • 42min
Hassett Emerges as Fed Pick Frontrunner
Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett is seen by advisers and allies of President Donald Trump as the frontrunner to be the next Federal Reserve chair, according to people familiar with the matter, as the search for a new central bank leader enters its final weeks.With Hassett, Trump would have a close ally whom the president knows well and trusts installed at the independent central bank, the people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Hassett is seen as someone who would bring the president’s approach to interest-rate cutting to the Fed, which Trump has long wanted to control, some of the people said.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe speaks with: Bloomberg Senior National Political Correspondent Nancy Cook. Foundation for American Innovation Senior Fellow Dean Ball. Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino and S-3 Group Partner Ashley Davis. Stimson Center Senior Fellow Kelly Grieco. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


