

Congressional Dish
Jennifer Briney
An independent podcast examining what the U.S. Congress is doing with our money and in our names.
www.congressionaldish.com
Follow @JenBriney on Twitter
www.congressionaldish.com
Follow @JenBriney on Twitter
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 2, 2025 • 56min
CD310: Red Flags at Air Traffic Control
67 people died this week in a mid-air collision between a military helicopter and a passenger plane in Washington DC. The investigation into this crash is still in its infancy but Congress was warned just a few weeks ago that there are many dangers lurking in our air traffic system, dangers that Congress recently made worse at Reagan Washington National Airport, where the crash took place. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Contact Your Members of Congress: (202) 224-312

Jan 18, 2025 • 1h 2min
CD309: Trumped Up Immunity
President Donald Trump is back in power despite his illegal attempt to remain President after losing the 2020 election. In this episode, hear expert testimony about the Supreme Court decision that stemmed from the now-defunct Federal prosecution of Donald Trump which granted the President legal immunity for many actions. What does it mean going forward? What can and can’t he do? Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media!

Jan 7, 2025 • 1h 8min
CD308: A Chaotic Finale
The chaotic conclusion of the 118th Congress took center stage, spotlighting the last-minute drama that prevented a government shutdown. Elon Musk surprisingly influenced key legislative actions. The failure to pass essential appropriations revealed deep political rifts, while unexpected bipartisan efforts emerged amidst discord. Critical issues like national security, consumer protection, and overlooked health programs also surfaced. With a new Congress on the horizon, there's a palpable tension about the future and a call for greater community engagement.

Dec 21, 2024 • 55min
CD307: Immaculate Constellation
U.S. military whistleblowers have told Congress about secret programs related to non-human piloted aircraft and submersibles. In this episode, listen to testimony from additional whistleblowers who add more information to what we have already learned, listen to the response from the person at the Defense Department in charge of investigating these claims, and learn about a secret program called Immaculate Constellation, which allegedly has a hidden treasure trove of evidence that we are not alone. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media!

Dec 15, 2024 • 1h 17min
CD306: The Food Police
Immediately after we published the Freaky Food episode, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration testified to the Senate and provided valuable insights into why our food supply is concerning for all the reasons exposed in episode 305. In this episode, listen to testimony from two hearings with FDA officials as we finish this series looking into the hidden dangers inside our food. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media!

Nov 21, 2024 • 1h 41min
CD305: Freaky Food
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., an environmental activist and attorney, joins Dr. Chris Palmer, a psychiatrist focused on metabolic health, along with food advocates Calley and Dr. Casey Means, and Vani Hari, known as "The Food Babe." They delve into alarming food safety issues, discuss the dangers of unregulated chemicals in our food supply, and highlight the influence of corporate lobbying on health policies. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for transparency in food labeling and advocates for systemic health reforms to combat chronic diseases.

Nov 10, 2024 • 1h 57min
CD304: Trump Returns
After a brief analysis of what we currently know about the 119th Congress, we process the return of President Trump. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Background Sources Reconciliation Rebecca Goldman. September 1, 2022. League of Women Voters. Richard Kogan and David Reich. May 6, 2022. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Lisa Desjardins. April 7, 2021. PBS News. House Race Results The New York Times. 2020 vs. 2024 Presidential Results The New York Times. The New York Times. Audio Sources November 5, 2024 justinryoung on Twitch November 7, 2024 We’re Not Wrong Music by Editing Production Assistance

Oct 30, 2024 • 1h 18min
CD303: Interviewing the Insiders
During the RNC and DNC, Jen interviewed nine members of Congress about Congress itself. What is it like to work there? Do they think Congress is dysfunctional? If so, how do they think it could be fixed? In this episode, listen to the most interesting responses from all of the interviews. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Background Sources David Daley. October 4, 2024. The Guardian. OpenSecrets. OpenSecrets. Accessed October 30, 2024. Congressional Research Service. Accessed October 30, 2024. Congressional Research Service. Music by Editing Production Assistance

11 snips
Oct 23, 2024 • 1h 31min
CD302: The Border Bills
This discussion dives deep into the complexities of the U.S. immigration system. The hosts break down legislative proposals, contrasting Republican and Democratic approaches to border security. Key insights on the backlog in immigration courts reveal challenges faced by asylum seekers. The episode also touches on the fluctuating admission rates for refugees and the ethical concerns related to detention facilities. Personal anecdotes about beach volleyball underscore the importance of mental health amidst political stress.

Sep 28, 2024 • 1h 13min
CD301: 2024 Election Study Guide
Discover how to evaluate your Congress members' performance ahead of the 2024 elections! The discussion covers crucial single-issue votes and the impact of bipartisan foreign policy laws. It also delves into environmental legislation controversies and the struggles between military support and accountability. Get insights into energy policies and consumer rights amidst a Senate stalemate. Plus, learn about the importance of listener contributions in supporting independent media!