CONTROL

How Does the Shutdown End? Feat. Mychael Schnell   With the government shutdown dragging on into another week, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss how Congress got to this point and what may break the stalemate. Then, MSNBC congressional reporter Mychael Schnell joins the show to share what she is hearing on Capitol Hill and what pain points still exist to force a deal.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Mychael Schnell, MSNBC Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: Punchbowl: White House: We’re ready for a long shutdown Politico: Democrats are in a GOP shutdown vise The Hill: Jeffries, Lawler get into confrontation over ObamaCare: ‘You’re embarrassing yourself’ Fox News: Senate GOP resists 'nuclear option' as Dem shutdown standoff deepens MSNBC: Private GOP call reveals early fissures over Mike Johnson’s shutdown strategy

Phil Mattingly, CNN's Chief Domestic Correspondent, delves into the intricate web of government funding negotiations and the impact of OMB director Russ Vought. He reveals how Vought's strategic evolution has aimed at diminishing congressional spending authority over time. The discussion highlights the political calculus behind targeted budget cuts, the administration’s broad interpretation of shutdown powers, and the subtle dynamics between Trump and Vought. Mattingly assesses whether Congress can regain its spending authority amidst the current standoff.

With funding set to lapse in just hours, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss if a deal can be reached to avoid a government shutdown – and if not, how leaders will get out of one. Then they are joined by Seven Letter partner Mike Ricci, a top adviser to two GOP speakers, for a trip down memory lane as they revisit the 2013 government shutdown. What was the strategy going into and during the fight? When did things start going off the rails? And what lessons does that experience offer Democrats?   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Mike Ricci Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: AP: Congressional leaders leave White House meeting without deal to avoid government shutdown NYT: How Congressional Leaders Are Positioning Themselves in the Shutdown Fight Politico: Johnson urges GOP unity as shutdown deadline nears WaPo: White House begins plan for mass firings if there’s a government shutdown WaPo: Government shutdowns high on drama, but low on long-term political impact AP: A look at previous government shutdowns and how they ended

Republicans and Democrats are gearing up for a shutdown and neither side appears ready to blink. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by HuffPost senior reporter Igor Bobic to break down the stalemate. They discuss the strange timeline, compare this debate to past shutdown fights, and question Senator Schumer’s endgame. Plus, will the GOP come to regret changing Senate rules? And will Congress conduct oversight of the FCC in the wake of the Jimmy Kimmel situation?   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Igor Bobic, HuffPost Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: Punchbowl: Both sides dig in as shutdown looms Politico: Tables turn for Democrats as they use shutdown for leverage Reuters: Democratic leaders in US Congress demand meeting with Trump as government shutdown looms Politico: Thune mocks Schumer’s shutdown stance: He ‘knows where my office is’ NBC News: Senate Republicans poke holes in the filibuster despite vowing to protect it HuffPost: GOP Senators Criticize FCC's Threats Against ABC And Jimmy Kimmel

After many close calls, is this the time Congress actually shuts down the government? With just two weeks left until funding runs out, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the state-of-play. Can Speaker Johnson wrangle enough votes again? Will soaring tensions in the Senate scuttle any deal? They also talk about the murder of Charlie Kirk and its impact on the security needs for Members of Congress. Then, Joel Payne – the Chief Communications Officer at MoveOn – joins the show to offer the Democrat perspective on the shutdown fight and share his advice for the path forward for the party.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Gust: Joel Payne, MoveOn Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: Punchbowl: Congress is barreling toward a shutdown The Hill: House GOP eyes stopgap into November to avert shutdown POLITICO: Trump to GOP: Vote yes on the ‘clean’ CR AP: Schumer warns of a shutdown if Republicans don’t accept Democrats’ health care demands CNN: White House requests $58 million in security funding from Congress following Kirk assassination NBC News: Senate Republicans trigger 'nuclear option,' changing rules to speed up Trump nominees POLITICO: MoveOn demands Schumer and Jeffries ‘hold the line’ on health care in shutdown fight

After an extended summer break, Congress is back in session with one major item on the to-do list: fund the government. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller debate the odds of a shutdown and the challenging dynamics facing Senate Minority Leader Schumer. They also discuss the latest with the Epstein case and the impending changes to confirming nominees in the Senate. Then, MSNBC’s Ali Vitali – host of “Way Too Early” and Senior Capitol Hill Correspondent – joins the show to offer her insights on Epstein, a potential shutdown, along with other items capturing the attention of Capitol Hill.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Ali Vitali, MSNBC Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: POLITICO: Congress splinters into unlikely factions over looming government shutdown Punchbowl: 22 days until the shutdown deadline. Republicans need a plan Breitbart: Exclusive—Senate Majority Leader John Thune: A Nominations Rules Change Is Coming The Hill: GOP sets out to fulfill Trump’s wishes on crime bill POLITICO: House Oversight receives Epstein estate files, including 'birthday book'

Six months into the Trump administration and with Congress headed out for a long summer recess, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin to take stock of where we are and where we might be headed. They cover President Trump’s interest – or lack thereof – in Congressional policy debates, the outlook for appropriations and what will be the defining issue of the midterm elections.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Jonathan Martin, POLITICO Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: New York Times: It Was Supposed to Be ‘Crypto Week’ in Congress. Then It Unraveled. POLITICO: Russ Vought: Appropriations process ‘has to be less bipartisan’ NBC News: Bipartisan government funding is at risk of dying in Trump's Washington POLITICO: Democrats seek shutdown strategy as White House plots to strip their power CNN: Johnson shuts door on House vote before September on releasing Epstein files POLITICO: How the GOP Regulars Won Over Donald Trump

Katherine Tully-McManus, a Congressional reporter for Politico focused on budget and appropriations, joins the discussion on the looming government funding deadline. She dissects the contentious rescissions package and the Freedom Caucus's role in potential shutdowns. The conversation touches on Senator Schumer's strategic implications for Democrats, the challenges of passing continuing resolutions, and the ongoing political drama around budget negotiations. Tully-McManus provides insights into the complexities that characterize current fiscal policies in Congress.

The One Big Beautiful Bill is now law, with the Freedom Caucus again at the center of the drama. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Matt Fuller, Congressional Bureau Chief at NOTUS and long-time chronicler of the Freedom Caucus, to discuss the group’s history, recent actions and future moves. Plus, reconciliation “Winners and Losers” and a look ahead to appropriations, rescissions, and a potential Reconciliation 2.0.    Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Matt Fuller, NOTUS Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: Reuters: In July 4 ceremony, Trump signs tax and spending bill into law Politico: Inside the Freedom Caucus’ final surrender New York Times: Jeffries Breaks Record in Hourslong Speech Opposing Trump’s Policy Bill NOTUS: Celsius, All-Nighters and Stalling Votes: Mike Johnson’s Strategy to Get Members to ‘Yes’ Punchbowl: With OBBB in the rearview, here’s what’s next NOTUS: Senate Turns Its Attention to DOGE Cuts — With the Clock Ticking

As House and Senate leaders continue to move the One Big Beautiful Bill forward, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down the latest developments in Congress. They offer their reactions to Senator Tillis’ retirement announcement, forecast how both the Freedom Caucus and moderates may react to the changes put in the bill by the Senate, and wonder what the point of a vote-a-rama is. At the end, Semafor’s Eleanor Mueller shares what she’s hearing on Capitol Hill.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Eleanor Mueller, Semafor Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: NBC News: GOP Sen. Thom Tillis won't seek re-election in North Carolina after drawing Trump's ire Politico: GOP fight over clean energy threatens to derail megabill Fox News: Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' hits another snag in House as conservative caucus raises red flag Politico: Anxious House Republicans scramble to forestall Senate’s Medicaid cuts ABC News: Polls show Americans largely oppose Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' but are more split on Medicaid, immigration specifics Semafor: The wild-card fiscal hawk who may turn from ‘no’ to ‘yes’ on Trump’s megabill