CONTROL

Events in Minneapolis have thrown Capitol Hill into turmoil, with a government shutdown increasingly likely. Hosts Annaylse Keller and Mike Ricci are joined by The Hill’s Al Weaver to discuss if Congress can find a way to pass funding bills. They discuss the rapidly changing dynamics, the key figures to watch and the reaction from the White House. Plus, the start of a recurring lookahead to the midterm elections.   Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci Guest: Al Weaver, The Hill Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: The Hill: Second fatal Minneapolis shooting puts Congress on verge of shutdown Punchbowl: Senate GOP seeks way out of DHS funding clash AP: The shootings in Minneapolis are upending the politics of immigration in Congress Axios: DHS and ICE are under siege by Congress like never before WBAL: Gov. Wes Moore urges Senate vote as Maryland redistricting fight heats up

As he steps away as co-host of CONTROL, Brendan Buck reflects on the last three years of Congress before opining on the news of the day with Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci. With momentum building, how many appropriations bills will Congress pass before the upcoming deadline? Will more lawmakers stand up for Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve? Plus, Trump issues threats over a war powers resolution and Mike Johnson navigates a proposed ban on Congressional stock trading.   Hosts: Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller, Mike Ricci Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: The Hill: House approves minibus spending bills in bipartisan 397-28 vote POLITICO: DOJ opens probe into Fed’s Powell, drawing backlash from lawmakers WSJ: Angry Trump Called GOP Defectors After War Powers Vote POLITICO: House GOP stock trading ban bill set for Wednesday markup

Congress is back and has a very busy month ahead. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller look ahead to debates around war powers, discharge petitions and veto overrides before offering predictions for the rest of 2026. Will there be another government shutdown? How many more members will retire? Will a vacancy open on the Supreme Court? All that and more on a new episode of CONTROL.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: Punchbowl News: Congress steps on the gas pedal Politico: Senate to vote on war powers measure following Maduro ouster Axios: House Republicans move to override Trump vetoes in rare show of defiance NPR: More than 10% of Congress won't return to their seats after 2026

On the year’s final episode of CONTROL, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller take a trip down memory lane to reminisce about the biggest stories of 2025 as told through the podcast. Then, Paul Kane, Washington Post Senior Congressional Correspondent, joins the show to look back on the first year of this Congress and what the second may have in store. How have the Congressional leaders performed? Will the legislative branch reassert itself with the White House? And are we seeing hints of the GOP moving beyond President Trump?   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Paul Kane, Washington Post Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: CBS News: Congress gears up for busy week on health care, national security Roll Call: Senate eyes NDAA passage next week amid aviation safety worries WaPo: ‘Not an easy call’: The Democrats who struggled with their shutdown vote WaPo: Texas midterms point to ideological corners, not swing-state issues CNN: After a year of Trump-inspired inaction, some Republicans in Congress are growing restless WSJ: Trump’s Next Renovation Target: D.C.’s Golf Courses

On a new episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by the Wall Street Journal’s Olivia Beavers to discuss the increasingly tense relationship between the speaker and some in his conference. With members questioning Speaker Johnson’s leadership, can he maintain control of his majority? Will lawmakers be able to address voter affordability concerns? Can Congress pass anything the rest of the year? And what does it all mean for the midterms less than a year from now?   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Olivia Beavers, Wall Street Journal Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: WSJ: Trump Ally Elise Stefanik Attacks Speaker Johnson’s Leadership WSJ: Congress Turns Chaotic as Lawmakers Target Each Other Puck: Johnson’s Career Crisis & The House G.O.P. Exodus NBC News: Some House Republican women are in open revolt against Speaker Mike Johnson POLITICO: Mike Johnson scrambles to pass Pentagon bill as GOP ranks seethe The Hill: House cancels vote on the SCORE Act amid GOP opposition NYT: Trump Blasts Lawmaker for Remaining Democrat After Receiving Pardon

Marjorie Taylor Greene heads for the exit and four members face formal reprimand votes – what does it all say about the state of the House of Representatives? Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss another whirlwind week on Capitol Hill, touching on MTG, censures, FBI investigations, appropriations and more. Then, former congressman Patrick McHenry joins to share his analysis of the recent eruptions on the House floor and the factors driving discontent in the Republican Conference, predictions for the midterms, and advice for leadership on both sides of the aisle.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Patrick McHenry Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: Punchbowl News: Why MTG's missive rang true for House GOP Axios: The worst good-paying job in America New York Times: In the House, Censures Proliferate, Reflecting a Poisonous Climate New York Times: ‘In Triage Every Day’: A Beleaguered Speaker Says He’s Overwhelmed NBC News: FBI seeks interviews with six Democrats Trump accused of 'seditious behavior' CBS News: Lindsey Graham blocks House-passed bill to repeal shutdown deal provision allowing $500,000 lawsuits from senators Roll Call: GOP goes all out to hold Tennessee seat as Democrats look for 2026 omen Punchbowl News: Inside Michael Whatley’s N.C. Senate bid Ballotpedia: List of U.S. House incumbents who are not running for re-election in 2026

With the government reopened and the House back in session, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller look back on this history-making shutdown to glean lessons for future fights. Then they look ahead to upcoming votes on the Epstein files and condemning Rep. Chuy Garcia. Plus, are we seeing a new Marjorie Taylor Greene? And is the appropriations process back on track?   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: POLITICO: Trump signs bill ending longest government shutdown in US history Reuters: After Trump reversal, US House pushes forward on Epstein vote CNN: ‘Humbly, I’m sorry’: Marjorie Taylor Greene says she’s turning a new leaf after years of divisive comments Axios: House Dems fail to stop internal revolt on condemning Chuy García POLITICO: The next shutdown threat is around the corner

The government shutdown nears its end and the recriminations are flying fast. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller react to the breakthrough in the Senate and forecast a few possible hiccups in the House. Then, Adam Jentleson, President of the Searchlight Institute and former top aide to Harry Reid, joins the show to offer a Democratic perspective on the shutdown and debate the future of the filibuster.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Adam Jentleson Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: NYT: Senate Moves Toward Ending Shutdown After Democratic Defectors Relent NBC News: Democrats rebel after 8 senators cut a deal to end the shutdown without ACA funds Axios: Here's why Congressional Democrats are furious over the shutdown deal Punchbowl: Johnson faces multitude of challenges in House vote to reopen government POLITICO: House to return to laundry list of controversies after 7-week hiatus Fox News: Trump pushes Republicans to end Senate filibuster Bloomberg: A History of the Filibuster as the Root of Senate Dysfunction

Congress has a set a record with the longest government shutdown in history. As talks pick up, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller wonder if this is the week a deal emerges. Then, the hosts take a step back with the help of Carl Hulse, the New York Times’ Chief Washington Correspondent, to examine the broader dynamics shaping action on Capitol Hill. What has differentiated this shutdown from past fights? Is the current dysfunction reversible? Can lawmakers reassert their authority? Is the filibuster doomed? All that and more only on CONTROL.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Carl Hulse, New York Times Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: Roll Call: Bipartisan talks to end shutdown gaining steam, senators say Politico: John Thune says he is ‘optimistic’ Senate will move to end shutdown this week Politico: ‘Utterly shameful’: Congress to crush US record this week for longest shutdown Fox News: Sen. John Thune slams Democrats in fiery floor speech: ‘This isn’t a political game’ Axios: Senator objects to leaving D.C. for long weekend as SNAP benefits run dry The Hill: Democrats up 8 points on generic ballot: Survey NYT: Shutdowns, Obamacare and the Risks of Bargaining for Policy Wins in a Crisis   NYT: What Is the Filibuster and Why Does Trump Want It Gone?

As the government shutdown drags on, negotiations on the appropriations bills have taken a backseat. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Punchbowl News’ Samantha Handler to learn what has been going on behind the scenes. How far apart are the House and Senate? Why have defense hawks gone quiet? And is a deal even possible or are we headed for another CR?   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Samantha Handler, Punchbowl News Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: AP: Senate rejects bills to pay federal workers during government shutdown Punchbowl News: Thune skeptical of ‘rifle-shot’ bills NBC News: Largest federal workers union calls for an end to the shutdown, putting pressure on Democrats Punchbowl News: Washington begins to confront the funding unthinkable Roll Call: Appropriations chairman bullish on full-year spending bills after shutdown Boston Globe: Susan Collins has reached one of the most powerful positions in Washington. It could hardly come at a worse time.