
CONTROL
CONTROL is a podcast hosted by Seven Letter’s Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller, two veterans of Capitol Hill who now serve as communications strategists to Fortune 500 companies, non-profits and advocacy coalitions. Drawing on their experience in GOP congressional politics, the podcast seeks to look around the corner at the policy priorities and political dynamics that will define Congress.
The podcast series talks to experts who know the institution and helps explain the challenges and opportunities facing a divided Congress. Guests include subject-matter experts, journalists, former lawmakers, and political operatives, all with a keen insight into what is next for Washington. With Season 2 of CONTROL, you can expect a new episode every Tuesday when Congress is in session.
Latest episodes

Jul 15, 2025 • 53min
Is a Shutdown Back on the Table? Feat. Katherine Tully-McManus
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.

Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 6min
Where Does the Freedom Caucus Go from Here? Feat. Matt Fuller
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

Jul 1, 2025 • 34min
The Megabill’s Moment of Truth Feat. Eleanor Mueller
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

Jun 24, 2025 • 54min
Can the Senate Deliver Before the Fourth of July? Feat. John Bresnahan
As the self-imposed Fourth of July deadline nears, the Senate is set for a pivotal week in their efforts to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss changes to the bill from the “Byrd Bath” and what hurdles remain. Plus, they consider the Congressional reaction to strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Then, Punchbowl News Co-Founder John Bresnahan joins to share what he’s hearing on Capitol Hill about the OBBB and the potential for a vote on a War Powers Resolution.
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: John Bresnahan, Punchbowl News
Audio Producer: Benji Englander
Video Producer: Regina Anderson
Articles Discussed:
Punchbowl: When will reconciliation bill hit the Senate floor?
Axios: Trump's "big, beautiful bill:" What's in, what's out
Washington Examiner: Thune to keep Senate in session until reconciliation bill is passed
New York Times: Iran Strikes Inflame War Powers Debate in Congress, Dividing Both Parties

Jun 10, 2025 • 46min
What the Trump-Elon Breakup Means for Congress Feat. Dasha Burns
It is the feud that has consumed Washington, but what does President Trump and Elon Musk’s falling out mean for Congress’ agenda? Dasha Burns – POLITICO Playbook's Chief Correspondent, White House Bureau Chief and Host of "The Conversation” – joins Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller to discuss Musk’s rise and fall in Trumpworld and what it portends for the One Big Beautiful Bill. Plus, Dasha shares what it is like to cover this White House and how it feels to cold call the President.
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Dasha Burns, POLITICO
Audio Producer: Benji Englander
Video Producer: Regina Andersson
Articles Discussed:
POLITICO: Trump, White House aides signal a possible détente with Musk
Washington Post: Republicans fume as Elon Musk complicates tax bill path
POLITICO: House Speaker says July 4 still the target for passing ‘big beautiful bill’
The Hill: Freedom Caucus warns it will ‘not accept’ Senate changes on green energy tax credits
Punchbowl: Rescissions fight looms even as reconciliation reigns
POLITICO: Rahm Emanuel wants to save the ‘weak’ and ‘woke’ Democratic Party brand

Jun 3, 2025 • 50min
All Eyes on the Senate Feat. Burgess Everett
On a new episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller reflect on Speaker Johnson’s latest magic act in passing the One Big Beautiful Bill before pivoting to the action in the Senate with the help of Semafor’s Congressional Bureau Chief Burgess Everett. They discuss the dynamics and personalities involved as Senators look to put their stamp on the OBBB. Can Majority Leader Thune deliver? Or will the whole thing fall apart?
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Burgess Everett
Audio Producer: Benji Englander
Video Producer: Regina Anderson
Articles Discussed:
Politico: Mike Johnson urges Senate not to make major changes to megabill
Punchbowl: Thune’s turn in the reconciliation grinder
Semafor: Ron Johnson takes on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
Politico: ‘We’re not going there': Thune vows not to overrule parliamentarian on megabill
NOTUS: White House to Send Congress a Rescission Package for Select DOGE Cuts

May 20, 2025 • 46min
Mike Johnson’s Make-or-Break Moment
It’s the biggest week of Mike Johnson’s speakership, which means a trio of hosts are needed to break down all the intrigue around the One Big Beautiful Bill. Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss the drama over SALT and Medicaid before previewing the upcoming, late-night rules committee hearing. Plus, is now the time for President Trump to wield his influence? And can Congress still get this done by the Fourth of July?
Hosts: Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller, Mike Ricci
Producer: Benji Englander
Articles Discussed:
WaPo: Trump’s tax and immigration bill clears hurdle after late-night vote
Punchbowl: Another week of hard choices for Johnson
New York Times: These Are the Dueling Republican Factions Imperiling the Party’s Megabill
Politico: House GOP leaders want Trump to dissuade hard-liners on deeper Medicaid cuts
The Hill: Senate Republicans want to break up House’s Trump bill into bite-size pieces
Politico: ‘The Titanic’: Johnson predicts House’s ‘big, beautiful’ bill will sink in the Senate

May 13, 2025 • 1h 1min
Game Day in House Committees Feat. Zach Cohen
Three House Committees are teed up to consider their pieces of the "Big, Beautiful Bill," but big questions remain. Hosts Annalyse Keller and Brendan Buck discuss how moderates largely triumphed in the debate on Medicaid, what fiscal hawks have to say about that, and how the SALT issue still threatens the entire reconciliation package. After weighing on what the Senate is up to and making predictions about when all this might get wrapped up, they welcome Zach Cohen of Bloomberg Tax. Zach shares what to expect in the (long) Ways and Means markup and dives into the policy decisions that the committee has made and still needs to make before the bill comes to the floor.
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Zach Cohen
Producer: Benji Englander
Second Producer: Regina Anderson
Articles Discussed:
Punchbowl: Senate GOP leaders: House isn’t cutting enough
The Hill: GOP charges ahead despite deep divisions on Medicaid, SALT
Bloomberg: Why the SALT Deduction is Key to Trump's Tax Bill
NYTimes Opinion: The Political Tariff Trap for Republicans

May 6, 2025 • 48min
The Biggest Hurdle: Medicaid 101 Feat. Jonathan Burks
With key markups delayed and internal GOP debates spilling into public view, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the state of the “one, big, beautiful bill” – and if it will get passed at all. Then, Jonathan Burks, Executive Vice President of Economic and Health Policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center and former Chief of Staff to Speaker Ryan, joins the show to help Brendan and Annalyse get smart on all things Medicaid and offer his perspective on passing a massive tax bill.
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Jonathan Burks
Producer: Benji Englander
Articles Discussed:
Punchbowl: Will Republicans ever get a reconciliation deal?
Politico: GOP leaders take more time for key megabill markup after Medicaid snags
Axios: Pressure intensifies for Medicaid decisions
Fox News: Senate Democrats predicting 'brutal' UN ambassador confirmation hearing for Mike Waltz

Apr 29, 2025 • 35min
The Reconciliation Rubber Meets the Road
As Congress resumes, the urgency of reconciliation efforts heats up amid ongoing debates. Tensions rise over tax reforms, including a millionaire's tax and the SALT deduction. A unique focus lies on Trump's mixed poll numbers 100 days into his presidency, especially in key regions like Macomb County. The hosts analyze the intricate dynamics of moderates versus hardliners and the implications for Medicaid negotiations. Insights into upcoming legislative challenges shed light on the complex relationship between the House and Senate.