CONTROL

In this conversation, Nicholas Wu, a seasoned congressional reporter at POLITICO, dives into the fraught landscape of a potential government shutdown. He discusses whether Speaker Johnson can rally votes for a continuing resolution and the contrasting strategies among House and Senate Democrats. Wu also highlights the fallout from the censure of Al Green and what it means for upcoming votes. Finally, he sheds light on how Democrats plan to regroup at their retreat, seeking ways to unite and push through their agenda amidst turbulent political waters.

Before President Trump addresses a Joint Session of Congress, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the outlook for his agenda: What are the next steps for reconciliation? Can the Senate make the budget math work? And will a government shutdown get in the way? Then, Seven Letter’s Mike Ricci joins the show to talk about State of the Union responses and Chad Pergram, Fox News Senior Congressional Correspondent, shares his insights based on more than 30 years covering Capitol Hill.    Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guests: Chad Pergram and Mike Ricci Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: AP: What’s next for Trump agenda after House GOP approves tax breaks and slashed spending in budget Politico: GOP tax chief voiced ‘huge concern’ over Senate tax plan at White House meeting Politico: Senate Republicans say House budget won’t fly with them Fox News: Reporter's Notebook: All night long CNN: Trump’s speech to Congress will be an explanation of his fast-paced first days in office Roll Call: Slotkin leads return of the national security women for Democrats Axios: Fuming Democrats struggle with Trump speech strategy

After weeks of buildup, the moment of truth arrives – can Speaker Johnson pass the budget resolution? Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller dive into all the scenarios at play and how the Senate will respond after advancing down their two-bill track. Later, they debate the congressional politics of DOGE and if lawmakers can reassert their power of the purse. At the end, trying to answer the question “who is the leader of the Democratic party?”   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed Brendan’s New York Times Op-Ed on DOGE Punchbowl: Johnson’s task: A tricky budget resolution vote followed by a shutdown fight The Hill: Johnson makes ‘prayer request’ ahead of critical vote on Trump agenda bill AP: Senate Republicans approve budget framework, pushing past Democratic objections after all-night vote WaPo: Back in their districts, GOP lawmakers get an earful on DOGE and Musk New York Times: Bracing for a Shutdown Fight, Democrats Warn Their Votes Are Not a Given Axios: Democrats spot opening to kneecap GOP's budget plans

With the House and Senate on a collision course over reconciliation, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller explore which strategy has the best chance of success and how some of the wonkier aspects of the process may trip up the GOP’s plans. Then, NBC News’ senior White House correspondent Garrett Haake joins the show to offer his insight on the Trump administration’s early actions, the Trump-Musk relationship, and JD Vance’s role as the “Senate whisperer.”   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Garrett Haake Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed Punchbowl: The reconciliation race: Can the House get its act together? Politico: Inside the House GOP clash over tax cuts CBS News: CBS News poll — Trump has positive approval amid "energetic" opening weeks; seen as doing what he promised WaPo: Some Democrats vow to use leverage in government funding fight NBC News: Elon Musk gets quiet White House reminders his power isn't unchecked Politico: JD Vance Aced His First Test. The Next One Will Be Tougher.

What a year the past month has been – to help make sense of the flurry of news over the last two weeks, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by POLITICO’s Capitol Bureau Chief Rachael Bade. Together, they discuss the latest on House Republicans’ spending fight, Elon Musk’s influence on the White House, and the outlook for President Trump’s most controversial nominees.   Articles Discussed: Politico: Musk steamrolls Washington as he remakes the federal government NYT: ‘We Have No Coherent Message’: Democrats Struggle to Oppose Trump WaPo: Trump halts tariffs on Canada and Mexico as both offer new border security plans Politico: The GOP’s Unreliable Cutter-in-Chief Reuters: Gabbard boosted in bid to become chief US spy ahead of committee vote Politico: How Trump’s orbit used blunt force to squeeze Hegseth through

President Trump is back in the Oval Office. Hosts Annalyse Keller and Brendan Buck discuss the flurry of activity on Inauguration Day – the speech, the executive orders, the pardons and more – and analyze what it means for Capitol Hill.   Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Brendan Buck Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: NYT: What Trump Did on Day 1: Tracking His Biggest Moves Politico: Trump closes first day with an avalanche of executive orders

All eyes are on the Senate this week with 13 of President-elect Trump’s nominees slated for confirmation hearings. After first discussing the latest developments on reconciliation, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Annie Karni, congressional correspondent at The New York Times, to assess the state-of-play on some of Trump’s more controversial picks. At the end, what Senator Fetterman was doing at Mar-a-Lago and why have Democrats changed their tune on immigration.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Annie Karni Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: ABC News: Republicans huddle with Trump in Florida as they plot out GOP agenda Politico: Trump tells House Republicans to find a ‘fair number’ on SALT Politico: House Republicans and Trump discuss tying California wildfire aid to debt ceiling NYT: Fetterman Accepts Trump’s Invitation to Meet WaPo: Democrats warm to Laken Riley bill as Senate to take up measure

The 119th Congress is off to a rollicking start and hosts Brendan Buck and Mike Ricci analyze the most pressing questions: After securing victory on the first ballot, how strong is Speaker Johnson’s standing in the Conference? Will he be able to move Trump’s agenda through the House? Drawing on their experience from 2017, they offer their opinions on reconciliation strategy.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Mike Ricci Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: CNN: Johnson wins dramatic vote to remain House speaker Politico: Johnson tells House Republicans that Trump wants one ‘big beautiful’ reconciliation package NBC News: Speaker Johnson's push to pass Trump's agenda in one massive bill faces big hurdles Roll Call: Trump open to two-step budget plan despite earlier comments

It’s the last week in the legislative calendar and the last episode of CONTROL for the year, leaving plenty of hot topics for hosts Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci. The trio discuss the relationship between President-elect Trump, Speaker Johnson and Incoming Senate Majority Leader Thune as they map out a plan for reconciliation and analyze the drama at the Steering Committee. At the end, what the hosts are looking out for in 2025.   Hosts: Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller, Mike Ricci Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: Fox News: President-elect Trump takes in Army-Navy game with powerhouse posse The Hill: Johnson says new GOP agenda will be ‘very aggressive beginning right out of the gate’ The Hill: Thune expects tax package by summer: ‘Failure is not an option’ Politico: Conservatives fall in line behind Mike Johnson ahead of speaker race Punchbowl: Inside how Johnson handled steering and what it means for the pitfalls ahead

It’s the question that shape the agenda next year: Will Congress do two reconciliation bills in 2025 or jam everything into one package? Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the differing plans from incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, as well as answer key questions about the reconciliation process. Then, they are joined by Manu Raju, CNN's Chief Congressional Correspondent, to talk about the Senate confirmation battles for Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Manu Raju Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: CNN: GOP rifts open over Trump agenda as legislative landmines await new Congress WaPo: GOP caught between immigration and tax cuts for early 2025 priorities Reuters: Embattled Trump nominees Hegseth, Gabbard visit Senate seeking support CNN: Key GOP senators begin to fall in line to support Kash Patel and keep door open for Pete Hegseth Punchbowl: NDAA moves complicate passage