CONTROL

The House and Senate return this week to begin wrapping up this Congress, while planning for the next one is picking up speed. With Republicans set to hold the smallest majority in about a century next Congress, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down how the margin will impact policymaking next year. They get into what’s left on the agenda for December before asking how seriously we should all take the DOGE. Then, they welcome former Parliamentarian of the House Tom Wickham for a deep dive into some of the big procedural questions facing Washington. Can the President really just declare Congress in recess to make appointments? How can immigration and tariffs fit into the reconciliation equation? And what to make of the House trying to dislodge the ethics report on Matt Gaetz? It’s all critical primer as we head into the next Congress.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Tom Wickham Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: CBS News: Incoming House majority squeezed by Trump's planned appointments Fox News: Present and Accounted For: House Republicans' small majority could make attendance a priority CNBC: Musk, Ramaswamy to discuss DOGE with GOP leaders on Capitol Hill Dec. 5 Politico: Congress readies another funding punt ahead of pre-Christmas shutdown deadline Roll Call: Trump and recess appointments: A procedural and legal quagmire AP: Trump and Republicans in Congress eye an ambitious 100-day agenda, starting with tax cuts

It’s not the start of a joke, it’s a new episode of CONTROL! Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the state of the Johnson-Trump relationship before turning their attention to the big questions in the Senate: Will Matt Gaetz be confirmed? Will the Judiciary Committee get access to the ethics report? And how will new GOP Leader John Thune navigate this process? Then, Axios’ Hans Nichols – author of the new daily newsletter Hill Leaders – joins the show to share what he’s hearing about all the major figures on Capitol Hill.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Hans Nichols Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed Fox News: Trump flanked by top allies, cabinet picks at UFC 309: 'USA, USA' Politico: Trump endorses Johnson hours ahead of GOP speaker vote NBC News: House Ethics Committee to meet Wednesday to discuss Matt Gaetz report Politico: Matt Gaetz feels the heat Axios: Trump dares Senate Republicans with Gaetz nomination NPR: Trump picks loyalists for top jobs, testing loyalty of Senate GOP

On a milestone anniversary episode, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller dig into the Senate leadership race and all its drama, including the debate over recess appointments, the influence of Elon Musk and whether Donald Trump will offer an endorsement. Then, they turn their attention to the House and the battle for Republican Conference Chair, as well as what to look for during the Lame Duck. At the end, Producer Benji joins to recap the results of the CONTROL Election Prediction Contest.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: Fox News: Trump allies back Rick Scott in GOP Senate leader race as they look to influence secret ballot The Hill: Senate GOP leadership candidates scramble to support Trump’s demand for recess appointments Axios: House Republicans swarm race for Elise Stefanik's leadership job WaPo: Congress set to extend government shutdown deadline into Trump’s term

Washington is red – so hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller had to gather to discuss the results of a surprisingly quick election result. How did Donald Trump complete his comeback? How will the GOP use their control of Congress? Will it be Mike Johnson in the Speaker’s chair? All that and more on a special episode of CONTROL.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Producer: Benji Englander   Brendan’s MSNBC oped

One week to go, so it’s time to make some wild guesses. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down the closing arguments and then make predictions about the key races up and down the ballot. Play along with CONTROL’s Election Prediction Contest and see how you stack up against our hosts: https://forms.gle/uZYiQabtLhwVzqrr9   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: NYT: Pro-Harris Super PAC Raises Concerns About Focusing on Trump and Fascism AP: Progressives warn Harris must change her closing message as the election looms NYT: 6 Takeaways From Donald Trump’s 3-Hour Podcast With Joe Rogan CNN: Harris to deliver closing argument speech at Ellipse, site of Trump’s January 6 rally NBC News: Speaker Mike Johnson fights to save the House Republican majority — and his job

On the latest episode of CONTROL, Brendan Buck and Annlayse Keller continue their series of special bonus episodes focused on some of the races and dynamics that will determine CONTROL of the House and the Senate. The duo first discuss the latest happenings from the campaign trail and a potential nightmare scenario in the House next January. Then, they welcome on GOP strategist Jessica Anderson of the Sentinel Action Fund to talk about how Republicans have improved their early vote ground game and their path to victory in November.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Jessica Anderson Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed AP: Trump works the fry station and holds a drive-thru news conference at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s NBC News: Harris has no current plans to campaign with Biden before Election Day Politico: The Very Real Scenario Where Trump Loses and Takes Power Anyway Fox News: Georgia casts over 1.4M ballots as critical battleground shatters early voting records Politico: Republicans are trying to up their early voting game — but Trump keeps getting in the way WFAE: After years of decrying mail-in ballots, GOP showing signs of strength in early NC voting

With just weeks to go until Election Day, hosts Brendan Buck and Annlayse Keller kick-off a series of special bonus episodes focused on some of the races and dynamics that will determine CONTROL of the House and the Senate. After discussing the debate on the Hill around disaster relief, Brendan and Annalyse talk through the election state of play and the shrinking number of competitive races. Then, longtime democratic operative Doug Thornell joins the show to offer the case for Democrats re-taking the House.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Doug Thornell Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed NBC News: Mike Johnson won't commit to bringing House back before the election for more hurricane relief Politico: Milton raises stakes for Congress to pass more disaster aid WaPo: Control of House heads toward another cliffhanger election New York Times: Far From Presidential Battlegrounds, Blue States Could Decide Congress The Hill: Democrats see abortion, Harris as leading them back to House majority

With Speaker Johnson coming up short on his six-month CR plan, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the ramifications of the new December funding deadline. They debate how various election scenarios will impact Speaker Johnson’s standing in the conference and quest to keep his job. Then, Bloomberg Government’s Jonathan Tamari joins the show to offer his perspective on the CR and share some insights about the pivotal state in this election: Pennsylvania.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalsye Keller Guest: Jonathan Tamari Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: CNN: Speaker Johnson unveils short-term spending bill, urges members to avoid shutdown Politico Playbook: Why Trump wanted a shutdown Axios: Johnson's colleagues baffled by his shutdown strategy Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Trump returning to Western Pennsylvania today; Harris to head to Pittsburgh. Philadelphia Inquirer: How Pa.’s undecided voters are processing their decision with just weeks until the election The Economist: Pennsylvania, the crucial battleground in America’s election

On a new episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the latest efforts to avoid a government shutdown. With Speaker Johnson’s original plan in tatters, what’s his next move? And how will it affect his relationship with Tom Emmer and Donald Trump? Then, Burgess Everett, the Semafor congressional bureau chief, joins the show to discuss all things Senate: spending, IVF, leadership races, and more.   Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller Guest: Burgess Everett Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: Punchbowl: House GOP no closer to resolving spending mess New York Times: Déjà Vu for Mike Johnson as Internal Strife Stalls Spending Plan The Hill: Trump complicates Speaker Johnson’s plan to avoid government shutdown Axios: The lame duck farm bill push Fox News: Schumer revives Dem-backed IVF bill after Trump proposal Axios: Scoop: McConnell's power play over vote for his replacement

Congress is back, Brendan is back and CONTROL is back on Shutdown Watch. Hosts Annalyse Keller and Brendan Buck talk to Punchbowl’s Jake Sherman about where the spending fight stands and what moves party leaders will look to make. They discuss Speaker Johnson’s strategy, the impact of the upcoming election as well as Republican’s fundraising woes. Plus, Annalyse and Brendan preview tonight’s presidential debate and the potential for divided government no matter who takes the White House.   Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Brendan Buck Producer: Benji Englander Guest: Jake Sherman   Articles Discussed Punchbowl: Congress returns as all eyes turn to Philadelphia Punchbowl: House Republican leaders post big August hauls amid GOP money woes New York Times: Trump and Harris Neck and Neck After Summer Upheaval, Times/Siena Poll Finds Washington Post: Even in victory, Harris or Trump could earn a dubious prize: Hostile Congress