CONTROL

Steering Into the Holidays

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

Reconciling the House and Senate Strategies, Feat. Manu Raju

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

Parliamentary Inquiries feat. Tom Wickham

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

Mike Johnson Walks Into the Ring feat. Hans Nichols

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

The Johns vs Rick – Who Will Lead the 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

The GOP takes CONTROL: What Just Happened and What Happens Next?

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

Downballot 2024: Prediction Time

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

Downballot 2024: The Republican Perspective feat. Jessica Anderson

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

Downballot 2024: The Democratic Perspective feat. Doug Thornell

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

It May Be A Long December Feat. Jonathan Tamari

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