CONTROL

Shutdown Watch Kicks Into Overdrive

With Congress facing a partial government shutdown at the end of the week, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the roadblocks to funding the government and Speaker Johnson’s continued struggle to lead the Republican conference. They talk about the threats Johnson faces from the House Freedom Caucus in moving a spending package and efforts to advance Ukraine foreign aid legislation. Plus, they debate whether Democrats will bail out Johnson if he faces a motion to vacate the chair from the right and, of course, make predictions on the likelihood of a shutdown – all while looking ahead to next week’s SOTU address!
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Producer: Benji Englander
 
Articles Discussed:
Washington Post: GOP elder statesmen’s message to Johnson: Stop dithering
Washington Post: How House members are trying to circumvent Johnson
New York Times: Days Before Shutdown Deadline, Biden Summons Congressional Leaders for Talks
Reuters: Ukraine supporters lay path to try to force US House vote on aid bill

Speaker Johnson Sets Up a Showdown with the Senate

With Speaker Johnson announcing he won’t put the Senate’s foreign aid bill on the House floor, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down the looming showdown and what options are available to pass the aid package. Later, they talk about how the House’s efforts to impeach Secretary Mayorkas and pass Israel funding fell apart, Speaker Johnson’s leadership style, and why listeners should not forget about the upcoming government funding deadline – March will be here before you know it!
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Producer: Benji Englander
 
Articles Discussed:
Washington Post: Speaker Johnson rejects Israel, Ukraine aid package ahead of Senate vote
Politico: Jeffries signals he's open to using discharge petition to force vote on foreign aid
New York Times: A Suddenly Media-Shy Speaker Can’t Answer Questions. He’s on the Phone.
CNN: Speaker Mike Johnson reverses course and will not endorse Matt Rosendale for Senate in Montana after blowback
New York Times: Is the Senate Becoming the House?

Assume Deal Dead? And Checking in on the House Election Landscape

With the text of the Senate border bill finally released but the package facing long odds at ever becoming law, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss how Congress ended up in this position and how lawmakers might move forward on immigration, Ukraine, Israel, taxes, and more. Then, they are joined by Dan Conston, President of the Congressional Leadership Fund, to talk about the upcoming NY special election and the entire 2024 cycle, including the challenges of recruiting candidates, the adjustment to Speaker Johnson, and the impact of immigration and abortion as campaign issues.
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Dan Conston
Producer: Benji Englander
 
Articles Discussed:
CNN: Bipartisan border deal faces grim odds in the Senate ahead of key vote
The Hill: Senate Democrats likely to bury Mayorkas impeachment 
Axios: House GOP plans new Israel package in blow to Senate talks

The Border Deal Hangs By A Thread

While Congress moves closer to an appropriations package, the prospect of an immigration deal is becoming more remote. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by NBC News’ Sahil Kapur to break down the dynamics at play between the House, the Senate and the White House. They examine the relationship between Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader McConnell, debate the influence of President Biden and former President Trump, and wonder whether anything could pass the House.
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Sahil Kapur
Producer: Benji Englander
 
Articles Discussed:
Congressional negotiators strike deal to move appropriations process forward
Patrick McHenry’s comments on Speaker Johnson
President Biden embraces border negotiations while Speaker Johnson throws cold water on a deal
Sahil Kapur’s story on tax bill

The Laddered CR is Back! How Does the Government Get Funded? Feat. POLITICO’s Jen Sholtes

The laddered CR is back as lawmakers released another two-tiered stopgap spending bill to again avert a government shutdown. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Jen Sholtes, who covers budget and appropriations for POLITICO, to talk about the appropriations process, the challenges facing House Speaker Mike Johnson and the potential for a year-long CR if Congress is unable to pass appropriations bills. They also talk about Johnson’s leadership style and the immigration deal that feels destined to fail. 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Jen Sholtes 
Producer: Benji Englander

CONTROL Returns for Season 2, Shutdown Watch is Back Again

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.
 

Assessing the Start of the Johnson Speakership

12 days into the start of the Johnson Speakership – and with 12 days to go until a government shutdown – hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller offer their assessments of Speaker Johnson’s early moves, especially around the Israel aid package. They debate what’s next for the supplemental request and the overall appropriations process and wonder what the future holds for George Santos.
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Producer: Benji Englander

And Then There Were Nine

As House Republicans gather (again) to choose a Speaker nominee, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss where things went wrong for Jim Jordan, run through the nine Speaker candidates, and explain why whoever emerges victorious will have a steep learning curve. Plus, Kevin McCarthy’s future and the outlook for President Biden’s supplemental budget request for Israel and Ukraine.
 
Brendan’s New York Times op-ed: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/18/opinion/patrick-mchenry-interim-speaker-powers.html
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Producer: Benji Englander

Can Anyone Get 217 Votes?

Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are suffering from a case of déjà vu as the GOP nominee for Speaker struggles to find the necessary votes. They debate the big questions facing the House Republican Conference: Can Steve Scalise secure enough support? What has Kevin McCarthy been up to? Does Patrick McHenry have the authority to pass aid for Israel? And why are they taking away Members’ cell phones before meetings?
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Producer: Benji Englander

Back Where It All Began: No One in Control

The Speakership is vacant, a shutdown looms (again), and no one has control in the House of Representatives. After a whirlwind week in the House, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller try to make sense of what just happened and where things go from here. They discuss Kevin McCarthy’s downfall, the race to replace him, the power available to Patrick McHenry, the future of Ukraine funding, and more.
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Producer: Benji Englander