CONTROL

On the year’s final episode of CONTROL, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller take a trip down memory lane to reminisce about the biggest stories of 2025 as told through the podcast. Then, Paul Kane, Washington Post Senior Congressional Correspondent, joins the show to look back on the first year of this Congress and what the second may have in store. How have the Congressional leaders performed? Will the legislative branch reassert itself with the White House? And are we seeing hints of the GOP moving beyond President Trump?
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Paul Kane, Washington Post
Audio Producer: Benji Englander
Video Producer: Regina Anderson
 
Articles Discussed:
CBS News: Congress gears up for busy week on health care, national security
Roll Call: Senate eyes NDAA passage next week amid aviation safety worries
WaPo: ‘Not an easy call’: The Democrats who struggled with their shutdown vote
WaPo: Texas midterms point to ideological corners, not swing-state issues
CNN: After a year of Trump-inspired inaction, some Republicans in Congress are growing restless
WSJ: Trump’s Next Renovation Target: D.C.’s Golf Courses

On a new episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by the Wall Street Journal’s Olivia Beavers to discuss the increasingly tense relationship between the speaker and some in his conference. With members questioning Speaker Johnson’s leadership, can he maintain control of his majority? Will lawmakers be able to address voter affordability concerns? Can Congress pass anything the rest of the year? And what does it all mean for the midterms less than a year from now?
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Olivia Beavers, Wall Street Journal
Audio Producer: Benji Englander
Video Producer: Regina Anderson
 
Articles Discussed:
WSJ: Trump Ally Elise Stefanik Attacks Speaker Johnson’s Leadership
WSJ: Congress Turns Chaotic as Lawmakers Target Each Other
Puck: Johnson’s Career Crisis & The House G.O.P. Exodus
NBC News: Some House Republican women are in open revolt against Speaker Mike Johnson
POLITICO: Mike Johnson scrambles to pass Pentagon bill as GOP ranks seethe
The Hill: House cancels vote on the SCORE Act amid GOP opposition
NYT: Trump Blasts Lawmaker for Remaining Democrat After Receiving Pardon

Marjorie Taylor Greene heads for the exit and four members face formal reprimand votes – what does it all say about the state of the House of Representatives? Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss another whirlwind week on Capitol Hill, touching on MTG, censures, FBI investigations, appropriations and more. Then, former congressman Patrick McHenry joins to share his analysis of the recent eruptions on the House floor and the factors driving discontent in the Republican Conference, predictions for the midterms, and advice for leadership on both sides of the aisle.
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Patrick McHenry
Producer: Benji Englander
 
Articles Discussed:
Punchbowl News: Why MTG's missive rang true for House GOP
Axios: The worst good-paying job in America
New York Times: In the House, Censures Proliferate, Reflecting a Poisonous Climate
New York Times: ‘In Triage Every Day’: A Beleaguered Speaker Says He’s Overwhelmed
NBC News: FBI seeks interviews with six Democrats Trump accused of 'seditious behavior'
CBS News: Lindsey Graham blocks House-passed bill to repeal shutdown deal provision allowing $500,000 lawsuits from senators
Roll Call: GOP goes all out to hold Tennessee seat as Democrats look for 2026 omen
Punchbowl News: Inside Michael Whatley’s N.C. Senate bid
Ballotpedia: List of U.S. House incumbents who are not running for re-election in 2026

With the government reopened and the House back in session, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller look back on this history-making shutdown to glean lessons for future fights. Then they look ahead to upcoming votes on the Epstein files and condemning Rep. Chuy Garcia. Plus, are we seeing a new Marjorie Taylor Greene? And is the appropriations process back on track?
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Producer: Benji Englander
 
Articles Discussed:
POLITICO: Trump signs bill ending longest government shutdown in US history
Reuters: After Trump reversal, US House pushes forward on Epstein vote
CNN: ‘Humbly, I’m sorry’: Marjorie Taylor Greene says she’s turning a new leaf after years of divisive comments
Axios: House Dems fail to stop internal revolt on condemning Chuy García
POLITICO: The next shutdown threat is around the corner

The government shutdown nears its end and the recriminations are flying fast. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller react to the breakthrough in the Senate and forecast a few possible hiccups in the House. Then, Adam Jentleson, President of the Searchlight Institute and former top aide to Harry Reid, joins the show to offer a Democratic perspective on the shutdown and debate the future of the filibuster.
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Adam Jentleson
Audio Producer: Benji Englander
Video Producer: Regina Anderson
 
Articles Discussed:
NYT: Senate Moves Toward Ending Shutdown After Democratic Defectors Relent
NBC News: Democrats rebel after 8 senators cut a deal to end the shutdown without ACA funds
Axios: Here's why Congressional Democrats are furious over the shutdown deal
Punchbowl: Johnson faces multitude of challenges in House vote to reopen government
POLITICO: House to return to laundry list of controversies after 7-week hiatus
Fox News: Trump pushes Republicans to end Senate filibuster
Bloomberg: A History of the Filibuster as the Root of Senate Dysfunction

Congress has a set a record with the longest government shutdown in history. As talks pick up, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller wonder if this is the week a deal emerges. Then, the hosts take a step back with the help of Carl Hulse, the New York Times’ Chief Washington Correspondent, to examine the broader dynamics shaping action on Capitol Hill. What has differentiated this shutdown from past fights? Is the current dysfunction reversible? Can lawmakers reassert their authority? Is the filibuster doomed? All that and more only on CONTROL.
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Carl Hulse, New York Times
Audio Producer: Benji Englander
Video Producer: Regina Anderson
 
Articles Discussed:
Roll Call: Bipartisan talks to end shutdown gaining steam, senators say
Politico: John Thune says he is ‘optimistic’ Senate will move to end shutdown this week
Politico: ‘Utterly shameful’: Congress to crush US record this week for longest shutdown
Fox News: Sen. John Thune slams Democrats in fiery floor speech: ‘This isn’t a political game’
Axios: Senator objects to leaving D.C. for long weekend as SNAP benefits run dry
The Hill: Democrats up 8 points on generic ballot: Survey
NYT: Shutdowns, Obamacare and the Risks of Bargaining for Policy Wins in a Crisis  
NYT: What Is the Filibuster and Why Does Trump Want It Gone?

As the government shutdown drags on, negotiations on the appropriations bills have taken a backseat. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Punchbowl News’ Samantha Handler to learn what has been going on behind the scenes. How far apart are the House and Senate? Why have defense hawks gone quiet? And is a deal even possible or are we headed for another CR?
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Samantha Handler, Punchbowl News
Audio Producer: Benji Englander
Video Producer: Regina Anderson
 
Articles Discussed:
AP: Senate rejects bills to pay federal workers during government shutdown
Punchbowl News: Thune skeptical of ‘rifle-shot’ bills
NBC News: Largest federal workers union calls for an end to the shutdown, putting pressure on Democrats
Punchbowl News: Washington begins to confront the funding unthinkable
Roll Call: Appropriations chairman bullish on full-year spending bills after shutdown
Boston Globe: Susan Collins has reached one of the most powerful positions in Washington. It could hardly come at a worse time.

This week Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by GOP Representative Kevin Kiley (CA-03) to hear his perspective on the ongoing shutdown. The Congressman discusses why he continues showing up to Capitol Hill, his problems with Speaker Johnson’s decision to keep the House away, and why he still believes in public service.
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Rep. Kevin Kiley
Audio Producer: Benji Englander
Video Producer: Regina Anderson
 
Articles Discussed:
The Hill: Thune: Time to think about House returning to DC to vote on government funding
NBC News: Democrats rally at No Kings to protest Trump — but many say they're also unhappy with their own party
WaPo: Senate blocks military spending bill as shutdown drags on
New York Times: The Lonely House Republican Still Coming to Work During the Shutdown
WBUR: Why Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley wants to stop the national fight over redistricting

How Does the Shutdown End? Feat. Mychael Schnell
 
With the government shutdown dragging on into another week, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss how Congress got to this point and what may break the stalemate. Then, MSNBC congressional reporter Mychael Schnell joins the show to share what she is hearing on Capitol Hill and what pain points still exist to force a deal.
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Mychael Schnell, MSNBC
Audio Producer: Benji Englander
Video Producer: Regina Anderson
 
Articles Discussed:
Punchbowl: White House: We’re ready for a long shutdown
Politico: Democrats are in a GOP shutdown vise
The Hill: Jeffries, Lawler get into confrontation over ObamaCare: ‘You’re embarrassing yourself’
Fox News: Senate GOP resists 'nuclear option' as Dem shutdown standoff deepens
MSNBC: Private GOP call reveals early fissures over Mike Johnson’s shutdown strategy

With government funding negotiations at a standstill, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller explore what may break the deadlock and how long this standoff could last. Then, Brendan and Annalyse welcome Phil Mattingly, CNN's Chief Domestic Correspondent, to the show for a discussion about OMB director Russ Vought’s influence, how the Trump administration is handling the shutdown, and if Congress will reassert its spending authority.
 
Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller
Guest: Phil Mattingly, CNN
Audio Producer: Benji Englander
Video Producer: Regina Anderson
 
Articles Discussed:
Politico: ‘I don't know why this is so complicated’: Shutdown could drag on for days
Reuters: Another deadline in US shutdown: Will troops get paychecks on October 15?
Politico: House will stay out of session next week as Senate works to solve shutdown
CNN: Trump’s shutdown architect: Russ Vought’s plan to deconstruct the government was years in the making