In the wake of this weekend’s strikes against Iran and with the conflict continuing to spread, hosts Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci are joined by Seven Letter colleague Sabrina Singh, who served as Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary during the Biden administration. They discuss how the Trump administration has communicated about the war, the reaction from Capitol Hill, and what to watch for in the days ahead. Plus, will the conflict raise the pressure to pass DHS funding? And who has the edge in today’s Texas primary?

Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

Guest: Sabrina Singh

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

New York Times: How Trump Decided to Go to War

AP: Congress will debate an Iran conflict that is well underway

Punchbowl: Congress’ war over the war

CBS News: Iran strikes highlight fractures in GOP ahead of war powers votes in Congress

New York Times: Democrats Denounce Trump’s Iran Attack, but Subtle Divisions Emerge

Politico: Republicans use Iran strikes to pressure Dems in DHS funding fight

CNN: Despite Trump push for voter ID law, Senate Republicans say votes aren’t there to change filibuster rules

Semafor: Some Republicans back Trump on nationalization of voting

Axios: GOP insiders fretting over Texas Senate primary

It’s State of the Union day! Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci share what they’ll be looking for during tonight’s speech and how lawmakers from both parties are likely to react. Then, they discuss the latest maneuvering around DHS funding, tariffs, and the SAVE America Act before being joined by Sahil Kapur, Senior National Political Reporter for NBC News, to learn the latest from Capitol Hill and the White House. When will the government shutdown end? Is the talking filibuster a realistic possibility? Is President Trump losing his grip on the GOP? All that and more only on CONTROL.

Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

Guest: Sahil Kapur, NBC News

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

NYT: ‘It’s Going to Be a Long Speech’: Trump Prepares for State of the Union

POLITICO: A high-stakes State of the Union just got harder for Trump

Axios: Democratic response to Trump's SOTU becomes a crowded affair

NBC News: 'Everyone here is irate': White House scrambles after tariff loss as Trump unloads on Supreme Court

CNBC: Congress contemplates its role on tariffs after Supreme Court decision

The Hill: Republicans eye opening for DHS deal this week as Democrats double down

NBC News: Trump's election bill tops 50 Senate votes, but Democrats could still block it

All signs point to a stalemate on Homeland Security funding – where does Congress go from here? Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss if a deal can be reached or if another shutdown is ahead. Then, Andrew Desiderio, senior congressional reporter for Punchbowl News, joins the show to share what he is hearing from the halls of the Senate. Plus, revelations in the Epstein files continue to roil Capitol Hill, pressure is rising to pass the SAVE America Act, and more Members head for the exits.

Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

Guest: Andrew Desiderio, Punchbowl News

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

Punchbowl News: The Big Four, Trump and DHS

Punchbowl News: WH responds to Democrats’ DHS overhaul

Punchbowl News: Clintons continue sparring with Comer

CNN: GOP lawmaker behind Congress’ Epstein push says Commerce Secretary Lutnick should resign over links

The Hill: House GOP digs in on push for voting bill in hopes of pressuring Senate

Matt’s Five Points: Talking Filibuster Explainer

The Hill: Rep. Mark Amodei is 30th House Republican to not seek reelection

NYT: The Troubled State of the Senate Has Members Eyeing Governorships

With the government shutdown again, it is starting to feel like Groundhog Day at CONTROL. Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci analyze the latest impasse from every angle and are joined by Semafor White House Correspondent Shelby Talcott to hear the administration’s perspective. They discuss the key players in the negotiations, the divide between House and Senate Democrats, and President Trump’s shifting focus. Plus, what does the surprising result in a Texas special election say about the midterms?

Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

Guest: Shelby Talcott, Semafor

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

Semafor: Democrats strike deal with White House on government funding

Politico: How Mike Johnson is scrambling to keep the shutdown short

CNN: Trump leans on Republicans to back his funding deal with Democrats — eager to end government shutdown

NBC News: Schumer and Jeffries take different tacks on government funding bill

NYT: Clintons Capitulate on House Epstein Inquiry, Agreeing to Testify

NYT: Democratic Upset in Deep Red Texas District Rattles Republicans

Semafor: Trump administration eyes drawdown in Minnesota

Events in Minneapolis have thrown Capitol Hill into turmoil, with a government shutdown increasingly likely. Hosts Annaylse Keller and Mike Ricci are joined by The Hill’s Al Weaver to discuss if Congress can find a way to pass funding bills. They discuss the rapidly changing dynamics, the key figures to watch and the reaction from the White House. Plus, the start of a recurring lookahead to the midterm elections.

Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

Guest: Al Weaver, The Hill

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

The Hill: Second fatal Minneapolis shooting puts Congress on verge of shutdown

Punchbowl: Senate GOP seeks way out of DHS funding clash

AP: The shootings in Minneapolis are upending the politics of immigration in Congress

Axios: DHS and ICE are under siege by Congress like never before

WBAL: Gov. Wes Moore urges Senate vote as Maryland redistricting fight heats up

As he steps away as co-host of CONTROL, Brendan Buck reflects on the last three years of Congress before opining on the news of the day with Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci. With momentum building, how many appropriations bills will Congress pass before the upcoming deadline? Will more lawmakers stand up for Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve? Plus, Trump issues threats over a war powers resolution and Mike Johnson navigates a proposed ban on Congressional stock trading.

Hosts: Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller, Mike Ricci

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

The Hill: House approves minibus spending bills in bipartisan 397-28 vote

POLITICO: DOJ opens probe into Fed’s Powell, drawing backlash from lawmakers

WSJ: Angry Trump Called GOP Defectors After War Powers Vote

POLITICO: House GOP stock trading ban bill set for Wednesday markup

Congress is back and has a very busy month ahead. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller look ahead to debates around war powers, discharge petitions and veto overrides before offering predictions for the rest of 2026. Will there be another government shutdown? How many more members will retire? Will a vacancy open on the Supreme Court? All that and more on a new episode of CONTROL.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

Punchbowl News: Congress steps on the gas pedal

Politico: Senate to vote on war powers measure following Maduro ouster

Axios: House Republicans move to override Trump vetoes in rare show of defiance

NPR: More than 10% of Congress won't return to their seats after 2026

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