With the DHS shutdown dragging on and frustration mounting over TSA lines, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss if there is any hope for a deal. Plus, debate continues over the SAVE America Act and supplemental funding for the Iran war. Then, Semafor’s Congressional Bureau Chief Burgess Everett joins the show to share what he is hearing on DHS funding, a second reconciliation package, and Markwayne Mullin’s confirmation. And this week on campaign corner: the Maine Senate race.

Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

Guest: Burgess Everett, Semafor

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

Semafor: Senate tries frantically to reopen DHS

CBS News: DHS funding talks in limbo after Trump calls on GOP to link bill to SAVE America Act

Semafor: Collins wants bipartisan Iran spending bill

CNN: In Maine’s marquee Senate primary, Janet Mills reaches out to women by raising Graham Platner’s online past

Semafor: Senate Democrats square off with each other in ‘spicy primaries’

The Hill: Senate advances Mullin to head Department of Homeland Security

As the SAVE America Act heads to the Senate floor, hosts Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci consider the bill’s outlook and how Majority Leader Thune is balancing competing interests. Then, they discuss a potential supplemental funding bill for the Iran war, the ongoing DHS shutdown and fallout from the Texas primary. At the end, Sarah Ferris, a CNN reporter covering Capitol Hill, joins to talk about what life is like for House Republicans with such a slim majority and other rumblings from the halls of Congress.

Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

Guest: Sarah Ferris, CNN

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

The Hill: Trump allies plan Senate floor takeover to pass SAVE America Act

Semafor: Trump’s voting bill fixation strains Republicans to the breaking point

Punchbowl: Johnson vs. Jeffries on Iran funding

Politico: One month later, White House and Democrats no closer to ending the DHS shutdown

CBS News: SAVE America Act becomes key issue in Texas GOP Senate primary between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton

WBEZ: Five Illinois congressional seats, Senate seat open in historic election year

CNN: One vote to lose: Life inside a chaotic House GOP majority

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