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