After many close calls, is this the time Congress actually shuts down the government? With just two weeks left until funding runs out, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the state-of-play. Can Speaker Johnson wrangle enough votes again? Will soaring tensions in the Senate scuttle any deal? They also talk about the murder of Charlie Kirk and its impact on the security needs for Members of Congress. Then, Joel Payne – the Chief Communications Officer at MoveOn – joins the show to offer the Democrat perspective on the shutdown fight and share his advice for the path forward for the party.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Gust: Joel Payne, MoveOn

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

Punchbowl: Congress is barreling toward a shutdown

The Hill: House GOP eyes stopgap into November to avert shutdown

POLITICO: Trump to GOP: Vote yes on the ‘clean’ CR

AP: Schumer warns of a shutdown if Republicans don’t accept Democrats’ health care demands

CNN: White House requests $58 million in security funding from Congress following Kirk assassination

NBC News: Senate Republicans trigger 'nuclear option,' changing rules to speed up Trump nominees

POLITICO: MoveOn demands Schumer and Jeffries ‘hold the line’ on health care in shutdown fight

After an extended summer break, Congress is back in session with one major item on the to-do list: fund the government. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller debate the odds of a shutdown and the challenging dynamics facing Senate Minority Leader Schumer. They also discuss the latest with the Epstein case and the impending changes to confirming nominees in the Senate. Then, MSNBC’s Ali Vitali – host of “Way Too Early” and Senior Capitol Hill Correspondent – joins the show to offer her insights on Epstein, a potential shutdown, along with other items capturing the attention of Capitol Hill.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Ali Vitali, MSNBC

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

POLITICO: Congress splinters into unlikely factions over looming government shutdown

Punchbowl: 22 days until the shutdown deadline. Republicans need a plan

Breitbart: Exclusive—Senate Majority Leader John Thune: A Nominations Rules Change Is Coming

The Hill: GOP sets out to fulfill Trump’s wishes on crime bill

POLITICO: House Oversight receives Epstein estate files, including 'birthday book'

Six months into the Trump administration and with Congress headed out for a long summer recess, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin to take stock of where we are and where we might be headed. They cover President Trump’s interest – or lack thereof – in Congressional policy debates, the outlook for appropriations and what will be the defining issue of the midterm elections.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Jonathan Martin, POLITICO

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

New York Times: It Was Supposed to Be ‘Crypto Week’ in Congress. Then It Unraveled.

POLITICO: Russ Vought: Appropriations process ‘has to be less bipartisan’

NBC News: Bipartisan government funding is at risk of dying in Trump's Washington

POLITICO: Democrats seek shutdown strategy as White House plots to strip their power

CNN: Johnson shuts door on House vote before September on releasing Epstein files

POLITICO: How the GOP Regulars Won Over Donald Trump

With reconciliation in the rear-view mirror, the countdown is on to the next government funding deadline. But first Congress must deal with a rescissions package that is making the appropriations process even more contentious than usual. To break it all down, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by POLITICO’s Katherine Tully-McManus, a congressional reporter focused on budget and appropriations. Can the Freedom Caucus reassert themselves? What is Minority Leader Schumer’s plan? And how long can Congress continue passing CRs?

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Katherine Tully-McManus, POLITICO

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

NBC News: Trump's push to claw back funding ignites a fight that threatens a government shutdown

Punchbowl: Senate Approps hits pause amid escalating drama

Axios: Schumer draws line in government funding fight

POLITICO: A tough week for Susan Collins

POLITICO: Cole: Hill GOP likely to pursue funding topline above White House request

Axios: House "crypto week" could change how Americans use, save money

The One Big Beautiful Bill is now law, with the Freedom Caucus again at the center of the drama. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Matt Fuller, Congressional Bureau Chief at NOTUS and long-time chronicler of the Freedom Caucus, to discuss the group’s history, recent actions and future moves. Plus, reconciliation “Winners and Losers” and a look ahead to appropriations, rescissions, and a potential Reconciliation 2.0. 

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Matt Fuller, NOTUS

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

Reuters: In July 4 ceremony, Trump signs tax and spending bill into law

Politico: Inside the Freedom Caucus’ final surrender

New York Times: Jeffries Breaks Record in Hourslong Speech Opposing Trump’s Policy Bill

NOTUS: Celsius, All-Nighters and Stalling Votes: Mike Johnson’s Strategy to Get Members to ‘Yes’

Punchbowl: With OBBB in the rearview, here’s what’s next

NOTUS: Senate Turns Its Attention to DOGE Cuts — With the Clock Ticking

As House and Senate leaders continue to move the One Big Beautiful Bill forward, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down the latest developments in Congress. They offer their reactions to Senator Tillis’ retirement announcement, forecast how both the Freedom Caucus and moderates may react to the changes put in the bill by the Senate, and wonder what the point of a vote-a-rama is. At the end, Semafor’s Eleanor Mueller shares what she’s hearing on Capitol Hill.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Eleanor Mueller, Semafor

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

NBC News: GOP Sen. Thom Tillis won't seek re-election in North Carolina after drawing Trump's ire

Politico: GOP fight over clean energy threatens to derail megabill

Fox News: Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' hits another snag in House as conservative caucus raises red flag

Politico: Anxious House Republicans scramble to forestall Senate’s Medicaid cuts

ABC News: Polls show Americans largely oppose Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' but are more split on Medicaid, immigration specifics

Semafor: The wild-card fiscal hawk who may turn from ‘no’ to ‘yes’ on Trump’s megabill

As the self-imposed Fourth of July deadline nears, the Senate is set for a pivotal week in their efforts to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss changes to the bill from the “Byrd Bath” and what hurdles remain. Plus, they consider the Congressional reaction to strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Then, Punchbowl News Co-Founder John Bresnahan joins to share what he’s hearing on Capitol Hill about the OBBB and the potential for a vote on a War Powers Resolution.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: John Bresnahan, Punchbowl News

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

Punchbowl: When will reconciliation bill hit the Senate floor?

Axios: Trump's "big, beautiful bill:" What's in, what's out

Washington Examiner: Thune to keep Senate in session until reconciliation bill is passed

New York Times: Iran Strikes Inflame War Powers Debate in Congress, Dividing Both Parties

It is the feud that has consumed Washington, but what does President Trump and Elon Musk’s falling out mean for Congress’ agenda? Dasha Burns – POLITICO Playbook's Chief Correspondent, White House Bureau Chief and Host of "The Conversation” – joins Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller to discuss Musk’s rise and fall in Trumpworld and what it portends for the One Big Beautiful Bill. Plus, Dasha shares what it is like to cover this White House and how it feels to cold call the President.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Dasha Burns, POLITICO

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Andersson

Articles Discussed:

POLITICO: Trump, White House aides signal a possible détente with Musk

Washington Post: Republicans fume as Elon Musk complicates tax bill path

POLITICO: House Speaker says July 4 still the target for passing ‘big beautiful bill’

The Hill: Freedom Caucus warns it will ‘not accept’ Senate changes on green energy tax credits

Punchbowl: Rescissions fight looms even as reconciliation reigns

POLITICO: Rahm Emanuel wants to save the ‘weak’ and ‘woke’ Democratic Party brand

On a new episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller reflect on Speaker Johnson’s latest magic act in passing the One Big Beautiful Bill before pivoting to the action in the Senate with the help of Semafor’s Congressional Bureau Chief Burgess Everett. They discuss the dynamics and personalities involved as Senators look to put their stamp on the OBBB. Can Majority Leader Thune deliver? Or will the whole thing fall apart?

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Burgess Everett

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

Politico: Mike Johnson urges Senate not to make major changes to megabill

Punchbowl: Thune’s turn in the reconciliation grinder

Semafor: Ron Johnson takes on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

Politico: ‘We’re not going there': Thune vows not to overrule parliamentarian on megabill

NOTUS: White House to Send Congress a Rescission Package for Select DOGE Cuts

It’s the biggest week of Mike Johnson’s speakership, which means a trio of hosts are needed to break down all the intrigue around the One Big Beautiful Bill. Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss the drama over SALT and Medicaid before previewing the upcoming, late-night rules committee hearing. Plus, is now the time for President Trump to wield his influence? And can Congress still get this done by the Fourth of July?

Hosts: Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller, Mike Ricci

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

WaPo: Trump’s tax and immigration bill clears hurdle after late-night vote

Punchbowl: Another week of hard choices for Johnson

New York Times: These Are the Dueling Republican Factions Imperiling the Party’s Megabill

Politico: House GOP leaders want Trump to dissuade hard-liners on deeper Medicaid cuts

The Hill: Senate Republicans want to break up House’s Trump bill into bite-size pieces

Politico: ‘The Titanic’: Johnson predicts House’s ‘big, beautiful’ bill will sink in the Senate