The 119th Congress is off to a rollicking start and hosts Brendan Buck and Mike Ricci analyze the most pressing questions: After securing victory on the first ballot, how strong is Speaker Johnson’s standing in the Conference? Will he be able to move Trump’s agenda through the House? Drawing on their experience from 2017, they offer their opinions on reconciliation strategy.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Mike Ricci

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

CNN: Johnson wins dramatic vote to remain House speaker

Politico: Johnson tells House Republicans that Trump wants one ‘big beautiful’ reconciliation package

NBC News: Speaker Johnson's push to pass Trump's agenda in one massive bill faces big hurdles

Roll Call: Trump open to two-step budget plan despite earlier comments

It’s the last week in the legislative calendar and the last episode of CONTROL for the year, leaving plenty of hot topics for hosts Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci. The trio discuss the relationship between President-elect Trump, Speaker Johnson and Incoming Senate Majority Leader Thune as they map out a plan for reconciliation and analyze the drama at the Steering Committee. At the end, what the hosts are looking out for in 2025.

Hosts: Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller, Mike Ricci

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

Fox News: President-elect Trump takes in Army-Navy game with powerhouse posse

The Hill: Johnson says new GOP agenda will be ‘very aggressive beginning right out of the gate’

The Hill: Thune expects tax package by summer: ‘Failure is not an option’

Politico: Conservatives fall in line behind Mike Johnson ahead of speaker race

Punchbowl: Inside how Johnson handled steering and what it means for the pitfalls ahead

It’s the question that shape the agenda next year: Will Congress do two reconciliation bills in 2025 or jam everything into one package? Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the differing plans from incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, as well as answer key questions about the reconciliation process. Then, they are joined by Manu Raju, CNN's Chief Congressional Correspondent, to talk about the Senate confirmation battles for Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Manu Raju

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

CNN: GOP rifts open over Trump agenda as legislative landmines await new Congress

WaPo: GOP caught between immigration and tax cuts for early 2025 priorities

Reuters: Embattled Trump nominees Hegseth, Gabbard visit Senate seeking support

CNN: Key GOP senators begin to fall in line to support Kash Patel and keep door open for Pete Hegseth

Punchbowl: NDAA moves complicate passage

The House and Senate return this week to begin wrapping up this Congress, while planning for the next one is picking up speed. With Republicans set to hold the smallest majority in about a century next Congress, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down how the margin will impact policymaking next year. They get into what’s left on the agenda for December before asking how seriously we should all take the DOGE. Then, they welcome former Parliamentarian of the House Tom Wickham for a deep dive into some of the big procedural questions facing Washington. Can the President really just declare Congress in recess to make appointments? How can immigration and tariffs fit into the reconciliation equation? And what to make of the House trying to dislodge the ethics report on Matt Gaetz? It’s all critical primer as we head into the next Congress.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Tom Wickham

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

CBS News: Incoming House majority squeezed by Trump's planned appointments

Fox News: Present and Accounted For: House Republicans' small majority could make attendance a priority

CNBC: Musk, Ramaswamy to discuss DOGE with GOP leaders on Capitol Hill Dec. 5

Politico: Congress readies another funding punt ahead of pre-Christmas shutdown deadline

Roll Call: Trump and recess appointments: A procedural and legal quagmire

AP: Trump and Republicans in Congress eye an ambitious 100-day agenda, starting with tax cuts

It’s not the start of a joke, it’s a new episode of CONTROL! Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the state of the Johnson-Trump relationship before turning their attention to the big questions in the Senate: Will Matt Gaetz be confirmed? Will the Judiciary Committee get access to the ethics report? And how will new GOP Leader John Thune navigate this process? Then, Axios’ Hans Nichols – author of the new daily newsletter Hill Leaders – joins the show to share what he’s hearing about all the major figures on Capitol Hill.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Hans Nichols

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed

Fox News: Trump flanked by top allies, cabinet picks at UFC 309: 'USA, USA'

Politico: Trump endorses Johnson hours ahead of GOP speaker vote

NBC News: House Ethics Committee to meet Wednesday to discuss Matt Gaetz report

Politico: Matt Gaetz feels the heat

Axios: Trump dares Senate Republicans with Gaetz nomination

NPR: Trump picks loyalists for top jobs, testing loyalty of Senate GOP

On a milestone anniversary episode, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller dig into the Senate leadership race and all its drama, including the debate over recess appointments, the influence of Elon Musk and whether Donald Trump will offer an endorsement. Then, they turn their attention to the House and the battle for Republican Conference Chair, as well as what to look for during the Lame Duck. At the end, Producer Benji joins to recap the results of the CONTROL Election Prediction Contest.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

Fox News: Trump allies back Rick Scott in GOP Senate leader race as they look to influence secret ballot

The Hill: Senate GOP leadership candidates scramble to support Trump’s demand for recess appointments

Axios: House Republicans swarm race for Elise Stefanik's leadership job

WaPo: Congress set to extend government shutdown deadline into Trump’s term

Washington is red – so hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller had to gather to discuss the results of a surprisingly quick election result. How did Donald Trump complete his comeback? How will the GOP use their control of Congress? Will it be Mike Johnson in the Speaker’s chair? All that and more on a special episode of CONTROL.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Brendan’s MSNBC oped

One week to go, so it’s time to make some wild guesses. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down the closing arguments and then make predictions about the key races up and down the ballot. Play along with CONTROL’s Election Prediction Contest and see how you stack up against our hosts: https://forms.gle/uZYiQabtLhwVzqrr9

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

NYT: Pro-Harris Super PAC Raises Concerns About Focusing on Trump and Fascism

AP: Progressives warn Harris must change her closing message as the election looms

NYT: 6 Takeaways From Donald Trump’s 3-Hour Podcast With Joe Rogan

CNN: Harris to deliver closing argument speech at Ellipse, site of Trump’s January 6 rally

NBC News: Speaker Mike Johnson fights to save the House Republican majority — and his job

On the latest episode of CONTROL, Brendan Buck and Annlayse Keller continue their series of special bonus episodes focused on some of the races and dynamics that will determine CONTROL of the House and the Senate. The duo first discuss the latest happenings from the campaign trail and a potential nightmare scenario in the House next January. Then, they welcome on GOP strategist Jessica Anderson of the Sentinel Action Fund to talk about how Republicans have improved their early vote ground game and their path to victory in November.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Jessica Anderson

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed

AP: Trump works the fry station and holds a drive-thru news conference at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s

NBC News: Harris has no current plans to campaign with Biden before Election Day

Politico: The Very Real Scenario Where Trump Loses and Takes Power Anyway

Fox News: Georgia casts over 1.4M ballots as critical battleground shatters early voting records

Politico: Republicans are trying to up their early voting game — but Trump keeps getting in the way

WFAE: After years of decrying mail-in ballots, GOP showing signs of strength in early NC voting

With just weeks to go until Election Day, hosts Brendan Buck and Annlayse Keller kick-off a series of special bonus episodes focused on some of the races and dynamics that will determine CONTROL of the House and the Senate. After discussing the debate on the Hill around disaster relief, Brendan and Annalyse talk through the election state of play and the shrinking number of competitive races. Then, longtime democratic operative Doug Thornell joins the show to offer the case for Democrats re-taking the House.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Doug Thornell

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed

NBC News: Mike Johnson won't commit to bringing House back before the election for more hurricane relief

Politico: Milton raises stakes for Congress to pass more disaster aid

WaPo: Control of House heads toward another cliffhanger election

New York Times: Far From Presidential Battlegrounds, Blue States Could Decide Congress

The Hill: Democrats see abortion, Harris as leading them back to House majority