CONTROL

The solar eclipse has come and gone, but the Motion to Vacate still casts a shadow over Speaker Johnson. On the latest episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the paths available for Speaker Johnson to both pass Ukraine aid and keep his job. Plus, they talk about the impending impeachment trial for Secretary Mayorkas and try to make sense of the major retirements among committee chairs.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

ABC News: DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas impeachment proceedings: What to expect

WaPo: Speaker Johnson’s job is on the line as the House returns

WSJ: Mike Johnson Prepares to Unwrap Mystery Ukraine Aid Package

WaPo: ‘Increasingly chaotic’: Why House Republicans are heading for the exits

Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate the chair, so there is only one thing Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller can do – emergency pod! They cover all the angles of this surprise development, including Greene’s options, her motivation and how much support she has.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

NYT: House Passes Spending Bill to Avert Shutdown, Prompting G.O.P. Mutiny

Politico: It's happening again: Greene moves to force vote on ousting speaker

House Republicans are back from their retreat and CONTROL is back on shutdown watch. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the latest in the spending negotiations and if the dispute over border security funding will lead to a government shutdown. Then, they talk about the low morale in the GOP conference, as evidenced by the low turnout at last week’s retreat and the surprise retirement of Rep. Ken Buck. Finally, they question what else might get done this Congress, including Ukraine funding, tax reform, and impeachment.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

WaPo: Border security deadlock heightens risk of government shutdown

AP: House Republicans are seeking unity at an idyllic West Virginia retreat. Many didn’t bother to come

The Hill: Ken Buck slams ‘ridiculous’ claims he’s resigning to hurt Boebert’s election chances

Politico: Johnson says he expects to take up Ukraine aid with Democratic votes

Washington Examiner: Mayorkas impeachment trial takes backseat to congressional spending fight

Politico: As Biden impeachment stalls, House GOP turns to backup plans

In a rare week without a shutdown deadline, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller take stock of the latest appropriations negotiations and some other topics being discussed around the Hill, including Ukraine funding, impeachment, and the fallout from SOTU. Then, the pair analyze the state of the Senate leadership races: who’s in, who’s out, and who’s keeping their powder dry. Plus, a game of “What Political News Reached Annalyse on Vacation!"

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

NBC News: Conservatives are furious, but they're not threatening Speaker Johnson's job

AP: Biden signs a package of spending bills passed by Congress just hours before a shutdown deadline

Axios: Biden sends his $7.3 trillion budget to Congress

Washington Post: White House-Justice Dept. tensions high as Hur prepares to testify on Hill

Politico: Ernst to run against Cotton for Senate GOP No. 3 this fall

With Annalyse on vacation, Brendan Buck is at the controls during a busy week on Capitol Hill. First, following Senator Mitch McConnell’s announcement that he’s stepping down as Republican Leader, Brendan welcomes Paul Kane of the Washington Post to talk about how McConnell changed the Senate and explain the dividing lines in the Republican Conference as it chooses its next leader. Plus, it’s SOTU week! Mike Ricci – Seven Letter Partner and former top aide to Speakers Ryan and Boehner – joins the show to discuss the State of the Union: what makes a good speech, what makes for a bad response, and what to watch for on Thursday night.

Host: Brendan Buck

Guests: Paul Kane and Mike Ricci

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

AP: Congressional leaders come out with 6 spending bills in a drive to avoid a partial shutdown

WaPo: Senate Republicans will face leadership struggle between Trump, McConnell views

NBC News: Biden to juggle competing political demands in State of the Union address

With Congress facing a partial government shutdown at the end of the week, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the roadblocks to funding the government and Speaker Johnson’s continued struggle to lead the Republican conference. They talk about the threats Johnson faces from the House Freedom Caucus in moving a spending package and efforts to advance Ukraine foreign aid legislation. Plus, they debate whether Democrats will bail out Johnson if he faces a motion to vacate the chair from the right and, of course, make predictions on the likelihood of a shutdown – all while looking ahead to next week’s SOTU address!

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

Washington Post: GOP elder statesmen’s message to Johnson: Stop dithering

Washington Post: How House members are trying to circumvent Johnson

New York Times: Days Before Shutdown Deadline, Biden Summons Congressional Leaders for Talks

Reuters: Ukraine supporters lay path to try to force US House vote on aid bill

With Speaker Johnson announcing he won’t put the Senate’s foreign aid bill on the House floor, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down the looming showdown and what options are available to pass the aid package. Later, they talk about how the House’s efforts to impeach Secretary Mayorkas and pass Israel funding fell apart, Speaker Johnson’s leadership style, and why listeners should not forget about the upcoming government funding deadline – March will be here before you know it!

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

Washington Post: Speaker Johnson rejects Israel, Ukraine aid package ahead of Senate vote

Politico: Jeffries signals he's open to using discharge petition to force vote on foreign aid

New York Times: A Suddenly Media-Shy Speaker Can’t Answer Questions. He’s on the Phone.

CNN: Speaker Mike Johnson reverses course and will not endorse Matt Rosendale for Senate in Montana after blowback

New York Times: Is the Senate Becoming the House?

With the text of the Senate border bill finally released but the package facing long odds at ever becoming law, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss how Congress ended up in this position and how lawmakers might move forward on immigration, Ukraine, Israel, taxes, and more. Then, they are joined by Dan Conston, President of the Congressional Leadership Fund, to talk about the upcoming NY special election and the entire 2024 cycle, including the challenges of recruiting candidates, the adjustment to Speaker Johnson, and the impact of immigration and abortion as campaign issues.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Dan Conston

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

CNN: Bipartisan border deal faces grim odds in the Senate ahead of key vote

The Hill: Senate Democrats likely to bury Mayorkas impeachment 

Axios: House GOP plans new Israel package in blow to Senate talks

While Congress moves closer to an appropriations package, the prospect of an immigration deal is becoming more remote. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by NBC News’ Sahil Kapur to break down the dynamics at play between the House, the Senate and the White House. They examine the relationship between Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader McConnell, debate the influence of President Biden and former President Trump, and wonder whether anything could pass the House.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Sahil Kapur

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

Congressional negotiators strike deal to move appropriations process forward

Patrick McHenry’s comments on Speaker Johnson

President Biden embraces border negotiations while Speaker Johnson throws cold water on a deal

Sahil Kapur’s story on tax bill

The laddered CR is back as lawmakers released another two-tiered stopgap spending bill to again avert a government shutdown. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Jen Sholtes, who covers budget and appropriations for POLITICO, to talk about the appropriations process, the challenges facing House Speaker Mike Johnson and the potential for a year-long CR if Congress is unable to pass appropriations bills. They also talk about Johnson’s leadership style and the immigration deal that feels destined to fail. 

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Jen Sholtes 

Producer: Benji Englander