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