Molly Reynolds, a fellow in the Governance Studies Program at Brookings, explains why the Iowa Caucuses matter so much in the presidential election. She also discusses what to expect from Congress this year for both congressional elections and the presidential election.

“There are a lot of quirky details to the Iowa Caucus,” Reynolds says. In this interview, she explains what makes the Iowa Caucuses so important in the presidential nomination process and what to expect as the races continue. She also weighs in on what we can expect from Congress this year, including appropriations and what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he plans to do.

Also in this episode: Listen to Hollie Russon Gilman, a fellow at New America and Harvard’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, discuss her new book "Democracy Reinvented." Also, get to know Vanessa Williamson, a fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings, during our "Coffee Break."

Show Notes:

• Primary Politics: Everything You Need to Know about How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates
• How unrepresentative are the early presidential primary states?
• After Iowa, advice from "The West Wing" might get Hillary to the Oval
• Democracy Reinvented

Subscribe to the Brookings Cafeteria on iTunes, listen on Stitcher, and send feedback email to [email protected].