• Where Did Appropriations Go Wrong? Feat. Former Speaker John Boehner
    Jul 30 2024

    The House may be out, but recess has not yet begun for CONTROL hosts Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci. After discussing the latest on the Trump assassination attempt investigations, JD Vance’s early struggles, VP Harris’s potential running mates, and some upcoming primaries, two very special guests join the show. First, Brendan Buck calls in to talk about the floundering appropriations process. Then, former Speaker John Boehner joins the show to offer his perspective on appropriations, President Biden’s withdrawal, Speaker Johnson and more.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Guests: Former Speaker John Boehner and Brendan Buck

    Producer: Benji Englander

    Articles Discussed

    Politico: House leadership appoints Trump shooting task force members

    NBC News: Trump agrees to give a victim interview to the FBI after assassination attempt

    WSJ: Secret Service Director Resigns Amid Anger Over Trump Shooting

    NYT: JD Vance Stumbles in His Debut, as Democrats Go on Offense

    Bloomberg: Harris’ Running-Mate Search Zeroes In on Three Top Contenders

    Roll Call: Rep. Cori Bush faces well-funded prosecutor in Missouri primary

    Spokesman Review: Central Washington’s Dan Newhouse faces 7 challengers in a primary that tests Trump’s hold on GOP

    The Tennessean: Johnston touts record, wins traditional GOP backers in race for Tennessee's 5th District

    Politico: House Republicans bail on another spending bill as their summer funding ambitions fizzle

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    58 mins
  • Biden’s Out, Kamala’s In and Trump Picks Vance – What Now for Both Parties?
    Jul 23 2024

    After one of the most newsworthy two-week stretches in recent memory, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci are back to make sense of everything that’s happened and where things may go. From President Biden’s decision not to stand for re-election to the groundswell of support for Vice President Harris to the assassination attempt on former President Trump to JD Vance’s debut at the RNC, the political fallout will be felt in the halls of Congress and around the country for years to come. Plus, Speaker Johnson marks a noteworthy milestone and Bibi Netanyahu heads to Washington.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Producer: Benji Englander

    Articles Discussed:

    Politico: Kamala Harris clears the path to the nomination as potential challengers fall in line

    NYT: Harris Raised $81 Million in First 24 Hours as Candidate

    AP: Who’s No. 2? Four leading Democrats emerge as a possible running mate for Kamala Harris

    AP: Biden continues to recover from COVID-19, stays out of public view after ending his 2024 campaign

    AP: JD Vance introduces himself as Trump’s running mate and makes direct appeal to his native Rust Belt

    Punchbowl: The Canvass RNC recap: Most prefer Youngkin over Vance for VP

    NYT: Seeking Answers, Lawmakers From Both Parties Ask Secret Service Chief to Quit

    Punchbowl: Trump’s Capitol Hill Cabinet

    WaPo: Harris won’t preside over Netanyahu’s speech to Congress

    NBC News: Matt Gaetz and Kevin McCarthy's feud erupts at Republican convention

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    50 mins
  • Can Biden Hold the Hill?
    Jul 9 2024

    As President Biden works to shore up support on Capitol Hill following his disastrous debate performance, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss the factors at play for congressional Democrats. How can Hakeem Jeffries maintain unity? What is the impact on down-ballot races? And what should House Republicans be doing amid all this? Plus, the appropriations process inches forward, the Senate’s workload remains a mystery, and the left emerges victorious across the pond.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Producer: Benji Englander

    Articles Discussed:

    Politico: Hill Dems brace for fight over Biden’s future to get worse

    Politico: Biden’s Survival Plan: Decry ‘Elite’ Critics, Appeal to His Base

    Politico: House Republicans request interview with White House physician

    WaPo: Trump running mate decision nears, with Vance, Rubio at center of talks

    NBC News: House and Senate races draw renewed focus for Democrats after Biden's bad debate

    NYT: McCarthy’s Revenge Tour Rolls On, With Mixed Results

    Axios: Rep. Celeste Maloy holds razor-thin lead in GOP primary re-election bid

    BBC: UK election: What's happened and what comes next?

    The Guardian: France election: surprise win for leftwing alliance keeps Le Pen’s far right from power

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    48 mins
  • Prongs, Primaries and ‘Propriations
    Jun 25 2024

    The House is back from recess and so are hosts Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci. Appropriations bills are front and center this week, but the duo is also keeping their eyes on some other long-running topics, including Speaker Johnson’s oversight prongs, House primaries and the Senate leadership race – not to mention the Presidential debate and the British general election. With little time before the next recess, Congress has a lot to cover.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Producer: Benji Englander

    Articles Discussed:

    The Hill: House set to dive into spending bills

    Punchbowl: House GOP Oversight misses Biden, but his allies pay the price

    WaPo: The establishment wins: Primary voters keep backing incumbents

    CNN: The ‘MAGA civil war’ that threatens to claim another conservative Republican

    NYT: What to Know About Jamaal Bowman’s Bitter Democratic Primary Race

    Politico: Conservatives rock race to replace McConnell with hardline push

    Axios: McConnell eyes his next move

    Reuters: UK PM Sunak's Conservatives set for heavy election defeat, polls forecast

    The Telegraph: Welcome to the most unpopular G7 summit ever

    Politico: Scorched-earth summer: Biden, Sunak and Macron go negative

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    41 mins
  • Oversight Kicks Into Overdrive
    Jun 11 2024

    As the fallout from the Trump verdict continues to shape Congress, hosts Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci debate the latest moves from Republicans in the House and Senate targeting the Biden admin: will the vote to hold Merrick Garland in contempt succeed? What other actions can the House take? And can Mike Lee and other GOP senators hold up the Senate? Later, more Primary Watch and a lesson in optics management from British PM Rishi Sunak.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Producer: Benji Englander

    Articles Discussed:

    Washington Examiner: House GOP jump-starts push to hold Garland in contempt of Congress

    New York Times: After Trump’s Conviction, House Republicans Vow Again to Target His Foes

    New York Times: Far-Right Vows to Tie Up the Senate to Avenge Trump Are So Far Mostly Empty

    AP: Speaker Johnson appoints two Trump allies to a committee that handles classified intelligence

    BBC: Sunak's D-Day absence: How the PM walked into an election blunder

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    33 mins
  • The Spending Wars Have Begun
    Jun 4 2024

    With the House set to debate its first appropriations bill, hosts Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci analyze the outlook for appropriations season and some other happenings around Capitol Hill. They discuss the Fauci hearing, ICC sanctions, the border, and reproductive rights. Plus, some musings on elections taking place on both sides of the pond: House primaries and the UK general election.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Producer: Benji Englander

    Articles Discussed:

    Roll Call: Scalise lays out ambitious summer appropriations timetable

    NBC News: Fauci parries with Republicans in combative hearing about Covid's origins and possibility of a lab leak

    Semafor: Speaker Mike Johnson promises a Republican mega-bill that would define Donald Trump’s second term

    Axios: Behind the Curtain: Speaker Johnson's secret muse

    Politico: Senate border vote fails again, losing support from both sides

    CBS News: Senate Democrats to unveil package to protect IVF as party makes reproductive rights push this month

    New York Times: U.K. 2024 General Election: What to Know

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    41 mins
  • The Immigration Bill is Back – But Why?
    May 21 2024

    After falling short months ago, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is bringing up the bipartisan immigration bill for another vote – what’s the play? Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by new co-host Mike Ricci, a partner at Seven Letter and former top advisor to Speakers Ryan and Boehner, to try to make sense of Schumer’s actions and a few other topics bedeviling Capitol Hill. The trio discuss upcoming votes related to Israel, President Biden’s battle with the House Oversight Committee over executive privilege, and the outlook for the appropriations process. Plus, a check-in on Rep. Tom Cole’s primary.

    Hosts: Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Producer: Benji Englander

    Articles Discussed:

    Reuters: Schumer says US Senate will try again to pass border bill

    ABC News: Biden asserts executive privilege over audio of interview with special counsel Hur

    CNN: House committee meeting devolves into chaos as Greene and Ocasio-Cortez trade barbs

    Axios: House Republicans "curry favor" with Trump trial visits

    Politico: Greg Steube has achieved a rare feat: Successfully forcing a bill to the House floor

    Punchbowl: Spending wars are back as House GOP seeks big cuts

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    34 mins
  • Johnson Survives the MTV – What’s MTG’s Next Move?
    May 14 2024

    The chips fell with the House resoundingly voting to table a motion to oust Speaker Johnson. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller dive into the next moves for the key players: Will Marjorie Taylor Greene trigger another vote? How will Speaker Johnson maintain party unity? And will anyone face consequences for their vote? Plus, a discussion of the FAA reauthorization and some drama in primary races.

    Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

    Producer: Benji Englander

    Articles Discussed:

    Brendan’s Politico OpEd

    Politico: Greene's rebellion sparks new talk of consequences for House GOP rebels

    Axios: Congress plans all-out brawl with Biden over pausing Israel arms transfers

    Atlanta Journal Constitution: Marjorie Taylor Greene’s constituents mixed over effort to oust House speaker

    KFOR: Who is Paul Bondar, running to unseat Tom Cole? We found him.

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    38 mins