On the year’s final episode of CONTROL, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller take a trip down memory lane to reminisce about the biggest stories of 2025 as told through the podcast. Then, Paul Kane, Washington Post Senior Congressional Correspondent, joins the show to look back on the first year of this Congress and what the second may have in store. How have the Congressional leaders performed? Will the legislative branch reassert itself with the White House? And are we seeing hints of the GOP moving beyond President Trump?

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Paul Kane, Washington Post

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

CBS News: Congress gears up for busy week on health care, national security

Roll Call: Senate eyes NDAA passage next week amid aviation safety worries

WaPo: ‘Not an easy call’: The Democrats who struggled with their shutdown vote

WaPo: Texas midterms point to ideological corners, not swing-state issues

CNN: After a year of Trump-inspired inaction, some Republicans in Congress are growing restless

WSJ: Trump’s Next Renovation Target: D.C.’s Golf Courses

On a new episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by the Wall Street Journal’s Olivia Beavers to discuss the increasingly tense relationship between the speaker and some in his conference. With members questioning Speaker Johnson’s leadership, can he maintain control of his majority? Will lawmakers be able to address voter affordability concerns? Can Congress pass anything the rest of the year? And what does it all mean for the midterms less than a year from now?

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Olivia Beavers, Wall Street Journal

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

WSJ: Trump Ally Elise Stefanik Attacks Speaker Johnson’s Leadership

WSJ: Congress Turns Chaotic as Lawmakers Target Each Other

Puck: Johnson’s Career Crisis & The House G.O.P. Exodus

NBC News: Some House Republican women are in open revolt against Speaker Mike Johnson

POLITICO: Mike Johnson scrambles to pass Pentagon bill as GOP ranks seethe

The Hill: House cancels vote on the SCORE Act amid GOP opposition

NYT: Trump Blasts Lawmaker for Remaining Democrat After Receiving Pardon

Marjorie Taylor Greene heads for the exit and four members face formal reprimand votes – what does it all say about the state of the House of Representatives? Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss another whirlwind week on Capitol Hill, touching on MTG, censures, FBI investigations, appropriations and more. Then, former congressman Patrick McHenry joins to share his analysis of the recent eruptions on the House floor and the factors driving discontent in the Republican Conference, predictions for the midterms, and advice for leadership on both sides of the aisle.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Patrick McHenry

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

Punchbowl News: Why MTG's missive rang true for House GOP

Axios: The worst good-paying job in America

New York Times: In the House, Censures Proliferate, Reflecting a Poisonous Climate

New York Times: ‘In Triage Every Day’: A Beleaguered Speaker Says He’s Overwhelmed

NBC News: FBI seeks interviews with six Democrats Trump accused of 'seditious behavior'

CBS News: Lindsey Graham blocks House-passed bill to repeal shutdown deal provision allowing $500,000 lawsuits from senators

Roll Call: GOP goes all out to hold Tennessee seat as Democrats look for 2026 omen

Punchbowl News: Inside Michael Whatley’s N.C. Senate bid

Ballotpedia: List of U.S. House incumbents who are not running for re-election in 2026