• Welcome to Hell Week Feat. Meredith Lee Hill
    Apr 28 2026

    It is “Hell Week” in the House of Representatives with several major votes on the schedule. Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss the outlook for Reconciliation 2.0, FISA and the Farm Bill. Plus, Meredith Lee Hill, Senior Congress reporter for POLITICO, shares how the attack at the WHCD is shaking up the agenda and what to look for during a big week for Speaker Mike Johnson.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Guest: Meredith Lee Hill, POLITICO

    Audio Producer: Benji Englander

    Video Producer: Regina Anderson

    Articles Discussed:

    POLITICO: WHCD attack jolts Mike Johnson’s big week

    POLITICO: ‘National emergency’: After assassination attempt, White House urges Congress to fund DHS

    POLITICO: Johnson says Senate-passed DHS funding bill will have to change

    POLITICO: It’s finally farm bill week

    Punchbowl News: House GOP has an impossible week

    TIME: King Charles Arrives in Trump's Washington, and a Congress Less Civil Than His Mother Faced

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    50 mins
  • How Redistricting Is Rewriting the Midterms Feat. Ally Mutnick
    Apr 21 2026
    The Senate is moving ahead with reconciliation while things go off the rails in the House – all while a pivotal election takes place across the Potomac. On a new episode of CONTROL, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss Speaker Johnson’s FISA flop and next steps in the Senate for DHS funding and the Iran war. Then, Punchbowl News’ Senior Congressional Reporter Ally Mutnick joins the show to preview the redistricting ballot measure in Virginia and what it portends for both the 2026 midterms and future election cycles. Plus, the trio analyze the most competitive races across the Senate map. Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci Guest: Ally Mutnick, Punchbowl News Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson Articles Discussed: POLITICO: Republicans stare down a growing, neverending FISA crisis Punchbowl News: Thune: Full speed ahead on reconciliation New York Times: House Thwarts Bid to Halt Iran War, but Some in G.O.P. See Support Fading WaPo: Senate rejects resolution to block Trump from striking Iran New York Times: White House Declines to Offer Congress an Estimate of Iran War Cost Punchbowl News: House, Senate Dems post giant Q1 numbers Punchbowl News: NRCC outraises DCCC in Q1 New York Times: Democrats Spend Big but Face Tough Fight in Virginia Gerrymandering Battle CNN: Pinwheels and the ‘lobster district’: How Virginia Democrats drew up a US House map to all but lock out Republicans CNN: How a must-win Michigan Senate race turned messy for Democrats
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    55 mins
  • Back From Recess — and Buried in Business Feat. Reese Gorman
    Apr 14 2026

    On a milestone episode of CONTROL, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci cover the stack of items that have piled up on Congress’ to-do list over the spring recess – starting with a critical vote to extend FISA. Then, with peace talks to end the Iran War faltering, will more Republicans support a War Powers Resolution? And will DHS ever reopen? At the end, Reese Gorman, a political reporter at NOTUS, shares his insights into the resignations of Rep. Eric Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzales, House leadership maneuvering, and TMZ’s new focus on Capitol Hill.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Guest: Reese Gorman, NOTUS

    Audio Producer: Benji Englander

    Video Producer: Regina Anderson

    Articles Discussed:

    NBC News: Congress returns to battles over DHS, expelling lawmakers and the Iran war

    WaPo: Powerful surveillance program faces obstacles as renewal deadline looms

    Politico: GOP leaders prepare to steamroll opponents of DHS funding plan

    NOTUS: Notice Anything Different About Jim Jordan? That’s Because He’s Probably Angling for Leadership

    NOTUS: Tony Gonzales Announces He’s Leaving Congress, Avoiding Likely Expulsion Vote

    NYT: TMZ Sics Its Tipsters on a New Breed of Celebrity Villain: Members of Congress

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • What Can Break the DHS Deadlock? Feat. Burgess Everett
    Mar 24 2026

    With the DHS shutdown dragging on and frustration mounting over TSA lines, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss if there is any hope for a deal. Plus, debate continues over the SAVE America Act and supplemental funding for the Iran war. Then, Semafor’s Congressional Bureau Chief Burgess Everett joins the show to share what he is hearing on DHS funding, a second reconciliation package, and Markwayne Mullin’s confirmation. And this week on campaign corner: the Maine Senate race.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Guest: Burgess Everett, Semafor

    Audio Producer: Benji Englander

    Video Producer: Regina Anderson

    Articles Discussed:

    Semafor: Senate tries frantically to reopen DHS

    CBS News: DHS funding talks in limbo after Trump calls on GOP to link bill to SAVE America Act

    Semafor: Collins wants bipartisan Iran spending bill

    CNN: In Maine’s marquee Senate primary, Janet Mills reaches out to women by raising Graham Platner’s online past

    Semafor: Senate Democrats square off with each other in ‘spicy primaries’

    The Hill: Senate advances Mullin to head Department of Homeland Security

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    44 mins
  • The Senate Showdown Over the SAVE America Act Feat. Sarah Ferris
    Mar 17 2026

    As the SAVE America Act heads to the Senate floor, hosts Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci consider the bill’s outlook and how Majority Leader Thune is balancing competing interests. Then, they discuss a potential supplemental funding bill for the Iran war, the ongoing DHS shutdown and fallout from the Texas primary. At the end, Sarah Ferris, a CNN reporter covering Capitol Hill, joins to talk about what life is like for House Republicans with such a slim majority and other rumblings from the halls of Congress.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Guest: Sarah Ferris, CNN

    Audio Producer: Benji Englander

    Video Producer: Regina Anderson

    Articles Discussed:

    The Hill: Trump allies plan Senate floor takeover to pass SAVE America Act

    Semafor: Trump’s voting bill fixation strains Republicans to the breaking point

    Punchbowl: Johnson vs. Jeffries on Iran funding

    Politico: One month later, White House and Democrats no closer to ending the DHS shutdown

    CBS News: SAVE America Act becomes key issue in Texas GOP Senate primary between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton

    WBEZ: Five Illinois congressional seats, Senate seat open in historic election year

    CNN: One vote to lose: Life inside a chaotic House GOP majority

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    59 mins
  • America Strikes Iran – How Will Congress Respond? Feat. Sabrina Singh
    Mar 3 2026

    In the wake of this weekend’s strikes against Iran and with the conflict continuing to spread, hosts Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci are joined by Seven Letter colleague Sabrina Singh, who served as Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary during the Biden administration. They discuss how the Trump administration has communicated about the war, the reaction from Capitol Hill, and what to watch for in the days ahead. Plus, will the conflict raise the pressure to pass DHS funding? And who has the edge in today’s Texas primary?

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Guest: Sabrina Singh

    Audio Producer: Benji Englander

    Video Producer: Regina Anderson

    Articles Discussed:

    New York Times: How Trump Decided to Go to War

    AP: Congress will debate an Iran conflict that is well underway

    Punchbowl: Congress’ war over the war

    CBS News: Iran strikes highlight fractures in GOP ahead of war powers votes in Congress

    New York Times: Democrats Denounce Trump’s Iran Attack, but Subtle Divisions Emerge

    Politico: Republicans use Iran strikes to pressure Dems in DHS funding fight

    CNN: Despite Trump push for voter ID law, Senate Republicans say votes aren’t there to change filibuster rules

    Semafor: Some Republicans back Trump on nationalization of voting

    Axios: GOP insiders fretting over Texas Senate primary

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • State of the Union: What’s on the Line? Feat. Sahil Kapur
    Feb 24 2026

    It’s State of the Union day! Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci share what they’ll be looking for during tonight’s speech and how lawmakers from both parties are likely to react. Then, they discuss the latest maneuvering around DHS funding, tariffs, and the SAVE America Act before being joined by Sahil Kapur, Senior National Political Reporter for NBC News, to learn the latest from Capitol Hill and the White House. When will the government shutdown end? Is the talking filibuster a realistic possibility? Is President Trump losing his grip on the GOP? All that and more only on CONTROL.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Guest: Sahil Kapur, NBC News

    Audio Producer: Benji Englander

    Video Producer: Regina Anderson

    Articles Discussed:

    NYT: ‘It’s Going to Be a Long Speech’: Trump Prepares for State of the Union

    POLITICO: A high-stakes State of the Union just got harder for Trump

    Axios: Democratic response to Trump's SOTU becomes a crowded affair

    NBC News: 'Everyone here is irate': White House scrambles after tariff loss as Trump unloads on Supreme Court

    CNBC: Congress contemplates its role on tariffs after Supreme Court decision

    The Hill: Republicans eye opening for DHS deal this week as Democrats double down

    NBC News: Trump's election bill tops 50 Senate votes, but Democrats could still block it

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Can the Senate Break the DHS Funding Stalemate? Feat. Andrew Desiderio
    Feb 10 2026

    All signs point to a stalemate on Homeland Security funding – where does Congress go from here? Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss if a deal can be reached or if another shutdown is ahead. Then, Andrew Desiderio, senior congressional reporter for Punchbowl News, joins the show to share what he is hearing from the halls of the Senate. Plus, revelations in the Epstein files continue to roil Capitol Hill, pressure is rising to pass the SAVE America Act, and more Members head for the exits.

    Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci

    Guest: Andrew Desiderio, Punchbowl News

    Audio Producer: Benji Englander

    Video Producer: Regina Anderson

    Articles Discussed:

    Punchbowl News: The Big Four, Trump and DHS

    Punchbowl News: WH responds to Democrats’ DHS overhaul

    Punchbowl News: Clintons continue sparring with Comer

    CNN: GOP lawmaker behind Congress’ Epstein push says Commerce Secretary Lutnick should resign over links

    The Hill: House GOP digs in on push for voting bill in hopes of pressuring Senate

    Matt’s Five Points: Talking Filibuster Explainer

    The Hill: Rep. Mark Amodei is 30th House Republican to not seek reelection

    NYT: The Troubled State of the Senate Has Members Eyeing Governorships

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    1 hr and 2 mins