Episodes

  • Medicaid cuts in play

    Medicaid cuts in play
    May 12 2025
    The House Energy and Commerce Committee has proposed Medicaid cuts to help pay for the GOP's budget reconciliation bill, though the cuts are less deep than some party moderates had feared and hard-right conservatives had sought. CQ Roll Call's Sandhya Raman, Jessie Hellmann and David Lerman outline the major changes to Medicaid that Republicans have proposed, the major cuts they omitted, and whether the package will have enough political support to reach the finish line. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • Trump's budget ax

    Trump's budget ax
    May 5 2025
    President Donald Trump's preliminary fiscal 2026 budget request, which takes a meat ax to domestic programs and foreign aid, is getting a frosty reception from Senate GOP appropriators and Democrats alike. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman provide an early outlook for this year's appropriations process and the likely next steps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 mins
  • Budget promises put to the test

    Budget promises put to the test
    Apr 14 2025
    Vague promises from GOP leaders to seek deep spending cuts put down a rebellion from conservative holdouts and secured the adoption of a budget resolution this month. But now Republicans must begin writing a reconciliation bill enacting much of President Donald Trump's agenda with little sign of any resolution of the key conflicts that have divided GOP lawmakers for months. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly, Aidan Quigley and David Lerman assess the deal cut between leadership and Republicans rebels and what it could mean for the drafting of a filibuster-proof reconciliation bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Budget battle in the House

    Budget battle in the House
    Apr 7 2025
    Speaker Mike Johnson faces a rebellion within GOP ranks over a budget blueprint that squeaked through the Senate. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly, Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman assess the outlook for final adoption of a budget resolution and the big fights over Medicaid cuts and whether to pay for extending tax cuts --- two key disputes that could trip up a GOP reconciliation bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 mins
  • Tough climate for appropriations

    Tough climate for appropriations
    Mar 28 2025
    The upcoming appropriations cycle faces some rough headwinds, as the Trump administration tries to freeze funding, fire thousands of public employees and gut federal agencies, while Republicans pursue a partisan reconciliation package that will further antagonize Democrats. Aidan Quigley, Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman discuss the challenging political climate for fiscal 2026 spending bills and how the reconciliation process could interfere with that work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Spending bill's political fallout

    Spending bill's political fallout
    Mar 18 2025
    The six-month continuing resolution that avoided a partial government shutdown left Democrats deeply divided. CQ Roll Call's Mary Ellen McIntire and David Lerman explain the nature of the rift, whether it's likely to heal, and what it means for the party's ability to govern and combat the Trump administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 mins
  • Leadership test on spending

    Leadership test on spending
    Mar 10 2025
    House GOP leaders must rally their razor-thin majority to pass a stopgap funding measure this week, while Senate Democrats must decide whether to vote against a bill they dislike and trigger a partial government shutdown. CQ Roll Call's Peter Cohn and David Lerman assess the prospects for a fiscal 2025 continuing resolution and discuss the state of play on the GOP's budget reconciliation process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • Stopgap spending decision time

    Stopgap spending decision time
    Mar 3 2025
    A continuing resolution to head off a partial government shutdown is caught in the political crossfire of federal employee layoffs, funding freezes and a partisan dispute over the power of the purse. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman assess the political pressures for passing a stopgap funding extension, and the state of negotiations for a budget reconciliation package. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 mins