It’s not the start of a joke, it’s a new episode of CONTROL! Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the state of the Johnson-Trump relationship before turning their attention to the big questions in the Senate: Will Matt Gaetz be confirmed? Will the Judiciary Committee get access to the ethics report? And how will new GOP Leader John Thune navigate this process? Then, Axios’ Hans Nichols – author of the new daily newsletter Hill Leaders – joins the show to share what he’s hearing about all the major figures on Capitol Hill.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Hans Nichols

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed

Fox News: Trump flanked by top allies, cabinet picks at UFC 309: 'USA, USA'

Politico: Trump endorses Johnson hours ahead of GOP speaker vote

NBC News: House Ethics Committee to meet Wednesday to discuss Matt Gaetz report

Politico: Matt Gaetz feels the heat

Axios: Trump dares Senate Republicans with Gaetz nomination

NPR: Trump picks loyalists for top jobs, testing loyalty of Senate GOP

On a milestone anniversary episode, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller dig into the Senate leadership race and all its drama, including the debate over recess appointments, the influence of Elon Musk and whether Donald Trump will offer an endorsement. Then, they turn their attention to the House and the battle for Republican Conference Chair, as well as what to look for during the Lame Duck. At the end, Producer Benji joins to recap the results of the CONTROL Election Prediction Contest.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

Fox News: Trump allies back Rick Scott in GOP Senate leader race as they look to influence secret ballot

The Hill: Senate GOP leadership candidates scramble to support Trump’s demand for recess appointments

Axios: House Republicans swarm race for Elise Stefanik's leadership job

WaPo: Congress set to extend government shutdown deadline into Trump’s term

Washington is red – so hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller had to gather to discuss the results of a surprisingly quick election result. How did Donald Trump complete his comeback? How will the GOP use their control of Congress? Will it be Mike Johnson in the Speaker’s chair? All that and more on a special episode of CONTROL.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Brendan’s MSNBC oped

One week to go, so it’s time to make some wild guesses. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down the closing arguments and then make predictions about the key races up and down the ballot. Play along with CONTROL’s Election Prediction Contest and see how you stack up against our hosts: https://forms.gle/uZYiQabtLhwVzqrr9

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

NYT: Pro-Harris Super PAC Raises Concerns About Focusing on Trump and Fascism

AP: Progressives warn Harris must change her closing message as the election looms

NYT: 6 Takeaways From Donald Trump’s 3-Hour Podcast With Joe Rogan

CNN: Harris to deliver closing argument speech at Ellipse, site of Trump’s January 6 rally

NBC News: Speaker Mike Johnson fights to save the House Republican majority — and his job

On the latest episode of CONTROL, Brendan Buck and Annlayse Keller continue their series of special bonus episodes focused on some of the races and dynamics that will determine CONTROL of the House and the Senate. The duo first discuss the latest happenings from the campaign trail and a potential nightmare scenario in the House next January. Then, they welcome on GOP strategist Jessica Anderson of the Sentinel Action Fund to talk about how Republicans have improved their early vote ground game and their path to victory in November.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Jessica Anderson

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed

AP: Trump works the fry station and holds a drive-thru news conference at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s

NBC News: Harris has no current plans to campaign with Biden before Election Day

Politico: The Very Real Scenario Where Trump Loses and Takes Power Anyway

Fox News: Georgia casts over 1.4M ballots as critical battleground shatters early voting records

Politico: Republicans are trying to up their early voting game — but Trump keeps getting in the way

WFAE: After years of decrying mail-in ballots, GOP showing signs of strength in early NC voting

With just weeks to go until Election Day, hosts Brendan Buck and Annlayse Keller kick-off a series of special bonus episodes focused on some of the races and dynamics that will determine CONTROL of the House and the Senate. After discussing the debate on the Hill around disaster relief, Brendan and Annalyse talk through the election state of play and the shrinking number of competitive races. Then, longtime democratic operative Doug Thornell joins the show to offer the case for Democrats re-taking the House.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Doug Thornell

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed

NBC News: Mike Johnson won't commit to bringing House back before the election for more hurricane relief

Politico: Milton raises stakes for Congress to pass more disaster aid

WaPo: Control of House heads toward another cliffhanger election

New York Times: Far From Presidential Battlegrounds, Blue States Could Decide Congress

The Hill: Democrats see abortion, Harris as leading them back to House majority

With Speaker Johnson coming up short on his six-month CR plan, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the ramifications of the new December funding deadline. They debate how various election scenarios will impact Speaker Johnson’s standing in the conference and quest to keep his job. Then, Bloomberg Government’s Jonathan Tamari joins the show to offer his perspective on the CR and share some insights about the pivotal state in this election: Pennsylvania.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalsye Keller

Guest: Jonathan Tamari

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

CNN: Speaker Johnson unveils short-term spending bill, urges members to avoid shutdown

Politico Playbook: Why Trump wanted a shutdown

Axios: Johnson's colleagues baffled by his shutdown strategy

Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Trump returning to Western Pennsylvania today; Harris to head to Pittsburgh.

Philadelphia Inquirer: How Pa.’s undecided voters are processing their decision with just weeks until the election

The Economist: Pennsylvania, the crucial battleground in America’s election

On a new episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the latest efforts to avoid a government shutdown. With Speaker Johnson’s original plan in tatters, what’s his next move? And how will it affect his relationship with Tom Emmer and Donald Trump? Then, Burgess Everett, the Semafor congressional bureau chief, joins the show to discuss all things Senate: spending, IVF, leadership races, and more.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Burgess Everett

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

Punchbowl: House GOP no closer to resolving spending mess

New York Times: Déjà Vu for Mike Johnson as Internal Strife Stalls Spending Plan

The Hill: Trump complicates Speaker Johnson’s plan to avoid government shutdown

Axios: The lame duck farm bill push

Fox News: Schumer revives Dem-backed IVF bill after Trump proposal

Axios: Scoop: McConnell's power play over vote for his replacement