Conversations that shape what comes next.
Meet our hosts
Meet our producers
Watch CONTROL
- → In-depth conversations with experts who understand Congress and the policymaking process
- → Perspectives from journalists, former lawmakers, strategists, and policy specialists
- → Clear explanations of the challenges and opportunities facing Congress
- → New episodes released weekly when the House of Representatives is in session
- → Available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Featured Episodes
07.21.26
On the second of a two-part series examining how the parties are approaching the upcoming midterm elections, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci are joined by Mike Smith, president of House […]
View Platforms07.14.26
On the first of a two-part series examining how the parties are approaching the upcoming midterm elections, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci are joined by Brendan Jaspers, political director for […]
View PlatformsPrevious Episodes
07.21.26
On the second of a two-part series examining how the parties are approaching the upcoming midterm elections, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci are joined by Mike Smith, president of House […]
View Platforms07.14.26
On the first of a two-part series examining how the parties are approaching the upcoming midterm elections, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci are joined by Brendan Jaspers, political director for […]
View Platforms06.30.26
Ahead of a what is scheduled to be a busy week in the House of Representatives, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci ask whether the SAVE America Act will continue to […]
View Platforms06.23.26
As President Trump prepares to head up to Capitol Hill for the Republican Senate lunch, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss what kind of reaction he may receive and what […]
View Platforms06.09.26
Congress faces another looming deadline this week as FISA authorities are set to expire. Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss if GOP leaders will be able to overcome objections from […]
View Platforms06.02.26
Congress is racing to finish some major items, but will any GOP priorities get bogged down amid party infighting? Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci discuss the path ahead for reconciliation, […]
View Platforms05.19.26
On a new episode of CONTROL, Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci are joined by Scott Wong, Senior Congressional Reporter for NBC News, to break down the latest drama unfolding on […]
View Platforms05.12.26
Speaker Johnson made it through Hell Week, but what does reconciliation have in store? Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci are joined by Matt Glassman, who spent 10 years at the […]
View Platforms04.28.26
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 […]
View Platforms04.21.26
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 […]
View Platforms04.15.26
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 […]
View Platforms03.24.26
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 […]
View Platforms03.17.26
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, […]
View Platforms03.03.26
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, […]
View Platforms02.24.26
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. […]
View Platforms02.10.26
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 […]
View Platforms02.03.26
With the government shutdown again, it is starting to feel like Groundhog Day at CONTROL. Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci analyze the latest impasse from every angle and are joined […]
View Platforms01.27.26
Events in Minneapolis have thrown Capitol Hill into turmoil, with a government shutdown increasingly likely. Hosts Annaylse Keller and Mike Ricci are joined by The Hill’s Al Weaver to discuss […]
View Platforms01.13.26
As he steps away as co-host of CONTROL, Brendan Buck reflects on the last three years of Congress before opining on the news of the day with Annalyse Keller and […]
View Platforms01.06.26
Congress is back and has a very busy month ahead. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller look ahead to debates around war powers, discharge petitions and veto overrides before offering predictions […]
View Platforms12.16.25
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 […]
View Platforms12.09.25
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 […]
View Platforms12.02.25
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 […]
View Platforms11.18.25
With the government reopened and the House back in session, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller look back on this history-making shutdown to glean lessons for future fights. Then they look […]
View Platforms11.11.25
The government shutdown nears its end and the recriminations are flying fast. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller react to the breakthrough in the Senate and forecast a few possible hiccups […]
View Platforms11.04.25
Congress has a set a record with the longest government shutdown in history. As talks pick up, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller wonder if this is the week a deal […]
View Platforms10.28.25
As the government shutdown drags on, negotiations on the appropriations bills have taken a backseat. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Punchbowl News’ Samantha Handler to learn what […]
View Platforms10.21.25
This week Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by GOP Representative Kevin Kiley (CA-03) to hear his perspective on the ongoing shutdown. The Congressman discusses why he continues showing […]
View Platforms10.14.25
With the government shutdown dragging on into another week, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss how Congress got to this point and what may break the stalemate. Then, MSNBC congressional […]
View Platforms10.07.25
With government funding negotiations at a standstill, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller explore what may break the deadlock and how long this standoff could last. Then, Brendan and Annalyse welcome […]
View Platforms09.30.25
With funding set to lapse in just hours, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss if a deal can be reached to avoid a government shutdown – and if not, how […]
View Platforms09.23.25
Republicans and Democrats are gearing up for a shutdown and neither side appears ready to blink. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by HuffPost senior reporter Igor Bobic […]
View Platforms09.16.25
After many close calls, is this the time Congress actually shuts down the government? With just two weeks left until funding runs out, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the […]
View Platforms09.09.25
After an extended summer break, Congress is back in session with one major item on the to-do list: fund the government. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller debate the odds of […]
View Platforms07.22.25
Six months into the Trump administration and with Congress headed out for a long summer recess, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin to take stock […]
View Platforms07.15.25
With reconciliation in the rear-view mirror, the countdown is on to the next government funding deadline. But first Congress must deal with a rescissions package that is making the appropriations […]
View Platforms07.08.25
The One Big Beautiful Bill is now law, with the Freedom Caucus again at the center of the drama. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Matt Fuller, Congressional […]
View Platforms07.01.25
As House and Senate leaders continue to move the One Big Beautiful Bill forward, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down the latest developments in Congress. They offer their reactions […]
View Platforms06.24.25
As the self-imposed Fourth of July deadline nears, the Senate is set for a pivotal week in their efforts to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill. Hosts Brendan Buck and […]
View Platforms06.10.25
It is the feud that has consumed Washington, but what does President Trump and Elon Musk’s falling out mean for Congress’ agenda? Dasha Burns – POLITICO Playbook’s Chief Correspondent, White […]
View Platforms06.03.25
On a new episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller reflect on Speaker Johnson’s latest magic act in passing the One Big Beautiful Bill before pivoting to the […]
View Platforms05.20.25
It’s the biggest week of Mike Johnson’s speakership, which means a trio of hosts are needed to break down all the intrigue around the One Big Beautiful Bill. Brendan Buck, […]
View Platforms05.13.25
Three House Committees are teed up to consider their pieces of the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” but big questions remain. Hosts Annalyse Keller and Brendan Buck discuss how moderates largely triumphed […]
View Platforms05.06.25
With key markups delayed and internal GOP debates spilling into public view, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the state of the “one, big, beautiful bill” – and if […]
View Platforms04.29.25
After a two-week recess, Members of Congress are returning to a packed schedule of reconciliation markups – but with deadlines already slipping, what kind of progress can the GOP make? […]
View Platforms04.08.25
All are eyes are on the House of Representatives (again). Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the fallout from the Senate passing the budget resolution and gauge its chances […]
View Platforms04.01.25
It is another make or break week for Congressional Republicans as the Senate tees up a vote on a budget resolution. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by […]
View Platforms03.25.25
The House and Senate return following the passage of a CR, and the next thing on the table is a return to budget reconciliation negotiations. Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller […]
View Platforms03.11.25
With government funding set to run out in a matter of days, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by POLITICO congressional reporter Nicholas Wu to assess the shutdown state-of-play. […]
View Platforms03.04.25
Before President Trump addresses a Joint Session of Congress, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the outlook for his agenda: What are the next steps for reconciliation? Can the Senate […]
View Platforms02.25.25
After weeks of buildup, the moment of truth arrives – can Speaker Johnson pass the budget resolution? Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller dive into all the scenarios at play […]
View Platforms02.11.25
With the House and Senate on a collision course over reconciliation, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller explore which strategy has the best chance of success and how some of […]
View Platforms02.04.25
What a year the past month has been – to help make sense of the flurry of news over the last two weeks, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined […]
View Platforms01.21.25
President Trump is back in the Oval Office. Hosts Annalyse Keller and Brendan Buck discuss the flurry of activity on Inauguration Day – the speech, the executive orders, the pardons […]
View Platforms01.14.25
All eyes are on the Senate this week with 13 of President-elect Trump’s nominees slated for confirmation hearings. After first discussing the latest developments on reconciliation, hosts Brendan Buck and […]
View Platforms01.07.25
The 119th Congress is off to a rollicking start and hosts Brendan Buck and Mike Ricci analyze the most pressing questions: After securing victory on the first ballot, how strong […]
View Platforms12.17.24
It’s the last week in the legislative calendar and the last episode of CONTROL for the year, leaving plenty of hot topics for hosts Brendan Buck, Annalyse Keller and Mike […]
View Platforms12.10.24
It’s the question that shape the agenda next year: Will Congress do two reconciliation bills in 2025 or jam everything into one package? Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss […]
View Platforms12.03.24
The House and Senate return this week to begin wrapping up this Congress, while planning for the next one is picking up speed. With Republicans set to hold the smallest […]
View Platforms11.19.24
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 […]
View Platforms11.12.24
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 […]
View Platforms11.06.24
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 […]
View Platforms10.29.24
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 […]
View Platforms10.22.24
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 […]
View Platforms10.08.24
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 […]
View Platforms09.24.24
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 […]
View Platforms09.16.24
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 […]
View Platforms09.10.24
Congress is back, Brendan is back and CONTROL is back on Shutdown Watch. Hosts Annalyse Keller and Brendan Buck talk to Punchbowl’s Jake Sherman about where the spending fight stands […]
View Platforms07.30.24
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 […]
View Platforms07.23.24
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. […]
View Platforms07.09.24
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 […]
View Platforms06.25.24
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 […]
View Platforms06.11.24
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 […]
View Platforms06.04.24
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 […]
View Platforms05.21.24
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 […]
View Platforms05.14.24
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 […]
View Platforms05.07.24
Is this the week that Marjorie Taylor Greene finally forces a vote to remove Speaker Johnson? Following a marathon meeting in the Speaker’s Office Monday afternoon, Greene and her allies […]
View Platforms04.30.24
More like Motion to Vacation… With foreign aid passed and a light floor schedule this week, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller take a look down the road at what […]
View Platforms04.22.24
On a special bonus episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down how Speaker Johnson got the foreign aid package over the line and what the fallout […]
View Platforms04.16.24
Iran’s attack on Israel has scrambled the House calendar – with an aid package now the top priority. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller debate what will be included and […]
View Platforms04.09.24
The solar eclipse has come and gone, but the Motion to Vacate still casts a shadow over Speaker Johnson. On the latest episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse […]
View Platforms03.22.24
Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate the chair, so there is only one thing Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller can do – emergency pod! They cover all the […]
View Platforms03.19.24
House Republicans are back from their retreat and CONTROL is back on shutdown watch. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the latest in the spending negotiations and if the […]
View Platforms03.12.24
In a rare week without a shutdown deadline, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller take stock of the latest appropriations negotiations and some other topics being discussed around the Hill, […]
View Platforms03.05.24
With Annalyse on vacation, Brendan Buck is at the controls during a busy week on Capitol Hill. First, following Senator Mitch McConnell’s announcement that he’s stepping down as Republican Leader, […]
View Platforms02.27.24
With Congress facing a partial government shutdown at the end of the week, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the roadblocks to funding the government and Speaker Johnson’s continued […]
View Platforms02.13.24
With Speaker Johnson announcing he won’t put the Senate’s foreign aid bill on the House floor, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down the looming showdown and what options […]
View Platforms02.06.24
With the text of the Senate border bill finally released but the package facing long odds at ever becoming law, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss how Congress ended […]
View Platforms01.30.24
While Congress moves closer to an appropriations package, the prospect of an immigration deal is becoming more remote. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by NBC News’ Sahil […]
View Platforms01.16.24
The laddered CR is back as lawmakers released another two-tiered stopgap spending bill to again avert a government shutdown. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Jen Sholtes, who covers […]
01.16.24
The laddered CR is back as lawmakers released another two-tiered stopgap spending bill to again avert a government shutdown. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Jen Sholtes, who covers […]
View Platforms01.09.24
CONTROL is a podcast hosted by Seven Letter’s Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller, two veterans of Capitol Hill who now serve as communications strategists to Fortune 500 companies, non-profits and […]
View Platforms11.06.23
12 days into the start of the Johnson Speakership – and with 12 days to go until a government shutdown – hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller offer their assessments […]
View Platforms10.23.23
As House Republicans gather (again) to choose a Speaker nominee, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss where things went wrong for Jim Jordan, run through the nine Speaker candidates, […]
View Platforms10.12.23
Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are suffering from a case of déjà vu as the GOP nominee for Speaker struggles to find the necessary votes. They debate the big […]
View Platforms10.05.23
The Speakership is vacant, a shutdown looms (again), and no one has control in the House of Representatives. After a whirlwind week in the House, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse […]
View Platforms06.15.23
With the debt limit raised but members of the Freedom Caucus in revolt, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Will Dunham – a former top aide to […]
View Platforms05.30.23
We have a debt limit deal – but how many votes will it get? To answer that question, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Matt Bravo, former […]
View Platforms05.25.23
As the U.S. barrels toward a default, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller analyze the latest in negotiations between Congress and the White House. They game out what a final […]
View Platforms05.18.23
As the possible nightmare scenario draws closer, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by NBC News’ Ali Vitali to search for optimism in the debt ceiling negotiations. They […]
View Platforms05.11.23
With the “X” date and a possible default fast approaching, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller return to break down the debt ceiling drama. They recap the recent White House […]
View Platforms01.26.23
The debt ceiling has been breached and the debate on Capitol Hill is just starting to unfold. Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by PwC’s Rohit Kumar – […]
View Platforms01.12.23
With Kevin McCarthy finally securing the gavel, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller discuss the concessions he made and dissect the new rules package. Then, they throw some cold water […]
View Platforms01.05.23
Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down a wild start to the 118th Congress and game out what might happen next. They debate if Kevin McCarthy can get over the […]
View Platforms12.21.22
Are we entering uncharted territory? Hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller offer a primer on what might happen with the Speaker vote on January 3rd. They talk through the parliamentary […]
View Platforms12.15.22
On a jam-packed episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down a big breakthrough to fund the government and the roadblocks that remain on Kevin McCarthy’s path […]
View Platforms12.08.22
Heather Caygle of Punchbowl News joins the show to help hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller get smart on the new House Democratic leadership, including their leadership styles, power bases […]
View Platforms12.01.22
On a new episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller break down the busy lame duck session of Congress: Will an omnibus spending package get done – and […]
View Platforms11.17.22
On this episode of CONTROL, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by Alyssa Farah Griffin – former Trump White House Communications Director and Freedom Caucus Spokesperson – to discuss […]
View Platforms11.10.22
Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman joins hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller to try make sense of the unexpected midterm election results and answer some big questions: Does Kevin McCarthy still […]
View Platforms11.03.22
Hosted by two GOP Capitol Hill Veteran Staffers, Series Will Provide a Look into the Political Dynamics and Policy Priorities of the Next Congress; Launches with Paul Ryan Interview Seven […]
10.05.22
Jonathan Martin, a senior political correspondent for The New York Times, joins Seven Letter partners Adam Abrams and Nu Wexler to discuss his bestselling book This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden […]
09.26.22
At a time when brands are increasingly facing public pressure, Seven Letter’s new partner Drew O’Brien joins Founding Partners David Di Martino and Allison Clear Fastow for a conversation about […]
05.16.22
A conversation with President Joe Biden’s younger sister Valerie Biden Owens to celebrate the release of her new memoir, “Growing Up Biden.”
03.09.20
A conversation with CNN White House Correspondent Kate Bennett, featuring Dave Knaus and Liza Joenler, Directors at Seven Letter.
See more