Podcast
CONTROL
Hosted by Seven Letter · EN
CONTROL is a podcast hosted by Seven Letter’s Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci, two veterans of Capitol Hill who now serve as communications strategists to Fortune 500 companies, non-profits and advocacy coalitions. Drawing on their experience in GOP congressional politics, the podcast seeks to look around the corner at the policy priorities and political dynamics that will define Congress.
The podcast series talks to experts who know the institution and helps explain the challenges and opportunities facing a divided Congress. Guests include subject-matter experts, journalists, former lawmakers, and political operatives, all with a keen insight into what is next for Washington. You can expect a new episode every Tuesday when Congress is in session.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Congress Broke the Appropriations Process Feat. Matt Glassman
1w ago00:59:12Tap to summarizeSpeaker 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 Congressional Research Service and is now a Senior Fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown, for a primer on Reconciliation 2.0 and a discussion of how the appropriations process has gone awry. Plus, after a setback in Virginia, how will Democrats move forward on redistricting? Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci Guest: Matt Glassman Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson Articles Discussed: Punchbowl: Trump’s ballroom security money is in trouble Axios: Johnson to address Senate Republicans amid escalating tensions The Hill: GOP opposition grows to moving third reconciliation package on Trump agenda Politico: Trump wants a gas tax holiday. Republicans will ‘hear him out,’ Thune says Politico: Jeffries guarantees Democratic House win in midterms despite ‘undemocratic’ rulings The Hill: GOP braces for high-stakes 2027 spending fight with midterms looming Matt’s Five Points: The Dawn of Partisan Appropriations
Transcribe →Welcome to Hell Week Feat. Meredith Lee Hill
3w ago00:49:40Tap to summarizeIt 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
Transcribe →How Redistricting Is Rewriting the Midterms Feat. Ally Mutnick
Apr 2100:54:32Tap to summarizeThe 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
Transcribe →Back From Recess — and Buried in Business Feat. Reese Gorman
Apr 1401:07:10Tap to summarizeOn 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
Transcribe →What Can Break the DHS Deadlock? Feat. Burgess Everett
Mar 2400:44:27Tap to summarizeWith 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
Transcribe →The Senate Showdown Over the SAVE America Act Feat. Sarah Ferris
Mar 1700:59:27Tap to summarizeAs 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
Transcribe →America Strikes Iran – How Will Congress Respond? Feat. Sabrina Singh
Mar 301:01:33Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →State of the Union: What’s on the Line? Feat. Sahil Kapur
Feb 2401:08:02Tap to summarizeIt’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
Transcribe →Can the Senate Break the DHS Funding Stalemate? Feat. Andrew Desiderio
Feb 1001:02:18Tap to summarizeAll 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
Transcribe →Inside the White House as the Government Shuts Down (Again) Feat. Shelby Talcott
Feb 300:54:24Tap to summarizeWith 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 by Semafor White House Correspondent Shelby Talcott to hear the administration’s perspective. They discuss the key players in the negotiations, the divide between House and Senate Democrats, and President Trump’s shifting focus. Plus, what does the surprising result in a Texas special election say about the midterms? Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci Guest: Shelby Talcott, Semafor Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson Articles Discussed: Semafor: Democrats strike deal with White House on government funding Politico: How Mike Johnson is scrambling to keep the shutdown short CNN: Trump leans on Republicans to back his funding deal with Democrats — eager to end government shutdown NBC News: Schumer and Jeffries take different tacks on government funding bill NYT: Clintons Capitulate on House Epstein Inquiry, Agreeing to Testify NYT: Democratic Upset in Deep Red Texas District Rattles Republicans Semafor: Trump administration eyes drawdown in Minnesota
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