CONTROL

Seven Letter
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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.

  1. 3 days ago

    How Republicans Are Thinking About the Midterms Feat. Brendan Jaspers

    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 the National Republican Senatorial Committee. They cover the key battlegrounds as well as the impact of a recent SCOTUS ruling allowing political parties to spend unlimited funds in direct coordination with candidates. Plus, reactions to the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham and continued gridlock in the House.   Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci Guest: Brendan Jaspers, NRSC Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: AP: Lindsey Graham’s journey from a pool hall to the heights of political power AP: From staunch critic to fierce ally: Graham’s long, strange and consequential friendship with Trump NOTUS: With Lindsey Graham Gone, Republicans Worry They Lost Their Trump Whisperer Axios: Inside Mike Johnson's déjà vu cycle of failed rule votes Washington Examiner: Johnson confronts GOP rebellion over SAVE America Act as House returns to Washington WSJ: A Zombie Congress Is Threatening Trump’s Agenda AP: Republicans see their grip on Senate tighten amid Democrats’ dysfunction in Maine The Hill: Democrats fear chances of winning Senate may be slipping away NBC News: Sen. Dan Sullivan accuses Democrats of recruiting Alaska Senate candidate with the same name NYT: Supreme Court Lifts Spending Limits on Political Parties and Candidates

  2. 30 Jun

    A Packed House Agenda Meets Political Reality Feat. Ramsey Touchberry

    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 dominate the conversation. Can lawmakers strike deals on the NDAA and annual appropriations bills, or will Reconciliation 3.0 become the only path forward? Then, Ramsey Touchberry, congressional reporter for the Washington Examiner, joins the show to unpack the latest dynamics in the Senate. Plus, on this week's Campaign Corner: insurgent candidates gain ground in Colorado, and establishment Democrats search for a message as the party's left flank gains momentum.   Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci Guest: Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: POLITICO: Trump doubles down on SAVE America Act after Supreme Court loss on mail voting The Hill: Trump calls housing bill ‘a yawn,’ concedes SAVE America Act unlikely to pass The Hill: Johnson: Blocking House agenda over SAVE America Act is ‘self-defeating’ Fox Business: Trump, Mike Johnson eye SAVE America Act in reconciliation as House races toward recess POLITICO: GOP infighting threatens critical defense bill Washington Examiner: Inside Trump’s explosive meeting with Senate Republicans Washington Examiner: New York socialist surge reveals warning signs for Schumer

  3. 23 Jun

    Trump Faces the Senate Republican Conference

    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 items might be on the agenda from the Save America Act to the Iran deal to the incoming DNI. At the end, the United Kingdom will have a new Prime Minister and Zohran Mamdani looks to flex his political muscle in key New York House primaries.   Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: Punchbowl News: Trump to meet with Senate GOP amid tension NBC News: Senate Republicans grow increasingly frustrated with Trump blindsiding them The Hill: Senate Republicans in somber, pessimistic mood over Trump deal with Iran The Hill: Mike Lee: Senate GOP must do ‘hard work’ to pass SAVE America Act POLITICO: House GOP races to make Recon 3.0 real POLITICO: He Quit Parliament. Now He’s Set to Become Britain’s Prime Minister. New York Times: Will New York Swing Further to the Left? Here’s a Preview of Tuesday’s Primaries.

  4. 9 Jun

    The FISA Clock Is Ticking (Again) Feat. Leigh Ann Caldwell

    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 both sides of the aisle and pass an extension. Plus, Reconciliation 2.0 moves ahead as talk of a third bill heats up. Then, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Puck’s chief Washington correspondent, joins the show to talk about the scramble set off by the Bill Pulte DNI announcement and the latest with the Maine Senate race as Graham Platner faces another scandal.   Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci Guest: Leigh Ann Caldwell, Puck Producer: Benji Englander   Articles Discussed: Punchbowl: Can Congress pass a short-term FISA extension? ABC News: Democratic revolt over Trump's DNI pick Pulte puts FISA re-authorization in jeopardy Puck: The G.O.P.’s Pulte Problem Puck: Hill Rebellion & The Platner Files CNBC: Congress moves toward approving $70 billion for ICE and CBP through Trump’s presidency The Hill: GOP plots third reconciliation bill as midterm clock ticks The Guardian: Judgment day for under-fire Democrat Graham Platner in Maine primary

  5. 2 Jun

    A Summer Sprint or Slog? Feat. Natalie Andrews

    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, FISA and government funding. Then, Natalie Andrews, a White House correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, joins the show to discuss the Senate’s “Wounded Bear Caucus” and Vice President Vance’s relationship with President Trump.   Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci Guest: Natalie Andrews, Wall Street Journal Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: Fox News: Congress barrels toward deadline pile-up as GOP divisions threaten Trump agenda POLITICO: Trump administration retreats on 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' POLITICO: ‘Get a warrant’: FISA fights resurface MSNOW: ‘We have the votes to win’: Khanna predicts Iran war powers vote win for Democrats Tuesday CNN: Spencer Pratt brings Los Angeles’ economic anxieties into primetime POLITICO: ‘Every week it seems like it’s something else’: Democrats worry about Platner revelations POLITICO: Chuck Schumer’s Iowa problem WSJ: A New ‘Wounded Bear Caucus’ in the Senate Means More Trouble for Trump NYT: Is JD Vance the 2028 Front Runner? Trump Has Questions.

  6. 19 May

    Inside Reconciliation 2.0 Feat. Scott Wong

    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 Capitol Hill and on the campaign trail. The trio dive into Reconciliation 2.0 and 3.0, President Trump’s influence in GOP primaries and the looming midterms, the continued fight over redistricting, the absence of Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., and much more.   Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Mike Ricci Guest: Scott Wong, NBC News Audio Producer: Benji Englander Video Producer: Regina Anderson   Articles Discussed: Punchbowl: Crunch time for GOP’s reconciliation bill CNBC: Trump ballroom money in question after Senate parliamentarian rules. Thune says GOP will persist POLITICO: Trump pushes to attach his SAVE act to must-pass bipartisan bills The Hill: GOP lawmakers battle as conservatives press for third budget reconciliation bill NBC News: Rep. Thomas Massie confronts the full force of Trump’s wrath in a Republican primary NBC News: Democrats warn a third of the Congressional Black Caucus could be wiped out by redistricting wars New York Times: The Mystery of a Congressman’s Absence Deepens

  7. 12 May

    How Congress Broke the Appropriations Process Feat. Matt Glassman

    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 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

  8. 28 Apr

    Welcome to Hell Week Feat. Meredith Lee Hill

    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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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Seven Letter
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    CONTROL

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