Highway to Hill

Charlie Hunt and SoRelle Gaynor

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Get in loser, we're learning about Congress. Each week on the "Highway to Hill" podcast, two experts break down the political science behind the week's biggest story on Capitol Hill in 30 minutes or less. Hosted by Charlie Hunt and SoRelle Gaynor. highwaytohill.substack.com

10h ago

The age-old question for Congress

This week on Highway to Hill: Congress seems like it’s getting older by the hour, and some health and age issues from some high-profile members is giving us a fresh opportunity to talk about the age-old question: why is Congress so old? We’ll get into the polisci of why it’s so hard for young people to get elected; and with more than a few members serving well into their 80s and 90s, is it time to consider some age-related reforms? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com
Jul 10

Where is Congress on AI policy? (w/ Jessica Seale!)

This week on Highway to Hill: This week, SoRelle chats with Jessica Seale of the Coastal Strategy Group, a consulting firm for Capitol Hill to talk about how Congress has (and hasn’t dealt with policy around artificial intelligence. Jessica has led comms departments and digital efforts in the US Senate and House of Representatives, and has held formal positions in the executive branch, including the Department of State and the Small Business Administration. SoRelle and Jessica dive into the current state of AI legislation in Congress, international standards, and how Congress can better prepare for rapid technological changes. This week’s syllabus 📚 Find Jessica Seale here: * https://coastalstrategygroup.com/ * https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnseale/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com
Jul 3

A very confusing birthday to you, America

This week on Highway to Hill: A co-opted commission, a cage match at the White House, and the saddest state fair in history: It’s America’s 250th birthday this weekend, but exactly how we’re celebrating is getting a little confusing, and a lot upsetting. Charlie and SoRelle raise a very tentative glass to America by diving into how an anniversary we was really looking forward to has devolved into yet another stomping of Congress at the feet of the Executive -- just, we’re sure, as the founding fathers intended. This week’s syllabus 📚 * “Trump-backed ‘Freedom Trucks’ tell a sanitized story of the country’s founding” (Laura Meckler, The Washington Post) * “Inside the Partisan Battle Over America’s 250th Birthday Celebrations”, (Luke Broadwater and Eileen Sullivan, New York Times) * “Planners Battle Over Marking U.S. 250th Anniversary” (Jess Bravin, The Wall Street Journal) * “Congressional Commissions: Overview and Considerations for Congress” (Karen Shanton and Jacob Straus, Congressional Research Service) * Letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum from Democratic Senators * “Executive Order: Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday” (Freedom250) * “PEER Sues Department of the Interior Over Department’s Refusal To Release Key Freedom 250 Documents” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com
Jun 26

Money, money, money (must be funny)

On this week’s episode of Highway to Hill: We are talking all about the boogey man of congressional politics: money. We’re joined by Michael Kistner, an assistant professor at the University of Houston, who has a wonderful new book out with University of Chicago Press titled, “Paying for the Party.” Michael’s research looks at how parties have institutionalized fundraising, evolving how Congress and state legislatures use their time. This week’s syllabus 📚 * “Paying for the Party” by Michael Kistner (University of Chicago Press/Amazon) * Michael’s Website! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com
Jun 19

Will Congress step up on Iran?

Today on Highway to Hill: With a deal on the table -- or at least the concepts of a deal -- the War in Iran might be drawing to a close. What exactly is in this deal, and does Congress have any say in the matter? Plus, what’s the difference between a treaty and an executive agreement? The answer is actually super important! This week’s syllabus 📚 * “A Look at the Text of the Agreement Between the United States and Iran” (The New York Times) * “Senate Republicans want a say on Trump’s Iran deal” (Jordain Carney and Connor O’Brien, POLITICO) * “Congress must review Iran agreement, senators say” (Rebecca Kheel, Roll Call) * “Anxious Republicans await details of Iran deal as Trump keeps them guessing” (Jonathan Allen, Katherine Doyle, Sahil Kapur, Allan Smith and Henry J. Gomez, NBC News) * “Trump says intelligence chief pick’s hearing is off and Pulte will remain for now” (Dan Diamond, Victoria Craw and Noah Robertson, The Washington Post) * “Congress Mandates Sweeping Transparency Reforms for International Agreements” (Just Security) * “Georgia House leaders nix redistricting plans over fears of energizing Democrats” (Greg Bluestein, Atlanta Journal-Constitution) * Playing Ball: Collaboration in the U.S. Congress” (SoRelle Gaynor and Riley Millburne, American Politics Research) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com
Jun 12

And the nominees are...

On this week’s episode of Highway to Hill: With the massive amount of turnover in the Trump administration, Congress is on tap to fulfill one of its major constitutional responsibilities. What does “advice and consent” even mean for nominations to cabinet posts? What does the Senate do to figure out whether nominees are qualified? And where will the YOLO Republicans come down on two of Trump’s more controversial nominations? This week’s syllabus 📚 * “Who’s Out of Trump’s Second Term” (Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder, U.S. News and World Report) * “More women getting shut out from senior positions in Trump’s second term” (Maegan Vazquez and Eric Lau, The Washington Post) * “The number of women in Trump’s cabinet is shrinking” (Meredith Conroy, The Gender Gap) * Political Appointee Tracker - Partnership for Public Service * “Blanche heads into attorney general confirmation clash” (Michael Macagnone and Ryan Tarinelli, Roll Call) * “FISA fight comes to a head” (Valerie Yurk and Savannah Behrmann, Roll Call) * “Hopes Dim for Renewing Spy Law as Trump Digs In on Bill Pulte” ( Dustin Volze and Robert Jimison, New York Times) * “Mace Defeat Heralds an Exodus of Rabble-Rousers From Congress” (Annie Karni, The New York Times) * “Dems threaten to withhold DCCC dues over California faceplant” (Andrew Solendar, Axios) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com
Jun 5

How to get a job on the Hill!

On this week's episode of Highway to Hill: Want to work on Capitol Hill but don't know how to break in? Charlie and SoRelle are joined by Tom Manatos, founder of Tom Manatos Jobs, to talk about how to actually get a job in Congress. Tom started his job board by cutting and pasting email listings back in the pre-internet days, and now it's become the go-to resource for Capitol Hill positions. Tom breaks down what entry-level jobs actually look like, what a day in the life of a junior staffer looks like (Capitol tours, constituent calls, and catering), and the key to early success on the Hill: hard work and obsessive attention to detail. Plus, the surprisingly bipartisan reality of Congress, why networking is 75% of the battle, and three concrete steps you can take today to start your Hill career — even if you're not in DC yet. And yes, people really do just walk up and introduce themselves in this town. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com
May 29

Has anyone seen my member of Congress?

Today on Highway to Hill: We go into private eye mode as we try to locate some members of Congress who haven’t been showing up to work for quite awhile. Why do members of Congress miss votes in Washington, and what do they owe to their constituents? Plus, we break down what it means when the whole Congress goes on “recess”, and why a little R&R isn’t the worst thing in the world. This week’s syllabus 📚 * “The Mystery of a Congressman’s Absence Deepens” (Tracey Tully, New York Times) * “Absent Congressman Calls Allies, but Stops Short of Public Appearance” (Tracey Tully, New York Times) * “Rep. Thomas Kean Still Trading Stocks Amid Months-Long Absence” (Sara Down, Forbes) * “Congresswoman Frederica Wilson misses 40+ votes on House floor; confirms she underwent eye surgery” (WPLG Local10) * “Potential successors are lining up as Frederica Wilson weighs exit” (Claire Heddles, Miami Herald) * House Calendar * Senate Calendar * “‘Representation matters’: DNC members condemn Wasserman Schultz’s run in historically-Black district (Carlton Gillespie, WLRN Public Media) * “Poll: Debbie Wasserman Schultz leads CD 20 contest, remains popular with Black, Caribbean voters” (Jesse Schnecker, Florida Politics) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

5

out of 5

7 Ratings

Get in loser, we're learning about Congress. Each week on the "Highway to Hill" podcast, two experts break down the political science behind the week's biggest story on Capitol Hill in 30 minutes or less. Hosted by Charlie Hunt and SoRelle Gaynor. highwaytohill.substack.com

Creator

Charlie Hunt and SoRelle Gaynor
Years Active

2026
Episodes

27
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Charlie Hunt
Show Website

Highway to Hill