CQ Roll Call Policy and Politics

  1. 2h ago

    Political Theater: Alex Gibney and the odyssey of ‘Musk’

    Jason Dick talks with Alex Gibney about his new film “Musk,” a documentary about Elon Musk, the world’s richest man. It’s an exploration of how one person accumulated so much power — in the White House, over AI, space exploration, transportation, robotics and more — and asks the question: What will he do with it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 3d ago

    CQ Budget: Power of the purse challenged

    The Trump administration announced plans to cancel $810 million, mostly for health and education programs,that Congress had already appropriated, in a so-called pocket rescission. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak and Aris Folley join host David Lerman to discuss the funding at stake, the programs affected, and the likely court battle to come over whether the move is legal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Sep 24

    Political Theater: Gathering threads: The stories defining the midterm elections

    Jason Dick talks with Roll Call campaign writers Daniela Altimari and Mary Ellen McIntire about their on-the-ground reporting as the midterm general election kicks into high gear; the latest batch of polling in key races; the crazy money being raised and spent; why we're still not done with redistricting, and what to expect from their forthcoming Most Vulnerable Incumbents list.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Sep 21

    CQ Budget: Iran war funding dilemma

    The price tag of the Iran war is $43 billion and counting, but Congress has yet to agree on a funding plan. CQ Roll Call's John M. Donnelly joins host David Lerman to discuss the latest cost estimates, projections of future costs, and prospects for funding the war by year's end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Sep 18

    Political Theater: What a long, strange primary season it’s been

    Jason Dick and Nathan Gonzales dive into what they learned now that the 2026 congressional primary season is over, whether re-redistricting and midterm conventions will be the new norm, if we can trust polls and how, ultimately, it might still be the economy, stupid.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Sep 15

    CQ Budget: Winter funding fight brewing

    While Congress’ fall priorities — cryptocurrency, college sports and permitting — are not budget-related, a new December spending deadline is setting the stage for another funding fight. CQ Roll Call's Peter Cohn, Savannah Behrmann and Aidan Quigley assess the fall agenda and the prospects for a final fiscal 2027 spending deal during the lame-duck session. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Sep 4

    Political Theater/CQ Budget: Congress punts on big issues

    Congress avoided a shutdown fight until December, but passed on several sticky problems it will need to address after Election Day. CQ Roll Editor in Chief Jason Dick and CQ Roll Call Budget Editor David Lerman outline the major fights looming in November in a very special Political Theater and CQ Budget podcast collaboration.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Aug 26

    Political Theater: The Roll Call and 535 deep dive on the affordability agenda

    Roll Call Editor in Chief Jason Dick and 535 Political Analyst Susan Davis discuss congressional efforts to address affordability with CQ Roll Call leadership Staff Writer Savannah Behrmann for the Roll Call/535 Policy Podcast Series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  9. Aug 19

    Political Theater: The Roll Call and 535 Deep Dive on Surface Transportation Reauthorization

    Roll Call Editor in Chief Jason Dick and 535 Political Analyst Susan Davis discuss surface transportation reauthorization legislation and other transportation-related issues with CQ Roll Call transportation Staff Writer Kelly Livingston for the Roll Call/535 Policy Podcast Series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  10. Aug 12

    Political Theater: The Roll Call and 535 Deep Dive on Permitting Reform

    Roll Call Editor in Chief Jason Dick and 535 Editor in Chief Brody Mullins discuss the bipartisan legislative efforts on permitting reform with CQ Roll Call Energy and Environment Staff Writer David Jordan for the Roll Call/535 Policy Podcast Series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  11. Aug 10

    CQ Budget: Unfinished business

    The Senate left town for its August recess with much of its agenda put on ice, including a third budget reconciliation package. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak and Aris Folley join host David Lerman to assess what the pile-up of work means for September and a lame-duck session following the midterm elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  12. Aug 5

    Political Theater: The Roll Call and 535 Deep Dive on Cryptocurrency

    Roll Call Editor in Chief Jason Dick and 535 Editor in Chief Brody Mullins discuss major cryptocurrency legislation in the 119th Congress with CQ Roll Call Financial Services Staff Writer Mark Schoeff Jr. for the Roll Call/535 Policy Podcast Series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  13. Aug 3

    CQ Budget: Senate funding patch secured

    With a bipartisan deal in hand to avoid a partial government shutdown, Senate leaders hope to pass the stopgap measure this week. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and Aris Folley join host David Lerman to assess the obstacles to passage that lie ahead and what else could cross the finish line before the Senate adjourns for its August recess. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  14. Aug 3

    Equal Time: ‘How rebellion and activism have always sustained America’

    Rebellion and activism have always been necessary to move America toward progress, with always present obstacles to overcome, including violent opposition from those with their own view of what makes the country great. That truth, with all the contradictions that arise when ideals fail to match reality, is explored in “We’ve Been Here Before.” When mythmaking threatens to replace history, this book, by Angela P. Dodson and Michael I. Days, is an essential and timely present for America’s 250th birthday. Co-author Angela P. Dodson joins Equal Time to talk about the heroes and the hard work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  15. Jul 27

    CQ Budget: Funding patch expands

    The Senate wants to pass an expanded version of a House-passed stopgap funding bill before it leaves town for the August recess. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and Paul M. Krawzak join host David Lerman to discuss the prospects for a funding extension and why work on reconciliation 3.0 is being put on the back burner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  16. Jul 20

    CQ Budget: House spending push

    Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is trying this week to adopt a budget resolution and pass the annual defense authorization bill and stopgap spending measure. CQ Roll Call’s Aris Folley and Jacob Fulton join guest host Aidan Quigley to discuss the prospects of the continuing resolution and the budget resolution in the House’s final week before August recess.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  17. Jul 16

    Political Theater: The dog days are here already for Congress

    Jason Dick and Molly Reynolds discuss how history will view the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., how congressional illnesses are starting to affect the institution, why things are getting stuck in both chambers, and what a weird time it is for the legislative branch.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  18. Jul 13

    CQ Budget: New push on reconciliation 3.0

    The death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., triggers a Senate Budget Committee shake-up as House Republicans make a new push this week for a third reonciliation package. CQ Roll's Paul M. Krawzak and Aidan Quigley join host David Lerman to assess the impact of Graham's death and prospects for a new reconciliation bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  19. Jul 2

    Political Theater: Sean Astin on being a leader during a time of upheaval

    Jason Dick talks with film legend Sean Astin, the president of SAG-AFTRA, about his deep connections to Washington, D.C., public service, the issues he is advocating on Capitol Hill and meeting the moment at a pivotal time in human history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  20. Jun 29

    CQ Budget: Leadership test in House

    A push for new voting restrictions has held up business in the House, including appropriations bills. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and Aris Folley join host David Lerman in assessing the leadership test facing Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and what it means for spending bills and a third reconciliation package. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  21. Jun 23

    CQ Budget: Spending split

    While House appropriators move forward with their fiscal 2027 spending bills, the usually bipartisan Senate process has run into major roadblocks with disputes over spending levels and amendments. CQ Roll Call's Aris Folley and Aidan Quigley discuss the status of appropriations in both chambers, as well as the prospects for reconciliation progress and an Iran war supplemental funding bill.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  22. Jun 19

    Political Theater: No more ‘Idiocracy’ references please; let's talk about the ads

    Jason Dick and Brandon Wetherbee discuss the big UFC bout at the White House, the relationship between President Donald Trump and combat sports and entertainment and the expansion of Brandon's media empire, Recommend If You Like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  23. Jun 16

    Political Theater: Rory Kennedy and the art of the documentary sequel

    Jason Dick talks with filmmaker Rory Kennedy about her new documentary, "Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing," a sequel to her 2022 "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing" and how, despite a very public airing of the company's quality control failings after numerous crashes, so little has changed and who is to blame.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  24. Jun 15

    CQ Budget: Reconciliation 3.0 hurdles

    House Republicans are scrambling to produce a third reconciliation bill focused on defense spending and combating fraud, but they face numerous obstacles. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and Paul M. Krawzak join host David Lerman to assess the bill's prospects and all the complications that lie ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  25. Jun 8

    CQ Budget: At the finish line

    Republicans appeared set to clear a Senate-passed reconcilation bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies through the rest of President Donald Trump's term. CQ Roll Call's Aris Folley and Paul M. Krawzak join host David Lerman to discuss the final chapter of the reconciliation battle and how a controversial Justice Department "anti-weaponization" fund continues to complicate the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices