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 of where we are and where we might be headed. They cover President Trump’s interest – or lack thereof – in Congressional policy debates, the outlook for appropriations and what will be the defining issue of the midterm elections.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Jonathan Martin, POLITICO

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

New York Times: It Was Supposed to Be ‘Crypto Week’ in Congress. Then It Unraveled.

POLITICO: Russ Vought: Appropriations process ‘has to be less bipartisan’

NBC News: Bipartisan government funding is at risk of dying in Trump's Washington

POLITICO: Democrats seek shutdown strategy as White House plots to strip their power

CNN: Johnson shuts door on House vote before September on releasing Epstein files

POLITICO: How the GOP Regulars Won Over Donald Trump

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 process even more contentious than usual. To break it all down, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by POLITICO’s Katherine Tully-McManus, a congressional reporter focused on budget and appropriations. Can the Freedom Caucus reassert themselves? What is Minority Leader Schumer’s plan? And how long can Congress continue passing CRs?

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Katherine Tully-McManus, POLITICO

Audio Producer: Benji Englander

Video Producer: Regina Anderson

Articles Discussed:

NBC News: Trump's push to claw back funding ignites a fight that threatens a government shutdown

Punchbowl: Senate Approps hits pause amid escalating drama

Axios: Schumer draws line in government funding fight

POLITICO: A tough week for Susan Collins

POLITICO: Cole: Hill GOP likely to pursue funding topline above White House request

Axios: House "crypto week" could change how Americans use, save money

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 Bureau Chief at NOTUS and long-time chronicler of the Freedom Caucus, to discuss the group’s history, recent actions and future moves. Plus, reconciliation “Winners and Losers” and a look ahead to appropriations, rescissions, and a potential Reconciliation 2.0.

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Matt Fuller, NOTUS

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

Reuters: In July 4 ceremony, Trump signs tax and spending bill into law

Politico: Inside the Freedom Caucus’ final surrender

New York Times: Jeffries Breaks Record in Hourslong Speech Opposing Trump’s Policy Bill

NOTUS: Celsius, All-Nighters and Stalling Votes: Mike Johnson’s Strategy to Get Members to ‘Yes’

Punchbowl: With OBBB in the rearview, here’s what’s next

NOTUS: Senate Turns Its Attention to DOGE Cuts — With the Clock Ticking