The times, they are confusing: Why is Congress like this? – Roll Call

Podcasts

The times, they are confusing: Why is Congress like this?

Political Theater, Episode 303

From left, Reps. George Santos, R-N.Y., Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., are seen on the House floor before Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, fell short of the votes needed to become House speaker on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. — From left, Reps. George Santos, R-N.Y., Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., are seen on the House floor before Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, fell short of the votes needed to become House speaker on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

By Jason Dick

Posted October 17, 2023 at 6:58pm

The House recently deposed its speaker for the first time ever. Members of Congress face criminal indictments. The House has struggled to elect a new speaker. Things seem unsteady, even dangerous. Has it ever been like this before? And what comes next? Molly Reynolds, senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, joins the podcast to discuss.

Show Notes:

Recent Stories

California Rep. Jimmy Gomez speaks during a news conference in the Capitol in 2025.

Ethics Committee announces inquiry into California Rep. Jimmy Gomez

Michigan Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet's reelection race is now rated Solid Democratic by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales.

Rating changes: 10 of 11 races shift toward Democrats

Former New York Rep. Chris Collins is self-funding his comeback bid in Florida's 19th District. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Wealthy House candidates eye payoffs in Florida Republican primaries

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, is running for re-election in a tight race against former Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, and others. Sullivan and Peltola have exchanged ads linking their opponent to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Alaska Senate candidates attempt to link each other to Epstein

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joins President Donald Trump as he signs an executive order on Monday calling for childhood vaccine shots to be spaced out into separate visits.

Kennedy looks for new members for revamped vaccine committee

President Donald Trump listens as New York Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman speaks at an event Friday in Garden City, N.Y.

Trump paints Blakeman as tough on crime with cops as backdrop at New York rally