Skip to content
RollCall logo

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

Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., speaks during a news conference at the Republican National Committee after a meeting of the House Republican Conference on March.

With 2026 midterms top of mind, budget vote takes center stage

The Supreme Court building at sunset.

Supreme Court allows Trump firings from national labor boards

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building in Washington on March 21.

Judge blocks Trump’s efforts to shutter Education Department

The Department of Justice building in Washington.

Groups file lawsuit to undo Justice Department grant terminations

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy paused the funding for electric vehicle charging in February.

GAO finds DOT funding pause on electric vehicle charging illegal

At the Races: One big beautiful campaign