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

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conduct a news conference in the White House briefing room on April 6.

Bipartisan headwinds buffet $1B ‘anomaly’ for Trump battleship

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, seen here in June, is fielding calls to keep the Senate in session during August.

Trump to Senate: Cancel August recess

President Donald Trump boards Marine One on Monday on the Ellipse near the White House en route to Michigan. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

After insults at WHCD, Trump touts economic record in Michigan

Capitol Lens | Mall wonder

House members have already headed home for their summer break, leaving nothing but jet fumes behind. With this weekend marking 100 days until the midterms, some jumped right into campaign mode.

Out of sight, out of mind? Not this August

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., listens as President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives for a Senate GOP lunch meeting in the Capitol on June 24.

Trump-Thune tensions boil, but GOP leader seen as safe — for now