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

Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur's 9th District seat is a top Republican target this year. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Ohio’s Kaptur set for rematch with Merrin in bid for 23rd House term

Donald Trump greets Indiana's Jim Banks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July 2024. Banks, now the state's junior senator, hailed Tuesday's defeat of several GOP state senators who opposed an attempt to redraw the state's congressional map. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

5 Indiana GOP legislators who defied Trump on redistricting are defeated

Sen. Bill Cassidy speaks to reporters on the first day of early voting outside of the Louisiana State Archives on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La.

Cassidy calls for expedited abortion pill review as primary nears

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth takes questions during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Tuesday. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

US military actions test Trump’s claim the Iran war is over

President Donald Trump conducts a news conference in the White House briefing room about the war in Iran on April 6.

Trump shrugs off high gas prices, creating political headwinds for GOP

Customs and Border Protection would get $26 billion in the bill. Above, a CBP agent processes migrants that recently crossed the border in the Rio Grande Valley sector of Texas in 2019. (Jinitzail Hernández/CQ Roll Call)

Reconciliation bill text would fund ICE, CBP, ballroom security