With the House and Senate on a collision course over reconciliation, hosts Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller explore which strategy has the best chance of success and how some of the wonkier aspects of the process may trip up the GOP’s plans. Then, NBC News’ senior White House correspondent Garrett Haake joins the show to offer his insight on the Trump administration’s early actions, the Trump-Musk relationship, and JD Vance’s role as the “Senate whisperer.”

Hosts: Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller

Guest: Garrett Haake

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed

Punchbowl: The reconciliation race: Can the House get its act together?

Politico: Inside the House GOP clash over tax cuts

CBS News: CBS News poll — Trump has positive approval amid "energetic" opening weeks; seen as doing what he promised

WaPo: Some Democrats vow to use leverage in government funding fight

NBC News: Elon Musk gets quiet White House reminders his power isn't unchecked

Politico: JD Vance Aced His First Test. The Next One Will Be Tougher.

What a year the past month has been – to help make sense of the flurry of news over the last two weeks, Brendan Buck and Annalyse Keller are joined by POLITICO’s Capitol Bureau Chief Rachael Bade. Together, they discuss the latest on House Republicans’ spending fight, Elon Musk’s influence on the White House, and the outlook for President Trump’s most controversial nominees.

Articles Discussed:

Politico: Musk steamrolls Washington as he remakes the federal government

NYT: ‘We Have No Coherent Message’: Democrats Struggle to Oppose Trump

WaPo: Trump halts tariffs on Canada and Mexico as both offer new border security plans

Politico: The GOP’s Unreliable Cutter-in-Chief

Reuters: Gabbard boosted in bid to become chief US spy ahead of committee vote

Politico: How Trump’s orbit used blunt force to squeeze Hegseth through

President Trump is back in the Oval Office. Hosts Annalyse Keller and Brendan Buck discuss the flurry of activity on Inauguration Day – the speech, the executive orders, the pardons and more – and analyze what it means for Capitol Hill.

Hosts: Annalyse Keller and Brendan Buck

Producer: Benji Englander

Articles Discussed:

NYT: What Trump Did on Day 1: Tracking His Biggest Moves

Politico: Trump closes first day with an avalanche of executive orders