Episodes

  • December 23, 2024: Johnson caught between Trump and a hard place

    December 23, 2024: Johnson caught between Trump and a hard place
    Dec 23 2024
    A shutdown was avoided. But a new dividing line was drawn between President-elect Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson — one with wide-reaching implications for the future of Johnson’s speakership and the early days of Trump’s presidency. POLITICO Capitol bureau chief and senior Washington columnist Rachael Bade spent some time at Mar-a-Lago last week; she chats with Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton about what to keep an eye on in the days ahead.
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    9 mins
  • December 20, 2024: Who’s to blame if there’s a shutdown?

    December 20, 2024: Who’s to blame if there’s a shutdown?
    Dec 20 2024
    At this moment, we are mere hours away from a government shutdown. How did we get here? Well, just take a look at House Republicans: After Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial spending deal was scuttled amid opposition from President-elect Donald Trump, the replacement deal — this one backed by Trump — fell short of the votes it needed amid 38 GOP defections. With time running out, what options remain? Who’s in for the lion’s share of the blame? And who are the key players to watch today? Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton and Playbook editor Mike DeBonis talk through it all.
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    9 mins
  • December 19, 2024: Musk and Trump try to kill the CR

    December 19, 2024: Musk and Trump try to kill the CR
    Dec 19 2024
    We’re one day closer to a government shutdown, and the best chance to avoid one just went kaput. When the sun rose yesterday morning, it looked like a solution was nigh. But that all changed in a matter of hours after Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump whipped Republicans into a frenzy in opposition to the proposed continuing resolution. So what happens now? Congressional reporter Daniella Diaz joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to talk it through.
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    10 mins
  • December 18, 2024: Johnson's CR fight is only beginning

    December 18, 2024: Johnson's CR fight is only beginning
    Dec 18 2024
    On Tuesday, we finally got the continuing resolution that Republicans on both sides of the Hill were quarreling over. But today, with the fine print coming into view, it doesn't look like a sure thing that a unified GOP will show up to get it through. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) called the potential bill a “total dumpster fire.” Speaker Mike Johnson says he wants to take this bill to the House Rules Committee and then to the House floor. Playbook editor Mike Debonis and Playbook co-author break down what could happen next.
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    8 mins
  • December 17, 2024: Waiting, and waiting, for a CR

    December 17, 2024: Waiting, and waiting, for a CR
    Dec 17 2024
    Congress is about to head out for holiday break, but there’s one problem: there’s still no sign of a continuing resolution that would fund the government through March. So, what’s the hold up? Jennifer Scholtes, editor of budget and appropriations for Politico Pro, joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through what to know about the 2024 legislative finale. Plus, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was dealt an early blow in her bid for top Dem on the House Oversight Committee, but the full caucus vote on Tuesday could still swing in her favor.
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    10 mins
  • December 16, 2024: 2024’s last item on the to-do list

    December 16, 2024: 2024’s last item on the to-do list
    Dec 16 2024
    In just five days, lawmakers will leave D.C. for a two-week break, but a bill to fund the government is still pressing. With resistance mounting from GOP representatives in farm districts, House Speaker Mike Johnson may need Democratic support to get it over the finish line. Meanwhile, Republicans are also considering how to swiftly advance President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda next year. As Playbook co-author Rachael Bade reports, reconciliation was a key topic between Sen. John Thune and Trump at this weekend's Army-Navy game. Also, RFK Jr. is scheduled to meet with senators on the Hill this week. Notably absent from his calendar? A meeting with Sen. Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor. All that plus everything else you need to know today.
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    7 mins
  • December 13, 2024: A temperature check on Trump’s nominees

    December 13, 2024: A temperature check on Trump’s nominees
    Dec 13 2024
    After a dizzying week of meetings on Capitol Hill, Trump’s myriad nominees seem to be on firmer ground than they were. But is that because of what was said in those one-on-ones, or is has Trump himself been flexing his influence? Where do things head from here? Congress reporter Anthony Adragna talks through it all with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels. Plus, shakeups in House committee leadership, and Time’s “Person of the Year” inspires some 2016 déjà vu.
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    10 mins
  • December 12, 2024: Why some Dems are cozying up to Elon Musk

    December 12, 2024: Why some Dems are cozying up to Elon Musk
    Dec 12 2024
    Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and arguably President-elect Donald Trump’s most important supporter, finds himself being wooed by some unlikely people in Washington: Democrats in Congress. There are any number of reasons for this — personal ambition, a hope of finding common ground with Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency panel and an eagerness to attract his business investments to their states. But there’s something big picture at play, too: The “Resistance” is going to look a whole lot different during Trump 2.0. Politics reporter Holly Otterbein joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to discuss. Plus, FBI Director Christopher Wray announces his departure. That, and the rest of the news you need to know today.
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    10 mins