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In late September, I went on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal to talk about the impending government shutdown. After a discussion with the program host, guests get to answer questions from viewers who call into the program. I expected to be challenged on something, but did not anticipate that on that list
Laura, Matt, and Josh discuss the shutdown, Congress’s spending power, enduring constitutional fights, the Epstein files, and Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva.
So far, the most surprising thing about the shutdown is Democrats’ early polling advantage. A Washington Post poll finds 47% of the public blaming Republicans, versus only 30% for Democrats. The New York Times/Sienna poll conducted before the shutdown puts more blame on Republicans (26%) than Democrats (19%). G. Elliott
Matt and Josh discuss the shutdown, how Congress got here, how congressional leaders are handling it, and the politics moving forward. https://media.blubrry.com/twobeersin/gai.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/shutdown-2025.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:37 — 22.1MB)Subscribe: RSS | More
Laura, Matt, and Josh discuss a sliver of what’s on Congress’s plate, from appropriations and pocket rescissions, to Epstein, nominations, and the Senate’s growing reputation as the world’s most exclusive HR department. https://media.blubrry.com/twobeersin/gai.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Post-August-recess-4-September-2025.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (35.1MB)Subscribe: RSS | More
Matt and Josh discuss the Freedom Caucus in Trump 2.0. https://media.blubrry.com/twobeersin/gai.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/The-Almost-August-Recess-Pod-July-2025.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:13 — 24.2MB)Subscribe: RSS | More
Matt and Josh discuss the Big Beautiful Bill and the institutional implications for the House and Senate. https://media.blubrry.com/twobeersin/gai.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Post-BBB-bill-July-2025.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:48 — 35.3MB)Subscribe: RSS | More
Congressional appropriations are having a year. The second Trump administration kicked things off by engaging in a spree of unconstitutional impoundments of congressionally appropriated funds. The Republican Congress followed that up with a rarity: a full-year Continuing Resolution to finish out the fiscal year: unusual in itself, but in covering
On Friday, President Trump endorsed a full-year CR for the FY25 appropriations, which will likely end the appropriations process for this fiscal year. After its failure to enact full year appropriations bills by October 1, Congress has passed a series of continuing resolutions (the first through December 20; a second
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