Capitol Conversations
Welcome to Capitol Conversations, your go-to show for the ins and outs of Washington DC. A lot of political shows are just for the lobbyists of the Beltway, the Hill folk living in the DC-Maryland-Virginia bubble. Not us — we’re here for everyone! We want to be the source for all things politics for your southern belles, your Midwest friends, and anyone on either coast. For staffers and lawmakers on Capitol Hill, we’re here for you, too! We’ll break down the latest bills, political infighting, campaign seasons, and the occasional 28-hour days in the US Capitol, covering our nation’s lawmakers.
Episodes
Last week was heavily centered in the Senate, with funding for Homeland Security stalled as Democrats and Republicans dug their heels in. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is asking for a $200 billion supplemental package for the war in Iran - how is that going to go down in the House? We have the latest.
Read more here: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4495646/trump-will-not-submit-budget-request-without-i...
Rachel and Lauren recap their week in Miami, covering the Republican retreat at Trump National Doral, where lawmakers gathered to map out strategy for the 2026 midterms. While Republicans still hold the trifecta, the mood was more cautious than last year as members wrestled with how to craft a winning message.
The hosts break down the party’s growing focus ...
The Texas primaries delivered major surprises — and could reshape the political landscape heading into the 2026 elections.
In this episode of Capitol Conversations, Rachel and Lauren break down the biggest takeaways from a chaotic primary week across Texas. From James Talarico&...
It's midterm season! Many Senate races have competitive Democratic primaries....and some are definitely more exciting than others. Texas's Senate primaries are in early March, with our own Lauren Green heading out on the campaign trail! But before she does, we get to cover President Trump's State of the Union. What can you expect from this speech? We break it down.
#washingtonexaminer #sotu #stateoftheunion
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Six Republicans issued a rare rebuke of President Trump last week by voting with Democrats to repeal his Canada tariffs. We chat with Jeff Hurd, one of the seven Repbulicans to do so. And Democrats are not at all pleased with Attorney General Pam Bondi, who they say is spying on their search histories.
#washingtonexaminer #canadatariffs #trump #surveillance #doj
Read more here:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/4455101/house-...
With five days until Homeland Security funding runs out, we dig into the issues Democrats and Republicans are having with finding a compromise. Plus, the Clintons' testimony on Capitol Hill opens the door for Democrats to take the fight, once again, to President Trump.
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Impeachment, a power of the legislative branch used rarely, is creeping into our vocabulary again as Democrats look to remove Kristi Noem from her position as Homeland Security secretary. We break down the likelihood of Democrats successfully doing this (it'll take a bipartisan village). And don't forget about healthcare — it hasn't gone away just because immigration is dominating the news! Rachel chats with Repub...
The House is on recess, and we're all breathing a sigh of relief. More legislation is on the horizon, and the 2026 elections are going to be heating up in a couple of months. Cook Political Report's Erin Covey, House analyst and elections expert, walks us through what to expect for this year's competitive election season.
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House Republicans' majority is growing smaller every day, and not even messaging bills are easy to pass anymore. The only thing saving Congress right now is appropriations, as lawmakers get closer to fully funding the government for the first time in years.We speak to Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), a freshman who details what its like to stand with fellow Democrats but also work across the aisle, as well as the party's stance on he...
After months of inaction, the House finally voted to extend Obamacare subsidies for 3 years. But what happens now? Is it dead on arrival in the Senate? And how will recent events impact the looming funding deadline on Jan. 30? We break it down for you in this episode.
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It's a new year and we can not wait for a year full of Capitol Conversations! Thanks once again to everyone who has listened, viewed, and shared our videos and podcast episodes. In the first episode of 2026, we discuss what's to come in January and beyond, as the midterm year is now in full swing.
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It's the end of the year and nearly four months of Capitol Conversations! Thanks to everyone who has listened, viewed, and shared our videos and podcast episodes. In this final 2025 chat, we discuss our favorite and worst memories from the year and preview what we're excited for in 2026.
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In this special bonus episode of Capitol Conversations, we sit down with Beverly Hart, a lobbyist and political influencer. Hart worked on Capitol Hill before moving into lobbying, allowing her to talk about her experience across the political sphere, all while making fun videos that reach everyday voters.
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In this special episode of Capitol Conversations, Lauren talks to Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), the former interim Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee, to talk about investigations the committee has taken on this Congress, what the public can expect to come from the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and what the investigation into the Venezuelan boat strikes looks like. #washingtonexaminer
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This is the last week of Congress's legislative session for 2025, and Republican lawmakers are in a battle over how to address healthcare. Last week, the party was split over defense. It's clearly time for the holidays, but a return to Washington in 2026 from vacation will be a rude awakening as Congress has much left on its plate before the midterms.
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We've got the latest on our favorite discussion topic: House drama! It was a rough week for Speaker Johnson last week, and it will only get more contentious as December plods along. Healthcare and funding deadlines are putting pressure on leadership to have a plan, and GOP members are becoming more outspoken on Johnson's ability to lead the conference.
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Many in leadership will likely be breathing a sigh of relief when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a House of Representatives rabble-rouser and thorn in Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) side, departs Capitol Hill.
However, the speaker’s problems are far from over, as her resignation has exposed deeper problems with the House’s “top-down” approach, which has turned off lawmakers who can no longer legisl...
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A blue wave struck in last week's off-year elections. Democrats? Vindicated and ecstatic. Republicans? Dismissive and unbothered. Which party has the right messaging strategy? And what does this mean for 2026?Lauren speaks to Democratic strategist Jon Reinish on what the 2025 elections taught us and what we can expect heading into next year's midterms?
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Capitol Hill staffers, already frustrated by the prospect of a first missed paycheck on Friday due to the government shutdown, have begun highlighting how seemingly everyday, small tasks are becoming increasingly difficult.
“There have been so many small inconveniences where we don’t realize are essential to having an open and effective government — the doors being closed because [U.S. Capitol Police] are understa...
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