Political Theater: Still vulnerable, even while batting .400
Jason Dick, Daniela Altimari and Mary Ellen McIntire discuss the first Roll Call Most Vulnerable Incumbents list of the 2026 cycle, why House freshman frequently have the blues and how even gobs and gobs of money can’t always buy you an election.
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44:31
CQ Budget: Trump's budget ax
President Donald Trump's preliminary fiscal 2026 budget request, which takes a meat ax to domestic programs and foreign aid, is getting a frosty reception from Senate GOP appropriators and Democrats alike. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman provide an early outlook for this year's appropriations process and the likely next steps.
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20:34
Equal Time: The Politics of the Catholic Church after Pope Francis
The personality and outreach of Pope Francis attracted worldwide admiration. Though he did not stray from Catholic doctrine, he connected those teachings to issues such as immigration and climate change. He was not as progressive as some progressives hoped, and he also frustrated traditionalists, a split that played out in the United States. So, what’s next? Maureen K. Day is one of the authors of “Catholicism at a Crossroads: The Present and Future of America’s Largest Church,” a survey informed by interviews. What does Catholic identity mean in America today, and how did it adapt to the modern papacy of Pope Francis. Day, research affiliate at the University of Southern California’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture and the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies, joins Equal Time.
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43:46
Political Theater: Six degrees of 100 days ...
How does Kevin Bacon fit into the first 100 days analysis of the Trump presidency? Jason Dick and John Bennett discuss, as well as the art of Gretchen Whitmer's non-thank you thank you.
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26:53
CQ Budget: Budget promises put to the test
Vague promises from GOP leaders to seek deep spending cuts put down a rebellion from conservative holdouts and secured the adoption of a budget resolution this month. But now Republicans must begin writing a reconciliation bill enacting much of President Donald Trump's agenda with little sign of any resolution of the key conflicts that have divided GOP lawmakers for months. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly, Aidan Quigley and David Lerman assess the deal cut between leadership and Republicans rebels and what it could mean for the drafting of a filibuster-proof reconciliation bill.
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