Eye on Congress:The Big Story

The Republican majority is preparing to eliminate the filibuster for Supreme Court confirmations if that’s what it takes to assure Neil Gorsuch is confirmed, says CQ's legal affairs writer Todd Ruger. But he and CQ Roll Call senior editor David Hawkings say using the so-called nuclear option could change centuries of precedent that make the Senate a place where bipartisanship still matters.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CQ Roll Call's senior Senate reporter Niels Lesniewski leads us through a fascinating conversation on how the Senate leader's political machine wields power in ways that could have an impact on issues from health care to the Supreme Court. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CQ Roll Call’s health editor Rebecca Adams breaks down why the Republican replacement for Obamacare is being attacked on all sides. And senior editor David Hawkings talks about the political consequences of the GOP’s current predicament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CQ Roll Call's leadership editor Jason Dick and senior political reporter Bridget Bowman explain the bumpy road ahead for Republican leaders as they try to sell their health care bill to their own members and the public.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump's well-received speech reflects three factions operating within the White House, says CQ Roll Call White House reporter John Bennett. But the president's ambitious goals are likely to encounter obstacles especially because - unlike his predecessors at this stage - Trump has yet to send one piece of legislation to Congress, adds Senior Editor David Hawkings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For four long months, Democrats have debated what to do to get out of the political wilderness. This weekend, the Democratic National Committee votes on who will be its next chairman, putting that person in a position to weigh in on the party's next move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As they head back into their states and districts next week, lawmakers could continue to face angry voters at town halls over repealing the Affordable Care Act, says CQ Roll Call’s political reporter Simone Pathé and health reporter Erin Mershon. This and fear of a backlash in the 2018 elections, they explain, could further delay any action on the GOP’s six-year quest to repeal Obamacare. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's selectively applied rebuke of Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren touched on volatile issues of race and gender, say CQ Roll Call's Leadership editor Jason Dick and policy Editor Catalina Camia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate is known for its courtesies and decorum, but it’s just two weeks into the Donald Trump administration and the chamber has become as chaotic as it’s been in a long time, says CQ Roll Call’s senior editor David Hawkings. The carping and parliamentary brinkmanship over Cabinet nominees could bode ill for the legislative agenda ahead, say CQ Roll Call’s leadership editor Jason Dick and senior reporter Niels Lesniewski.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahead of the GOP retreat, CQ Roll Call's leadership editor Jason Dick and White House correspondent John Bennett provide insight into the awkward relationship developing between President Donald Trump and the Republicans who control Congress.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CQ Roll Call Senior Editor David Hawkings and Leadership Editor Jason Dick examine the fallout from President-elect Donald Trump’s criticism of civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. In an unprecedented move, at least a third of House Democrats plan to skip Trump’s inauguration, says political reporter Simone Pathé. @repjohnlewis @rollcall @CQnow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CQ Roll Call's Senate leadership reporter Niels Lesniewski walks us through how the GOP-controlled Congress can use the Congressional Review Act to rescind some of President Barack Obama’s last-minute regulations.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Donald Trump in the White House, Republicans in Congress may finally have the momentum to change immigration policy that could spell trouble for more than 700,000 "Dreamers," children of undocumented immigrants who grew up in the U.S., say CQ Roll Call reporters Jonathan Miller and Dean DeChiaro.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CQ Roll Call's National Security reporter Ryan Lucas explains how Republicans and Democrats reach sometimes conflicting conclusions about whether the Kremlin tried to throw the election to Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CQ Roll Call’s Money and Politics reporter Kate Ackley digs into President-elect Donald Trump's web of potential conflicts of interest and his pledge to hand over his empire to his children. Meanwhile, Trump’s entangled interests have spurred Democrats and watchdog groups into action, says Senate Leadership reporter Bridget Bowman.           Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawmakers have until Dec. 9 to pass a stopgap spending bill to keep the government running until President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. But Trump has asked that the temporary spending bill be extended to March 31, a delay that would keep government funding at current levels. That would, among other things, constrain the Pentagon, explain CQ Roll Call's Budget and Economics Editor Jane Norman and Managing Editor Adriel Bettelheim. Listen to find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With control of the White House and Congress, Republicans can easily repeal big parts of President Obama’s health care law, but finding alternatives could prove to be a political minefield, say CQ Roll Call health reporter Erin Mershon and Managing Editor Adriel Bettelheim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roll Call columnists Patricia Murphy and Matt Lewis reflect on the nasty presidential campaign, how it changed some of the norms of politics and the role Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York could play as Democratic leader if Hillary Clinton wins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats are poised to pick up House seats. If GOP losses are particularly heavy, then Republicans are likely to blame Speaker Paul Ryan, say CQ Roll Call’s Elections Editor Nathan Gonzales and reporter Lindsey McPherson.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long before the polls close, 29 nominees for open seats are all but certain to win and they could end up as half or more of the House’s Class of 2016. CQ Roll Call’s senior editor David Hawkings and Managing Editor Adriel Bettelheim examine the newcomers and explain how demographics assure more diversity on Capitol Hill next year.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices