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The House passed funding to keep the US government operating until mid-March just hours before a midnight shutdown deadline, capping off a tumultuous two days in which two earlier plans pursued by Speaker Mike Johnson collapsed. For instant reaction and analysis, host Kailey Leinz speaks with Lester Munson, Principal of the International Practice at BGR Group and Republican Strategist, Jeanne Sheehan Zaino, Senior Democracy Fellow with the Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress and Bloomberg Politics Contributor and Megan Scully, Bloomberg Capitol Influence team leader.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US politicians just can't seem to stay out of court. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez is standing trial for charges that sound like a TV crime drama: alleged bribery, hidden gold bars and a secret FBI recording at a Washington steakhouse. But these allegations don't just impact Menendez's career–they could hurt Democrats as they fight an uphill battle to hold onto the Senate. Big Take DC host Saleha Mohsin talks with Bloomberg legal reporter Patricia Hurtado and Congress editor Megan Scully about the trial's intrigue and how it could harm the Democratic party's image.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US politicians just can't seem to stay out of court. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez is standing trial for charges that sound like a TV crime drama: alleged bribery, hidden gold bars and a secret FBI recording at a Washington steakhouse. But these allegations don't just impact Menendez's career–they could hurt Democrats as they fight an uphill battle to hold onto the Senate. Big Take DC host Saleha Mohsin talks with Bloomberg legal reporter Patricia Hurtado and Congress editor Megan Scully about the trial's intrigue and how it could harm the Democratic party's image.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Catch up on some of the week's biggest US stories. Bloomberg's Mario Parker, Megan Scully and Zoe Tillman join this episode to talk about the Congressional stopgap bill that has temporarily averted a government shutdown; the latest on Donald Trump's legal battles; and the narrowing Republican presidential field. Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Wednesday, after a three-week battle in the US House of Representatives, Republicans voted in a new House speaker to replace ousted speaker Kevin McCarthy. Bloomberg congressional editor Megan Scully joins this episode to answer the question people inside Washington and around the US are now asking: Who is Mike Johnson? Read more: What to Know About Trump-Backed Speaker Mike Johnson Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The recent congressional hearing on unidentified aerial phenomenon–also known as UAPs– gave a high-profile platform to what we used to call UFOs. But why now–and was this a substantive government inquiry or a summertime Washington diversion? Bloomberg's Roxana Tiron and Megan Scully join this episode to make sense of the hearing and claims that UAPs may pose a threat to national security. And astronomer Seth Shostak gives his view of theories that some UAPs may be alien spacecraft. Read more: Close Encounters With UFOs Described to Congressional Committee Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In early January, after a grueling 15 rounds of voting, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy negotiated some concessions with members of the far-right Freedom Caucus – more congressional power in exchange for their votes – to secure his speakership. McCarthy is now feeling the squeeze of their influence in several battles consuming the House. Bloomberg's Megan Scully and Billy House join guest host Craig Gordon for a play-by-play of how the Freedom Caucus is exerting their brawn.Read more: McCarthy Ramps Up Talk of Potential Biden Impeachment Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sen. John McCain had countless interactions with members of the press during a career on Capitol Hill that spanned more than three decades. CQ's Patrick Pexton and Megan Scully along with Roll Call's Niels Lesniewski share personal anecdotes that reveal a more personal side to the late Arizona senator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Defense Secretary James Mattis fears wider U.S. involvement in Syria could "spiral out of control," even as President Donald Trump is threatening a strike. And with the Iran nuclear deal still up in the air, U.S. diplomacy is crippled by the vacancy at the top of the State Department. CQ foreign policy editor Megan Scully and defense reporter John M. Donnelly explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Donald Trump's desire to have the National Guard help patrol the Southern border is not all that different from actions taken by former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, but that does not mean there are not areas of concern about the action, says CQ's national security editor Megan Scully. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Plans to confront the nuclear threat from North Korea include building a missile defense system in Hawaii, say CQ Roll Call's defense reporters Megan Scully and Rachel Oswald. The two reporters take a deep dive into the vexing issue and the geopolitical considerations that U.S. officials are weighing, including setting aside concerns about China's trade deficit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Arizona Republican John McCain is expected to shake up the defense policy bill heading to the Senate floor with proposals likely to meet fierce opposition, says CQ Roll Call's defense reporters John M. Donnelly and Megan Scully. Trump does an about-face, reports Kate Ackley, and will take establishment campaign money. Puerto Rico hangs on to a life preserver waiting to be rescued by Washington, says Jonathan Miller. Tune in to hear CQ Roll Call experts break it down with host Managing Editor Adriel Bettelheim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Showdown looms over efforts to dip into a special war fund to bypass spending caps. CQ Roll Call's national security reporter Megan Scully has the scoop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices