Best Budgettracker Podcasts (2025)

1
Defense spending uptick 25:07

Play Pause

7h ago25:07

25:07

A new compromise defense authorization bill calls for a higher level of defense spending than President Donald Trump requested for the current fiscal year. CQ Roll Call's John M. Donnelly, Aidan Quigley, and David Lerman assess the new bill and what it means for the defense appropriations process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f…

1
Two months to go 20:01

7d ago20:01

20:01

As appropriators aim to finish the nine remaining fiscal 2026 spending bills ahead of the Jan. 30 deadline, CQ Roll Call's Aris Folley and Aidan Quigley discuss two recently released Senate spending bills and the two chambers' competing approaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Appropriations back on track? 26:07

21d ago26:07

26:07

Now that the partial government shutdown is over, can Congress make up for lost time and get long-delayed appropriations bills moving again? CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Aris Folley and David Lerman assess the political and logistical obstacles of passing appropriations by the Jan. 30 funding deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap…

1
Politics of a shutdown 22:24

28d ago22:24

22:24

Enough Senate Democrats finally broke ranks with their party to clear a path for ending the longest partial government shutdown in history. CQ Roll Call's Aris Folley, Aidan Quigley and David Lerman assess the political fallout of the shutdown, what it means for the Democratic Party, and the steps still required to finally reopen government. Learn …

1
Shutdown pressures on the rise 19:34

1M ago19:34

19:34

The Senate is under growing pressure to find a way out of the partial government shutdown that is set to become the longest in history. But President Donald Trump signaled no willingness to negotiate with Democrats on health insurance concerns until the government is reopened. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Jacob Fulton and David Lerman assess the s…

1
Shutdown pain growing as November nears 24:27

1M ago24:27

24:27

The largest union of federal employees has called on Congress to pass a "clean" continuing resolution as crucial Nov. 1 deadlines for the start of health care open enrollment and food stamp funding near. CQ Roll Call's Aris Folley, Jacob Fulton and Aidan Quigley discuss the prospects of stand-alone legislation to pay federal workers and provide foo…

1
'Power of the purse' at stake 24:33

2M ago24:33

24:33

President Donald Trump's decision to divert Pentagon research and development funds to pay the troops during the partial shutdown has ignited a fierce debate among budget and legal analysts over whether the move is legal. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak, Aidan Quigley and David Lerman explain the arguments on both sides and what the decision may mea…

1
Shutdown stalemate 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

Neither party shows any sign of blinking in the standoff over a partial government shutdown that enters its third week. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Aris Folley and David Lerman assess how long the shutdown could last, which party may have the upper hand, and whether any pressure points remain that could force a resolution. Learn more about your a…

1
Trapped in a shutdown 27:12

2M ago27:12

27:12

By CQ Roll Call

1
Health subsidies standoff 27:32

3M ago27:32

27:32

A partisan divide over extending health insurance subsidies that expire at year's end threatens to trigger a partial government shutdown next week. CQ Roll Call's Sandhya Raman and David Lerman explain what the fight is about, why it's been so intractable, whether a compromise is in sight and what it might look like. Learn more about your ad choice…

1
Search for an end game 22:33

3M ago22:33

22:33

With barely three weeks to spare, Congress and the Trump administration are struggling to settle on a strategy for a funding extension that would avoid a partial government shutdown next month. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman discuss the competing interests at play, the status of appropriations markups, and the ongoing court battle ov…

1
'Pocket rescission' showdown 22:16

3M ago22:16

22:16

Democrats are warning that Republicans risk a partial government shutdown next month if they don't resist President Donald Trump's plan to claw back $4.9 billion in foreign aid through a so-called pocket rescission. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman explain how the White House push to cancel funding without congressional approval coul…

1
Rough-and-tumble September 25:09

4M ago25:09

25:09

The effort to avert a partial government shutdown next month could be uglier than usual after Congress left town for its August recess with partisan tensions at a fever pitch. As the Trump administration seeks to claw back funding, fights over Senate confirmations and the files of convicted sex offender Jefrrey Epstein all threaten to create a toxi…

1
Politics of appropriations 23:51

4M ago23:51

23:51

The appropriations process is under threat from a poisonous political climate as Republicans seek cooperation from Democrats while pursuing partisan reconciliation and rescissions measures. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman discuss the state of the appropriations process at a recent webinar conducted for CQ subscribers. Learn more about…

1
Big test on rescissions 21:59

5M ago21:59

21:59

The Senate will take up a bill to claw back $9.4 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds that Democrats warn would blow up the bipartisan appropriations process. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman assess the political importance of the Trump administration's rescissions package, the outlook in the Senate, an…

1
Political fallout of 'big, beautiful bill' 27:51

5M ago27:51

27:51

President Donald Trump's new budget reconciliation law is already starting to define next year's midterm elections. CQ Roll Call's Daniela Altimari and David Lerman assess the political repercussions for both parties of the mammoth legislation and what it took to get the package across the finish line. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph…

1
'Beautiful' bill picked apart 23:11

6M ago23:11

23:11

The Senate parliamentarian has been busy throwing out key provisions in the GOP's reconciliation bill, ruling against measures affecting food stamps, immigration policy, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and more. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman and Aidan Quigley assess the latest condition of the reconciliation package and the fiscal 2026 appro…

1
Medicaid and 'SALT' divide GOP 26:58

6M ago26:58

26:58

The release of the biggest portion of the Senate GOP's reconciliation bill triggered internal party clashes over the scope of Medicaid cuts and the size of the state and local tax deduction known as SALT, among other disputes. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly, Sandhya Raman and David Lerman outline the sticking points in the Senate Finance Commitee's …

1
'Big, beautiful' bill on the line 26:20

6M ago26:20

26:20

Senate Republicans are struggling to produce text of their reconciliation package this week despite disputes over Medicaid, food stamps, tax policy, Medicare and more. CQ Roll Call's Peter Cohn, Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman outline the big fights that could tie up the bill and look ahead to the fiscal 2026 appropriations process. Learn more abou…

1
Reconciliation headaches in Senate 28:28

6M ago28:28

28:28

Republican senators want changes to the "big, beautiful" House reconciliation bill, from Medicaid to tax cuts and more. And House appropriators begin writing their fiscal 2026 spending bills while the Trump administration tries to claw back already approved funding. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman outline the fissures in the GOP rec…

1
'Big, beautiful' bill heads to Senate 30:40

7M ago30:40

30:40

The House-passed reconciliation bill containing most of President Donald Trump's agenda won't clear the Senate in its current form. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly, Peter Cohn and David Lerman outline the changes that could be on the table and the competing demands among Senate Republicans that will make final passage a tough slog. Learn more about y…

1
Medicaid cuts in play 23:48

7M ago23:48

23:48

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has proposed Medicaid cuts to help pay for the GOP's budget reconciliation bill, though the cuts are less deep than some party moderates had feared and hard-right conservatives had sought. CQ Roll Call's Sandhya Raman, Jessie Hellmann and David Lerman outline the major changes to Medicaid that Republicans hav…

1
Trump's budget ax 20:34

7M ago20:34

20:34

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. Learn m…

1
Budget promises put to the test 30:10

8M ago30:10

30:10

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…

1
Budget battle in the House 28:09

8M ago28:09

28:09

Speaker Mike Johnson faces a rebellion within GOP ranks over a budget blueprint that squeaked through the Senate. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly, Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman assess the outlook for final adoption of a budget resolution and the big fights over Medicaid cuts and whether to pay for extending tax cuts --- two key disputes that could…

1
Tough climate for appropriations 33:35

9M ago33:35

33:35

The upcoming appropriations cycle faces some rough headwinds, as the Trump administration tries to freeze funding, fire thousands of public employees and gut federal agencies, while Republicans pursue a partisan reconciliation package that will further antagonize Democrats. Aidan Quigley, Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman discuss the challenging poli…

1
Spending bill's political fallout 21:37

9M ago21:37

21:37

The six-month continuing resolution that avoided a partial government shutdown left Democrats deeply divided. CQ Roll Call's Mary Ellen McIntire and David Lerman explain the nature of the rift, whether it's likely to heal, and what it means for the party's ability to govern and combat the Trump administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi…

1
Leadership test on spending 26:12

9M ago26:12

26:12

House GOP leaders must rally their razor-thin majority to pass a stopgap funding measure this week, while Senate Democrats must decide whether to vote against a bill they dislike and trigger a partial government shutdown. CQ Roll Call's Peter Cohn and David Lerman assess the prospects for a fiscal 2025 continuing resolution and discuss the state of…

1
Stopgap spending decision time 24:22

9M ago24:22

24:22

A continuing resolution to head off a partial government shutdown is caught in the political crossfire of federal employee layoffs, funding freezes and a partisan dispute over the power of the purse. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman assess the political pressures for passing a stopgap funding extension, and the state of…

1
Pivotal test for House budget 21:56

10M ago21:56

21:56

A House vote this week will test the unity of Republicans for a budget blueprint that would pave the way for a sweeping package of tax cuts, border security, defense funding, spending cuts and more. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman outline the competing pressures between GOP centrists and hardcore conservatives over a budget resoluti…

1
Budget reconciliation pressures mount 23:56

10M ago23:56

23:56

The Senate's plan for a slim budget blueprint focused on border security and defense could be upended by President Donald Trump's new endorsement of the House push for "one big, beautiful" reconciliation package enacting much of his agenda all at once. But the House plan faces political pressures of its own, as GOP moderates shy away from steep spe…

1
Budget reconciliation stalls 28:17

10M ago28:17

28:17

House leaders had to punt on plans for a Budget Committee markup early this week as Republicans continue to squabble over the size of a budget reconciliation package and how to pay for it. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman assess the status of budget negotiations, the timing for action, and how far Senate Republicans may get in their o…

1
House GOP in a quandary 24:07

10M ago24:07

24:07

Republicans are struggling to come together on a budget resolution that would pave the way for a mammoth reconciliation bill encompassing much of President Donald Trump's agenda, but there's no sign of a deal that would unite the conference. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman discuss the latest on a budget resolution, the fight over spen…

1
Funding freeze turmoil 26:27

10M ago26:27

26:27

A Trump administration directive to freeze spending on federal grants and loans pending a policy review outraged Democrats and reignited a debate over who controls the power of the purse. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman outline the battle over presidential "impoundment" authority and what it may mean for appropriations. Learn more a…

1
Budget reconciliation 'horse race' 27:52

11M ago27:52

27:52

Torn over strategy for passing Donald Trump's agenda, the House and Senate are on a collision course over how to use the budget reconciliation process to pass tax cuts, border security, defense funding and more. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman outline the dispute, the political dynamics involved, and whether a leadership timeline for …

1
GOP's fragile majority 27:54

11M ago27:54

27:54

The election of Speaker Mike Johnson for another term underscored how difficult it will be for Republicans to govern with a razor-thin majority. CQ Roll Call's Jim Saksa and David Lerman recount what it took for Johnson to win the gavel and explain what it may mean for the legislative battles to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho…

1
Political fallout over spending 27:18

12M ago27:18

27:18

A funding package that averted a partial government shutdown left Republicans bitterly divided and chastened. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman examine the political fallout from a week of GOP infighting and what it means for President-elect Donald Trump's ambitious agenda next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/…

1
Big tax-cut and spending agenda 22:20

12M ago22:20

22:20

Republicans are preparing to use the budget reconciliation process to push border security, tax cuts and more on party-line votes next year. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly, Aidan Quigley and David Lerman outline what GOP leaders have in mind and the challenges they face. They also have the latest on plans for a stopgap funding and disaster relief me…

1
The meaning of DOGE 28:52

1y ago28:52

28:52

President-elect Donald Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency isn't really a federal department, but it promises to take a meat ax to federal spending and regulations. CQ Roll Call's Peter Cohn and David Lerman assess what the outside agency can and can't do and what to expect from the new DOGE effort. We also look at President Joe Biden's…

1
Disaster aid scrubbing 27:40

1y ago27:40

27:40

Lawmakers are torn over the size and shape of a disaster relief package headed for a vote next month. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman discuss the latest on disaster aid, overdue appropriations, a new Senate defense budget writer, and a House firebrand's new role in curbing government spending. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m…

1
Funding strategy unresolved 25:42

1y ago25:42

25:42

Congress returns for a lame-duck session with a major decision to make on fiscal 2025 spending: whether to pass an omnibus package by Christmas or punt spending bills into the new year. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman assess the political ramifications of the choice, the crowded lame-duck agenda, and the challenge for …

1
Post-election end game 23:04

1y ago23:04

23:04

Lawmakers will return to Washington after the elections with a heap of unfinished business and little time to get it done. Hurricane Helene may push disaster aid to the top of the agenda, while a year-end spending deal could be a heavy lift amid hopes for a farm bill and a defense policy bill. CQ Roll Call's Peter Cohn and David Lerman assess the p…

1
Finish line in sight 21:07

1y ago21:07

21:07

After weeks of partisan posturing, congressional leaders settled on a bipartisan bill to stave off a partial government shutdown next month. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman assess the bumpy path to a continuing resolution and the final obstacles to passage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Long wait for a funding plan 24:40

1y ago24:40

24:40

With two weeks left before a partial government shutdown, there's been no sign of progress on a stopgap funding measure although both parties recognize what is needed for a deal. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Peter Cohn and David Lerman assess the political pressures and legislative obstacles that stand in the way of passing a continuing resolution…

1
Politics of stopgap spending 23:39

1y ago23:39

23:39

Congress has three weeks to pass an election-season funding extension to head off a partial shutdown. House Republicans hope to win political talking points by including a measure designed to ensure that non-citizens can't vote by requiring proof of citizenship to register. They also want to punt final spending bills into March in hopes of increasi…

1
Spending bill punts 23:58

1+ y ago23:58

23:58

Senate appropriators scrapped plans to take up their Homeland Security bill this week, while the House punted on three spending bills before leaving town for an extended summer recess. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Valerie Yurk and David Lerman discuss the latest setbacks to the appropriations process and the challenge awaiting Congress this fall. …

1
Appropriations derailed 22:54

1+ y ago22:54

22:54

House leaders decided to punt on two of the four spending bills they had hoped to pass this week, and plans for votes next week could be scrapped entirely. Senate appropriators, meanwhile, will try to mark up four more of their bills this week without a bipartisan agreement on discretionary spending limits. CQ Roll Call's Peter Cohn and David Lerma…

1
GOP's political edge 24:01

1+ y ago24:01

24:01

The presidential debate put Democrats on the defensive, led to calls for President Joe Biden to step aside, and left Republicans feeling emboldened. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman discuss what those political dynamics may mean for tax policy and the appropriations process, which ramps up in the Senate this week. Learn more about you…

1
Law enforcement funding battle 24:36

1+ y ago24:36

24:36

A Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill drafted by House Republicans has triggered partisan disputes over federal law enforcement funding and policies as the GOP majority tries to rein in the Biden administration Justice Department. Senate appropriators, meanwhile, are preparing to begin their own markups as early as next week. CQ Roll Call's Ryan…

1
Border security and foreign aid fights 25:31

1+ y ago25:31

25:31

The House plans to take up its spending bills this week for the Homeland Security Department and the State Department and related agencies. CQ Roll Call's Rachel Oswald, Michael Macagnone and David Lerman preview the likely floor fights on those bills and what they mean for the appropriations process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho…