PODCAST · government
Congressional Dish
by Jennifer Briney
An independent podcast examining what the U.S. Congress is doing with our money and in our names. www.congressionaldish.comFollow @JenBriney on Twitter
Episodes
-
Democracy by Mail - CD346
This episode looks at two very different questions surrounding the U.S. Postal Service: how the Trump administration tried to use it to impose new requirements on mail-in voting, and whether the Postal Service itself is financially sustainable. We examine the new election-mail rule and the court...
-
The Slippery Slope from 9/11 - CD345
Twenty-five years after 9/11, America is still sliding down the slippery slope created by the War on Terror. This episode traces how the George W. Bush, Obama, and Biden administrations built, expanded, and preserved extraordinary presidential powers in the name of fighting terrorism—and how the...
-
Housing for the 21st Century Act - CD344
Congress passed a new housing law, including an attempt to limit corporate ownership of homes. We'll also examine the Senate's summer confirmations, including Todd Blanche as Attorney General, and preview troubling provisions in the NDAA—including one that would deepen U.S.-Israeli military...
-
The National Weather Service Under Fire - CD343
The National Weather Service is one of the few government agencies that affects every American every single day. Every weather app, television forecast, hurricane warning, tornado alert, and flood prediction depends on it. In this episode, we examine what has happened to the National Weather...
-
Mapped to Flood - CD342
The Texas Hill Country flood that killed 139 people was described as a natural disaster. But after digging through state legislative hearings and Congress's oversight of FEMA, I found something else: many of the deadliest consequences weren't just caused by the weather. They were the result of...
-
Land Grabs and Cages - CD341
June brought a massive expansion of ICE and immigrant detention, failed efforts to rein in the unauthorized war with Iran, a debate over U.S. support for Israel's actions in Lebanon, and the confirmation of two controversial lifetime judges. We examine what passed, what failed, and what comes…
more -
CD340: No More Iran War
In CD340: No More Iran War, Congress finally pushes back against President Trump's unauthorized war with Iran as Republicans join Democrats to pass War Powers resolutions rejecting the conflict. Jen breaks down those historic votes, the few laws Congress passed in May, and the Trump…
more -
CD339: Raising Screen Zombies
Children are spending more time on screens than ever before, but what is all that screen time actually doing to them? In a recent hearing, Congress heard testimony from experts who argue that social media, educational technology, and AI are reshaping childhood in ways many parents don't fully...
-
CD338: April 2026 — Bulldozing the Rules
April 2026 gave us a Congress that took a two-week vacation, came back to vote on war powers, Israel weapons sales, FISA surveillance, DHS funding, and whether Minnesota's clean water should be protected from mining. This episode tracks what Congress actually did — including the votes, scandals,...
-
CD337: March 2026 — At War, On Vacation
Congress took multiple vacations during a DHS shutdown, failed to check an unauthorized war with Iran, and passed just two bills—both honoring the dead. Meanwhile, a bipartisan majority voted to keep misconduct investigations against themselves secret. This episode exposes a month of...
-
CD336: SAVE America from Easily Voting
The SAVE Act and the SAVE America Act are two of the most searched bills in Congress right now—and they're confusing a lot of people. By digging into what these bills actually do—and the long history they fit into—you'll see why they're widely considered voter suppression efforts and how they…
more -
CD335: February 2026 — Overdue Funding
February's big accomplishment: partial government funding—months late and still incomplete. This episode breaks down the most important provisions in the law, from war powers and foreign policy to domestic policies that affect your daily life, and evaluates what Congress actually delivered. View...
-
CD334: Untrained and Unwarranted
An ICE whistleblower says officers are graduating without proper training and entering homes using "administrative warrants." Hear the testimony from a shadow congressional hearing investigating immigration raids and potential violations of the Fourth Amendment. View the show notes on our website...
-
CD333: January 2026 — Big Tests, Minimal Action
January 2026 put the 119th Congress to the test—and once again, it barely showed up. This episode tracks how sudden vacancies shrank the Republican majority, why that paralysis explains one of the quietest legislative months in years, and what actually made it into law when Congress finally...
-
CD332: Controlling Venezuela
Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate to defend the U.S. seizure of Venezuela's president—and his answers raised more questions than they settled. This episode features highlights from the testimony, discussion of possible further military action, and an examination of the...
-
CD331: December 2025 — Authorizing Future Disasters
This episode breaks down major provisions of the newly passed National Defense Authorization Act, including how Congress quietly weakened air-traffic safety rules, expanded counter-drone authorities for law enforcement, loosened protections against toxic "forever chemicals" for firefighters, and...
-
CD330: Prosecutor Jack Smith's Deposition
Special Prosecutor Jack Smith gave a closed-door, eight-hour deposition to the House Judiciary Committee that was later—surprisingly—made public. In this episode, hear highlights from his testimony about the investigation into Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including the…
more -
CD329: Citizens Detained
In this episode, hear testimony that Republican leadership refused to make part of the official Congressional Record—stories from U.S. citizens who were violently arrested and jailed by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, often while clearly identifying themselves as Americans. This is...
-
CD328: November Laws & Vaccine Chaos
In this two-topic episode, we break down what became law in November—including the shutdown deal that reopened the government and the dingleberries that were quietly slipped into it. Then we revisit the hearing on the firing of the CDC Director, focusing on a politicized vaccine advisory…
more -
CD327: 23AndMe and the Sale of Your DNA
Millions of people have trusted 23andMe with their most intimate data—but what happens when a company holding 15 million DNA profiles goes bankrupt? In this episode, you'll hear highlights from bipartisan House and Senate hearings exposing how genetic data can be hacked, shared, retained, and…
more -
CD326: October 2025 — Slippery Barnacles
In this episode, you'll hear what actually happened in Congress during October 2025, a month dominated by a record-breaking shutdown. While the House was on vacation, the Senate enacted mass confirmations of over 100 Trump-aligned nominees—many with extreme views, conflicts of interest, or…
more -
CD325: Politics Trump Science at the CDC
After months of chaos under Trump's second term, a shocking Senate hearing exposes how HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has politicized the CDC—firing scientists, silencing evidence, and demanding blind approval of vaccine changes. This episode dives into testimony from former CDC leaders and...
-
CD324: Sept 2025: Destruction of Norms
A summary of September 2025. From new laws on veterans' health, privacy, and export controls to a wave of Trump-era nominees confirmed in bulk — including several with jaw-dropping conflicts of interest — this month was a mess. In addition to new laws and confirmations, there were failed censure...
-
CD323: Shutdown Bad
Congress is once again playing with fire, and this time it's the Democrats holding the match. In today's episode, I'm sounding the alarm about a looming government shutdown that could hit at midnight on September 30th. History tells us shutdowns backfire on the party that demands partisan add-ons...
-
CD322: Last Quarter in Congress — Indefinite Detention, Regulation Murders & Empowered Trump Minions
Since the beginning of this Congress, there have been 24 new laws signed and dozens of confirmations shaping our government in President Trump's second term. From the Laken Riley Act's attack on immigrant rights, to the One Big Beautiful Bill's devastating effects on healthcare and the…
more -
CD321: One Big Beautiful Bill — the Money
Part 2 of the "Big Beautiful Bill". In this episode, we examine tax cuts and tax increases for the wealthy, the corporations, and for the rest of us. We examine the winners and losers chosen by the Republicans and what it all means for you. View the show notes on our website at...
-
CD320: One Big Beautiful Bill — a Dangerous Law
The One Big Beautiful Bill is now officially law, ushering in a sweeping wave of reforms that promise to reshape the nation. In this episode, we unpack the concerning changes it brings to immigration policy, environmental protections, and health care coverage—three pillars that will directly…
more -
CD319: Beware the Drones
Drones have become a powerful tool in modern warfare—used effectively by our allies against enemy forces, and, more controversially, against unarmed captives. But is the United States ready to defend itself against drone threats? In this episode, we bring you testimony from five recent...
-
CD318: AI Regulation Moratorium
The House version of the "Big, Beautiful Bill" includes a 10-year moratorium on state and local regulation of AI models and systems. In this episode, listen to highlights from a congressional hearing held the day before the bill passed — including discussion of this sneaky little dingleberry.…
more -
CD317: Elimination Essentials in the "Big Beautiful Bill"
The House of Representatives has passed their version of the "Big, Beautiful Bill" and parts of it are extraordinarily dangerous and must be stopped. As the Senate prepares to edit the BBB, discover the hidden dangers so that you can take action against the parts that threaten you the most. View...
-
CD316: The DCA Plane Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report with previously unknown facts about the crash between a Black Hawk Army helicopter and CRJ passenger jet that killed 67 people on January 29, 2025. In this episode, listen to testimony about that report along with…
more -
CD315: Judicial Power
Recent Supreme Court decisions have significantly altered the balance of power in the federal government, forcing Congress to rethink how it writes laws. In this episode, learn which decisions caused the shift, what the consequences are, how Congress is responding, and what options exist to push...
-
CD314: Greenland
President Trump keeps saying the United States needs to "have Greenland," but why? In this episode, listen to testimony to Congress about the idea of the United States taking ownership of Greenland, which is not being laughed out of the room. View the show notes on our website at...
-
CD313: Democratic Deception
There is a lot of public anger towards nine Democratic Party Senators for helping Republicans pass a funding bill into law in mid-March. In this episode, we examine the details of the funding law in order to understand the deceptions that lead to that anger. Americans are being played. View the...
-
CD312: Threatening Panama's Canal
President Trump has been threatening to "take back" the Panama Canal since he regained power. In this episode, listen to testimony from officials serving on the Federal Maritime Commission who explain why the Panama Canal has become a focus of the administration and examine whether or not we need...
-
CD311: The Laken Riley Act
The Laken Riley Act is a new law that legalizes the indefinite imprisonment and deportation of possibly innocent legal immigrants. In this episode, we examine the law to see how it legalizes such injustices and we look at the profit motive behind expanding our prison population. View the show…
more -
CD310: Red Flags at Air Traffic Control
67 people died this week in a mid-air collision between a military helicopter and a passenger plane in Washington DC. The investigation into this crash is still in its infancy but Congress was warned just a few weeks ago that there are many dangers lurking in our air traffic system, dangers that...
-
CD309: Trumped Up Immunity
President Donald Trump is back in power despite his illegal attempt to remain President after losing the 2020 election. In this episode, hear expert testimony about the Supreme Court decision that stemmed from the now-defunct Federal prosecution of Donald Trump which granted the President legal...
-
CD308: A Chaotic Finale
The 118th Congress came to an unexpectedly — though not necessarily surprisingly — chaotic end. In this episode, hear about all the drama that averted a government shutdown, learn what became law, and examine what could have become law if it weren't for Elon Musk. View the show notes on our…
more -
CD307: Immaculate Constellation
U.S. military whistleblowers have told Congress about secret programs related to non-human piloted aircraft and submersibles. In this episode, listen to testimony from additional whistleblowers who add more information to what we have already learned, listen to the response from the person at the...
-
CD306: The Food Police
Immediately after we published the Freaky Food episode, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration testified to the Senate and provided valuable insights into why our food supply is concerning for all the reasons exposed in episode 305. In this episode, listen to testimony from two...
-
CD305: Freaky Food
There are dangers lurking in our food that affect your health and the health of our entire society, and you should know about them. In this episode, get the highlights from two recent Congressional events featuring expert testimony about the regulation of our food supply, as well as testimony…
more -
CD304: Trump Returns
After a brief analysis of what we currently know about the 119th Congress, we process the return of President Trump. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Support Congressional Dish via Patreon (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to:...
-
CD303: Interviewing the Insiders
During the RNC and DNC, Jen interviewed nine members of Congress about Congress itself. What is it like to work there? Do they think Congress is dysfunctional? If so, how do they think it could be fixed? In this episode, listen to the most interesting responses from all of the interviews. Please...
-
CD302: The Border Bills
This election has featured a lot of talk about 'immigration' and 'the border' but has been short on specifics. In this episode, you'll get those specifics. Specifically, you'll learn what was in H.R. 2, a Republican bill passed by the House, and you'll learn what was in the so-called bipartisan...
-
CD301: 2024 Election Study Guide
We're making it easy for you to judge the job performances of your members of Congress! In this episode, Jen tells you about a list of single issue votes that were taken in the House and Senate during the 118th Congress. Most importantly, we gave you all the information you need to find your...
-
CD300: Right to Repair
You do not have the right to repair your own belongings because of intellectual property rights granted to corporations by Congress in 1998. In this episode, listen to the debate happening in Congress about if and how they should grant customers the right to repair and get a status update on the...
-
CD299: DNC 2024
On the ground coverage of the Democratic National Convention, which was not as joyful and unified as the party wanted it to seem. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Support Congressional Dish via Patreon (donations per episode) Send Zelle...
-
CD298: Drafting WWIII
The Senate recently received testimony from the bipartisan co-chairs of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy, who were tasked with creating a report to Congress with recommendations needed to adapt our National Defense Strategy to current threats. In this episode, hear the testimony...
-
CD297: The Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump
When Congress returned to work after the Republican National Convention, the House held three hearings investigating the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. In this episode, hear for yourself the facts presented by the Director of the Secret Service, the Pennsylvania State...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
An independent podcast examining what the U.S. Congress is doing with our money and in our names. www.congressionaldish.comFollow @JenBriney on Twitter
HOSTED BY
Jennifer Briney
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Congressional Dish have?
Congressional Dish currently has 351 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Congressional Dish about?
An independent podcast examining what the U.S. Congress is doing with our money and in our names. www.congressionaldish.comFollow @JenBriney on Twitter
How often does Congressional Dish release new episodes?
Congressional Dish publishes regularly with 351 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Congressional Dish?
You can listen to Congressional Dish on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Congressional Dish?
Congressional Dish is created and hosted by Jennifer Briney.
URL copied to clipboard!