Highway to Hill

On this week’s episode of Highway to Hill: The redistricting wars reach new heights as both sides notch victories in a chaotic week that included a major Supreme Court ruling on race and redistricting. Charlie and SoRelle break down the difference between reapportionment, redistricting, and gerrymandering (they’re not all the same thing!), explain packing versus cracking, and why we’re talking about maps in the middle of a decade when this is supposed to happen every ten years. Plus, what does the Supreme Court’s decision mean for racial gerrymandering going forward?Then, in the Gavel Drop: Republicans are floating a plan to send Arlington and Alexandria — two actual cities in Virginia — over to DC for wild reasons; plus, the House and Senate can’t work together despite being controlled by the same party, and Lauren Boebert announces there are only “two and a half good senators” (who’s the half?).This week’s syllabus 📚* “Gerrymandering Explained” (Michael Li, Brennan Center for Justice)* “Supreme Court invalidates Louisiana congressional map over race” (Michael Macagnone, Roll Call)* “DeSantis Proposes Florida House Map That Could Add Four Republican Seats” (Patricia Mazzei and Nick Corasaniti, New York Times)* Florida passes DeSantis’ redistricting map that could net the GOP 4 seats (Gary Fineout and Kylie Williams, POLITICO)* “New Lines, New Districts, New Representation: Institutional Impacts of Congressional Redistricting” (SoRelle Gaynor and Sam Hayes, Political Research Quarterly)* NCSL, “Changing the Maps: Tracking Mid-Decade Redistricting”* “Trump has a bold option to counter Virginia’s new gerrymander scheme” (Chad R. Mizelle, Fox News)* “Make Greater D.C. Again? GOP embraces bid to add Arlington and Alexandria to the capital” (Martin Austermuhle, The 51st) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week’s episode of Highway to Hill: SoRelle is at a conference doing actual political science, so Casey Burgat steps in to help Charlie break down why Republicans are already talking about replacing Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito — despite lifetime appointments. What’s driving this push? The nightmare scenario of getting “Ginsburg’d” if Democrats take the Senate in the midterms. Casey and Charlie explain the nomination process, and why Supreme Court fights have gotten so ugly.Then, in the Gavel Drop: We’re following up on the House’s scandal-plagued politicians; plus, FBI Director Kash Patel is suing the Atlantic for $250 million over reporting that he “behaves erratically in a manner that compromises national security” — and discovery is going to be wild.This week’s syllabus 📚* “Why Trump Allies Want Alito and Thomas to Retire—Right Now” (Casey Burgat, Crash Course with Casey Burgat)* “2 Years After His Bruising Hearing, Justice Thomas Can Rarely Be Heard” (Neil A. Lewis, The New York Times)* “Trump’s Fed pick grilled by Senate panel, with confirmation still in limbo” (Andrew Ackerman, The Washington Post)* “Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Resigns” (Reese Gorman, Kadia Goba and Oriana González, NOTUS)* “Why Congress Struggles to Police Itself” (Casey Burgat, Crash Course with Casey Burgat)* “The FBI Director is MIA” (Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week’s episode of Highway to Hill: The vibes are bad in the House as multiple scandals collide. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resign following revelations of sexual misconduct and worse — but what about Cory Mills and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who have actual legal charges against them and don’t seem to be going anywhere? Charlie and SoRelle break down the scandals, the reasons behind the resignations, and what to do when the House Ethics Committee is basically useless.Then, in the Gavel Drop: Democrats might actually have a shot at picking up Gonzales’ district; meanwhile, Congress fights over FISA reauthorization; conservatives won’t budge even after a White House dinner; and why forcing Congress to update surveillance laws for the AI era is actually them doing their job.This week’s syllabus 📚* “Rep. Eric Swalwell resigns, denies sexual assault allegations” (Nina Heller and Valerie Yurk, Roll Call)* “Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign amid misconduct allegations; special election looms” (David Martin Davies, Texas Public Radio)* “Note to lawmakers: your office does not belong to you” (Charlie Hunt, You Are Here)* “In Congress, ‘see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil’” (Valerie Yurk and Nina Heller, Roll Call)* “Why House Republicans are protecting Cory Mills” (Riley Rogerson and Hailey Fuchs, POLITICO)* “Swalwell staffers in unsigned statement: ‘We’re horrified’ by accusations” (Dustin Gardiner, POLITICO)* “Rep. Swalwell is facing calls for expulsion. Here’s how it would work.” (Casey Burgat, Crash Course)* “Why Congress Struggles to Police Itself” (Casey Burgat, Crash Course)* “What happens to Eric Swalwell’s congressional seat?” (David Manoucheri, KCRA)* “Mike Johnson delays FISA renewal vote after conservative revolt” (Kate Santaliz, Axios) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week’s episode of Highway to Hill: The president threatened to destroy an entire civilization by 8 PM Eastern on Tuesday (primetime, naturally), then backed down after terrifying both Iranians and Americans alike. Charlie and SoRelle break down the Easter Sunday festivities, what actually happened with the Iran ceasefire, and why nobody seems to know what’s going on — including the White House. Plus, what’s the deal with the 25th amendment? And can Congress do anything feasible to stop the war?Then, in the Gavel Drop: Pam Bondi claims she doesn’t have to testify about Epstein because she’s not attorney general anymore (nice try), and Democrats massively overperform in a Georgia special election in Marjorie Taylor Greene’s old district.This week’s syllabus 📚* “How Trump Took the U.S. to War With Iran” (Jonathan Swann and Maggie Haberman, The New York Times)* “Congress is absent as Trump threatens Iranians ‘will die’” (Riley Rogerson, Politico)* “Echo Chambers: How Partisan Communication Took Over Congress” (SoRelle Gaynor, University of Chicago Press)* “Dozens of Democrats call for Trump’s removal after his Iran threats”(Raquel Coronell Uribe and Kyla Guilfoil, NBC News)* “What makes an impeachable offense?” (Julia Azari, Good Politics/Bad Politics)* “Republicans Keep Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Seat, but Democrats Narrow the Gap” (Reid J. Epstein and Julie Bosman, The New York Times) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week’s episode of Highway to Hill: Charlie and SoRelle are joined by Kevin R. Kosar from the American Enterprise Institute and host of the Understanding Congress podcast to talk about how Congress lost so much power to the executive branch, and what it would take to get some of it back. Is the “imperial presidency” a Trump thing or a century-long trend? What’s the Congressional Research Service and why does it matter? And why won’t Congress just invest in its own capacity already?Then, in the Gavel Drop: Kevin joins for a lightning round of congressional reform hot takes: Should we ditch the filibuster? Expand the House to 600 members? Pay Congress more? Get rid of cameras in committee hearings? And Charlie and SoRelle’s favorite bugaboo: Are earmarks actually good?This week’s syllabus 📚* “The Best-Kept Secret in Washington” (Kevin Kosar and John Guida, The New York Times)* “Congress Remains the Heart of Our Constitutional System,” (Kevin Kosar, Kosar on Congress and Governance)* “What’s Wrong with Congress?” (Kevin R. Kosar, Public Discourse) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week’s episode of Highway to Hill: Congressional Republicans are turning to reconciliation — a Senate procedural loophole that only requires 51 votes instead of 60 — to try to fund ICE and parts of the SAVE Act without Democratic support. But can they actually do that? Charlie and SoRelle explain what reconciliation is, why it can only be used three times a year, what the Byrd Rule means, and who the hell the Senate parliamentarian is and why she matters.Then, in the Gavel Drop: Democrats flip Donald Trump’s home district in Florida, casting doubt on any administrative election-rigging. Plus, Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick allegedly stole $5 million in FEMA money to fund her campaign (and buy a diamond ring), so why won’t Democrats expel her like they did George Santos?This week’s syllabus 📚* “In the Senate, Thune resurrects idea of reconciliation” (Savannah Behrmann, Roll Call)* “Sen Kennedy urges ‘smart lawyers’ to rework SAVE America Act for simple-majority path” (Eric Mack, Fox News)* “DHS funding proposal falls flat as Democrats, conservatives and Trump raise doubts” (Katherine Tully-McManus and Jennifer Scholtes, POLITICO)* “The rules and referees guiding COVID-19 relief” (SoRelle Gaynor, Attentive Public)* “GOP’s reconciliation hopes are easier dreamt than done” (Jordain Carney and Meredith Lee Hill, POLITICO)* “Republicans turn to AI to help challenge Senate parliamentarian” (Cami Mondeaux, Deseret News)* “The Senate Parliamentarian Doesn’t Make the Rules” (James Wallner, Legislative Procedure)* “‘Byrd rule’ poses challenge for voter ID bill in reconciliation” (Paul M. Krawzak, Roll Call)* “Senate parliamentarian’s no-go list: 15 pieces struck from Trump’s megabill” (Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill)* “Senate Republican bashes GOP proposal to partially fund DHS as a ‘pipe dream’” (Alexander Bolton, The Hill) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week’s episode of Highway to Hill: The Senate is debating the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote nationwide — but what does that actually mean? Charlie and SoRelle break down how many Americans don’t have quick access to birth certificates or passports (over 21 million); the nightmare this would cause for mail-in voters in red and blue states alike; and whether it has any chance of passing with the filibuster still in place.Then, in the Gavel Drop: House Democrats try a creative new strategy to end parts of the DHS shutdown with a discharge petition, and Markwayne Mullin’s DHS confirmation hearing gets heated when Rand Paul throws down over Mullin’s past condoning of a violent attack on Senator Paul.Thanks for listening to Highway to Hill! Subscribe for free to get new episodes right when they drop every Friday.This week’s syllabus 📚* “What’s in Trump’s SAVE Act, the Voter ID Bill Republicans Are Pushing?” (Minho Kim, The New York Times)* “Majority of Americans Continue to Back Expanded Early Voting, Voting by Mail, and Voter ID” (Steven Shepard, Joseph Copeland, Shanay Gracia and Jocelyn Kiley, Pew Research Center)* “Senate votes to take up Trump’s Save America Act to ‘guarantee the midterms’”, (Theodoric Meyer, The Washington Post)* “Who Lacks Documentary Proof of Citizenship?” (Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at University of Maryland, College Park)* “Talking Filibuster Explainer” (Matt Glassman, Matt’s Five Points)* “Confirmation hearing for Markwayne Mullin to lead DHS gets ‘spicy’” (Savannah Behrmann, Roll Call)* Leader Jeffries DHS Discharge Petition This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

In our very first bonus non-Friday episode, Charlie deep dives on the implications of an age-old question in Congress: should we expand the size of the House of Representatives? He’s joined by Anne Meeker and Aubrey Wilson of POPVOX Foundation to talk through some of the potential benefits, needs, and challenges that would come along with embiggening the People’s Chamber. It’s a conversation that came about amidst a series Charlie is covering on his Substack newsletter You Are Here on this very question:Luckily, Anne and Aubrey were ready to deliver by discussing two amazing reports they co-authored with the great folks at Protect Democracy. These studies tackle the issue of expanding the House from both the DC and district perspectives, and are a ton of fun to spend some time with if you find this topic as interesting as we do:* “Where Will They All Sit? Envisioning a modernized workspace for an expanded House of Representatives” * “How would constituent services in American multi-member districts work?” (with Lee Drutman)SoRelle and Charlie will be back this Friday to dig into another crazy week in Congress news; in the meantime, we hope you enjoy this conversation with Anne and Aubrey. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week's episode of Highway to Hill: Does calling your member of Congress actually do anything? Charlie and SoRelle are joined by Anne Meeker, former House casework director and the Managing Director of PopVox Foundation, to break down what happens when you contact Congress: how offices batch and track constituent communications, why you should be nice to congressional interns answering the phone, and why constituent casework is such a crucial part of Congress. Then, in the Gavel Drop: Steve Daines pulls a last-minute retirement switcharoo in Montana to hand-pick his successor, and the House Oversight Committee votes to subpoena Pam Bondi on the Epstein files.This week’s syllabus 📚* “The Long Road to Change: How Caseworkers Helped Build the Future of Congressional Data.” (Anne Meeker, POPVOX Foundation)* “Federal judge nixes latest policy requiring 7 days’ notice for members of Congress to visit ICE facilities” (Michael Kunzelman, The Associated Press)* “Sen. Steve Daines announces he will not seek reelection” (Sophia Cai, Jacob Wendler, Dasha Burns, Elena Schneider and Meredith Lee Hill, POLITICO)* “Pam Bondi’s in trouble with Republicans on Capitol Hill.” (Hailey Fuchs, POLITICO) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week's episode of Highway to Hill: The Trump administration has gone to war with Iran — but why? Three American soldiers are dead, hundreds of Iranian civilians are dead, and the justifications keep changing. Was it about nuclear weapons? Regime change? An "imminent threat" that only existed because Israel was planning to attack? Charlie and SoRelle dig into what Congress's constitutional role should be in declaring war, what the War Powers Resolution actually allows, and whether lawmakers are stepping up to do oversight or just rolling over. Then, in the Gavel Drop: Texas threw out thousands of Democratic primary votes over a polling place technicality; and is voting a right, or a privilege? Plus, Senator Thom Tillis goes ham on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem over sketchy contracting and ignored inspector general requests — and it might actually be working.This week’s syllabus 📚* “Next phase of Iran war ‘will be even more punishing’: Rubio, Trump officials brief Congress” (Justin Papp, NBC News)* “Part of God’s Divine Plan” - Hegseth and military commanders “US troops were told war on Iran was ‘all part of God’s divine plan’, watchdog alleges” (Sarah Braun, The Guardian)* “The DOJ has been taking down Epstein files. Here’s what remains.” (Elliott Ramos, Julia Ingram and Taylor Johnston, CBS News)* Press release, office of Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), “Kaine Statement on Trump’s Illegal War with Iran”, Feb. 28, 2026.* ““Complete Incoherence”: Dems Sound Alarm After Secret Iran Briefing” (Hafiz Rashid, The New Republic)* “Speaker Johnson pushes against war powers resolution: ‘Frightening’” (Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill)* “The Law That Nobody Enforces” (Casey Burgat, The Preamble) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week’s episode of Highway to Hill: Texas is voting next week in tight primaries for both parties to decide who’ll compete for a U.S. Senate seat this November. Charlie and SoRelle are joined by special guest Casey Burgat to break down the Democratic race between James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett, including their campaign strategies — is it better to run up the score in Dallas and Houston, or court suburban moderates in West Texas? And on the Republican side, why is John Cornyn’s main challenger Ken Paxton generating so much chaos; and why do Democrats seem to want him to win?Then, in the Gavel Drop: The House passes new rules to make it harder to censure members of Congress, and why John Thune and Senate Republicans aren’t buying Trump’s push to end the filibuster for the SAVE Act.This week’s syllabus 📚* “The hotly contested Texas Senate race is setting spending records ahead of Tuesday’s primary” (John Hanna, Associated Press)* Campaign Fundraising Summary: 2026 Election United States Senate - Texas (Federal Election Commission)* Find Legislators – Center for Effective Lawmaking* NRSC memo showcasing Cornyn’s relative strength in general election polling* “Scoop: House members want to make it harder to censure each other” (Andrew Solender and Kate Santaliz, Axios)* “Push for a ‘talking filibuster’ stalls in Senate GOP conference” (Savannah Behrmann and Valerie Yurk, Roll Call) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week's episode of Highway to Hill: We're in a partial government shutdown, but you might not have noticed. Why does this shutdown feel so different from the one last year? Charlie and SoRelle break down how Democrats separated out DHS funding, what agencies are actually affected (TSA workers without pay, but ICE is largely funded), and whether this strategy gives Democrats any real leverage. Plus, the White House proposes drastic cuts to federal agencies, and Congress says “no thanks.”Then, in the Gavel Drop: The State of the Union is coming up, and Democrats are trying to figure out how to protest Trump's speech. And Mitch McConnell's would-be successors in Kentucky can't stop trashing the man who basically built the modern Republican Party in the state.This week’s syllabus 📚* “DHS government shutdown is underway. Here are the services affected.” (Kathryn Watson, CBS News)* Democrats’ letter of demands for DHS funding (Punchbowl News)* “When is the shutdown ‘snapping point’? Don’t ask the House.” (Valerie Yurk, Roll Call)* “Trump Sought Vast Budget Cuts. Congress Granted Few.” (Tony Romm, The New York Times)* “Earmarks flood spending bills after a year’s hiatus” (Aidan Quigley, Roll Call)* “Mitch McConnell is taking a beating in the race to replace him” (Hannah Knowles, The Washington Post)* “Republicans worry shutdown will overshadow Trump’s State of the Union”, (Meredith Lee Hill, Jordain Carney, Mia McCarthy and Hailey Fuchs, POLITICO)* “What Are Earmarks and What Purpose Do They Serve?” (The Peter G. Peterson Foundation) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week’s episode of Highway to Hill: The Trump administration just gutted the EPA’s “endangerment finding” — the legal foundation for decades of federal climate regulation. How did we get to a place where a single administrative action can erase that much environmental policy? Charlie and SoRelle explain what Chevron deference is, why Congress keeps passing vague laws and letting bureaucrats fill in the details, and how the courts changed the rules of the game.Then, in the Gavel Drop: Speaker Johnson’s rough week continues with more legislative failures, but there’s actually some good news on the Epstein files front as bipartisan pressure and discharge petitions force the DOJ to let more members of Congress view the documents.This week’s syllabus 📚* “Trump Allies Near ‘Total Victory’ in Wiping Out U.S. Climate Regulation” (Lisa Friedman and Maxine Joselow, The New York Times)* “EPA to roll back finding tying emissions to public health” (Kelly Livingston and David Jordan, Roll Call)* “Supreme Court strikes down Chevron, curtailing power of federal agencies” (Amy Howe, SCOTUSBlog)* “The Struggles of Speaker Johnson”(Josh Huder, The Government Affairs Institute)* “Massie, Khanna to visit DOJ to review unredacted Epstein files” (Alex Nitzberg, Fox News) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

On this week's episode of Highway to Hill: President Trump says he wants to "nationalize elections" — but what does that even mean? Who has the power to do that? (Spoiler: not him.) Charlie and SoRelle break down Trump's controversial comments; explain what the Constitution actually says about who runs elections; and dig into the SAVE Act that the White House claims Trump was really talking about. Is non-citizen voting actually a problem worth solving? Then, in the Gavel Drop: Why using congressional hearings to grill the Clintons about Epstein while ignoring Trump and his allies is a misuse of oversight power, and a brighter story about members of Congress actually doing constituent service right.You can subscribe to Highway to Hill on Substack, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods. You can also find us on TikTok and Instagram @highwaytohillpod.This week’s syllabus:“Trump Repeats Call to ‘Nationalize’ Elections, as White House Walks It Back” (Erica L. GreenMichael Gold and Robert Jimison, The New York Times)“Trump’s Call to ‘Nationalize’ Elections Adds to State Officials’ Alarm” (Nick Corasaniti, The New York Times)“Senate GOP Leader John Thune says he disagrees with Trump that Congress should 'nationalize' elections” (Frank Thorp V, Melanie Zanona and Megan Lebowitz, NBC News)“What a Lawmaker Told 5-Year-Old Liam Conejo Ramos After His ICE Release: Read the Full Letter About How a Boy 'Moved the World'” (Janelle Griffith, People)“Clintons keep pushing for public hearings as Comer digs in his heels” (Hailey Fuchs, POLITICO) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

Fallout continues from the tragic killing of Alex Pretti, the ICU nurse who was gunned down in Minneapolis by federal agents, for the apparent crime of trying to help up a woman who the agents had shoved to the ground. What does Congress have to do with what happened in Minneapolis? Are we heading towards a(nother) government shutdown over it? And what are some Congress stories we missed in the midst of these tragic events? Charlie and SoRelle get into all of it in the very first episode of Highway to Hill.You can subscribe to Highway to Hill on Substack, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods. You can also find us on TikTok and Instagram @highwaytohillpod.This week’s syllabus:“Senate Democrats float DHS changes in shutdown stalemate” (Jordain Carney, POLITICO)“Trump and Schumer Move Toward Possible Deal to Avert a Shutdown” (Carl Hulse, The New York Times)“Bipartisan deal reached on Homeland Security stopgap bill” (Jacob Fulton and Aidan Quigley, Roll Call)“Is Bill Cassidy boiled shrimp? ⚜️🦐♨️” (Geoffrey Skelley, DecisionDeskHQ)"USCP Threat Assessment Cases for 2025" (United States Capitol Police) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com

Highway to Hill is a new, pro-Congress podcast from political scientists Charlie Hunt and SoRelle Gaynor. We'll break down the week's biggest story on Capitol Hill with the power of polisci, in thirty minutes or less. Weekly episodes begin Friday, January 30th. Subscribe on Substack, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your pods. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit highwaytohill.substack.com