The Washington Sun Cast

In this episode, reporters Oriana González, Reese Gorman and Jeff Stein go all in on doomer AI warnings and the new calls for regulation from inside and outside the industry. We talk about the state of play for AI regulation, how it’s playing on the campaign trail and what, if anything, we can expect on Capitol Hill this year. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com@thewashingtonsun  Subscribe to our newsletters: https://washingtonsun.com/newsletters  Follow The Washington Sun: https://x.com/washingtonsun https://www.instagram.com/washingtonsun/  https://bsky.app/profile/washingtonsun.bsky.social 

Welcome all of you to The Washington Sun Cast, formerly On NOTUS! Today, managing editor Kate Nocera chats with reporter Igor Bobic about our name change. Then, Igor is joined by congressional reporters Al Weaver and Avani Kalra for a deep dive on President Trump’s new ads in battleground states and how data centers are shaping midterm races. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsfWWCjjMdfj9TTfaL9oFjg  Subscribe to our newsletters: https://washingtonsun.com/newsletters  Follow The Washington Sun: https://x.com/washingtonsun https://www.instagram.com/washingtonsun/  https://bsky.app/profile/washingtonsun.bsky.social 

Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed could determine the fate of the upper chamber. He sat down with NOTUS’ Alex Roarty to explain his recent apology, his campaign against Republican nominee Mike Rogers and Michigan football. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@notusreports Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.notus.org/account/newsletters  Follow NOTUS: https://x.com/NOTUSreports https://www.instagram.com/notusreports/ https://bsky.app/profile/notus.org

Election Day is only a few short weeks away, and we have a special look at the fight for control of the House of Representatives. Reporters Oriana Gonzalez, Reese Gorman, and Kadia Goba spent some time talking to top leaders and candidates and share their reporting on  how each party is making their pitch. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@notusreports Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.notus.org/account/newsletters  Follow NOTUS: https://x.com/NOTUSreports https://www.instagram.com/notusreports/ https://bsky.app/profile/notus.org

NOTUS congressional reporter Oriana González is joined by her colleagues Igor Bobic and Lissandra Villa de Petrzelka to talk about how the Senate map could shake out in November, plus new NOTUS reporting on why “body people” are essential to making the Capitol work.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@notusreports Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.notus.org/account/newsletters  Follow NOTUS: https://x.com/NOTUSreports  https://www.instagram.com/notusreports/  https://bsky.app/profile/notus.org 

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) sits down with NOTUS’ Igor Bobic to talk about his “For Our Republic Act,” a ten-point plan aimed at limiting the executive power he says President Trump is abusing. Merkley also discusses his views on divides inside the Democratic Party and his priorities if he becomes Budget Committee Chairman next year.

Ahead of the August recess, some Republicans are urging Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep the chamber in Washington to pass President Donald Trump’s SAVE America Act, despite lacking votes to move the legislation forward. Igor Bobic is joined by his colleagues Avani Kalra and Al Weaver to talk about the divides inside the Senate Republican Conference and the limits of the president’s power on the Hill.

Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-California) sits down with NOTUS’ Oriana González to talk about key issues for Latino voters in the midterm elections, the future of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and her rationale for voting to end all U.S. aid to Israel.

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Connecticut) sits down with NOTUS’ Kadia Goba to talk about his concerns that President Donald Trump could meddle in November’s midterm elections, the fight over reauthorizing the government’s top surveillance tool, and his belief in a “big tent” Democratic Party.

California Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla sits down with NOTUS’ Igor Bobic to talk about transparency over illness in Congress, California’s proposed billionaire tax, and his concerns over whether President Donald Trump might interfere in November’s midterm elections.

America celebrated its 250th anniversary with dueling entities planning events — including one backed by President Donald Trump that mixed partisanship with patriotism. Oriana González is joined by her colleagues Anna Kramer and Jenna Monnin to discuss their reporting on what went into the Trump-sponsored event and how bipartisan plans took a back seat. Plus, Kadia Goba and Al Weaver discuss their reporting on the president’s focus on remaking D.C. and how the 250th celebrations overshadowed the one-year anniversary of the Republican tax law.

Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky sits down with NOTUS’ Reese Gorman to talk about the Oversight Committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, his likely gubernatorial bid, and his view on the difference between the business dealings of the Trump family and the Biden family.

North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis sits down with NOTUS’ Al Weaver to talk about his second thoughts about voting for Pete Hegseth, the divisions inside the Senate Republican Conference and his major problems with President Trump’s ill-fated anti-weaponization fund.

Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen sits down with NOTUS’ Igor Bobic to talk about the need for “dramatic change” in Washington and his party’s stance on Israel heading into the 2028 election.

From whipping votes to setting the floor agenda, President Trump has extended his reach to the speaker’s gavel with the cooperation of Speaker Mike Johnson. Oriana González is joined by her colleagues Kadia Goba, Reese Gorman and Paul Kane to discuss new reporting on Trump’s grip on the House as his sway in the Senate may be waning among some in his party. Plus, new revelations about the House Ethics Committee, including how a gender gap impacted one investigation of allegations of sexual misconduct. On NOTUS is a production of NOTUS, with marketing and production support from The Podglomerate. You can find more about NOTUS at ⁠⁠notus.com/podcast⁠⁠ and follow us @notusreports. NOTUS is a newsroom like no other: a mix of veteran reporters and editors working with some of the country’s most promising up-and-coming reporters — individuals from different regions, backgrounds and beliefs who have come to Washington as fellows at the Allbritton Journalism Institute. Together, we cover government and politics with the fresh eyes of newcomers and the expertise of veterans. We call it like we see it, no matter whose narrative it fits or how many clicks it will get. On NOTUS now comes out every week on Wednesdays. Make sure you like and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

Republicans’ plans for a reconciliation bill “blew up before they could ever get going” as members bristled over directives from the Trump administration regarding a White House ballroom and the DOJ’s “anti-weaponization” fund. NOTUS’ Reese Gorman is joined by his colleagues Igor Bobic and Avani Kalra to discuss what Republicans could do next, with November on their mind. On NOTUS is a production of NOTUS, with marketing and production support from The Podglomerate. You can find more about NOTUS at ⁠⁠notus.com/podcast⁠⁠ and follow us @notusreports.NOTUS is a newsroom like no other: a mix of veteran reporters and editors working with some of the country’s most promising up-and-coming reporters — individuals from different regions, backgrounds and beliefs who have come to Washington as fellows at the Allbritton Journalism Institute.Together, we cover government and politics with the fresh eyes of newcomers and the expertise of veterans. We call it like we see it, no matter whose narrative it fits or how many clicks it will get.On NOTUS now comes out every week on Wednesdays. Make sure you like and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

New Democrat Coalition Chairman and Illinois Democratic Congressman Brad Schneider sits down with NOTUS’ Daniella Diaz to talk about his anti-corruption midterm agenda, Hasan Piker, and his expectations for the 2028 Democratic primary. On NOTUS is a production of NOTUS, with marketing and production support from The Podglomerate. You can find more about NOTUS at ⁠⁠notus.com/podcast⁠⁠ and follow us @notusreports. NOTUS is a newsroom like no other: a mix of veteran reporters and editors working with some of the country’s most promising up-and-coming reporters — individuals from different regions, backgrounds and beliefs who have come to Washington as fellows at the Allbritton Journalism Institute. Together, we cover government and politics with the fresh eyes of newcomers and the expertise of veterans. We call it like we see it, no matter whose narrative it fits or how many clicks it will get. On NOTUS now comes out every week on Wednesdays. Make sure you like and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly sits down with NOTUS’ Igor Bobic to talk about the Trump administration’s handling of the war in Iran, political violence and his potential 2028 presidential candidacy. Kelly, a former astronaut, also talks about aliens and his views on Mars. On NOTUS is a production of NOTUS, with marketing and production support from The Podglomerate. You can find more about NOTUS at ⁠⁠notus.com/podcast⁠⁠ and follow us @notusreports. NOTUS is a newsroom like no other: a mix of veteran reporters and editors working with some of the country’s most promising up-and-coming reporters — individuals from different regions, backgrounds and beliefs who have come to Washington as fellows at the Allbritton Journalism Institute. Together, we cover government and politics with the fresh eyes of newcomers and the expertise of veterans. We call it like we see it, no matter whose narrative it fits or how many clicks it will get. On NOTUS now comes out every week on Wednesdays. Make sure you like and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene sits down with NOTUS’ Daniella Diaz to talk about the ongoing redistricting fight, the party’s midterm strategy and what Democrats will do if they win the majority in the House. DelBene and Diaz also talk about the importance of lessons learned in the 2024 cycle and her expectations for election night. On NOTUS is a production of NOTUS, with marketing and production support from The Podglomerate. You can find more about NOTUS at ⁠⁠notus.com/podcast⁠⁠ and follow us @notusreports. NOTUS is a newsroom like no other: a mix of veteran reporters and editors working with some of the country’s most promising up-and-coming reporters — individuals from different regions, backgrounds and beliefs who have come to Washington as fellows at the Allbritton Journalism Institute. Together, we cover government and politics with the fresh eyes of newcomers and the expertise of veterans. We call it like we see it, no matter whose narrative it fits or how many clicks it will get. On NOTUS now comes out every week on Wednesdays. Make sure you like and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson joins NOTUS’ Reese Gorman to talk about how changing maps may impact House control in November, and why he thinks mid-decade redistricting has been a “good thing.” Hudson, a North Carolina Republican, also talks about the potential electoral effects of rising gas prices and where Republicans can do a better job on messaging.On NOTUS is a production of NOTUS, with marketing and production support from The Podglomerate. You can find more about NOTUS at ⁠⁠notus.com/podcast⁠⁠ and follow us @notusreports.NOTUS is a newsroom like no other: a mix of veteran reporters and editors working with some of the country’s most promising up-and-coming reporters — individuals from different regions, backgrounds and beliefs who have come to Washington as fellows at the Allbritton Journalism Institute.Together, we cover government and politics with the fresh eyes of newcomers and the expertise of veterans. We call it like we see it, no matter whose narrative it fits or how many clicks it will get.On NOTUS now comes out every week on Wednesdays. Make sure you like and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.