NEW on The Floor is Yours: Jessica Heppen with @airinforms.bsky.social argues that as AI reshapes health care, education and the workforce, policymakers need more independent evidence about where it helps - and where it causes harm. Read more: 535.news/op-ed/eviden...

NEW on The Floor is Yours: Former Rep. Tim Ryan argues that rising electricity costs should put grid policy at the center of the affordability debate — and that permitting reforms can help bring more energy supply online. Read his full argument on 535: 535.news/op-ed/democr...

On The Floor is Yours: "Advanced Recycling Can Save American Families Millions, Congress Should Help Scale It" Progressive Policy Institute's Stuart Malec makes the case: 535.news/op-ed/advanc...

"The time for extensions is over." Kip Eideberg of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers makes the case that farmers need a long-term farm bill - not another stopgap - in a new op-ed on 535. Read now: 535.news/op-ed/farmer...

On the Floor is Yours: The clean-energy future is already here. The federal government needs to stop standing in its way, writes @cortezmasto.senate.gov. 535.news/op-ed/the-cl...

Roll Call and 535 are teaming up all August on the Political Theater podcast for an inside look at what’s shaping Congress, from crypto and permitting reform to affordability and transportation. The first episode is out now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hny...

Political Theater 415: The Roll Call and 535 deep dive on cryptocurrency

YouTube video by Roll Call

youtube.com

80 days ago, 535 launched to make space for the conversations that too often get lost: deep dives into legislation, bipartisan efforts to move bills forward & advocates working to turn ideas into action. 20 shows, 44.5 hours of programming & 104 member interviews later, we’re just getting started.

“The Trump administration is imitating that behavior a little bit, and we saw how that played out for Biden and Harris.” David Tennent, founder of Capitol CNCT, discusses how congressional staffers’ expectations have shifted sharply toward the economy.

“If there’s only one thing we can talk about, it’s economy and affordability.” David Tennent, founder of Capitol CNCT, breaks down a new poll of congressional staffers on the issues expected to dominate the months ahead.

“This is an illegal act by this administration, in addition to making us significantly less ready.” @repgregstanton.bsky.social discusses FEMA’s response during the deadly Texas floods and delays he says were caused by the agency’s contracting approval requirements.

“It’s completely disgraceful what this administration has done to FEMA.” @repgregstanton.bsky.social discusses a new report finding that the Trump administration cut 30% of FEMA’s staff and reassigned specialized personnel to support immigration enforcement.

“My grandfather’s wise advice was: understand the engine of the economy.” Oliver Libby, author of *Strong Floor, No Ceiling*, discusses how his family’s background in medicine, science and military service shaped his views on capitalism, public policy and government.

“We should have a floor below which people don’t fall.” Oliver Libby, author of *Strong Floor, No Ceiling*, discusses his vision for the country and the policies he says should provide Americans with healthcare, education, good-paying jobs, safe communities and access to opportunity.

“This isn’t about just building pipes or wires. It’s about unleashing the entire power of energy in our economy.” Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the American Gas Association, discusses the push for permitting reform and the negotiations underway in the Senate.

“Come November, 90% of congressional races and 95% of state legislative races have been decided because of gerrymandering and other factors.” John Opdycke, founder & president of Open Primaries, explains why primary elections often determine the outcome long before voters reach the general election

“You choose to get a job. And if the employer says, ‘If you want the job, you’re going to be an independent contractor,’ that’s not a choice.” @bobbyscott.house.gov discusses worker classification and the rights employees can lose when they are treated as independent contractors.

“People are calculating, for the first time, whether or not a college education is even worth the effort. That’s a major step back.” @bobbyscott.house.gov discusses the declining value of Pell Grants, rising student debt and the growing doubts surrounding college affordability.

“There is a path for Democrats that did not exist at this time last year.” @jessicataylor.bsky.social of @cookpolitical.com discusses the party’s improved Senate map, strong recruiting and the races that could determine control of the chamber.

“I do think that Abdul El-Sayed is a riskier candidate in a state like Michigan.” @jessicataylor.bsky.social of @cookpolitical.com discusses Michigan’s upcoming Democratic Senate primary and why the nominee could affect the party’s chances in November.

“Republicans are playing more defense than Democrats right now.” Erin Covey of @cookpolitical.com discusses the House races currently rated as toss-ups and why Michigan’s 7th District could offer an early test of Democrats’ chances in November.

“Are you telling me I could actually come home?” @repvalhoyle.bsky.social discusses how the Port of Coos Bay rail project could bring jobs back to southwest Oregon and allow workers who left the region to return.

“We have to invest in our supply chain infrastructure.” @repvalhoyle.bsky.social discusses plans to transform the Port of Coos Bay into a ship-to-rail hub, strengthen Oregon’s import-export infrastructure and create thousands of jobs.

“It sort of disincentivizes people from continuing to purchase electric vehicles.” @carbajal.house.gov discusses concerns over a proposed fee on electric vehicles in the surface transportation reauthorization bill, despite its overwhelming bipartisan committee passage.

“It’s really important that American ships are the ones that deliver American cargo between ports.” @carbajal.house.gov explains how the Jones Act supports U.S. shipbuilding, American mariners, local economies and national security.

“It’s a security risk.” @carbajal.house.gov discusses why he opposes unnecessary waivers of the Jones Act, saying they open domestic shipping work to foreign vessels when American ships can handle the job.

A milestone at 535: Rep. Womack became the 100th member of Congress to join the show. To mark the occasion, @pkcapitol.bsky.social presented him with a golden gavel — fitting for a member who has spent plenty of time wielding one.

“In 2032, this thing is going to rear its ugly head.” Rep. Steve Womack says Social Security could face a more than 20% benefit cut if Congress fails to act and discusses his bipartisan Budgeting for a Better America Act to reform the federal budget process.

“Part of the issue that we face right now regarding deficit and debt comes all the way back to the way we do budgets — or maybe the way we don’t do budgets.” Rep. Steve Womack discusses his work on budget process reform and fixing the budget starts with changing how Congress does its budgeting.

“Energy prices are very high, and we need to get them lower by getting more power into the grid so that the prices can come down.” @georgewhitesides.bsky.social discusses legislation to modernize existing power lines, lower electricity costs and reduce wildfire risk.

“We have a $39 trillion debt and growing. Social Security goes insolvent in the fourth quarter of 2032.” Marc Cadin, president of Finseca, discusses the fiscal challenges facing Congress and the need to encourage more Americans to save earlier and privately.