

Balance of Power
Bloomberg
Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch us LIVE on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 3, 2025 • 42min
Shutdown Hits Critical Moment as Pressure Builds
Mike Lawler, Republican Congressman from New York, shares insights on the ongoing government shutdown and critiques Senate Democrats for blocking funding solutions like SNAP. Bill Hoagland, from the Bipartisan Policy Center, discusses the institutional changes during shutdowns and the importance of the filibuster for compromise. Caroline Hyde analyzes significant tech developments, including a major AWS-OpenAI partnership and the implications of AI spending in the market. Together, they tackle the intersection of politics, economic pressure, and technology.

Nov 3, 2025 • 15min
Weekly Washington Policy Pulse: Shutdown Update, Supreme Court Tariff Preview (Nov 3, 2025)
The podcast dives into the pressing issue of the US government shutdown, discussing potential resolutions and the looming Thanksgiving travel chaos. Insights into the impact of SNAP benefit lapses on major retailers like Walmart and Kroger are also explored. Additionally, the legality of President Trump's reciprocal tariffs is analyzed ahead of Supreme Court oral arguments, with implications for refunds and operational challenges looming. The episode emphasizes the intersection of politics and policy as lawmakers strive to avert disruption.

Oct 31, 2025 • 41min
Trump Denies Venezuela Strike Plans
Laura Davison, Deputy Washington Bureau Chief at Bloomberg, shares insights on the political fallout from a potential government shutdown. Retired General Wesley Clark discusses U.S. military strategies concerning Venezuela, highlighting the complexities of military presence and objectives. Republican strategist Rick Davis analyzes implications for upcoming gubernatorial races amid shutdown tensions. Meanwhile, national security reporter Tony Capaccio questions military readiness and regulatory issues, even touching on the Pentagon's controversial assessments of missile defense.

Oct 30, 2025 • 41min
Trump, Xi Strike Truce on Tariffs, Rare Earths
Mary Lovely, a Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, discusses the implications of the recent tariff truce between Trump and Xi, including rare earths and soybean purchases. U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss shares insights on the government shutdown and its effects on the FAA, stressing the importance of airport staffing. The conversation also touches on energy policy, highlighting the need for a diverse clean energy mix to support growth while managing security risks around AI chip exports.

Oct 29, 2025 • 34min
Shutdown Gets Dose of Urgency
Shelley Moore Capito, a U.S. Senator from West Virginia, discusses the critical role of SNAP benefits in the looming government shutdown and supports new funding measures. Chuck Fleischmann, a Congressman from Tennessee, highlights the impact of the shutdown on federal workers and essential services. Both guests explore the contentious energy policies, including the potential of nuclear energy and SMRs to address data center energy needs. Their insights reveal the complexities of bipartisan negotiations in a time of urgency.

Oct 28, 2025 • 39min
Trump Reaffirms Japan Alliance
Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO and former acting U.S. Attorney General, weighs in on defense spending and NATO's future amidst global tensions. He highlights the U.S.-Japan alliance and the push for allies to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. Congressman Greg Murphy shares insights on the ongoing government shutdown, emphasizing the impact on federal workers and the debates around health care costs. Both guests stress the importance of bipartisan cooperation to address pressing economic and security challenges.

Oct 27, 2025 • 40min
US and China Hit Pause
Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.A meeting Thursday between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping is set to be one of the key diplomatic events of the year, with the US-China economic relationship at stake following multiple rounds of escalating tensions and temporary truces.Trump told traveling reporters Monday on Air Force One that while nothing has yet been agreed, he felt good going into the meeting with Xi set to take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking in the same briefing, said a framework for Trump and Xi to finalize was forged over weekend talks with China, whose delegation was headed by Vice Premier He Lifeng.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition Bloomberg's David Gura is in for Joe and Kailey. David speaks with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Former Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino and Bluestack Strategies Founder Maura Gillespie. Bloomberg Buenos Aires Bureau Chief Patrick Gillespie. Wiley Rein National Security Practice Group Lead Nazak Nikakhtar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 27, 2025 • 18min
Weekly Washington Policy Pulse: Bank Capital, Fed Chair, Tariff Vote (Oct 27, 2025)
A status update on proposals from the Federal Reserve -- such as the rule known as the Basel III endgame to another one on a banks' G-SIB -- led Bloomberg Intelligence's Washington Policy Pulse on Oct. 27. While Bloomberg News reports that the Fed may increase capital requirements 3%-7% via the Basel III endgame, other actions could ultimately negate that impact for banks like Bank of America, JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs. We also discussed news reports that Treasury Secretary has narrowed down a list of potential Fed chairs to five individuals as well as an upcoming Senate vote on a resolution disapproving President Donald Trump's Canada and Brazil tariffs. It should be noted that move is largely symbolic. The Bloomberg Intelligence Financial Policy weekly call is designed to provide investors an opportunity to learn about the most recent relevant policy research, information regarding forthcoming political catalysts and other on-goings within Washington D.C. The call is open to all and is held every Monday at 10:00 a.m. EST. You can register for the call here: https://bloomberg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__PqCkwY-S2m3hbQqvVC1_Q#/registrationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 24, 2025 • 41min
Soft Inflation Spurs Fed Cuts
Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.A delayed snapshot of inflation in September came in softer than expected, potentially offering a path for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates beyond next week’s meeting.The core consumer price index, excluding the often volatile food and energy categories, increased 0.2% from August, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data out Friday. That was the slowest pace in three months and restrained by the smallest increase in a key measure of housing costs since early 2021.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition Bloomberg's Tyler Kendall is in for Kailey. Joe and Tyler speak with: Bloomberg International Economics and Policy Correspondent Michael McKee. Republican Congressman Mark Alford of Missouri. Lexington Institute Vice President Rebecca Grant. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 23, 2025 • 41min
Jeffries on Ending the Shutdown, NYC Mayor's Race
Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.Eric Adams will endorse Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor, a reversal for the incumbent mayor after he accused his former challenger of being a “snake and a liar” just weeks ago in the contentious battle for Gracie Mansion.The endorsement, part of an effort to bolster Cuomo’s campaign against frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, comes less than two weeks before the November election. Adams and Cuomo were seen together court-side at the Knicks game Wednesday night following the final mayoral debate. The endorsement was reported earlier by the New York Times.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition Bloomberg's Tyler Kendall is in for Kailey. Joe and Tyler speak with: Bloomberg Correspondent David Gura. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Bully Pulpit International Managing Director Adam Hodge. Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Commodity Strategist Mike McGlone. Former US Ambassador James Jeffrey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


