Get in loser, we're learning about Congress. Each week on the "Highway to Hill" podcast, two experts break down the political science behind the week's biggest story on Capitol Hill in 30 minutes or less. Hosted by Charlie Hunt and SoRelle Gaynor.
highwaytohill.substack.com (https://highwaytohill.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
Today on Highway to Hill: It’s time to talk about money, and I don’t mean the gobs of cash being spent in the midterm elections — maybe another week on that one. We are talking about all of the unorthodox ways the Trump administration is spending, or not spending, taxpayer money in ways ranging from questionable to downright illegal. Diverted Ukraine aid, weird cult-y campaign ads, and recissions are all being tossed around; and Congress, sadly, is nowhere to be found.
This week’s syllabus 📚
* “Homeland Security spending $20M in taxpayer funds for pro-Trump ads (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/homeland-security-spending-20m-in-taxpayer-funds-for-pro-trump-ads)” (PBS NewsHour)
* “Trump diverts Ukraine aid to authoritarian countries in Latin America (https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-rubio-ukraine-aid-latin-america-b3060451.html)” (Andrew Feinberg, The Independent)
* “Trump chooses the worst way to cut federal spending (https://wapo.st/3U7pOiR)” (Editorial Board, The Washington Post)
* “GOP lawmakers challenge Trump’s nearly $1B funding clawback (https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6117426-trump-pocket-rescission-federal-funding-republicans/)” (Helen Huiskes and Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill)
* “The Obscure Tool Trump Is Using to Snatch the Power of the Purse (https://www.wakeuptopolitics.com/p/the-obscure-tool-trump-is-using-to)” (Gabe Fleischer, Wake up to Politics)
* “Russ Vought Insists He Has a Neat Trick to Override Congress. It’s More ‘a Confession,’ Experts Say (https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/russ-vought-insists-he-has-a-neat-trick-to-override-congress-its-more-a-confession-experts-say)” (Emine Yücel, TPM)
* “Time for yet another debate over daylight, spurred by Trump (https://rollcall.com/2026/10/06/time-for-yet-another-debate-over-daylight-spurred-by-trump/)” (Mike Magner and Mark Schoeff Jr., Roll Call)
* “Dennis Hastert, Powerful Politician Disgraced by Child Sexual Abuse, Dies (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/05/obituaries/dennis-hastert-dead.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20261005&instance_id=183059&nl=breaking-news&regi_id=287510872&segment_id=227557&user_id=400c9a4de8abfd35b04dd4a108add879)” (Carl Hulse, New York Times)
* “Surge in Taxpayer-Funded Ads from Congress Blurs Campaign Lines (https://news.bgov.com/bloomberg-government-news/surge-in-taxpayer-funded-ads-from-congress-blurs-campaign-lines)” (Chris Cioffi, Jon Meltzer and Irfan Uraizee, Bloomberg)
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 (https://highwaytohill.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
2 Oct 2026
Elections, political violence, and Jimmy Carter’s legacy
Today on Highway to Hill: Charlie is joined by Avery Davis Roberts and Sarah Cooper of The Carter Center. Avery and Sarah are the director and associate director respectively of the Carter Center’s Democracy program (https://www.cartercenter.org/programs/democracy/). We talk about the work the Carter Center does around the world, their crucial nonpartisan election observation program, and why democracy and nonviolence still matter in a polarized age.
This week’s syllabus 📚
* Carter Center website: https://www.cartercenter.org/
* Avery and Sarah’s work on democracy: https://www.cartercenter.org/programs/democracy/
* We don’t have to agree to get along, PSA: https://www.cartercenter.org/news/international-day-of-democracy/
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 (https://highwaytohill.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
25 Sept 2026
Nerding out on Downballot data (with David Nir!)
Today on Highway to Hill: The midterms are just a handful of weeks away, and that means it’s time to bring in the big guns (if the guns you are interested in are smart data analysis). We are so lucky to be joined this week by David Nir. David is the publisher of The Downballot, which is absolutely required reading if you’re an election nerd like we are. The Downballot is a nonpartisan source of information and analysis for the thousands of elections that take place below the presidency, from Senate to city council. David also co-hosts The Downballot podcast with David Beard.
This week’s syllabus 📚
* David’s website, The Downballot (http://the-downballot.com)
* The Downballot Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-downballot/id1609094461)
* The Downballot’s Ultimate Data Guide (https://www.the-downballot.com/p/data)
* “Massive primary turnout points to biggest year for Democrats since Watergate (https://www.the-downballot.com/p/massive-primary-turnout-points-to)” (Daniel Donner, The Downballot)
* “The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way (https://www.propublica.org/article/fbi-susan-collins-navatek-campaign-donations-investigation)” (William Turton, Avi Asher-Schapiro, Molly Redden and Kirsten Berg, ProPublica)
* Sen. Curtis letter to Senate Judiciary chairmen/ ranking member (https://punchbowl.news/09-21-2026-curtis-letter-to-senate-judiciary-re_-don-jr-hunter-biden4/?_gl=1*hxaie0*_up*MQ..*_ga*ODA4Njk3MjgxLjE3OTAwOTk2NTY.*_ga_PZYDHRSVTB*czE3OTAwOTk2NTUkbzEkZzEkdDE3OTAwOTk2OTMkajIyJGwwJGg5MjQzNDk4NTIkZEVXU011TFllYmMwRXRHQWtoVk9qdzh0RXZEc2xyTUNRUUE.)
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 (https://highwaytohill.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Contact Highway to Hill
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
