Normally, that’s a simple question with a simple answer: of course, the Congress matters; after all, its powers are enthroned in the American Constitution. However, as the Trump presidency unfolds, nothing is simple anymore. President Trump obviously has an expansive view of presidential power and is clearly intent on exercising it at the expense of the Congress and of the courts.

So does Congress matter, is becoming a huge question, potentially the stuff of constitutional crisis.

Tom O’Donnell is an insider’s insider when it comes to understanding how the Congress works. He was a longtime colleague of Congressman Dick Gephardt, former Democrat leader, and a key player in Democratic Party politics for years. If anyone understands how the Congress—even one with narrow Republican majorities in both houses—might react to White House overreach, Tom does.

Listen as O’Donnell and host Alan Stoga explore the growing confrontation between the President and the Congress. Then tell us: who do you think will win?

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Find the New Thinking for a New World podcast on a platform of your choice (Apple podcast, Spotify, Google podcast, Youtube, etc.)

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Tom O’Donnell co-founded Gephardt Government Affairs in 2007 and served as Managing Partner, guiding Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and coalitions on legislative and regulatory strategies across a wide range of issues, including energy, healthcare, financial services, trade, tax, defense, and technology. Known for his deep policy expertise and bipartisan relationships, he played a central role in major negotiations with the White House, Congress, and key stakeholders. In 2015, he led a coalition of over 110 companies to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank—hailed as one of the top lobbying victories of the year.

Prior to that, O’Donnell was a partner at Doak, Carrier, and O’Donnell (DCO), a leading political media consulting firm, where he developed messaging campaigns for numerous winning candidates, including Senator Chris Van Hollen and Senator Sherrod Brown. From 1989 to 1997, he served as chief of staff to House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, helping craft major budget legislation and building strong Capitol Hill relationships.

O’Donnell also held senior roles at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and taught political science at American and Georgetown universities. Regularly named a top lobbyist by Politico and The Hill, he was once described by The Washington Post as a “star consultant.”