Explore every episode of the podcast Mark Alford's Capitol Recap

Are you seeing gas prices fall, mortgage rates ease, wages rise — and wondering what’s really driving it in Washington?

From border enforcement and insider trading reform to major hearings on American steel and religious freedom — this week’s Capitol Recap breaks it all down, behind the scenes

🛂 Border enforcement
⚖️ Cracking down on insider trading
🏗️ Protecting American steel
✝️ Defending religious freedom
🏛️ Behind-the-scenes from Congress

• Big appropriations bills passed — and Missouri is getting critical investments. What did we secure?
• Disturbing developments near Whiteman Air Force Base — is China really spying on our military?
• A historic shake-up in America’s nutrition policy — why this could change what ends up on your dinner table.
• How we’re fighting for Main Street America instead of bloated government.
• And exclusive remarks from President Trump on protecting the Republican majority. 

Reagan's iconic Christmas radio address, the TRUE meaning of Christmas, AND hear favorite Christmas memories from members of Congress!!! 

💸 How Washington sleepwalked into $38 TRILLION in debt
📉 Why the budget process is broken — and how to reverse the curse

📈 A real plan to restore fiscal sanity and protect our kids’ future
✝️ Less government. More God. Why faith still matters in public service
🌾 Kansas City and Texas Mindsets in Congress

•$12B for America’s farmers — real relief coming soon
•FY26 NDAA PASSED — pay raise, B-21 support, & major wins for MO-04
•442d Fighter Wing + Whiteman updates — pushing for a follow-on mission
•FIFA World Cup security — highlighting the $60M Republicans secured
•Make America Healthy Again — Missouri approved + my SHOPP Act
•Backing veteran entrepreneurs with the SERVE Act
•Common-sense permitting reform to cut red tape
•Plus: a serious discussion on the rising threat of radical Islamic extremism

🇺🇸 Lower gas prices

🇻🇪 Holding dictators accountable

💵 Trump Accounts = real wealth for kids

📉 Lower rates + affordability

👷 SNAP reforms that restore dignity

🏪 Standing up for Main Street

🙏 Shining a light on Christian persecution in Nigeria

This week I sat down with Pastor Malachi O’Brien — a Missouri pastor, father, prayer warrior… and the man who ran 153 consecutive marathons. 

We talked about: 
➡️ Faith, discipline, and hearing God in the hard places 
➡️ Gratitude and what Thanksgiving really taught him 
➡️ His friendship with Charlie Kirk and the impact of his loss 
➡️ The rise of deception, anti-Semitism, and spiritual warfare in America 
➡️ Why courage is a choice — and why our nation needs more of it 

This was one of the most honest, powerful conversations we’ve had on the podcast. Don't miss it on Saturday!

We’re talking:

✔️ Restoring law & order in D.C.

✔️ Exposing CCP shell companies next to Whiteman AFB

✔️ Protecting KC’s World Cup spot

✔️ The latest on the Epstein files

✔️ Big wins for America’s small businesses with our AI for Main Street Act

Hear directly from House GOP members as we discuss the consequences of Schumer’s Shutdown & what was the Senate’s sneaky provision in the government funding package?! 

+ work happening in Congress, the latest on the Epstein files, AND the road ahead for our nation.

📢 Mark Alford’s Capitol Recap, E37:

🏛 Schumer Shutdown Explained: What led to it, what’s happening now, and what’s next for Missouri’s 4th District.
 
💰 Impact on Families & Federal Workers: Paychecks, essential vs. non-essential employees, and rural hospital funding on the line.
 
⚔️ Military Reset Needed: Recruitment struggles, readiness concerns, and @POTUS + @SECWAR restoring the warrior ethos after meetings with top generals.

⚠️ Will the govt shut down at the hands of the Left’s partisan wish list? 
👩‍⚖️ Judge Pirro on DC crime crackdown 
🏪 September Small Business of the Month
🎖️Veteran of the Month 

🇺🇸 Honoring Charlie Kirk in the Capitol

🎭 Booker & Schiff’s circus at Senate Oversight hearing

🏡 Saving the American Dream Act to restore housing affordability

💰 $23M for MO-4

📺 Why PBS & NPR don’t need tax dollars

👩‍⚖️ DC Crime Crackdown with Judge Pirro

🕊️ Remembering the life & legacy of Charlie Kirk

🦅 Passing the NDAA to strengthen America’s defense

🇺🇸 Restoring the warrior ethos in our nation

💵 12/12 appropriations bill mark ups completed

🌐 Standing up for rural broadband access

BACK IN DC: 

- Where we are in the Appropriations Process

- EPSTEIN? Where are the files? What is Congress doing? 

- Crime in D.C.? Efforts expanding to other cities? 

- Trump's 11 Life Lessons

- Hear from Constituents who used our Casework Services

Town Hall Tour 2025

✅ Crime in D.C. is finally slowing down thanks to President Trump’s crackdown.

✅ Is Trump the peacemaker the world needs right now?

✅ Missouri’s own AG Andrew Bailey taking the fight straight to the FBI. Hear what makes him the man for the job!!!

Trump’s efforts to make D.C. safe again, EPSTEIN FILES: where are we at on getting this released?.. town hall tour schedule: we’ll see everyone SOON, + annual SOP speech! Coming to you  right from the 4th from  our on-the-road district week with Jake!

*ALL THINGS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WITH REP. OBERNOLTE

*FFA STUDENT CONVO

*MISSOURI TASK FORCE 1 = HEROES

LIVE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: Hear from President Trump!!!

CRYPTO WEEK: Hear from Majority Whip Tom Emmer!

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL + where we're at in the process. 

EPSTEIN FILES?

+MORE.

*TRAGIC FLOODS IN TEXAS: Why are Democrats blaming TRUMP? How is Missouri Task Force 1 helping?

*Coast Guard: MUCH NEEDED FUNDING ACQUIRED!

*Renters can now use rent payments to count toward building credit, helping more people qualify for a mortgage!

*Hateful, insightful messages from folks calling our office

+MORE!!!

🇺🇸Back in D.C. to pass ONE, BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL
🇺🇸Hear from MO-04 constituents on why OBBB CRITICAL for rural America
🇺🇸June Small Business & Veteran of the Month
🇺🇸 + MORE!

Didn’t make it to our 100th PUBLIC EVENT Townhall? We’ve got the highlights for you.

Been hearing that President Trump’s OBBB is only for the wealthy & elite? We set the record straight with two of the many MO-04 small business owners who will benefit! 

Recissions Package + Passing the Halt Fentanyl Act + Holding D.C. Accountable + Appropriations markup + LA riots + more!

Hear from: Speaker Mike Johnson + Leader Steve Scalise + Rep. Calvert

What's Going on in Washington: update from Speaker Johnson and Chairwoman McClain, Championing Putting U.S. Small Businesses First Through Legislation, THREE Committee Hearings: (Hear from Secretary Lutnick on the Future of NOAA and NWS), Severe Weather Funding Updates for 3 Counties, Teasing our 100th Public Event...+MORE. 

The truth on Medicaid “cuts” --> SAVINGS, Diving into our crucial bill: the American Land and Property Protection Act, what we’re working on with President Trump to end violent, antisemitic hate crimes like the one that killed KC native Sarah Lynn Milgrim, District Work Period: Americans For Prosperity roundtable moderated by Pete Mundo, May Small Business/Veteran of the Month, Casework Story + our 2nd annual speech competition winners!

You’ll hear from Congressman Ralph Norman, a snippet of our conversation with Pete Mundo, and some of our speech competition winners. 

ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL PASSES THE HOUSE! Small Business Showcase, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, FCC Chairman, & SEC Chairman ALL testify before Congress + MORE!

Honoring our Heroes on Police Week + Where is Congress on Reconciliation/Budget? + Small Business Hearing on Franchises + TWO Appropriations Subcommittee Hearings + MORE!

Hear from Rep. Jason Smith, Speaker Johnson, + MORE.

Gulf of AMERICA Act CODIFIED, NO CCP in American schools, DC update, Kash Patel says Kansas City may see some incoming FBI personnel, Small Business Week on Capitol Hill + MORE!!!

We’re back in Washington…what does this mean? Let’s talk about it!
 
*TRUMP’S FIRST 100 DAYS: Historic promises made and KEPT.
*Returning the SBA BACK to Mainstreet bill: PASSED out of Committee.
*The internet should be SAFE. Melania’s TAKE IT DOWN ACT: PASSED. 
*April Small Business and Veteran of the Month honored on the House Floor.

Deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Congress’ Upcoming Plans, Gulf of AMERICA bill to pass soon + District Work Period: visiting small businesses and constituents, including an interesting convo with a protestor!

TAX DAY: Tax cuts & jobs act, crucial work on Appropriatons & Small business Committees, down in the district, and a special Easter message

HOUSE PASSES: NORRA Act (No Rogue Judges), SAVE ACT (ONLY US CITIZENS VOTE IN US ELECTIONS), AND BUDGET RECONCILIATION BEGINS!

Also tune in to hear from special guests Reps Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mary Miller, and Diana Harshbarger!

Appropriations Member Hearing, Small Business Hearing, March 2025 Townhall, Casework Recap + MORE!

The House Floor passes the Deterrent Act, H.J. Res. 24, CRAZY calls from Progressive Democrats, & highlighting amazing MO-04 folks!

President Trump’s recent Executive Orders, National Agriculture Day, Alien Enemies Act, Democrats in Disarray, & First-of-its-Kind Defense Workshop in Kansas City!

CLEAN Continuing Resolution passes the House Floor, Democrats in Disarray, Oversight Small Business Hearing, and an Uplifting Economic Update!

America is BACK: Trump’s Speech reactions LIVE from the House Floor. 

Hear from:

• Small Business Chairman Roger Williams (TX -25) 
• Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (OH-04), Dean Hal Rogers (KY-05), 
• Ways & Means Chairman Jason Smith (MO-07)
• RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11)
• Former White House Doctor Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13)
• Veterans Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (IL-12)

Ever wonder what really happens in Washington? Tune into Mark Alford’s Capitol Recap to find out. 
 
Episode 6: we take you behind the scenes on the House budget resolution, what REALLY happened at our Mondays with Mark event, our conversation with President Trump, our meeting with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, and MORE!

Wondering what's happening in Washington?

Tune in to find out...we take you behind the scenes, diving into what DOGE is up to, Senate Confirmation Hearings, Postmaster DeJoy is GONE, + MORE!

February 10th-16th, 2025

House Passes the Agent Raul Gonzalez Safety Act & the Midnight Rules and Relief Act, Small Business Committee Hearing, CASCO Visit + MORE!!!

Diving into passing the HALT Fentanyl Act,  2025 National Prayer Breakfast, & Declaring the KC CHIEFS the BEST NFL TEAM of all time!!!

Catching up with Governor Kehoe, Lt. Governor Wasinger, and Senator Brattin in Missouri! 

Also--tune in to hear why House GOP was in Florida with President Trump. 

Diving into President Trump's first week, passing the Laken Riley Act, the Born Alive Act, and talking all things DOGE with Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04). 

We’re talking with Vicky Hartzler—former MO-04 Congresswoman and now Commissioner for the U.S. International Religious Freedom Commission. Hear about what her USIRFC role means, her Senate race, and what she’s up to now!

(00:00) Introduction
(01:17) Relationship: Utah and Missouri
(02:34): Religion: Mormon Faith
(10:17) Social Security
++ much more!

Follow us:
X: @RepMarkAlford
Instagram: @RepMarkAlford
Facebook: @RepMarkAlford 
Website: alford.house.gov

(00:00) Introduction
(01:16) The Future of AI
(04:13) Free Speech and AI
(06:56) Name, Image, and Likeness with AI 
(10:40) Report: Bipartisan Task Force on AI
(13:07) Energy Demand for AI
(14:29) Military Warfare in the Age of AI & Battlefield Applications
(15:47) The Future of Travel: Air Mobility
(19:26) Getting Started in Video Game Development

Follow us:
X: @RepMarkAlford
Instagram: @RepMarkAlford
Facebook: @RepMarkAlford 
Website: alford.house.gov