Washington Week (video) | PBS

The investigation into alleged political strong-arming by Christie's office, the indictment of Bob McDonnell, the recommendations by the presidential commission on election reform and the latest on the major Syria peace conference in Switzerland. Joining Gwen: Dan Balz, Washington Post; Pete Williams, NBC News; Indira Lakshmanan, Bloomberg News; Alexis Simendinger, RealClearPolitics 

On the Webcast Extra, our panelists discuss the wave of retirements announced this week in Congress. “They're tired of the slow pace,” ABC's Jeff Zeleny said. Plus, the Supreme Court weighs the president's recess appointments. And how have President Obama's views on security vs. privacy evolved since his time in the Senate?

Obama's recommendations to reform NSA surveillance practices; a congressional report calls Benghazi attack “likely preventable”; the political fallout from Obamacare, and two cases argued before SCOTUS dealing with restrictions on abortion protesters and presidential recess appointments. Joining Gwen: Peter Baker, New York Times; Joan Biskupic, Reuters; Jeff Zeleny, ABC News; Tom Gjelten, NPR.

Our panelists discuss the politics of scandal as New Jersey Gov. Christie continues to manage the fallout from the GW Bridge closure. How will it affect his new role at the Republican Governors Association as he travels to Florida to campaign for GOP candidates? Plus, what are the chances of the Farm Bill passing? And President Obama is set to announce changes to the NSA surveillance programs.

How Gov. Christie is distancing himself from the erupting traffic jam political fallout; a closer look at Robert Gates’ new memoir; the politics at play behind extending emergency benefits to the long-term unemployed; and a look at the war on poverty. Joining Gwen: Peter Baker, New York Times'; John Dickerson, Slate/ CBS News; Ed O'Keefe, Washington Post; Beth Reinhard, National Journal. 

We look ahead to the priorities and challenges facing the Obama administration and Congress in 2014 following a year when partisan gridlock produced more challenges and setbacks than legislative progress. Joining John Harwood of CNBC/The New York Times: Alexis Simendinger, RealClearPolitics; Jeff Zeleny, ABC News; Amy Walter, Cook Political Report; Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times.

On the Webcast Extra, the panelists discuss the stories that may creep up in the coming year including the pivot to Asia, potential runoff elections in Senate races in Georgia and Louisiana, and the “sleepy time” ahead in Congress.

We take pause for the holidays to look back at the big stories of 2013 from the start of Obama's second term and the continued partisan deadlock in Washington to attempts by the GOP to reorganize after the elections of 2012. Gwen talks with 16 regular Washington Week panelists to get their perspective and analysis on the stories that shaped 2013.

As the president leaves for his Hawaiian vacation, Dan Balz discusses the optics of his year-end press conference. Will the nomination of Max Baucus to be Ambassador to China get a smooth confirmation in the Senate? Susan Davis discusses. Pete Williams discusses federal sentencing guidelines for drug charges, and Greg Ip compares Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to his predecessor Alan Greenspan.

President Obama met with the White House press for his end of year news conference; a new review on NSA practices; a rare budget deal in Congress and a look at the economy's standing at year's end.  Joining Gwen: Susan Davis, USA Today; Pete Williams, NBC News; Greg Ip, The Economist; Dan Balz, Washington Post.

As the president leaves for his Hawaiian vacation, Dan Balz discusses the optics of his year-end press conference. Will the nomination of Max Baucus to be Ambassador to China get a smooth confirmation in the Senate? Susan Davis discusses. Pete Williams discusses federal sentencing guidelines for drug charges, and Greg Ip compares Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to his predecessor Alan Greenspan.

President Obama met with the White House press for his end of year news conference; a new review on NSA practices; a rare budget deal in Congress and a look at the economy's standing at year's end.  Joining Gwen: Susan Davis, USA Today; Pete Williams, NBC News; Greg Ip, The Economist; Dan Balz, Washington Post.

In the Webcast Extra, we discuss the continued fallout from the launch of healthcare.gov. How is the public reacting? Plus, what will Congress prioritize in the New Year? Is immigration reform a priority? And the story of a CIA spy missing in Iran.

The House passed a bipartisan budget proposal that will fund the government through 2015, Obama tries to recover from the fumbled healthcare rollout, and how Secretary of State John Kerry has become Obama's diplomatic star. Joining Gwen: John Harwood, CNBC and The New York Times; Molly Ball, The Atlantic; Jeanne Cummings, Bloomberg News; Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times.

In the Webcast Extra, David Wessel discusses his story about whether the economy does better with Democrats or Republicans in the White House. Historically, according to economists, Democratic presidents fare better, but as David explains, it might be just luck. Also, Biden travelled to Asia this week. Jackie Calmes reports. And Michael Fletcher reports on the looming debt crisis in Puerto Rico.