The political aftermath of the Zimmerman verdict with the Justice Department's investigation and Obama’s remarks, the Senate’s tentative deal to avoid “nuclear option”, and Liz Cheney's bid to unseat fellow Republican Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming. Joining Gwen: Dan Balz, Washington Post; Pierre Thomas, ABC News; Amy Walter, Cook Political Report; Charles Babington of the Associated Press.

As Congress prepares to start its month-long August recess, it is on track to being the least productive in history. What will it take to get the White House and Congress to break through the Washington gridlock? Joining Gwen: Dan Balz, Washington Post; Jackie Calmes, The New York Times and John Dickerson, Slate Magazine and CBS News.

President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law 50 years ago. Gwen Ifill examines its legacy and unfinished business with President Johnson’s daughter, Lynda Johnson Robb, Shirley Franklin, the former mayor of Atlanta, Ranjana Natarajan of the University of Texas School of Law, and former House Republican aide Robert Kimball.

Why Democrats decided to exercise the “nuclear option”; a tentative deal with the Afghan government over U.S. troops in Afghanistan through 2024; the Senate debate over military sexual assaults; and JFK’s accomplishments and legacy. Joining Gwen: Martha Raddatz, ABC News; James Kitfield, National Journal; Susan Davis, USA Today, and Michael Duffy, Time Magazine.

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.

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.

A roundtable discussion on President Obama's 2014 year-of-action agenda, the determined GOP opposition, and chances for bipartisan compromise. Joining Gwen: John Dickerson, Slate Magazine & CBS News; Susan Davis, USA Today; Christie Parson, Tribune News; Todd Purdum, Politico & Vanity Fair.

With the recent resignation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, we take a look at President Obama’s standing 18-months into his 2nd term, including his priorities, his stumbles and the potential obstacles ahead, both politically and internationally.

The latest on alleged mismanagement of VA hospitals, the indictment of five Chinese Army officialsover cyber spying, analysis Tuesday’s primary elections and President Lyndon Johnson's call to make America a 'Great Society' fifty years later. Joining Gwen: Jeff Zeleny, ABC News; Pete Williams, NBC News; Susan Davis, USA Today; Karen Tumulty, Washington Post.

President Obama stepped up pressure on Russia with a second wave of sanctions and Russia responded with its own restrictions. Also, how Democrats and Republicans are strategizing to rally the base for the midterm elections with an unpopular President and Congress.Joining Gwen: Dan Balz, The Washington Post; Beth Reinhard, Wall Street Journal; David Sanger, The New York Times; Michael Crowley, TIME