The Daily Punch

Portal author Samantha Handler discusses the Senate dispute over the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week. Want more in-depth daily coverage from Congress? Subscribe to our free Punchbowl News AM newsletter at punchbowl.news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

During the Conference lunch break, Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joined Punchbowl News founders Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman and senior congressional reporter Ally Mutnick for a special live recording of Fly Out Day. They go over what to expect in the November midterms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The relationship between Senate Majority Leader John Thune and President Donald Trump is under increasing stress, as the two diverge on legislative strategy and tactics. Anna and Jake discuss the latest wedge between the two leaders. Plus, what Sen. James Lankford told us on one of our newsiest Fly Out Day episodes yet.  Watch this episode on YouTube here! Punchbowl News is on YouTube⁠. ⁠Subscribe...

Oklahoma Republican Senator James Lankford joins Anna and Jake at the townhouse ahead of a marathon debate on the SAVE America Act. Plus, HuffPost’s Igor Bobic and our very own Anthony Adragna join the show after the interview! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A massive, bipartisan Senate housing push is running into a wall in the House. Anna and Jake discuss how President Trump’s focus on the SAVE America Act is creating a power vacuum that could send crucial housing legislation completely off the rails. Plus, will backlash against Trump’s immigration agenda flip a key Miami-area House seat? Watch this episode on YouTube here! Punchbowl News is on YouT...

Dragged by President Donald Trump into another war in the Middle East, the GOP’s problems are growing worse every day, and there’s no sign things have hit bottom yet. Anna and Jake break it all down. Plus, key takeaways from the second annual Punchbowl News Conference and the latest from the House GOP retreat in Doral.  Watch this episode on YouTube here! Punchbowl News is on YouTube⁠. ⁠Subscribe⁠...

House Republicans are defending a razor-thin majority amid a balky economy, a growing retirement list and a burgeoning oil crisis sparked by the chaotic U.S. war against Iran. President Donald Trump’s plan for the midterms? Pass the SAVE America Act. Anna and Jake discuss Trump’s speech to Republicans gathered at the House GOP’s legislative retreat and break down what it all means. Plus, our secon...

The Senate is in this week and the House is out, with Republicans down in Doral, Fla., at the Trump National Doral for their annual legislative retreat. From the retreat, to Iran and the SAVE America Act, Anna and Jake preview what to expect this week. Plus, what senior Hill aides are saying about Hegseth and Trump’s foreign policy agenda. Watch this episode on YouTube here! Punchbowl News is on Y...

Defense reporter Briana Reilly talks about the Hill's reaction to the United States' launch of military operations against Iran last weekend. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week. Want more in-depth daily coverage from Congress? Subscribe to our free Punchbowl News AM newsletter at punchbowl.news. Learn more about your ad choice...

Are you ready for another Big Beautiful Bill? Mike Johnson is. House GOP leaders decided at their Florida retreat last weekend that they’re going to pursue a second reconciliation package this year, but they have no idea what will go in it — or how to pay for it. Anna and Jake break it all down.  Plus, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, one of President Trump’s closest allies, is poised to take over the depar...

California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna stopped by the townhouse to talk with Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer about his Iran war powers resolution, the latest on the Epstein files, AI policy and MUCH more. PLUS The Boston Globe's Jackie Kucinich and our very own Max Cohen join in to break down the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kicking off the series, The AI Innovators, Anna Palmer speaks with Punchbowl News Special Projects Reporter Shania Shelton about how artificial intelligence is transforming health care and what lawmakers like Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), plus Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) think. Check out The AI Innovators here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congress seems to want it both ways as the war with Iran progresses: Republicans want a piece of overseeing the unfolding conflict, but they don’t want to do it publicly. Anna and Jake discuss the latest.  Plus, is Kristi Noem done? President Trump has been surveying Hill Republicans on whether he should fire the DHS Secretary, according to multiple Republicans who have spoken with the president....

Senate Republicans spent $77 million to buy themselves a runoff in Texas. Anna and Jake recap the Lone Star State’s big primary night. Plus, what's next for Congress and Iran? And DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is in the hot seat ... again.  Watch this episode on YouTube here! Punchbowl News is on YouTube⁠. ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our channel today to see all the new ways⁠⁠ ⁠we’re investing in video.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Republicans on Capitol Hill are about to give President Donald Trump a major boost — a green light to conduct a war against Iran without worrying about Congress, at least for now. Punchbowl News’ Max Cohen breaks down the latest on a pair of bipartisan war power resolutions. Plus, it’s primary day in Texas and North Carolina. Here’s what we’re watching. Watch this episode on YouTube here! Punchbow...

With President Donald Trump plunging the U.S. into its riskiest military gamble in two decades — overthrowing the Iranian regime — lawmakers on Capitol Hill are locked in a struggle over every facet of the conflict. Anna and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, what the Anthropic mess means for Congress. Watch this episode on YouTube here! Punchbowl News is on YouTube⁠. ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our channel t...

Max and Ally are on the road back from Leesburg, Va., and they recount some of the highlights of their trip covering the House Democratic retreat this week. Want more in-depth daily coverage from Congress? Subscribe to our free Punchbowl News AM newsletter at punchbowl.news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At their yearly retreat, House Democrats are telling anyone who’ll listen how confident they are about winning the majority in November. Dems need to flip just three seats to take control of the House, but there are more than a few roadblocks along the path. Anna and Jake break it all down. Plus, lawmakers are bracing for action against Iran. Punchbowl News is on YouTube⁠. ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our...

Senator Alex Padilla gets candid on California politics, DHS shutdown, SAVE Act and the DNC. PLUS NOTUS’ Daniella Diaz and CNN’s Lauren Fox stop by for a lively reporter panel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is facing relentless pressure from all directions as he navigates a politically perilous — and MAGA-driven — fight over the SAVE America Act. Anna and Jake discuss what Thune said about the “talking filibuster” in the Senate. Plus, the latest in Democratic redistricting efforts in Virginia.  Watch this episode on YouTube here! Punchbowl News is on YouTube⁠. ⁠Subsc...

President Donald Trump delivered a State of the Union address Tuesday night in typical Trump fashion, far more political theater than substance. Anna and Jake discuss what the president did say, what he didn’t say — and how it all affects Republicans facing political winds heading into a difficult midterm election. Plus, what lawmakers of both parties are saying about the lack of insight on Iran....

Passing a second reconciliation bill this year is going to be nearly impossible following the Supreme Court’s blockbuster decision last week on Trump’s global tariff regime. Anna and Jake break down the case in Congress for and against reconciliation. Plus, the latest on redistricting in Virginia.  Watch this episode on YouTube here! Punchbowl News is on YouTube⁠. ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our channel t...

It’s the final week of February, with 253 days to Election Day. From DHS funding to the State of the Union, Anna and Jake discuss what congressional leaders face this week. Plus, how the Supreme Court's bombshell tariff ruling is impacting Capitol Hill. Watch this episode on YouTube here! Punchbowl News is on YouTube⁠. ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to our channel today to see all the new ways⁠⁠ ⁠we’re investin...

Ally breaks down her four-day trip to Texas to cover the Senate race. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week. Want more in-depth daily coverage from Congress? Subscribe to our free Punchbowl News AM newsletter at punchbowl.news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Texas Democratic Senate primary is turning into one of 2026’s marquee fights. Jake discusses the latest in the showdown between Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and state Rep. James Talarico — and why Republicans are staying out of it. Plus: GOP Rep. Tony Gonzalez (Texas) faces a looming ethics probe, and Democrats hit a snag in their anti-tariff push. Watch this episode on YouTube here! Punchb...