The Daily Punch

Punchbowl News

Weekday mornings, The Daily Punch brings you inside Capitol Hill, the White House and Washington for an unfiltered look at the key players and stakes of all major issues of the day. Power. People. Politics. Hosted by Punchbowl News founders, journalists and best-selling authors Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman.

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20 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes20

Newest first

Yesterday · 12 min
Readback: Blanche’s confirmation battle
Laura and Brendan discuss Todd Blanche's struggle this week to sway Senate GOP holdouts Thom Tillis and John Cornyn on his attorney general nomination. 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
Friday · 12 min
2026 and its campaign tricks
From mystery super PACs to late third-party candidate adds, we’ve seen some questionable campaign practices this cycle, with the control of Congress coming down to a district-by-district, state-by-state knife fight. Punchbowl News Congressional Reporter Laura Weiss joins Jake to discuss the 2026 cycle’s dirty tricks. Plus, how President Donald Trump’s clashes with Senate Majority Leader John Thune are supercharging Senate Republicans’ fears of a Democratic majority — and inside the Blanche scramble. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
Thursday · 36 min
Fly Out Day: Super PAC leader Alex Latcham talks Republicans’ $400 million campaign war chest
Senate Leadership Fund's Alex Latcham joined Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer at the Punchbowl News Townhouse to break down midterm spending strategy across key states, the SAVE America Act and MUCH more! Stick around for Igor Bobic of NOTUS and our own Andrew Desiderio on That's Not Gonna Fly! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thursday · 12 min
Is Trump kicking Thune to the curb?
President Donald Trump on Wednesday declined to say whether Senate Majority Leader John Thune is the right person to lead Senate Republicans amid an inter-party struggle over the president’s top legislative priority, the SAVE America Act. Anna and Jake discuss the latest dynamic between the two leaders. Plus, how the Green Party is threatening Democrats in Pennsylvania. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
Wednesday · 8 min
Thune's minefield
From President Donald Trump’s SAVE America Act push to a high-profile Cabinet nomination and a budget reconciliation effort, Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces a political minefield to navigate before the August recess. Anna and Jake break down what’s next in the Senate. Plus, will the Shaheen legacy endure in N.H.? 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
Tuesday · 9 min
A SAVE Act cheat sheet for the W.H.
President Donald Trump is upping his pressure campaign on Senate Majority Leader John Thune over the SAVE America Act, backing a push from hardline conservatives to scrap the August recess to try to pass the bill. But it’s not as easy as Trump makes it out to be. Anna and Jake break down why Trump’s SAVE threats aren’t working. Plus, what to expect ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to the Hill today to sell Democratic skeptics on a long-stalled Russia sanctions package. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
Monday · 9 min
The Senate's two-week sprint
The Senate has a full plate during its two-week sprint to August recess, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces pressure from competing factions of his conference and the White House over the SAVE America Act, reconciliation 3.0 and more. Anna and Jake break down the chamber’s two-week sprint. Plus, Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) are trying to use their newfound political freedom to extract major concessions out of the White House. Will they hold out? 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
July 25 · 12 min
Readback: Hegseth’s shaky push for Pentagon cash
Anthony Adragna takes you behind the scenes of Pete Hegseth's Senate hearing, where the DOD secretary pushed for the Trump administration’s $87.6 billion supplemental request. 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
July 24 · 10 min
100 days out: House GOP's challenges
Sunday marks 100 days until the midterm elections. The House is gone for five weeks. And things are looking bleak for the House Republican majority. Anna and Jake break down the House GOP's challenges. Plus, inside the Senate’s two-week sprint to the August recess. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
July 23 · 37 min
Fly Out Day: Can the GOP avoid a shutdown? New Senate Budget Chair Ron Johnson on the fight ahead
The new chair of the Senate Budget Committee Sen. Ron Johnson chats with Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer at the Punchbowl News townhouse about reconciliation 3.0, the SAVE Act, midterms and more! Stick around: Ryan Nobles and Jackie Kucinich stop by for a lively That's Not Gonna Fly! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 23 · 9 min
Is reconciliation 3.0 destined for the lame duck?
In one day, Speaker Mike Johnson and House GOP leaders overcame Republican opposition to pass three major bills. But the next challenge for House Republicans: it’s increasingly clear that the Senate GOP won’t take up reconciliation before Election Day. Anna and Jake discuss whether reconciliation 3.0 could slip to the lame duck. Plus, it’s finally showtime for the Clarity Act, but things are off to a bad start. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
July 22 · 11 min
Are House and Senate Rs even talking?
Reconciliation is getting very, very messy for Hill Republicans, as Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune find themselves at odds. Anna and Jake break down the most recent disagreement between the GOP leaders. Plus, the latest in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary and what we learned from primary day in Arizona. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
July 21 · 10 min
Budget vote, Hegseth showdown and a crypto breakthrough
There’s so much going on that we need to cover three topics at the top of this morning’s edition — the looming budget resolution vote in the House, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee, and a deal on crypto legislation. Anna and Jake break it all down. Plus, could Michigan save the Senate GOP majority? And the latest in the wide-open South Carolina Senate GOP special. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
July 20 · 9 min
House Republicans' final-week gauntlet
Congress faces a crowded legislative week and an increasingly complex and messy geopolitical landscape as House Republicans look to move forward on reconciliation 3.0 and more. Will they be successful? Anna and Jake discuss the four big GOP bills to watch for the House’s last week. Plus, the latest in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary that pits progressives against the Democratic establishment. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
July 18 · 17 min
Readback: Graham’s death shocks Washington
Andrew and Max discuss Sen. Lindsey Graham's legacy and the latest on the Russia sanctions bill. 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
July 17 · 11 min
Democrats are drowning the House GOP in cash
House Democrats are rolling in cash with just 109 days until the midterms. Congressional Reporter Max Cohen joins Jake to break down the latest trove of campaign-finance reports released this week, which showed a concerning reality for the GOP. Plus, the latest test of the DCCC’s aggressive primary endorsement strategy comes next Tuesday in Arizona’s 1st District. Jake and Max break down what we’re watching. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
July 16 · 36 min
Fly Out Day: HFC Chair Harris on government funding, immigration and redistricting
Maryland GOP Rep. Andy Harris, chairs of the House Freedom Caucus, joins Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer at the Punchbowl News townhouse to discuss Speaker Johnson's and Leader Thune's leadership, the SAVE America Act, immigration and Maryland redistricting. Then, Semafor Congressional Reporter Nick Wu and Punchbowl News Co-Founder John Bresnahan stop by for That's Not Gonna Fly! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 16 · 14 min
Inside the Democrats' deep Israel split
U.S. policy toward Israel is one of the biggest issues of the 2026 Democratic primaries. And when it came time to vote on cutting off billions in aid to the Jewish State, House Democrats split into three groups. Anna and Jake break down Dems' deep Israel divide. Plus, how President Donald Trump’s 2020 election obsession is creating problems for the Senate GOP. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
July 15 · 13 min
House Republicans' fragile equilibrium
House GOP leaders are entering a very perilous period as they attempt to squeeze six months of legislating into a handful of weeks, with the midterm elections looming like an anvil overhead. Anna and Jake break down Speaker Mike Johnson’s twin gambit: reconciliation and immigration. Plus, a new push for Russia sanctions belies structural challenges — and what to expect ahead of Todd Blanche’s high-stakes hearing today before the Senate Judiciary Committee. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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
July 14 · 12 min
Johnson's election-year reconciliation rush
With the political winds howling in their face, House Republicans are gearing up to send the Pentagon tens of billions of dollars in new funding for a seemingly endless Iran war that’s bottoming out in public opinion polls. Anna and Jake break down the House GOP’s reconciliation gamble. Plus, inside the Senate’s changing guards following the loss of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and a wave of looming retirements. 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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Daily Punch

Readback: Blanche’s confirmation battle

2026 and its campaign tricks

Fly Out Day: Super PAC leader Alex Latcham talks Republicans’ $400 million campaign war chest

Is Trump kicking Thune to the curb?

Thune's minefield

A SAVE Act cheat sheet for the W.H.

The Senate's two-week sprint

Readback: Hegseth’s shaky push for Pentagon cash

100 days out: House GOP's challenges

Fly Out Day: Can the GOP avoid a shutdown? New Senate Budget Chair Ron Johnson on the fight ahead

Is reconciliation 3.0 destined for the lame duck?

Are House and Senate Rs even talking?

Budget vote, Hegseth showdown and a crypto breakthrough

House Republicans' final-week gauntlet

Readback: Graham’s death shocks Washington

Democrats are drowning the House GOP in cash

Fly Out Day: HFC Chair Harris on government funding, immigration and redistricting

Inside the Democrats' deep Israel split

House Republicans' fragile equilibrium

Johnson's election-year reconciliation rush