The Daily Punch
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.
Trump and Johnson vs. Thune
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is under increasing pressure from all sides — including from President Donald Trump — following his tumultuous split with Speaker Mike Johnson over DHS funding. Jake and Anna break down the latest. Plus, can Trump force Congress to come back?
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Republicans' DHS mess
Now on Day 44, the record-breaking DHS funding impasse has turned into a political disaster for Republicans. Jake and Anna break down where things stand with both the House and Senate on recess. Plus, what we're watching this week — from SCOTUS decisions to the latest job report.
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Readback: The Hill's spring tech bloom
Ben Brody breaks down the latest quarterly Tech edition, which includes the latest on KOSA and chips export issues. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week.
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Senate passes DHS funding — without ICE and CBP
After 41 days, the Senate voted early Friday morning to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding ICE and CBP, ending the bitter impasse. So, what now? Anna and Jake break it all down. Plus, how Rep. Diana DeGette could get knocked off the ballot in Colorado’s 1st District.
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Fly Out Day: Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern on how he'd change the House
Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern joined Anna and Jake in the Punchbowl News Townhouse to break down DHS funding, efforts to curb President Trump’s Iran war powers, House leadership dynamics and more. PLUS The New York Times' Catie Edmondson and Semafor's Nick Wu stop by to join in on the fun with That’s Not Gonna Fly!
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How will this DHS shutdown end?
It’s Day 40 of the DHS shutdown and the Senate remains at a crippling impasse over a GOP proposal to fund all of the department except for ICE enforcement. Anna and Jake discuss the latest and how this could all end.
Plus, to impeach President Donald Trump? House Democrats are saying not so fast.
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Is the DHS deal falling apart?
It’s Day 39 of the DHS shutdown and Senate leaders are hitting more snags as they try to reach a deal to reopen the massive department. Punchbowl News Reporter Max Cohen is back to discuss the latest with Jake.
Plus, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s upcoming House Ethics Committee “trial” is putting House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a tough spot.
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Inside the deal to open DHS
For the first time in more than a month, there’s optimism that the Senate and the White House can finally find a path to reopening the Department of Homeland Security. Anna and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, the Mullin era arrives at DHS.
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What John Thune offered Donald Trump
With the DHS shutdown now in its 37th day, Senate Majority Leader John Thune approached President Donald Trump with a new proposal on Sunday that he believed Democrats would accept. But Trump said no, according to multiple sources. Anna and Jake break down the latest.
Plus, it’s less than a month from the nation’s foreign intelligence surveillance authority expiring. Hear what comes next.
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Readback: Paul and Mullin clash in DHS hearing
Laura goes behind the scenes of Markwayne Mullin's Senate hearing Wednesday to lead DHS and his bitter clash with Rand Paul. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week.
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Who will lead the House GOP if they lose?
We’re now 228 days until Election Day and Republicans are likely to lose their razor-thin majority.
The big question: Can — and will — Speaker Mike Johnson remain as the GOP leader if Republicans lose the House? If not, who succeeds him as minority leader? Punchbowl News Reporter Max Cohen joins Jake to discuss the potential contenders.
Plus, what Daniel Biss’ win in Illinois’ 9th District primary taught progressives about taking on AIPAC.
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Fly Out Day: Indiana Sen. Banks on the Iran war and the SAVE Act
Indiana Sen. Jim Banks stopped by the Punchbowl News townhouse for a wide‑ranging conversation with Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer — from the war with Iran to his state's redistricting fight and MUCH MORE! PLUS MS NOW White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López and Punchbowl News' co-founder John Bresnahan join in on the fun with That’s Not Gonna Fly!
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The AI Innovators: Education
In this second installment of The AI Innovators, Anna Palmer speaks with Punchbowl News Special Projects Reporter Shania Shelton about how artificial intelligence is transforming education by personalizing lesson plans and handling administrative tasks.
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Trump drags Congress into war
Congress has sat firmly on the sidelines as President Donald Trump wages an increasingly deadly war on Iran. But that may be about to change. Anna and Jake discuss the latest.
Plus, what Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told Punchbowl News Tech Reporter Diego Areas Munhoz about the AI giant’s H200 chips and China.
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Inside the House GOP's Latino problem
Swing districts with large Latino populations will determine control of the House — yet House Republicans are very aware that the same Latino voters who propelled the GOP to the majority in 2024 could desert them this fall. Anna and Jake discuss how the Latino vote could crush Republicans in the midterms.
Plus, Stratton wins big in Illinois. We have the key takeaways from Tuesday’s Democratic primary results.
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Could AIPAC faceplant in Illinois?
AIPAC and a cadre of affiliated groups have pumped more than $21 million into four open Illinois congressional races with the hopes of installing a slew of pro-Israel Democrats in safe blue seats.
Anna and Jake break down the dynamics to watch ahead of tonight’s Democratic primaries. Plus, the latest on the SAVE America Act as the Senate preps for a ‘drawn-out’ debate this week.
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Congress returns to a perfect storm
With war raging in the Middle East, DHS still shut down and yet another storm bearing down on the East Coast, Congress returns to session today amid an array of problems, priorities and deadlines. Anna and Jake break it all down. Plus, what’s next for the SAVE America Act?
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Readback: DHS fight heats up on the Senate floor
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.
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Fly Out Day Live at the Punchbowl News Conference
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.
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Thune and Trump hit the skids
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.
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Lankford on the filibuster and Iran
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!
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Trump’s on the ROAD to nowhere
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?
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A tough time to be a Hill Republican
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.
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Trump's plan to save midterms? Voter ID law
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 second annual Conference is here!
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Iran, the SAVE America Act and the House GOP retreat
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.
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Readback: Iran war fallout on Capitol Hill
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.
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House GOP eye reconciliation 2.0
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 department that’s been causing Trump the biggest problems.
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Fly Out Day: California Rep. Ro Khanna sounds alarm on war in Iran
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.
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The AI Innovators: Health care
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.
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Republicans want it both ways on Iran
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. We have the details.
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Texas' big night
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.
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Hill GOP won't stop Trump's Iran war
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.
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Congress’ war over the war
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.
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Readback: House Democratic retreat recap
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.
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Will Dems secure the House majority?
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.
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Fly Out Day: CA Sen. Alex Padilla on DHS shutdown and 2026
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!
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The SAVE America Act looks dead
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.
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The Trump show at the Capitol
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.
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Why Reconciliation 2.0 is much harder now
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.
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And we're back... kind of
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.
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