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.
Fly Out Day: Trump's man on Capitol Hill speaks
Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer sit down with James Braid, the Trump White House's director of legislative affairs, for a rare look behind the curtain during a busy time on Capitol Hill. PLUS NOTUS’ Igor Bobic and Punchbowl News Co-Founder John Bresnahan stop by for That's Not Gonna Fly!
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Trump-Thune reaches a boil
The simmering tension between President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune has reached a boiling point.
Anna and Jake break down the latest in the Senate-Trump rift. Plus, how the Iran deal is exposing cracks in the Senate GOP.
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Trump blows up Clayton nomination
President Donald Trump suddenly announced early Wednesday morning that he’s delaying his nomination of Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence.
Anna and Jake discuss what comes next for Congress. Plus, inside House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ big NYC test — and a breakdown of Tuesday night’s Senate primaries.
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The Future of Housing: Legislative Landscape
Special Projects Reporter Shania Shelton joins Deputy Congressional Editor Robert O'Shaughnessy to discuss what Congress is doing with housing legislation like the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
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Can Republicans pivot from Iran?
President Donald Trump’s ceasefire with Iran is perhaps the most critical moment of his presidency — but will it serve as a potential pivot point for the endangered Republican majorities on Capitol Hill?
Jake discusses the latest on Trump’s Iran deal in Congress. Plus, an early look at the book that’s riling House GOP leadership.
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Iran, FISA and Jay Clayton: Congress’s week
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he has an agreement with Iranian officials to end the three-and-a-half-month conflict between the two countries.
Punchbowl News Congressional Reporter Laura Weiss joins Jake to discuss the latest and what it means for Congress. Plus, a preview of the year-end dealmaking agenda.
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Readback: What Schumer said about flipping the Senate
Congressional reporter Laura Weiss breaks down her interview with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and what he said about endorsing Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan and the Maine Senate race. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week.
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Can Thune catch a break?
President Donald Trump showed again on Thursday that he’s not done messing with Senate Republicans, choosing the worst time to take action on something GOP leaders spent days pleading for.
Anna and Jake break down the latest and how the Trump-Thune dynamic could get worse. Plus, inside the DWS drama in South Florida.
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Fly Out Day: CO Rep. Jason Crow on FISA, Trump's Iran strategy and congressional stock ban
Colorado Rep. Jason Crow (D) sits down with Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer to break down FISA, his work on the Intelligence and Armed Services committees and much more! Stick around: NOTUS’ Daniella Diaz and our own Anthony Adragna stop by for townhouse fun!
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FISA flails and Trump makes new demands
FISA is headed for a cliff as Democrats oppose even a short-term extension ahead of Friday’s expiration — all while Trump’s push for a $350B Pentagon reconciliation package faces serious resistance.
Anna and Jake break down the latest. Plus, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer backs Rep. Haley Stevens — and what Schumer told our reporters about Democrats’ “multiple paths” to the Senate majority.
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Thune's unhappy summer
President Donald Trump has created many problems on Capitol Hill. Increasingly, he’s leaving Senate Majority Leader John Thune on the sidelines as he tries to solve them.
Anna and Jake break down the latest. Plus, how Trump’s $1.5 trillion Pentagon dream is unraveling.
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The Future of Housing: State of Play
Special Projects Reporter Shania Shelton joins Deputy Congressional Editor Robert O'Shaughnessy to discuss the ways housing policy is evolving and how lawmakers are working to address affordability.
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Inside Trump's self-inflicted FISA crisis
After President Donald Trump derailed congressional efforts to reauthorize FISA Section 702, GOP leaders are making clear that it’s up to the White House to resolve the crisis it created.
Anna and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, an inside look at Todd Blanche’s confirmation timeline. And a breakdown of the latest on AI regulation and the skepticism facing the Obernolte-Trahan AI effort.
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The two brawls dominating the Hill this week
From President Donald Trump’s Middle East headaches and a looming FISA showdown to House Republicans gearing up for reconciliation 2.0, it’s a pivotal week on Capitol Hill.
Anna and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, how reconciliation 2.0 exposed 3.0’s problems.
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Readback: A big moment for AI
Ben Brody breaks down OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's visit to the Hill this past week. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week.
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The Senate GOP’s rough days
The Senate is in a bad place after GOP leaders just spent 18 hours trying to quell a rebellion from within their own ranks that threatened passage of their $70 billion immigration-enforcement funding package.
Anna and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, Fetterman allows a Trump judge to advance.
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Fly Out Day: Sen. Ted Cruz on his quest to change college sports
Sen. Ted Cruz joined Jake Sherman to unpack the Protect College Sports Act — what it means for student athletes, schools and more. Plus: A deep dive into Texas politics. Stick around: Texas Tribune's DC Correspondent Gabby Birenbaum and our own Policy Reporter Samantha Handler keep the conversation going with That's Not Gonna Fly!
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A messy day in store for the Senate
Senate GOP leaders face a brutal day on Capitol Hill. As Republicans try to push through reconciliation and a FISA extension, President Donald Trump’s recent moves are creating major headaches for Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso.
Jake and Defense Reporter Anthony Adragna discuss the latest. Plus, how NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s decision to endorse against CHC Chair Adriano Espaillat is threatening Mamdani’s relationships with influential Latinos on Capitol Hill.
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AI has a Democrat problem
Top executives from artificial intelligence giants are making regular visits to Capitol Hill. Yet their message seems to have landed on deaf ears with top Democrats. Jake breaks it all down ahead of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s visit today.
Plus, Punchbowl News Defense Reporter Anthony Adragna discusses the latest FISA drama surrounding President Donald Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
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Trump's losing streak
President Donald Trump is suddenly taking losses from his own friends and allies, especially on Capitol Hill.
From Trump’s White House ballroom security funding to his “anti-weaponization” fund, Anna and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, inside a big primary day and what we’re watching.
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Reconciliation is getting much harder
With five months until Election Day, Congress returns to a tough legislative environment, as lawmakers face a major challenge: two of the president’s key priorities conflict.
Anna and Jake discuss the latest on reconciliation. Plus, a breakdown of the highway bill’s next hurdles.
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Readback: Crisscrossing the Hawkeye State
Max and Laura discuss Iowa Democrats' optimism in the upcoming midterms and what to expect when Congress returns after recess. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week.
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Iowa could be big for Democrats in '26
Iowa Democrats are dreaming big in 2026, aiming to flip the governor’s mansion, a Senate seat and three House districts.
Anna and Jake discuss Max Cohen’s latest on-the-ground reporting on the Democrats’ very tall task. Plus, who’s up and who’s down in this week’s Punch Power Matrix.
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Trump's shocking admission about 2026
President Donald Trump made a startling admission on Wednesday while meeting with his Cabinet. “I don’t care about the midterms,” Trump told reporters when asked about the Iran war.
Punchbowl News Reporters Brendan Pedersen and Laura Weiss discuss the latest developments. Plus, inside the toss-up race for Iowa’s 1st District.
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What Paxton’s victory means
With President Donald Trump’s eleventh-hour backing, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas Senate GOP primary runoff by a whopping 28-point margin.
Deputy Congressional Editor Robert O’Shaughnessy discusses the latest developments. Plus, what the NDAA says about defense hawks.
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Inside the burst of secret super PACs
Something strange is unfolding in several crucial House Democratic primaries — mysterious super PACs are quietly emerging.
Deputy Congressional Editor Robert O’Shaughnessy discusses the latest developments. Plus: the Cornyn-Paxton brawl reaches the finish line.
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Thune’s next big headache
Getting the party-line ICE and CBP funding bill back on track is shaping up to be one of the steepest challenges Republican leaders have faced this Congress.
Deputy Congressional Editor Robert O’Shaughnessy is back to discuss the latest. Plus: how an ugly social media post shook Rep. Mike Collins’ Georgia gubernatorial campaign.
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Readback: The war powers vote that wasn't
Punchbowl News Defense Reporter Briana Reilly joins Max Cohen to talk about drama on the House floor as Republicans postponed consideration of Rep. Gregory Meeks' (D-N.Y.) war powers resolution.
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Senate Republicans hit their limit with Trump
With less than six months from Election Day, Senate Republicans are hitting their breaking point over President Donald Trump’s wants and needs. Anna and Jake discuss the latest.
Plus, the House GOP staves off defeat on Iran — for now. And a recap of what House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) told us on Fly Out Day this week about a third Republican reconciliation package.
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Budget Chair Jodey Arrington on reconciliation 3.0 and his political future
House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) stopped by the Punchbowl News Townhouse to talk reconciliation, Texas politics and his own political future after retirement.
Plus, CNN's Manu Raju and Semafor's Nicholas Wu joined our panel discussion, breaking down Arrington's interview.
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Inside the Senate GOP's Trump rebellion
Senate Republicans are preparing to buck President Donald Trump on two of his long-running obsessions: the White House ballroom project and the “weaponization” of federal agencies against his allies.
Anna and Jake discuss what comes next. Plus, the latest on the GOP’s highway bill and the looming defense spending train wreck.
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Does Trump care about the GOP majorities?
With less than 24 weeks until Election Day, President Donald Trump seems almost maniacally focused on doing and saying things that could harm the GOP’s chances of keeping their House and Senate majorities in November.
Anna and Jake discuss the three most recent examples of Trump’s indifference. Plus, key takeaways from an eventful primary day.
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Committee term limits? Not for House Dems
House GOP leaders have pulled the SCORE Act from this week’s floor schedule, according to multiple sources. Anna and Jake discuss what’s next for the proposed legislation that would regulate how college athletes can earn money.
Plus, Democratic voters nationwide are demanding new party leadership, but it’s unlikely the House Democratic Caucus will establish term limits for its committee leaders in the next Congress.
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What Collins and Platner told us in Maine
In Maine, a state that could decide the Senate majority, GOP Sen. Susan Collins is touting her mastery of Washington’s power and influence system, while Democrat Graham Platner wants to burn that system to the ground.
Anna and Jake discuss Andrew Desiderio’s on-the-ground reporting, breaking down the key dynamics to watch in the high-stakes race. Plus, it’s crunch time for the GOP’s reconciliation bill.
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Readback: The GOP’s ballroom security fight
Laura Weiss breaks down how Trump's ballroom plan complicated Republicans’ reconciliation bill that includes money for ICE and Border Patrol. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week.
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How crypto conquered Congress
The crypto industry scored a legislative triumph in the Senate this week, marking a major moment for the future of U.S. capitalism.
Congressional Reporter Max Cohen discusses what crypto’s success means for American politics. Plus, the latest on reconciliation talks and the highway bill.
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Fly Out Day: CBC Chair Clarke on Black power in Washington
Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke joins Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer to discuss Republican-led redistricting efforts, why Black Democrats say representation is under threat, New York City politics, Zohran Mamdani and much more. Then stick around as Once Upon A Hill Founder Michael Jones and our own John Bresnahan break down the conversation and what it all means moving forward.
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The CBC is at a crossroads
For decades, Black power was on the rise on Capitol Hill. But during the last two weeks, the conservative-dominated Supreme Court and Republican legislators across the South could have altered this reality.
Anna and Jake discuss how the GOP’s redistricting war is affecting the most powerful voting bloc in Congress. Plus, Congress stares down a defense spending mess.
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Is Trump slipping on the Hill?
Is President Donald Trump losing sway on Capitol Hill? On issue after issue, Republicans are giving Trump the cold shoulder.
Anna and Jake discuss the latest. Plus: How Black Democrats are pushing back against GOP redistricting efforts in the South.
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Is it too little, too late for GOP?
President Donald Trump is finally putting his weight behind legislation to lower the cost of living. Yet his policies are partly to blame for the high prices. So will this ‘pivot’ be enough for Republicans in the midterms? Anna and Jake discuss the latest.
Plus, it’s Primary day in Nebraska and West Virginia. And what to expect ahead of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testimony today before House and Senate appropriators.
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