The Daily Punch

The Daily Punch

byPunchbowl News

NewsGovernmentPolitics

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.

Episodes(40 episodes)

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 a...
Published: Jul 27, 2026Duration: 9m 59s
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
Published: Jul 25, 2026Duration: 12m 6s
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
Published: Jul 24, 2026Duration: 10m 24s
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
Published: Jul 23, 2026Duration: 37m 23s
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...
Published: Jul 23, 2026Duration: 9m 46s
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 a
Published: Jul 22, 2026Duration: 11m 46s
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 vide...
Published: Jul 21, 2026Duration: 10m 54s
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?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Subscr...
Published: Jul 20, 2026Duration: 8m 47s
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
Published: Jul 18, 2026Duration: 16m 36s
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 dai...
Published: Jul 17, 2026Duration: 11m 42s
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
Published: Jul 16, 2026Duration: 36m 19s
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?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Subs...
Published: Jul 16, 2026Duration: 14m 20s
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...
Published: Jul 15, 2026Duration: 13m 14s
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 vi...
Published: Jul 14, 2026Duration: 12m 42s
Graham's death and Congress' scramble
Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C.) shocking death this weekend at 71 has stunned the Senate, all of Washington, South Carolina and the nation. Anna and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, what we’re watching this week as reconciliation pressure builds for Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans.  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
Published: Jul 13, 2026Duration: 9m 39s
Readback: What went wrong for Democrats in Maine
Laura and Max break down Graham Platner's exit from the Maine Senate race this week and what it means for Senate Democrats in the midterms. 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
Published: Jul 11, 2026Duration: 15m 12s
Inside Thune's July floor plan
Senate GOP leaders are about to launch into a four-week summer rush to confirm Trump’s nominees in what could finally be a productive stretch for Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Anna and Jake break down what we’re watching. Plus, inside Dems’ next Michigan headache — and what Senate Majority PAC President J.B. Poersch told us on Fly Out Day about the whole Senate map, including Maine. 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...
Published: Jul 10, 2026Duration: 10m 47s
Fly Out Day: Democrats’ dilemma: Senate Majority PAC leader talks Platner, campaign finance and the road to 2026
J.B. Poersch, president of Senate Majority PAC, sat down with Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer to break down Democratic strategy, party leadership and the upcoming primaries. Stick around: CNN's Lauren Fox and our own Max Cohen swing by for That's Not Gonna Fly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Jul 9, 2026Duration: 32m 30s
Trump's new Iran problem on the Hill
An escalation in fighting between the U.S. and Iran — for the second night in a row — could mean big political, legal and economic problems for President Donald Trump and Republicans on Capitol Hill. Anna and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, Graham Platner’s Maine Senate campaign is over. So what happens now? 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 a
Published: Jul 9, 2026Duration: 11m 24s
Can the left recover from Platner?
Senate progressives may have just blown a massive opportunity to drag the party further to the left thanks to the Graham Platner scandal in Maine. Will they ever recover? Jake discusses the latest on Maine. Plus, it’s crunch time for FY2027 spending bills. 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
Published: Jul 8, 2026Duration: 9m 56s