POPULARITY
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. 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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 ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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
Amid reports of alleged sexual assault, Graham Platner is no longer a viable Democratic candidate to take on Maine Sen. Susan Collins, putting Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats in an incredibly difficult position as they look to take the majority on Election Day. Anna and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, why House GOP defense hawks are skeptical of the Trump administration's terms for a peace deal with Iran. 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
Washington will be empty this week with both the House and Senate on recess, and President Donald Trump heading to Turkey for a NATO summit. Anna and Jake preview what we're watching during what's sure to be a tense recess. Plus, how Mallory McMorrow's departure from the Michigan Senate Democratic primary set the stage for a two-person battle between the progressive left and the party 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
Ally Mutnick breaks down how the Supreme Court handed Republicans a massive win Tuesday by striking down coordination limits in NRSC v. FEC. 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
Today's Headlines: Mitch McConnell has apparently been on death's door for three weeks and nobody thought to mention it — Punchbowl News reported yesterday that he was found unconscious after likely suffering a heart attack, with EMS dispatch audio referencing CPR in progress for a cardiac arrest, while his office has been telling us he's "working closely with staff," which is one way to describe being in a hospital after cardiac arrest. Harvey Weinstein is also in Bellevue Hospital with heart failure as a complication of pneumonia after being rushed from Rikers, awaiting his September sentencing for sexual assault. America's 250th birthday celebration is upon us, with Trump promising the world's longest fireworks show starting at 10:30pm, plus a speech he's calling a rally that he promised to deliver even if it's 107 degrees, so happy birthday to us. Trump also took his Qatari hand-me-down plane on its inaugural flight to North Dakota for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening, where he compared himself to Teddy Roosevelt without quoting him once, interacted with an AI version of Roosevelt, floated giving himself the Medal of Honor for "taking on Russia Russia Russia," and bragged about winning the Iran war. Meanwhile, Former CIA Director John Brennan is suing the DOJ to prevent them from destroying evidence related to Trump's revenge investigations into him, which is the correct move and the only language Trump can read. Democratic panic is setting in after DSA candidate Melat Kiros, 29, beat 29-year incumbent Diana DeGette in Colorado's congressional primary — with Colorado's attorney general Phil Weiser also beating establishment favorite Michael Bennet in the governor's primary. And the Trump administration lifted its restrictions on Claude Fable 5 and Mythos, which it banned weeks ago for cybersecurity concerns, while simultaneously asking OpenAI to restrict its new GPT-5.6 Sol model for national security vetting, because the administration's relationship with AI safety is whatever is most convenient at any given moment. Resources/Articles mentioned: NY Post: Mitch McConnell was found 'unconscious' in DC home last month, may have suffered heart attack TMZ: Harvey Weinstein Suffers Heart Failure at Rikers Island, Sources Say WaPo: Trump's July 4 fireworks to start much later and last much longer AP News: Retrofitted Qatari jet takes flight as Air Force One for Trump's trip to North Dakota NYT: Ex-C.I.A. Chief Asks for Order Forcing Trump Administration to Preserve Records NBC News: Colorado Senate Primary Election 2026 Live Results: Hickenlooper, Gonzales and More CNBC: Anthropic says Trump admin has lifted export controls on Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Senate Republicans have been confirming circuit and district court judges at a pace that now exceeds their clip from the first Trump administration — a rare bright spot for the Senate GOP majority, despite several unresolved legislative crises. Anna and Jake break down Senate Majority Leader John Thune's judicial blitz. Plus, where the Democratic anti-incumbent wave could strike next. 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
For the second week in a row, Speaker Mike Johnson was railroaded by his own colleagues in the House Republican Conference. Anna and Jake break down what went wrong and what might come next. Plus, DeGette and Bennet lose in Colorado — and what the Supreme Court's ruling on campaign limits means. 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
Speaker Mike Johnson is tying the SAVE America Act to the NDAA in a bid to keep the House moving this week. But will the maneuver be enough to stop the bleeding in the House Republican Conference? Punchbowl News Congressional Reporter Max Cohen joins Anna to discuss the latest. Plus, will the left take out longtime Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado? 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
It's July 4th week. The Senate is out. The House is in session through Thursday — as of now. Punchbowl News Congressional Reporter Max Cohen and Defense Reporter Anthony Adragna break down what we're watching this week. Plus, the GOP's SAVE Act rift gets messier — and the latest on aid to Israel among House Democrats. 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
Em Luetkemeyer takes you behind the scenes of how Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP Rep. French Hill responded to President Trump's last-minute decision to postpone signing the housing 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
It's Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' turn in the barrel for our semi-regular Leader Look, following a particularly crazy week for the House leaders. Anna and Jake break down the latest. Plus, what House Homeland Security Committee Chair Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) told us on Fly Out Day about the scary capabilities of Anthropic's new Mythos model and the regulation of AI. 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
New York GOP Rep. Andrew Garbarino — chair of the House Homeland Security Committee — joins Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer to break down FISA's future, Trump's torched housing bill and the latest from New York politics. Then CNN's Sarah Ferris and Punchbowl News' Andrew Desiderio stop by for some townhouse time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Donald Trump's tense Capitol Hill lunch with Senate Republicans did little to bridge deep divisions over the SAVE America Act. Anna and Jake break down the contentious meeting. Plus, what acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has privately told several GOP senators about the anti-weaponization fund. 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
President Donald Trump is set to meet with Senate Republicans on Wednesday amid several weeks of tensions over the filibuster, the SAVE America Act and much more. Congressional Reporter Max Cohen joins Jake to preview what to expect. Plus, the latest on a bipartisan KOSA deal in the House — and what we're watching ahead of a busy primary day. 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
Vault co-author Brendan Pedersen discusses the long road to a bicameral housing 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
Jake breaks down John Thune's struggle with President Donald Trump and how Chuck Schumer has improved Senate Democrats' chances of winning back the majority. 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 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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
Banks have fought a comprehensive effort to ensure stablecoins cannot offer yield. But the Senate Banking Committee passed a bill that the banking industry still says falls short. Does that mean banks have lost the fight? Will a crypto market structure bill pass this year? Brendan Pedersen of Punchbowl News offers insights into the current and future state of play.
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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 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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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
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. 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