The Daily Punch

It’s Day 10 of the government shutdown and pressure is rising as troops prepare to miss their first paychecks. Anna and Jake break down why negotiations remain stuck — and why Trump’s absence looms large. Plus: The Senate passes the NDAA with bipartisan support. 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

Punchbowl News Tech Reporter Ben Brody joins Max Cohen to discuss the story of Hercules Candy, a well-established business that took off during the Covid-19 pandemic after YouTube gave it new legs. Plus, stick around for a fireside chat with Punchbowl News Founder and CEO Anna Palmer with Tara Walpert Levy, VP of Americas at YouTube. 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 government shutdown hits Day 9 with no end in sight. Anna and Jake break down where the negotiations stand — and why both parties are digging in. Plus: A major breakthrough in the Middle East as President Trump announces a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. And the redistricting wars hit a snag in Missouri. 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

Day 8 of the government shutdown — and tensions are mounting. Jake breaks down where negotiations stand, what’s at stake for 1.3 million service members about to miss paychecks and how Trump is shaping the GOP’s next move. Plus: Mike Johnson faces new pressure to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, and Republican frustration grows as California’s redistricting fight slips away. 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

One week into the government shutdown — and no end in sight. Jake breaks down where negotiations stand, how both parties are digging in and what to make of Donald Trump’s mixed signals on a potential health care deal. Plus: Wesley Hunt shakes up the Texas Senate race, and a new January 6 controversy erupts as Pam Bondi heads to 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

It’s Monday, and Washington is still at a standstill. Anna and Jake break down what to watch as the shutdown drags into its second week — and whether Chuck Schumer can keep Senate Democrats united. Plus: Fresh polling out of California shows Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting measure gaining steam ahead of November, and new data from The Canvass reveals which party senior Hill staffers blame for the shutdown. 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

Shutdowns hit home for most, if not all, lawmakers. While lawmakers are huddling to try to find a deal and open the government, they’re also lamenting how the shutdown is affecting their respective home states. 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 Day 3 of the government shutdown — and there’s still no deal in sight. Anna and Jake break down Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s shutdown strategy. Plus: EMILY’s List’s bold move in Illinois. 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 Day Two of the government shutdown and still no end in sight. Anna breaks down House Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s shutdown strategy and the risks Democrats face as the standoff drags on. Plus: A look at our exclusive Fly Out Day conversation with National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett on the shutdown, tariffs and the Fed. And will Congress move to ensure U.S. troops get paid during the shutdown? 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

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett came to the Punchbowl News Townhouse to talk about the government shutdown. The White House official also spoke about tariffs, saying the Trump administration will send billions of dollars to hurting farmers impacted by tariffs and they don't need Congress to pass a bill to do it. After, Jake and Anna were joined by CNN’s Phil Mattingly and Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich for a panel discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The government is officially shut down. Anna and Jake break down how we got here, the cracks already forming in Senate Democrats’ wall and Majority Leader John Thune’s hardball strategy to force their hand.  Plus, a rare bright spot for Democrats in the redistricting wars — a new Utah map that could hand them pickup opportunities heading into the midterms. 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 a government shutdown just hours away, Anna and Jake break down the five key dynamics driving the crisis. Plus, Democrats are pressing the Pentagon over how it plans to spend its reconciliation funds. 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

Shutdown week is here. Anna and Jake break down what both sides want in today’s White House meeting and how Democrats and Republicans are framing the standoff. Plus: key staff shakeups, CBCF ALC highlights and the latest on NIL. 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

Punchbowl News Senior Congressional Reporter Andrew Desiderio joins Max to talk about his time in New York this week, speaking with lawmakers at a World Economic Forum event for their Sustainable Development Impact Meetings coinciding with the U.N. General Assembly. 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 reflects on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' Fly Out Day interview — and why this shutdown fight feels different. Jeffries opened up about his strategy, his strained dynamic with Trump and why Democrats say they won’t back down. Plus: Trump’s push for a farm bailout and the latest redistricting shake-up in North Carolina. 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 Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries comes to the Punchbowl News Townhouse for an exclusive interview projecting confidence. Shutdown showdown: Jeffries insists Republicans will own a government shutdown, but hopes that progress could be made over the next five days. Redistricting: The House minority leader doesn't see “any circumstance” where Republicans will net 10 new seats by November 2026. The Mamdani of it all: Jeffries still hasn't endorsed Zohran Mamdani for the New York City mayoral election. Plus, Heather Caygle, Punchbowl News' managing editor, and Sarah Ferris, CNN Capitol Hill reporter, join for a post-interview conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a government shutdown just days away, the OMB says it will conduct mass layoffs. Plus, the Defense Department doesn't seem too worried about the prospect of a shutdown. 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

Republicans hold the upper hand in the government funding fight — but are they squandering it? With just seven days until a shutdown, Anna discusses how President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to cancel a meeting with Democratic leaders reshaped the battle and handed Democrats new political leverage. Plus, Sen. John Cornyn is rolling out a slate of GOP endorsements as he battles Texas AG Ken Paxton in a closely watched Republican primary. 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 government funding deadline is just one week away, and Washington is bracing for a shutdown. Anna breaks down the three key dynamics to watch — from Trump’s upcoming meeting with Democratic leaders, to the optics battle on Capitol Hill, to potential off-ramps in the fight over Obamacare subsidies. Plus: Kansas Republicans move to force a special redistricting session that could threaten Rep. Sharice Davids’ seat. 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 is out of session this week, but the funding deadline is just days away — and a shutdown looks increasingly likely. Jake breaks down the latest dynamics on Capitol Hill, including Trump’s role in the fight, the Senate’s next move and why House Republicans may be giving up their leverage by staying home. Plus: Tens of millions of dollars are pouring into California as the redistricting battle heads to the ballot and the DCCC continues to outpace the NRCC in fundraising. 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