The House is back

The House is back

Author: Punchbowl News August 31, 2026 Duration: 9:29
Jake and Anthony talk about the House's return and what's on the docket for the chamber leading up to Election Day. Plus: Zelensky sends a top aide to the Hill and Raskin hits the campaign trail for Democrats. 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

Every weekday morning, The Daily Punch cuts through the noise to deliver a clear-eyed view from the corridors of power. This isn't about distant analysis; it's an insider's perspective on the forces shaping Washington, brought to you directly by Punchbowl News founders Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman. Their experience as journalists and best-selling authors informs each conversation, focusing on the people, the personal dynamics, and the real stakes behind every headline. You'll hear candid discussions that go beyond the press releases, offering context on how decisions are actually made on Capitol Hill and in the White House. Tuning into this podcast means getting an unfiltered look at the intersection of policy and politics, understanding not just what is happening, but who is driving it and why. It's for anyone who wants to move past the surface-level news cycle and grasp the underlying mechanisms of government. The daily episodes are built on deep sourcing and a straightforward approach, demystifying the day's major issues without the typical spin. For a direct line to the key players and pivotal moments in American politics, this is the essential listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Daily Punch
Podcast Episodes
What Schumer told us about El-Sayed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:26
President Donald Trump is our guest on Fly Out Day, the episode drops tomorrow morning. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sat down with Punchbowl News to talk about the midterms. Plus, the Senate countdown is on. Want…
The left strikes back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:44
The Democratic Party’s reckoning is here. Progressives are on track to win key races in Tuesday’s primaries in Michigan, although not as decisively as predicted — or hoped. Anna and Jake break down the latest from Primar…
The Senate's escape math [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:50
The Senate’s ability to clear its pile-up of legislation and nominations before a five-week summer recess may come down to two GOP decisions. Plus, it’s Primary Day in Michigan! Anna and Jake break down what we’re watchi…
Blanche and Cornyn's deal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:03
The White House believes it has a deal with GOP senators to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee after days of frenzied negotiations. Jake breaks down the late-night Cornyn-Blanche weap…
Readback: Blanche’s confirmation battle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:31
Laura and Brendan discuss Todd Blanche's struggle this week to sway Senate GOP holdouts Thom Tillis and John Cornyn on his attorney general nomination. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featurin…
2026 and its campaign tricks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:18
From mystery super PACs to late third-party candidate adds, we’ve seen some questionable campaign practices this cycle, with the control of Congress coming down to a district-by-district, state-by-state knife fight. Punc…
Is Trump kicking Thune to the curb? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:44
President Donald Trump on Wednesday declined to say whether Senate Majority Leader John Thune is the right person to lead Senate Republicans amid an inter-party struggle over the president’s top legislative priority, the…
Thune's minefield [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:18
From President Donald Trump’s SAVE America Act push to a high-profile Cabinet nomination and a budget reconciliation effort, Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces a political minefield to navigate before the August rec…
A SAVE Act cheat sheet for the W.H. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:10
President Donald Trump is upping his pressure campaign on Senate Majority Leader John Thune over the SAVE America Act, backing a push from hardline conservatives to scrap the August recess to try to pass the bill. But it…