Venezuela tests Democrats

It’s election year blues for GOP leaders on Capitol Hill. Anna and Jake break down Republicans’ rocky start to 2026, the growing GOP messaging mess and why foreign policy fights are complicating life for party leaders. Plus, Democrats’ tricky Venezuela bind and the high-stakes redistricting debate unfolding in Virginia. 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

Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt stopped by the Townhouse to chat with Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer to break down why he thinks the U.S. should pursue Greenland, the capture of former Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro — and more.  PLUS don’t miss the debrief with NBC News's Julie Tsirkin and our very own Anthony Adragna. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump is once again rattling health care talks. Anna and Jake break down how. Plus, Republicans’ are scrambling to avoid a rare defeat on a War Powers vote tied to Venezuela — and where things stand on government funding ahead of the Jan. 30 deadline. 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

Democrats are split on how far to go in pushing back on President Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela as a war powers vote gains momentum. Anna and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, Congress is barreling toward another ACA showdown, and Sen. Tim Scott takes a high-stakes gamble on landmark crypto legislation. 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 is back — and January is off to a chaotic start. Anna and Jake break down a packed week of votes on war powers, health care, veto overrides and more. Plus, what lawmakers learned (and didn’t) from the first Venezuela briefing. 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 ouster of Nicolás Maduro is putting Congress at the center of a high-stakes foreign policy showdown, with top administration officials heading to Capitol Hill today to answer tough questions about Venezuela. Plus, Senate GOP Leader John Thune reflects on his first year in 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

Punchbowl News founders Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman and John Bresnahan join Max Cohen to reflect on the company's fifth anniversary. They share some stories from over the years and what they are looking forward to. 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 Diego Areas Munhoz joins Max to discuss the Punchbowl News Tech Quarterly newsletter that came out on Tuesday. 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 our final episode of 2025! Anna and Jake break down Chuck Schumer’s bruising year as Senate minority leader, from shutdown politics to a rocky path ahead in 2026. Plus, Rep. Mike Lawler joined us for a fiery Fly Out Day interview. We recap his candid take on what he called the “bullshit” discharge petition.  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

GOP Rep. Mike Lawler stopped by the townhouse to break down his chaotic week with Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman. PLUS stellar panelists John Bresnahan and Mychael Schnell brought us their insights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices