Fly Out Day: Inside the West Wing with James Blair

Ally and Max discuss the growing redistricting battle across 15 states and what it means for future elections. 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 24 of the shutdown and there’s still no off-ramp in sight. Anna and Jake recap their Fly Out Day conversation with top Trump advisor and White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair. Plus: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is pushing for “Russia week” on the Senate floor, where senators would take up a trio of bills targeting Moscow. 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

White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair joins Anna and Jake at the Punchbowl News Townhouse to take us inside the government shutdown, now on its 23rd day. • Shutdown: W.H. invites Senate to Rose Garden Club post shutdown • Midterms: Trump's spending on races • That's Not Gonna Fly: Trump's Ballroom Plus, a post-interview breakdown with CNN's Alayna Treene and our very own redistricting expert Ally Mutnick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Day 23 of the shutdown and there’s still no off-ramp in sight. Anna and Jake break down the competing Senate proposals to pay federal workers and why neither side is blinking.  Plus: Inside the mood of Senate Dems, where some are betting on Trump to end the stalemate. And the shutdown’s ripple effects start to hit home as states prepare to suspend SNAP benefits, impacting millions of Americans. 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 22 of the shutdown and a year-long CR could be on the table. Jake and Anna break down what that would mean for Speaker Mike Johnson, appropriators and the rest of Washington. Plus: Redistricting drama heats up in North Carolina, and crypto’s big day on the 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 Day 21 of the government shutdown and the fight over Obamacare is front and center in Washington. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is floating a one-year CR as health care premium hikes dominate the shutdown debate. Plus: Democrats are shifting their Illinois redistricting strategy — and the latest cash dash on the campaign front. 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 shutdown hits Day 20 — and pressure is mounting as Nov. 1 looms. Jake breaks down Schumer’s next move, a potential off-ramp for Democrats and why this week could be decisive.  Plus: Hakeem Jeffries ramps up his redistricting push and the Grijalva lawsuit heads for a showdown. 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 Financial Services Reporter Brendan Pedersen recaps his interviews at D.C. Fintech Week, aka Finchella. 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 17 of the shutdown — and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise is drawing a hard line. Anna and Jake break down their Fly Out Day conversation with Scalise, fresh FEC numbers in the fight for the House and Georgia’s wide-open GOP Senate 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

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joins Anna and Jake at the Punchbowl News Townhouse to take us inside the government shutdown, now on its 16th day. • Shutdown: Scalise brushed off concerns that people will turn their anger toward GOP • Cassidy: Scalise declined to endorse Sen. Bill Cassidy’s (R-La.) reelection effort • Future plans: Scalise said he will run for reelection in 2026 Plus, a post-interview breakdown from MSNBC’s Laura Barrón-López and The New York Times’ Carl Hulse, where they unpack what it all means. Want to stay up on political news throughout the day? Join Punchbowl News' premium membership for the latest in what's happening in Washington. https://punchbowl.news/pricing/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices