How Republicans lost their groove

President Donald Trump’s focus is drifting abroad just as his party faces mounting political headwinds at home. Anna and Jake break down how Trump’s split attention is worrying GOP leaders and reshaping the shutdown fight on Capitol Hill. Plus: What this week’s elections in Virginia and New Jersey reveal about Democrats’ 2026 momentum. 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 36 of the government shutdown and Democrats are waking up to a big election-night boost. Jake and Anna break down how Democrats’ sweeping wins shifted the political map to the left — and what it means for 2026. Plus: The Supreme Court takes up a major tariff case that could upend Trump’s trade powers. 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 35 of the government shutdown — now tied for the longest in U.S. history. But for the first time in weeks, there’s movement on Capitol Hill: Senators from both parties are exploring an off-ramp that could reopen the government and jump-start the appropriations process.  Anna and Jake break down what’s on the table. Plus: It’s Election Day, with key races in California, Virginia and New Jersey shaping the 2026 map. 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 34 of the shutdown — and one year out from the midterms. Anna and Jake break down new polling and Trump’s approval numbers. Plus: A new GOP civil war takes hold. 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

Samantha and Max discuss the changing dynamics of ending the government shutdown. 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 31 of the government shutdown — and there’s no end in sight. Jake breaks down how Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader John Thune are navigating the high-stakes fight, as Republicans face growing pressure and Trump stirs up talk of ending the filibuster. Plus: House Minority Whip Katherine Clark doubles down on her party’s shutdown strategy — and we get into her comments from Fly Out Day. 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

Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer sit down with Democratic Whip Katherine Clark to unpack Democrats’ strategy through the shutdown. Then Geoff Bennett and Julie Tsirkin join for analysis — and a fresh round of That’s Not Gonna Fly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Day 30 of the government shutdown, and there’s still no clear off-ramp. Anna and Jake break down the latest signs of movement in the Senate. Plus: President Trump announces a surprise trade deal with China. And we’ve got exclusive details on a surprising redistricting compromise out of Ohio that could shake up the 2026 map. 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

Steve Scalise’s top aide is leaving and it’s raising big questions about the Louisiana Republican’s political future. Plus: Republicans are already bracing for a brutal internal fight over healthcare once the shutdown ends. And Maryland Dems decide not to redistrict. 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 28 of the shutdown and the pressure is rising. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed deep skepticism of one-off funding bills as SNAP and air traffic control disruptions loom. Plus: Inside Democrats’ New York redistricting push. 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