Readback: A more realistic defense spending assessment

Defense reporter Briana Reilly takes you behind the scenes of the NDIA emerging technology conference and what top DOD officials said about their outlook on future funding. 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

Jake and Brendan go over what Thune told us about the future of the Senate. Plus: HMP's redline. 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 PAC President Mike Smith sits down with Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer at the townhouse to talk about affordability, redistricting and everything else weighing on Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms. Stick around: Semafor's Nicholas Wu and our own Ally Mutnick break down everything he said. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is jumping into the dark money game ahead of the midterm elections with a new 501(c)(4). Jake Sherman and Ally Mutnick discuss Jeffries' strategy. 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

There are 55 days to go until Election Day. Jake and Anna discuss the three headwinds for Republicans going into November and three potential lifelines. 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 Republicans’ “midterm convention” in Dallas begins Wednesday. The made-for-TV event is aimed at boosting GOP base turnout in the midterm elections. But there will also be a lot of big-money fundraising taking place on the sidelines. Jake and Anna break it down. 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

Trump's "midterm convention"  is in Dallas this week alongside top House and Senate Republicans and a handful of key GOP candidates. One Republican who won't be there: Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Jake breaks it down. 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

Max and defense reporter Anthony Adragna talk about the House Armed Services Committee gavel race and Rep. Rob Wittman's reelection campaign. Plus, Anthony goes over the political landscape in Virginia. 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

Anna and Jake do a Leader Look and discuss the week Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had. 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

Republican Study Committee Chair Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) stopped by the townhouse to chat with Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer about the state of the GOP, rooting out fraud, immigration reform and MUCH more. Stick around: The Texas Tribune's Gabby Birenbaum and MS NOW's Mychael Schnell join for That's Not Gonna Fly! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices