Fly Out Day: Inside the West Wing with James Blair

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

It’s Day 27 of the government shutdown — and there’s no end in sight. President Trump is abroad and the House has been out of session for 38 days. Anna and Jake break down the stakes as air traffic controllers brace for a missed paycheck and SNAP benefits near a cliff on Nov. 1. Plus: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries heads to Illinois to push for a mid-decade redistricting plan — and why Black lawmakers in the state are wary. 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

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