The Daily Punch

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Israel-Gaza and the Michigan Democratic primary Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

Democrats’ split over Israel is roiling Michigan’s must-watch Senate primary. Punchbowl News Reporter Andrew Desiderio joins Jake to discuss.

Plus: California’s new map creates a slate of swing districts. And John Cornyn is showing signs of narrowing the gap with Ken Paxton in Texas.

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Trump floats Ukraine security guarantees. Will Congress buy in? Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Will Congress back Trump’s idea of U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine? Punchbowl News’ Andrew Desiderio joins Jake to discuss.

Plus: How Brian Schatz quietly locked up the Senate whip race. And why David Schweikert may ditch his House seat for an Arizona governor run.

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The hot House Arizona battlefield Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

A rare White House summit brings President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Europe’s top leaders to Washington — with Ukraine’s future on the line. Jake is joined by Punchbowl News Reporter Andrew Desiderio to break down the stakes and how Congress could respond.

Plus: Democrats target Arizona as a key battleground, California’s new map reshuffles races and J.D. Scholten exits Iowa’s Senate contest to back Josh Turek.

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The Readback: Senate Dems face a tough map Aug 16, 2025

Show notes

Anna and Jake take the reins of the Readback Podcast this week to talk about the tricky map Senate Democrats will face next year. Plus, the results of the Scoop of the Year poll and a dispatch from the Punchbowl News Cornhole Tournament.

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Democrats' new California map Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

President Donald Trump turns up the heat on Indiana Republicans and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) steps into the national spotlight. Plus, Jake and Anna discuss who’s up and who’s down in Washington this week.

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Inside Trump's legislative plans for D.C. Aug 14, 2025

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Anna and Jake break down Trump’s push for a new D.C. security fund and the uphill battle it faces in Congress. Plus, a look at the GOP’s playbook for Democratic primaries in battleground districts, and why tech exporters are on edge after Nvidia and AMD agreed to pay the U.S. government 15% of certain chip sales to China.

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Trump's BLS pick faces Senate test Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

Trump’s pick to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics faces a rocky Senate confirmation over his past comments on jobs data, Social Security, and more. Anna and Jake break down the political fight ahead.

Plus: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer improves his hand with recruitment wins for 2026.

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The 8-figure mission to try to rescue Cornyn Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Sen. John Cornyn is in deep trouble. With polling showing him trailing Texas AG Ken Paxton by double digits, the Senate Leadership Fund is warning donors it could take tens of millions to save his seat — and hundreds of millions more if Paxton wins the primary. Anna and Jake break down the stakes, the GOP’s redistricting push and why the Trump administration is staying on the sidelines…for now.

Plus: It’s inflation report day, and Washington is already spinning the numbers. We look at how the latest CPI release could shape the political fight over Trump’s trade policies.

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The 2026 Senate map: Hits and misses Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Democrats see only a narrow path to reclaiming the Senate in 2026 — but a handful of key states could still deliver a surprise. Anna breaks down the races to watch, from Georgia and Michigan to North Carolina and Maine, and why the GOP remains favored to hold the chamber.

Plus, former Attorney General Eric Holder huddles with House Democrats on redistricting as Republicans push new maps in Texas, Missouri and beyond.

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The Readback: The fog of tech policy Aug 09, 2025

Show notes

Tech reporter Ben Brody discusses the impact of tariffs on semiconductors and President Trump's calling for the removal of Intel's CEO this past week. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week.

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