The Daily Punch

Laura Weiss, Capitol Hill reporter who covers on-the-ground Senate action. She breaks down how a Minneapolis shooting reshaped DHS funding fights and prompted split bills. She walks through late-night Senate drama, party unity and the White House stepping into talks. The conversation ends with the nail-biting vote timing and a short-term funding cliff.

A fast-paced breakdown of the White House and Senate plan to fund DHS before a looming shutdown. Discussion of a senator blocking surveillance repeal and how that complicates negotiations. Explores whether a short continuing resolution can accommodate DHS reforms. Looks at competing House and GOP demands and fresh polling on ICE and immigration enforcement.

Catherine Cortez Masto, U.S. senator from Nevada and the first Latina in the Senate, discusses DHS funding fights and calls for accountability, training and constitutional safeguards. She talks Nevada’s shifting electorate, tourism and tariff impacts, fixing the gambling tax, and the politics around future Senate plans and leadership dynamics.

A deep dive into negotiations to pass most FY2026 funding bills and a DHS continuing resolution. Discussion of proposed DHS reforms and the White House's unexpected flexibility. Analysis of how a Senate funding framework would shift pressure onto Speaker Mike Johnson and the narrow GOP math in the House. A quick look at Illinois Senate primary spending.

Reporting on a scramble in the Senate to patch DHS funding and avoid a government shutdown. Discussion of three contested paths Republicans are weighing and the tight 48-hour clock. Preview of tough questioning Marco Rubio may face about Venezuela operations and troop commitments. Coverage of AIPAC’s spending to target a lawmaker over Israel aid conditions.

They unpack the political fallout from deadly Minneapolis shootings and how it reshapes DHS staffing and funding fights. They explore how immigration agencies and reform proposals are affecting congressional bargaining. They highlight shifts in Democratic campaign messaging on ICE. They also note a contentious Texas Senate primary turning negative.

Congress races toward a potential government shutdown after deadly Minnesota shootings make DHS and ICE funding politically explosive. Lawmakers wrestle with whether to split DHS funding and demand broad ICE reforms. The IRS starts tax season without a confirmed leader amid high turnover. Democrats and Republicans brace for intense redistricting fights in Virginia and Maryland.

Andrew Desiderio, a congressional reporter who rode with a bipartisan CODEL to Copenhagen, recounts a surreal reassurance mission to Danes worried about U.S. interest in Greenland. He highlights lawmakers’ realization about ceded congressional powers, Danish public reactions and protests, and the emotional moments linking U.S. lawmakers and Danish sacrifices.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's bid for an IndyCar race on the National Mall stirs up political drama, with Democrats expressing concerns about logistics and security. The proposal faces notable skepticism from top Democratic leaders. Meanwhile, there's a significant achievement as the House wraps up the final appropriations bills, highlighting the revival of the Appropriations Committee's influence. The podcast also dives into the ongoing struggles surrounding healthcare negotiations and the slim prospects for bipartisan solutions.

Pete Aguilar, a California U.S. Representative and senior appropriator, shares insights on the intricate world of appropriations, discussing recent Democratic concessions and frustrations. He dives into California's redistricting fight against Republican gerrymandering, emphasizing its importance for democracy. Aguilar expresses cautious optimism about winning the majority, highlighting district strategies and the significance of appealing messages to voters. He also reflects on leadership changes in the party and offers personal travel tips for balancing work and downtime.