📝 Readback: Iran war fallout on Capitol Hill

IN THIS EDITION

Iran war fallout on Capitol Hill

Inside the Pentagon — a day before Iran

Khanna’s timely Fly Out Day debut

Covering cancer funding with Auchincloss and Ciscomani

Talking Congress at the Australian embassy

THE TOP

Iran war fallout on Capitol Hill

Welcome to The Readback, our weekend digest, featuring a quick roundup of all our favorite stories of the week. We’ve also included a few of our favorite outside reads from the week.

Iran frenzy. The United States’ launch of military operations against Iran last weekend presaged a legislative branch frenzy, drawing senior Trump administration officials repeatedly to Capitol Hill for facetime with lawmakers on the unfolding and widening conflict.

The Republican majorities in Congress have remained content, for now, letting those discussions play out behind closed doors. And for reporters, that has meant a lot of lengthy stakeouts near the House and Senate Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities, or SCIFs.

Dozens and dozens of journalists descended (literally) into the Capitol Monday and Tuesday to catch a glimpse of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others walking into the briefings.

That dynamic probably won’t change anytime soon. A week after war — as President Donald Trump repeatedly called it — broke out in the Middle East, top lawmakers on the House and Senate committees of jurisdiction have given no indication they intend to move these briefings into unclassified settings. No leading Republicans are pushing for public hearings, at least in the short term.

After Republicans in both chambers rejected war powers resolutions aimed at curbing the United States’ campaign in Iran, GOP lawmakers signaled that the first time they’ll likely weigh in on this conflict from a policy perspective is when they consider an expected supplemental funding request from the White House.

Such a request would pose political complications for Democrats, who have roundly objected to Trump’s decision to go to war without congressional approval. If the funding ask is centered on shoring up the United States’ munitions stockpiles, the Pentagon could make the argument that the money will ultimately benefit the domestic defense industrial base — and military manufacturers in members’ districts.

Then-President Joe Biden’s administration made a similar argument when urging skeptical lawmakers to support a supplemental aid package to Ukraine, going so far as to distribute a map showing the economic impact of supplemental appropriations to Kyiv on a state-by-state basis. The $60 billion bill also included money for Israel. It passed Congress in April 2024.

But there are plenty of other questions to parse about a supplemental. There’s always the potential that more funds for other priorities could catch a ride onto the legislation, widening the scope of the bill dramatically.

And then there’s the $1.5 trillion defense topline to grapple with — and to what extent a military-focused supplemental would interact with a future military budget request. (That’s without considering the impact a second reconciliation package would have on appropriations negotiations.)

What I’m watching: The pace of the current news cycle leaves little room for anything except reality TV — think “Traitors” and “Love is Blind.” But I’m also obsessed with Charli xcx’s “Wuthering Heights” soundtrack album (though I have yet to see the movie).

– Briana Reilly

You can find The Readback in your inbox every Saturday at 8 a.m. And don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected] with feedback. Enjoy The Readback.

NEW EVENT: Join us on Tuesday, March 17, at 9 a.m. ET for a conversation with Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.). Punchbowl News Founder and CEO Anna Palmer will sit down with Walkinshaw to discuss the news of the day, tech innovation and U.S. leadership. Afterward, David Zapolsky, chief global affairs and legal officer of Amazon and Aparna Bawa, COO of Zoom, will join Anna for a fireside chat. RSVP now!

Inside the Pentagon — a day before Iran

My first time inside the sprawling Pentagon complex ended up being just about a day before the U.S. military struck Iran.

You’d never have known at the time. The complex was buzzing, but it seemed like just a normal day at the defense office. My colleague Briana Reilly and I were out there for a sit-down with Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy chief, to defend his National Defense Strategy — a document that stipulates a “more focused but limited” role for the United States in international affairs.

The Pentagon complex is simultaneously as impressive, imposing and vast as you might expect. We proceeded through the visitor entrance and associated security process, as most traditional media outlets (including Punchbowl News) refused to sign new restrictions last fall and gave up press access to the building.

Security was even tighter than I expected and arguably tougher than anything I’d experienced at TSA. Once through, there’s a large waiting room (and gift shop!) where we waited for our escort to come grab us.

I’d heard the Pentagon is effectively a small city and and massive labyrinth. Those descriptors were apt. We passed a DMV, pharmacy, jewelry store and were told about a host of tasty food options (Potbelly or Five Guys, anyone?). We glimpsed a peek at a serene and quiet massive courtyard, which apparently hosts music events in the summertime.

After seemingly endless hallways, we made our way toward the river entrance of the building. Rather unbelievably, we almost literally ran into Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine walking solo, looking at his phone. More hallways, and we arrived at our destination: a windowless conference room where we conducted the interview.

Colby was punctual and engaged throughout our conversation, covering a wide range of topics but focused most intensely on the administration’s National Defense Strategy.

In our interview, Colby acknowledged “imperfections” with his communications with Capitol Hill that he said were “not meant in disrespect.” That message … uh … was not accepted by lawmakers.

Colby faced plenty of friendly fire from Republicans during two Hill appearances this week, but probably most acutely from the GOP on the House Armed Services Committee. The panel’s chair, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), said he wasn’t sure Colby had been “truthful.”

Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) said Colby had “been so disingenuous,” while even staunch Trump allies like Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.) said he wanted “better communication” from Colby.

Colby also endured sharp questioning about “flaws” in his strategy and on the ongoing conflict with Iran during a Senate appearance.

What I’m listening to: Season three of “The Big Dig” podcast is out — and “Catching the Codfather” is the fascinating tale of the capture of a fishing tycoon. Really enjoying a break from political content during my commute to the Capitol.

– Anthony Adragna

Khanna’s timely Fly Out Day debut

When the biography of Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is written, the author will have to include the events of March 5, 2026. That’s the day Khanna debuted on Fly Out Day! It was also when his bipartisan Iran war powers resolution got a vote on the House floor and failed.

I filled in producing the show this week while my colleague Haley Talbot was out. We booked Khanna before his war powers resolution was scheduled for a vote; in fact, we booked him before U.S. and Israeli forces attacked Iran.

So it was clear what we wanted to talk about with the California Democrat. Khanna even broke some news during our taping, saying he anticipated Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) would vote for his war powers resolution. Suozzi and Panetta had their own war powers resolutions, so it was unclear whether they’d support Khanna’s.

Here’s what else Punchbowl News Founders Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman discussed with Khanna:

— The Jeffrey Epstein files: Khanna said he believes about half of the files relating to the disgraced financier are still not released.

— Raising big bucks: The California Democrat has amassed quite the war chest, but he attempted to quell speculation that he’s running for president. He didn’t convince Jake, though.

— Artificial intelligence: Khanna laid out what he thinks Congress should focus on when regulating AI.

Be sure to check out the full episode here. And stick around to the end, where Punchbowl News’ Max Cohen and the Boston Globe’s Jackie Kucinich join to discuss Khanna’s interview, Texas primaries and Massachusetts’ love of Dunkin’.

What I’m reading: I recently started “Italian Ways” by Tim Parks. It’s a book ostensibly about the Italian rail system. But it also serves as a memoir about Parks’ time in Italy.

If you’re interested in trains or life on the Mediterranean, this book is probably worth picking up. I’ll save my recommendation, though, until after I finish it.

– Robert O’Shaughnessy

Covering cancer funding with Auchincloss and Ciscomani

As the reporter who covers most of our Punchbowl News events, I always leave the venue with a little more knowledge on important topics that affect us all.

This week was no different after we kicked off National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month with a bipartisan conversation on cancer research funding.

It’s rare to see lawmakers across the aisle in Congress on the same page. That’s why one of the biggest takeaways for me was how vocal Reps. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) and Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) were about the need for additional funding for cancer research, Alzheimer’s disease, women’s health and veterans’ access to care.

“We need to continue to invest in this,” Ciscomani said at one point. “We’ve made some good headway on it, but there’s more to do.”

Auchincloss carried the same sentiment and said lawmakers have work to do on supporting the development of medicines.

After the events end, I usually clip on my microphone and hop in front of the camera to recap some of the highlights for our social audiences.

I made sure to include comments from Kevin Conroy, chair and CEO of Exact Sciences, who urged Congress to provide veterans with more access to tests to detect colon cancer.

He really honed in on the idea that science is at a golden era of being able to diagnose cancer earlier, which I thought was interesting.

You can read the full recap of the event here, and watch the recording here.

What I’m watching: I’ve been rewatching a lot of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” lately. I haven’t watched the show since I was in high school, so I forgot how addictive it is!

– Shania Shelton

Talking Congress at the Australian embassy

On Wednesday evening, the Punchbowl News team traveled to Dupont Circle to share our insights on the midterm elections at an Australian embassy event. The packed crowd, composed of the diplomatic corps, Hill staff and other political enthusiasts, was a sign of how much interest there is in the consequential 2026 election.

The new Australian embassy, which reopened in October 2023 after extensive renovations, is an incredible architectural feat. The combination of glass and wood, culminating in an open atrium with a high ceiling, creates an ambience unlike any I’ve ever experienced in an embassy.

We hosted a number of panels centered on the top House and Senate races this cycle, as well as a conversation about the policy implications of the midterms.

Before we took the stage, Kevin Rudd — the Australian ambassador to the United States — took some time to chat with our team. Rudd, who previously served as Australian prime minister, illustrated a keen understanding of the Texas Senate primaries, even amid the ongoing war in Iran.

Rudd also cracked some jokes about the upcoming Australia-United States matchup at this summer’s World Cup.

On stage, my panel on the House map with colleagues Ally Mutnick and Heather Caygle garnered a lot of audience questions on Democratic messaging, how ICE is playing in tight elections and what under-the-radar races we were tracking. My main takeaway from Tuesday’s primaries: An anti-incumbency wave is sweeping the nation.

Andrew Desiderio and Ally spoke about the Senate map, while Dave Clarke, Samantha Handler and Anthony Adragna gave their takes on policy impacts.

Some interesting timing: Right after Andrew and Ally’s Senate panel, news broke that Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) wasn’t running for reelection. Breaking news never stops!

What I’m watching: “The Secret Agent,” a Brazilian film about life under the dictatorship in the 1970s. Wagner Moura’s performance is exceptional.

– Max Cohen