GOP hawks shrug off Trump Europe comments
A core bloc of Republicans is distancing itself from Trump’s comments that European leaders are “weak” and that the continent is in a steep decline.
Rank and file tensions over NDAA escalate
DOD policy chief tries to cool Hill tensions
Senate probes Trump’s city troop deployments
Premium+ Defense is live 
We’ve launched Defense! Our newest Premium+ coverage area takes you deeper into this rapidly evolving industry. From defense tech to appropriations, national security strategy, the military’s role domestically, aerospace and more, Punchbowl News Defense will be your go-to read.
Join the Premium Community
Premium Members get three daily newsletters, breaking news alerts, in-depth polling of Capitol Hill leaders, exclusive briefings with the editorial team and more.
Introducing The Portal
By transforming bill tracking and floor action with expert analysis from the Punchbowl News team, The Portal delivers concise, curated insights that cut through the noise, helping policy leaders win.
Latest
Calls grow for war powers vote after Venezuela escalation
President Donald Trump’s move to seize a Venezuelan oil tanker is injecting fresh urgency into efforts to require approval from Congress.
Hill resists as Trump seeks changes to defense spending
The White House has left the door open to boosting military spending by a party-line vote in Congress, a dramatic shift from longstanding practice.
Some in GOP want Trump to sell boat strikes to public
GOP members said the Trump administration needs to do a better job of explaining to the public why the deadly attacks on alleged drug smugglers are needed.
The business of defense faces big changes
President Donald Trump’s Washington is pushing to overhaul how the defense world supplies the U.S. military with war-fighting technologies.
Get ready for new power players on defense
Some of the biggest GOP players in the Washington defense world are preparing to exit the stage next year, resulting in a major leadership shift.
Popular
Grassley to probe Smith’s Arctic Frost investigation
Grassley said Monday he’s planning a series of hearings investigating former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost probe.
What we’re watching for the midterms
Today marks the start of a massively important week for the midterms.
Trump issues his Monroe Doctrine
The priorities outlined in the document are likely to draw pushback from key congressional defense hawks who want continued engagement in Europe and a muscular focus on China.
Hill aides foresee economy struggling
Top Capitol Hill aides are expecting the economy to weaken in the coming year, a bad political sign for Republicans.