What it is
Punchbowl News is a Washington, DC news outlet focused on Congress, the Capitol and the people who lead them. Its about page says it was founded by journalists and authors Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer and co-founded by Capitol Hill reporter John Bresnahan, with the credo "Power, People, Politics." Coverage spans the House, Senate, White House, Supreme Court, investigations, campaigns, polling and policy areas including tech, energy, health care, defense and finance.
What it offers
- Punchbowl News AM: a free weekday morning newsletter.
- The Daily Punch: a weekday morning podcast.
- Premium: the AM, Midday and PM newsletters, breaking news texts, special editions, the archive, VIP events and virtual Brown Bag Lunch briefings with reporters.
- Premium+: adds Sunday policy lookaheads, a Premium+ daily, monthly editorial briefings and insider policy texts for one coverage area: The Vault (tax and finance), Tech or Defense.
- Portal: a legislative intelligence tool with Enbloc AI, a Power Directory, bill tracking, hearing and witness profiles, transcripts and policy alerts.
Pricing
According to the pricing page, Premium costs $385 per year and Premium+ costs $1,200 per year, with annual billing saving 20 percent compared with monthly. Portal and team plans are priced through sales. The AM newsletter and some stories are free.
Events
Punchbowl runs events including Pop-Up Conversations with officials and newsmakers in Washington and other cities, summits on topics such as housing and technology, and virtual briefings for paying members. Readers can also sign up for text alerts on breaking news and join an email list for event announcements. Public events use an RSVP or registration link on each event page.
Why it matters for DMV founders
Punchbowl is itself a Washington media startup built on subscriptions and events. For founders whose products touch regulation, such as fintech, health, AI, energy or defense, its Congress and policy coverage is a practical way to follow legislation that could affect them. Its tech and AI coverage and its events can also help founders understand which members and staff are shaping policy, and where policy conversations happen in person. The free AM newsletter is a low-cost way to start, and founders can upgrade later if a specific policy area, such as tech or finance, becomes central to their business.
