Max and Laura discuss Iowa Democrats' optimism in the upcoming midterms and what to expect when Congress returns after recess. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week.

Want more in-depth daily coverage from Congress? Subscribe to our free Punchbowl News AM newsletter at punchbowl.news.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reconciliation is getting much harder

Weekday mornings,&nbsp;The Daily Punch&nbsp;brings&nbsp;you inside Capitol Hill, the White House and Washington for an&nbsp;unfiltered look at the key players and stakes of all major issues of the day. Power. People. Politics. Hosted by&nbsp;Punchbowl News founders,&nbsp;journalists and best-selling authors Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman.