Right now, the problem is not enough vaccines. But in a few months, when we have a bigger supply, we could be looking at a scenario where there aren’t enough people willing to take the vaccines we have. POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle breaks down what she learned from conversations with nine state and local health officials about how to avoid that situation. Plus, Biden picks Obama-veteran Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to head the agency in charge of Medicare and Medicaid. And a judge orders two of the most...
Feb 18, 2021•13 min
He’s not King yet, but Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman is the leader of Saudi Arabia in all but name. He’s also one of the biggest thorns in the side of Biden’s Middle East policy plans. POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi reports. Plus, Trump attacks McConnell in a fiery statement. And NASA looks at whether it might have to delay a trip to the moon. Nahal Toosi is a foreign affairs reporter for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audi...
Feb 17, 2021•14 min
Biden promised to “follow the science” throughout his campaign. But a month into his presidency, he’s learning the hard way that — from school reopenings to wearing masks — politics and science don’t always mesh. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn reports. Plus, Pelosi says an independent commission will investigate the Capitol insurrection. And the WHO grants emergency approval for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. Adam Cancryn is a health care reporter for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dis...
Feb 16, 2021•14 min
Nikki Haley is no stranger to political tightropes. During her time in the Trump administration, she enjoyed the MAGA glow while avoiding Trump's brash brand of politics. But in the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection, that position is becoming less and less tenable — especially as a leading 2024 presidential contender. POLITICO's Tim Alberta reports. Plus, the White House secures 200 million more vaccine doses. And Biden moves to dismantle Trump’s Medicaid work rules. Tim Alberta is POLITICO'...
Feb 12, 2021•14 min
Sure, the vaccine rollout in the U.S. hasn’t been smooth. But … it could be worse. Just look at Europe. POLITICO Europe’s Jillian Deutsch tells the complicated story of how the EU fell behind on vaccines. Plus, the Biden administration asks the Supreme Court to uphold Obamacare. And the South Africa variant is discovered in California. Jillian Deutsch is a health reporter for POLITICO Europe. Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio...
Feb 11, 2021•13 min
Donald Trump talked with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone at least a dozen times during his presidency — sometimes for hours — but transcripts were never released. Now, President Biden’s team is trying to piece together whether those conversations could come back to haunt them. POLITICO’s Natasha Bertrand reports. Plus, Biden’s most controversial cabinet nominee faces a second day of hearings. And Trudeau says Canadians returning from the U.S. by land will need to show negative Covi...
Feb 10, 2021•12 min
It's virtually impossible for Democrats to get the votes they need to convict Donald Trump. So what's the point of this week's trial? Playbook's Rachael Bade says it's more about convincing the American public — not lawmakers — that Trump should never be able to hold office again. Plus, the final race of the 2020 election cycle finally ends. And the Biden administration drops a Trump-era lawsuit over California's net neutrality law. Rachael Bade is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO. Jeremy Siege...
Feb 09, 2021•12 min
In Ohio, it’s already 2022. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are jockeying for a shot at the Senate after Republican Sen. Rob Portman’s announcement last month that he won’t seek reelection, giving Democrats an unlikely opening. POLITICO’s James Arkin breaks down why the race will be a bellwether of Rust Belt politics in the post-Trump era. Plus, South Africa suspends its AstraZeneca vaccine plans. And Rep. Liz Cheney still has no plans to resign. James Arkin is a campaigns reporter for POLI...
Feb 08, 2021•13 min
This week is only the beginning. The Republican party is bitterly divided, and the fringe views embodied by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green aren’t going anywhere. POLITICO’s Melanie Zanona reports on how House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is trying to keep it all together. Plus, Johnson & Johnson files for emergency use authorization. And Trump won’t testify at his impeachment trial. Melanie Zanona is a Congress reporter for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Jenny Ament i...
Feb 05, 2021•12 min
The CDC says vaccinations aren't a necessity for safely reopening schools. But many teachers unions aren't backing down. POLITICO's Mackenzie Mays reports on the fight over reopening schools in California — and how it could pose a major problem for President Biden. Plus, Democrats move to strip freshman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of her committee assignments. And the House adopts a budget resolution to expedite Biden’s $1.9T pandemic plan. Mackenzie Mays is a POLITICO education reporter based i...
Feb 04, 2021•13 min
Go big. Go fast. And, if need be, go without the GOP. That’s been President Biden’s credo while signing a record number of executive actions during his first days in office. POLITICO’s Natasha Korecki looks at the strategy behind the effort — and whether Biden is muffling his own message of bipartisanship and unity. Plus, Defense Secretary Austin roots out Trump appointees at the Pentagon. And Neera Tanden, Biden’s pick for budget director, is slated for a confirmation grilling next week. Natash...
Feb 03, 2021•12 min
On the campaign trail, President Biden promised to promote democracy and fight authoritarianism across the globe. Now, he’s facing a foreign policy crisis that puts those promises to the test: A military coup in Myanmar. POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi breaks down how the White House plans to respond — and how the situation could escalate tensions with China. Plus, the Senate will vote on confirming two cabinet positions. And Robinhood’s CEO is expected to testify before a House panel on GameStop later t...
Feb 02, 2021•12 min
President Biden wants $1.9 trillion. Republicans want a lot less. POLITICO’s Victoria Guida breaks down what would really save the Covid economy — and why we shouldn’t care too much about the price tag … for now. Plus, Blinken condemns Russia for arresting protestors. And a new CDC rule requiring travelers to wear face masks takes effect later today. Victoria Guida covers economic policy for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLIT...
Feb 01, 2021•13 min
Every day has a theme. Every day has a briefing. Every day has some executive orders. The first full week of the Biden administration has certainly followed a pattern. POLITICO’s Sam Stein breaks down the strategy behind the blandness — and explains why boring isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Plus, Rep. Jim Jordan won’t run for Senate next year. And Novavax says early data from a U.K. trial shows its vaccine is more than 89 percent effective. Sam Stein is POLITICO's White House editor. Jeremy Sieg...
Jan 29, 2021•12 min
There’s an app for everything. There’s also data on everyone. POLITICO’s Mohana Ravindranath breaks down how companies are slyly buying and selling the information we share with health apps — and explains why that data isn’t protected like medical records. Plus, spending on food stamps jumped by nearly 50 percent in 2020. And DHS warns of continued violence by domestic extremists. Mohana Ravindranath is an eHealth reporter for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguch...
Jan 28, 2021•14 min
We’re in a race against the clock. New variants are popping up around the world, and slowing the spread is essential. POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle breaks down what sort of progress the U.S. is making in its vaccination efforts — and whether we’ll be able to take on the new strains. Plus, Trump’s conviction is looking unlikely after nearly every GOP Senator voted against holding a trial. And a federal judge blocks President Biden’s 100-day deportation moratorium. Sarah Owermohle covers drug policy ...
Jan 27, 2021•16 min
President Biden made some big immigration promises. And he’s already delivered on some of them, signing executive orders to repeal the so-called “Muslim travel ban” and halt construction of the border wall. But the centerpiece of his plan — a bill providing a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants — faces a steep uphill battle in Congress. POLITICO’s Laura Barrón-López reports. Plus, Biden set his sights on 1.5 million vaccines a day. And banks say a technical glitch is preventing sma...
Jan 26, 2021•12 min
If you can’t win, change the rules of the game. That appears to be the rule state Republicans are following across the country in the aftermath of Trump’s loss, as they push for new voting restriction laws. POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro reports on how Georgia is leading the effort. Plus, Biden health officials are hopeful vaccine supply problems will ease in March. And the Kremlin criticizes the U.S. for expressing support for Russian protesters. Zach Montellaro is a campaign reporter for POLITICO ...
Jan 25, 2021•14 min
The global economy is still fighting the pandemic and digging itself out of a recession, while jobs and training will surely change going forward. What other actions need to be taken by government, business, education and other institutions to ensure that people have access to the resources necessary for good jobs? Hosts Ryan Heath and Luiza Savage talk with leaders in job training and tech about the big, structural changes that need to happen. Ryan Heath is the host of "Global Translations". Lu...
Jan 24, 2021•28 min
Democrats have control of the House, the Senate and the White House. But if they want to get anything done, like a massive Covid bill, they're gonna have to work across the aisle. POLITICO's Alex Thompson reports on how President Biden's decades-long relationship with Mitch McConnell could take center stage. Plus, Senate Democrats file an ethics complaint against Hawley and Cruz over their election challenge. And Sam Cornale is tapped to be DNC executive director. Alex Thompson is a White House ...
Jan 22, 2021•13 min
President Joe Biden is promising a complete reversal of the problems that plagued the Trump administration. But one is sure to stick around: the coronavirus pandemic. POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein breaks down the details of Biden’s plan to beat Covid — and looks at whether he’ll be able to get vaccine rollout back on track. Plus, Democrats officially take control of the Senate. And stocks hit record highs. Alice Miranda Ollstein is a health care reporter for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel is a host...
Jan 21, 2021•13 min
Streets are deserted. Stores are boarded up. Troops line the perimeter of the Capitol. This is the backdrop of President-elect Biden’s inauguration — and as POLITICO Playbook's Tara Palmeri reports, it could be the backdrop of a new Washington for weeks to come. Plus, the coronavirus death toll passes 400,000 in the U.S. And federal officials prepare to charge a woman for allegedly stealing a laptop from Speaker Pelosi’s office during the insurrection. Tara Palmeri is a Playbook co-author for PO...
Jan 20, 2021•10 min
When POLITICO’s Eugene Daniels thinks about how he'll cover Kamala Harris as one of the new authors of the Playbook newsletter , he remembers his grandma, who didn’t think her grandson would see a Black woman vice president in his lifetime. Eugene joins Dispatch to talk about how Harris will make history when she’s sworn in tomorrow — and what sort of challenges she’ll face as “a first.” Plus, the Pentagon deploys hundreds of active-duty troops for inauguration security. And the Census Bureau di...
Jan 19, 2021•13 min
The idea of a traditional career path is changing — and for the better. Technological advances and changing labor markets are spurring nontraditional job training methods like reskilling and upskilling to grow in popularity. But how are these new training programs working? Hosts Ryan Heath and Luiza Savage talk with guests in the new job training game. Ryan Heath is the host of "Global Translations". Luiza Savage is a host of "Global Translations". Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Ka...
Jan 18, 2021•30 min
It’s been seven days since Trump’s last tweet, after Twitter and several other tech giants banned the President amid the fallout from last week’s insurrection. POLITICO’s Nancy Scola takes us inside big tech’s decision to dump Trump — and looks at how Silicon Valley’s influence in politics could come under sharper scrutiny in the coming years. Plus, Biden calls for a vast expansion of the federal pandemic response. And McCarthy rejects calls to remove Cheney from GOP leadership. Nancy Scola is a...
Jan 15, 2021•14 min
As the nation reels from a violent insurrection and a devastating pandemic, President Trump has become the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice. So how did we get here? Dan Diamond — who is sadly leaving POLITICO after five years on the health beat — explains how there were warning signs in the early days of President Trump’s health policies. Plus, Biden's transition team urges quick confirmations of his national security picks. And Johnson & Johnson falls behind on vaccine ...
Jan 14, 2021•16 min
Impeachment. Inauguration. The transfer of power. The next seven days will be critical, and intelligence officials are already warning of possible "armed protests" across the country. Garrett Graff explains how the security failures during last week's insurrection raise questions about how prepared the country is for more threats. Plus, U.S. will require Covid testing for arriving international flights. And Trump tries to defend himself ahead of impeachment. Garrett Graff is a journalist coverin...
Jan 13, 2021•14 min
100 million vaccinations in 100 days. It’s one of the main promises President-elect Biden has made for when he takes office. But with the Trump administration’s vaccination efforts hitting roadblocks and falling behind schedule, Biden’s goal is looking more out of reach by the day. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn reports. Plus, Biden is eyeing ways to prevent impeachment from derailing Senate confirmations. And New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman tests positive for Covid after the Capitol insurrection...
Jan 12, 2021•12 min
Following last week’s deadly siege at the Capitol, Democratic leaders are once again faced with the question of whether or not to impeach President Trump. POLITICO’s Heather Caygle breaks down the arguments for and against the move. Plus, the Office of Attending Physician warns lawmakers of potential Covid exposure during the riots. And D.C.’s mayor pushes for enhanced security surrounding Inauguration Day. Heather Caygle covers Congress for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatc...
Jan 11, 2021•12 min
The pandemic sent shockwaves through a global labor market already upended by digitization and the green energy transition. It left tens of millions jobless and amplified skills gaps. Even as we spent trillions keeping the economy on life support, investment in the skills of the future has been scarce. So how do we get the right skills to the right people, to get the economy motoring again? Hosts Ryan Heath and Luiza Savage speak with experts about these major labor disruptions. Ryan Heath is th...
Jan 10, 2021•28 min
