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The NPR Politics Podcast

Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon.

Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics

Episodes

Biden Holds Bipartisan Infrastructure Talks At White House

Members of the House and Senate, all former governors and mayors, attended a meeting at the White House today to talk infrastructure priorities with the president. A second infrastructure plan, in addition to the current $2 trillion plan under consideration, will focus on paid leave and childcare issues. This episode: White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, and congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here ....

Apr 19, 202115 min

Weekly Roundup: April 16th

Testimony ended Thursday in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, facing charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd's death. After the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was halted in the United States, conspiracy theorists leveraged news articles to spread disinformation online. This episode: White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe, national correspondent Adrian Florido, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson,...

Apr 16, 202130 min

Americans Support An Expanded View Of "Infrastructure" But Not How To Pay For It

A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found that Americans generally support making things like broadband part of infrastructure, but they don't agree on how to pay for it. Plus, Republicans shift away from corporations to shore up their support from the white working class. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, congressional correspondent Susan Davis, and senior editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprp...

Apr 15, 202115 min

After Almost Two Decades Of War, Biden To Withdraw Troops From Afghanistan

President Biden says that U.S. troops will be out of Afghanistan by September 11th, 2021. The president said in an address Wednesday that after nearly two decades of conflict, there was no reason to continue to wait for an ideal time to leave. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe, senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving, and Justice correspondent Ryan Lucas. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show ...

Apr 14, 202115 min

White House Says It Will Meet Vaccine Goals Despite Pause In Johnson & Johnson Use

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration recommended pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after six rare cases of blood clotting. The White House is emphasizing the condition is extremely uncommon, and it still plans to meet its goal of 200 million doses in President Biden's first 100 days in office. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and health reporter Selena Simmons-Duffin. Connect...

Apr 13, 202114 min

John Boehner Thinks The Republican Party Has Changed. Has It?

In a new memoir, the former Republican House Speaker says that even Ronald Reagan couldn't get elected in today's GOP. He decries obstructionist tactics used by Republicans, while acknowledging his role in pioneering them. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, congressional correspondent Susan Davis, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at [email protected] Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook ...

Apr 12, 202115 min

Weekly Roundup: April 9th

As lawmakers and security officials brainstorm security reforms for the U.S. Capitol complex, investigators have yet to disclose any evidence that extremist groups came to DC on January 6th specifically intending to raid the building. And President Biden's steady rollout of sweeping policy proposals has drawn plaudits, and surprise, from Democratic activists. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Claudia Grisales, Justice Department correspondent Ryan Lucas...

Apr 09, 202127 min

Biden Announces Gun Safety Agenda

President Biden announced a series of policy actions on Thursday aimed at curbing gun violence. Congressional action remains unlikely unless Democrats reform or eliminate the filibuster. This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, political reporter Juana Summers, and White House reporter Tamara Keith. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at [email protected] Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group . Listen to our playlist The NPR Politics Daily ...

Apr 08, 202114 min

Activists Stoke Corporate Backlash To Voting Restrictions

States are facing pressure from corporations to dial back legislation that makes it harder to vote. Major League Baseball announced on Friday that it is relocating the All-Star Game from Atlanta in response to a new state law. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, KUT reporter Ashley Lopez, and WABE reporter Emil Moffatt. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at [email protected] Join t...

Apr 07, 202114 min

Top Biden Labor Economist: Boosting Black Women Benefits Everyone

Black people, in particular Black women, are historically among the last to recover from economic downturns. Janelle Jones, the first Black woman to serve as the top economist for the Labor Department, has a policy approach she calls "Black Women Best" that she hopes will rectify that. What can be achieved over Republican objections remains to be seen. This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe, and political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben. Conne...

Apr 06, 202115 min

Hunter Biden's Memoir Goes Long On Addiction, Short On Corporate Work

A new memoir details a harrowing struggle with addiction but mostly elides the past corporate and lobbying work that has raised political propriety questions. A federal investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes could still prove a headache for the president, though the younger Biden has denied wrongdoing and says he is cooperating fully with investigators. LISTEN: Hunter Biden's interview with Morning Edition This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Scott De...

Apr 05, 202115 min

Weekly Roundup: April 2nd

President Biden announced his first judicial nominees this week, including one judge seen as a possible candidate for the Supreme Court. Biden's staff says the president sees filling judicial seats as a top priority, but will his picks make it through Congress? Plus, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells NPR that the size of Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan is "disappointing," but she and other progressive leaders see the proposal as evidence of the Green New Deal's influence on climate pol...

Apr 02, 202129 min

A Full Court Press: The Supreme Court Considers Expanded Benefits For Student Athletes

This week the Supreme Court heard arguments about whether or not the NCAA is operating a conspiracy to fix prices in the athletic labor market by not paying its student athletes. The NCAA, however, argues that paying students would threaten the "amateur" status of the game. This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email ...

Apr 01, 202114 min

"It's Big" And "It's Bold": Biden Unveils Massive Infrastructure Plan

Both parties agree that the country's infrastructure needs a face lift, and today President Biden revealed a $2 trillion plan to address the problem. The package will address roads, bridges, high speed internet, climate change, and racial inequity, but to pay for it all Congress would need to rollback former President Trump's corporate tax cuts. This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell, and White House correspondent Scott Detrow. Connect: Su...

Mar 31, 202117 min

Gov. Kristi Noem Hopes To Court Conservatives By Banning Trans Girls From Sports

South Dakota's governor Kristi Noem is a Republican rising star who signed two executive orders on Monday that bar transgender girls and women from participating in K-12 and college sports. It's just one of the moves Noem has made to gain favor ahead of the 2024 election. Plus, President Biden and his CDC director brace for a potential spike in coronavirus cases. This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, science editor Ro...

Mar 30, 202115 min

Will A New Georgia Law Restrict Voter Access Or Restore Faith In Elections?

A new Georgia law has become the center of the debate over voting rights with President Biden calling it "Jim Crow in the 21st century." Republicans argue the law helps restore faith in the electoral process, but civil rights advocates say it disenfranchises voters of color. Plus, Texas Republicans introduce new bills to restrict voter access. This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell, WABE's political reporter Emma Hurt, and KUT's political ...

Mar 29, 202115 min

Weekly Roundup: March 26th

Colorado is considering new gun control measures in the wake of this week's mass shooting in the state. But can those restrictions survive the scrutiny of the most conservative Supreme Court in decades? And the heads of Twitter, Facebook, and Google appeared before Congress on Thursday to answer questions about disinformation on their platforms. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, Colorado Public Radio reporter Bente Birkeland, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, tec...

Mar 26, 202129 min

President Biden Addresses Migration, Filibuster At First Press Conference

In an hour-long briefing, Biden downplayed the role his election victory and messaging are playing in encouraging an influx of migrants to the border. He also said that he was working quickly to improve the conditions for children detained by the United States. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House reporter Ayesha Rascoe, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at [email protected] Join ...

Mar 25, 202115 min

Guns Are A Key Part Of American Political Identity. That Makes Reform Unlikely.

Fearing base backlash, Republican lawmakers are unlikely to support gun control measures popular among the American public. And limiting Democratic margins in the suburbs is vital should the party hope to win back the levers of power in Washington. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Susan Davis, and national political correspondent Don Gonyea. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at [email protected] Join the NPR Po...

Mar 24, 202114 min

US Loans Vaccines To Mexico, Canada

AstraZeneca's vaccine has not been authorized for use in the United States, but the nation has millions of doses in its stockpile. Now, the Biden administration has announced it will loan some of those doses to Mexico and Canada. And a delay in 2020 census tallies is posing problems for states that need to draw legislative district maps. This episode: political reporter Juana Summers, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, health reporter Pien Huang, and census correspondent Hansi Lo Wang. Conn...

Mar 23, 202115 min

Migrant Children Advocates Say Biden Should Have Been Prepared For Arrivals

The reasons the Biden administration is housing some migrant children in adult detention facilities are complicated. The number of migrants arriving at the border is rising and includes many children traveling without their parents. Trump reduced the capacity of the shelter system and Biden, unlike the former president, is not immediately deporting unaccompanied minors. Still, advocates on both sides of the aisle are calling for improved conditions. And DC statehood is having its day in the sun,...

Mar 22, 202114 min

What If We Don't Need To 'Fix' Polarization?

NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben interviews Lilliana Mason, associate professor of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland, about her book Uncivil Agreement. Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group to participate in our next book club discussion. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at [email protected] Listen to our playlist The NPR Politics Daily Workout . Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter . Find and support your local public radio station ....

Mar 20, 202116 min

Weekly Roundup: March 19th

Civil rights groups have been meeting with the Biden administration about addressing the rise in violence toward Asian Americans. President Biden said he's willing to consider reforming the filibuster. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, political reporter Juana Summers, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell, and senior political editor and correspondent Ryan Lucas. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprp...

Mar 19, 202130 min

Exclusive: FBI Director Christopher Wray On Responding To Hate Crimes

FBI Director Christopher Wray sits down with NPR's Carrie Johnson for a wide-ranging interview about the role of the FBI, the mass shooting in Atlanta that killed 8 including 6 women of Asian descent, and the ongoing investigation into the Capitol insurrection. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at [email protected] Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Gro...

Mar 19, 202119 min

Kids Entering US Alone Present Challenge For Biden

Thousands of children are coming to the United States in search of a better life, many crossing into the country illegally along the southern border. The Biden administration has so far struggled to provide humane and appropriate shelter. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and congressional reporter Claudia Grisales. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at [email protected] . Join the NPR Politics Podc...

Mar 17, 202114 min

Republicans Move To Curb Voting After Historic 2020 Turnout

Republican state lawmakers across the country, including in Iowa and Arizona, have introduced measures designed to make it harder to vote. Meanwhile, Virginia has followed other blue states in passing reforms to expand ballot access This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, KJZZ reporter Ben Giles, IPR Reporter Katarina Sostaric, and VPM reporter Ben Paviour. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the ...

Mar 16, 202115 min

Biden Passed The Recovery Plan. Now What?

Infrastructure could be the next big focus, if an influx of children and teens at the U.S. souther border doesn't force action on immigration legislation. But without filibuster reform, the chance of passing legislation on racial justice or voting rights are low. This episode: political reporter Juana Summers, congressional correspondent Susan Davis, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at [email protected] . Jo...

Mar 15, 202115 min

Weekly Roundup: March 12th

Scott Detrow shares his reporting on the day, one year ago, that it felt like everything changed. And President Biden is dealing with an influx of people seeking refuge at the US southern border. This episode: political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, White House correspondent Scott Detrow, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at [email protected] . Join the...

Mar 12, 202130 min

Biden: All Americans Eligible To Get Vaccine Beginning May 1

In his first primetime address as president, Joe Biden said he believes the country can be more or less back to normal by Independence Day. But he cautioned that the nation needs to remain vigilant and unified in order to prevent a resurgence of the virus. This episode: political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at [email protected]...

Mar 12, 202114 min

Reeling From COVID Scandal, NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

Early in the pandemic, New York governor Andrew Cuomo rose to national prominence for his frank daily briefings. Now, Cuomo is accused of covering up the scale of nursing home fatalities and faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. And former president Donald Trump is trying to siphon donations away from the Republican National Committee toward his own political action committee. This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Mon...

Mar 10, 202115 min
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