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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.

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Episodes

The Big Consequences Of Small Changes To Congressional Maps

Congressional districts are redrawn every ten years by state legislatures. In theory it is so populations are accurately represented when voting, but partisan gerrymandering means when you look at the map you'll probably see some really wonky shapes. We look at two states, Texas and Georgia, where redistricting will have major consequences for politicians and policy. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, Georgia Public Broadcasting's...

Dec 01, 202115 minTranscript available on Metacast

Congress Has A LOT To Do, But Can They Stop Fighting For Long Enough To Do It?

Congress and, in particular, congressional Democrats have a long to-do list before the end of the year. But inter- and intra-party disputes threaten any kind of action. So what are the disagreements, and when push comes to shove can they get the job done? This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join...

Nov 30, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast

What Do You Need To Know About Omicron? Biden Says Be Concerned But Don't Panic

A new Covid-19 variant called Omicron is spreading throughout the world and public health officials are worried about its transmissibility. President Biden addressed the nation saying, "this variant is a cause for concern — not a cause for panic." But the variant is reigniting anxieties about the pandemic. This episode: White House Correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Scott Detrow, and health correspondent Allison Aubrey. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Ema...

Nov 29, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast

The Docket: What Is Executive Privilege And What Are Its Limits?

In order to resist a congressional investigation into the January 6th insurrection, former President Trump and his associates are claiming executive privilege. They say the communication between a president and his advisers should remain confidential. Congress says it wants to get to the bottom of what the president knew. So where does executive privilege come from, and does it take precedent over congress' power to investigate? This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid and national ju...

Nov 26, 202118 minTranscript available on Metacast

Remembering NPR Political Reporter Cokie Roberts

Cokie Roberts was one of NPR's "Founding Mothers," a pioneering journalist whose career blazed a trail for generations of women at the network. NPR's Tamara Keith and Nina Totenberg talk to Cokie's husband Steve Roberts about the ways in which she was also a role model in her personal life. Steve Roberts new book about his wife is Cokie: A Life Well Lived . Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group . L...

Nov 25, 202115 minTranscript available on Metacast

Weekly Roundup: November 24th

Though it has grown more popular with time, the Affordable Care Act was widely disliked by the public in 2010 and cost Democrats dearly in the midterms. Democrats failed to successfully explain the legislation's benefits in the face of Republican attacks. Could Biden's infrastructure plan and, should it pass, social programs bill face the same fate? And the investigation into what role former President Trump played in the January 6th attack on the Capitol, led by House Democrats, has interviewed...

Nov 24, 202126 minTranscript available on Metacast

America's Other Public Health Crisis: 100,000 Overdose Deaths

More than 100,000 people died from a drug overdose in the 12-month period beginning April 2020. Despite a growing consensus that recognizes addiction as a public health problem, many effective interventions like safe consumption sites and needle exchanges are politically unpopular and legally complex. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and addiction correspondent Brian Mann. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Po...

Nov 23, 202113 minTranscript available on Metacast

Yes, COVID-19 Cases Are Up. No, It's Not A Repeat Of Last Year.

COVID-19 case numbers are once again rising in the United States ahead of the holiday season, but the country is in a much different place than it was this time last year. Fifty-nine percent of the country is now fully-vaccinated, and tests are widely available. Mandates, including one that took effect today for federal workers, are expected to spur more people to get vaccinated in the months to come. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, a...

Nov 22, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast

Weekly Roundup: November 19th

The two-trillion dollar package still needs to pass the Senate, where it is expected to undergo extensive changes. Also, a look at what issues are dominating campaigns in a central Virginia swing district. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, congressional producer Barbara Sprunt, and congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org J...

Nov 19, 202129 minTranscript available on Metacast

Leaders of Canada And Mexico Visit Washington To Talk COVID, Trade, And Migration

The summit comes after a five-year hiatus spanning the Trump administration. Despite the nations' strong relationship, disagreements over sensitive political issues have sometimes led to heightened tensions. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and international correspondent Carrie Kahn. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group . Listen to our...

Nov 18, 202115 minTranscript available on Metacast

Democrats Say They Have A Plan To Overcome 2022 Headwinds

Democrats say they will prioritize sustained outreach to communities of color and clear messages about how they think they have improved people's lives. But, if history is any guide, there is plenty of reason for skepticism. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, political correspondent Juana Summers, and congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell.| Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group...

Nov 17, 202115 minTranscript available on Metacast

US-China Summit May Have Lowered The Temperature, But The Tough Issues Remain

President Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met for a video summit this week. Both governments lauded the call as productive, but the economic and human rights issues driving tension between the two great powers are likely to persist for years. This episode: White House corrspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and China correspondent John Ruwitch. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcas...

Nov 16, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast

Steve Bannon, Former Top Trump Aide, Charged With Contempt Of Congress

Bannon was indicted last week for defying a congressional subpoena related to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. He surrendered this morning to federal authorities and has been released pending trial. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and congressional reporter Carrie Grisales. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group . Listen to our play...

Nov 15, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast

Weekly Roundup: November 11th

Pew is out with an extensive look at nine different ideological groups latent in America's political divides. And the National Rifle Association struggled with how to respond to the 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School, but its eventual course of action reveals a lot about the group's behavior in the subsequent two decades. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, acting congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, a...

Nov 12, 202126 minTranscript available on Metacast

More Trump Allies Ordered To Testify Before Congress About January 6th

Democrats are racing to finish their extensive investigation into the January 6th insurrection in the next year, worried that they may not hold onto their majority after the 2022 midterm elections. This episode: White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe, congressional reporter Claudia Grisales, and senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group . Listen to...

Nov 11, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast

Biden's Election Was Legitimate. Republicans Have Convinced Supporters It Wasn't.

Donald Trump and other top Republicans have continued to lie about the results of the presidential election. Now, 62 percent of Republicans believe election fraud changed the results of the 2020 presidential election. It did not. With narrow majorities, Democrats have been unable to pass voting rights and election security reforms through the Senate and are unwilling to change the rules to do so. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, national political correspondent Mara Liasson,...

Nov 10, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast

Vice President Harris Travels To France To Mend Fences

Vice President Kamala Harris is in France for several days, helping to mend the U.S. relationship with that country after a recent drama involving a military submarine contract with Australia. The visit also gives her an opportunity to expand her foreign policy resume. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and international correspondent Eleanor Beardsley. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@np...

Nov 09, 202113 minTranscript available on Metacast

Congress Passes Biden's Trillion-Dollar Transit, Broadband, And Power Bill

It is a major political victory for President Biden, though it remains to be seen whether it will buoy his approval ratings or boost support for Democrats in Congress. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and acting congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group . Listen to our playlist The NPR Politic...

Nov 08, 202113 minTranscript available on Metacast

Weekly Roundup: November 5th

It is not clear whether Democrats in the House of Representatives will vote today on the two major legislative packages that represent the core of President Biden's agenda, continuing months of uncertainty. And the economy added a fair number of jobs last month, but the recovery remains uneven across industries and demographic groups. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell, White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe, and chief economics corresp...

Nov 05, 202128 minTranscript available on Metacast

The Republican Election Official Who Stood Up To Trump

Brad Raffensperger is a conservative Republican who serves as Georgia's elected Secretary of State — he oversaw the 2020 elections cycle in the state. In a conversation about his new book Integrity Counts , he tells NPR's Miles Parks and Georgia Public Broadcast's Stephen Fowler about resisting former president Trump's push to corrupt the election results. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, voting reporter Miles Parks, and GPB reporter Stephen Fowler. Connect: Subscribe to the ...

Nov 04, 202117 minTranscript available on Metacast

Virginia Elects Republican Glenn Youngkin As Governor

Youngkin defeated former governor Terry McAuliffe, and outperformed former president Donald Trump's 2020 margins in every county. In the deep-blue state of New Jersey, the governor's race remains too close to call. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podca...

Nov 03, 202115 minTranscript available on Metacast

Supreme Court May Allow A Challenge To Texas Abortion Restrictions To Move Forward

A near-ban on abortion in Texas was designed to be hard to challenge in court, but in a hearing on Monday, many of the Supreme Court's conservative justices appeared ready to allow a challenge brought by abortion providers to move forward. This episode: White House reporter Asma Khalid, legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg, and KUT reporter Ashley Lopez. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group ...

Nov 02, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast

Biden Says The US Has Gotten Serious About Climate

President Biden continues his travel this week in Scotland, where he is attending the United Nations climate conference, COP26. Despite trouble passing his climate change proposals at home, Biden told the gathering of world leaders that the U.S. will become a net-zero emissions economy in the next three decades. This episode: White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe, White House correspondent Scott Detrow, and science correspondent Dan Charles. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here ...

Nov 01, 202115 minTranscript available on Metacast

Weekly Roundup: Friday October 29th

President Biden touted a new framework for the infrastructure package Democrats have been trying to deliver. The package dropped from $3.5 trillion to $1.75 trillion. Will those cuts satisfy the senators holding out? Plus, abortion rights advocates shift their message. Warning: This episode contains some adult content. This episode: White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and political correspondent Danielle Kurt...

Oct 29, 202129 minTranscript available on Metacast

The Docket: Do You Have The Right To Carry A Gun Outside Of Your Home?

The Supreme Court has already ruled that an individual has the right to bear arms in their own home, but next week it will hear arguments about whether or not that right goes beyond the home. The court will weigh individual rights against public safety at a time when gun violence has continued making national headlines. This episode: White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe and legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprp...

Oct 28, 202115 minTranscript available on Metacast

Jobs Are Open But People Of Color And Women Are Struggling To Return To Work

The labor market shifted dramatically during the pandemic, and as employers once again begin to hire, many black and brown Americans are finding it difficult to return to work. Plus, women are participating less in the workforce than in the 1980s. We look at the reasons why. This episode: White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe and Labor and Workplace correspondent Andrea Hsu. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcas...

Oct 27, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast

How Safe Are Kids Online? Senators Ask TikTok, Snapchat, And YouTube

TikTok and Snapchat appeared for the first time before Congress alongside YouTube to answer questions about how safe their platforms are for young people. Senators are calling for regulations, the company representatives agreed, but dodged any real commitments. This episode: White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe, political reporter Miles Parks, and tech reporter Bobby Allyn. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcas...

Oct 26, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast

The Facebook Papers Show How Quickly Radicalization Can Happen Online

Thousands of leaked documents from Facebook were viewed by more news organizations over the weekend including NPR. The internal sources show the company struggling with how to combat misinformation and researchers worrying about the impact of the platform. This episode: White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe, political reporter Miles Parks, and tech correspondent Shannon Bond. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podca...

Oct 25, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast

You Should Pay Attention To The Virginia Governor's Race

The off-year election is the first test of how people are feeling ahead of a consequential midterm season for the Biden administration. And will the Justice Department prosecute Trump ally Steve Bannon for ignoring an order to appear before Congress? This episode: demographics and culture correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, WVTF reporter Jahd Khalil, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitic...

Oct 22, 202125 minTranscript available on Metacast

What Will Survive Negotiations In Biden's Trillion-Plus Dollar Social Programs Bill?

The White House continues to negotiate with Democrats Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona over the president's social programs package. Core climate and community college provisions are on the chopping block, but the bill is still expected to come in at well over a trillion dollars. This episode: demographics and culture correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Learn more about sponsor ...

Oct 21, 202114 minTranscript available on Metacast