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Washington Today

Catch up on the biggest stories of the day from Washington with interviews and analysis from leading journalists. Posted weekdays at 6:30 pm ET. From C-SPAN, the network that brings you the "Q&A" podcast.

Episodes

Weekend Edition: Bipartisanship in American Politics, Make America Healthy Again Agenda, and the 5th Anniversary of the killing of George Floyd

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a discussion with former Republican Congressman Chris Gibson on his new book "The Spirit of Philadelphia" – about reviving bipartisanship and civic engagement in American politics. Then, Dr. Richard Besser from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation joins us– to talk about HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior's "Make American Healthy Again" agenda - and changes to public health policy. Finally, NAACP preside...

May 31, 202533 min

Elon Musk meets with Pres. Trump in Oval Office, reflects on DOGE legacy, on last day as Special Government Employee

Elon Musk, Former head of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) joins the President Trump in the White House Oval Office on his final day as a government employee; President Trump accuses China of violating a trade agreement from a few weeks ago that led to the lowering of high tariffs on both sides while negotiations continued on a longer-term deal; Supreme Court allows the Trump administration to take away temporary legal protections from over half a million immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, N...

May 30, 202551 min

White House criticizes 'activist judges' after federal trade court decision to strike most of Pres. Trump's tariffs as unlawful; federal appeals court reinstates tariffs, for now

White House is calling on the Supreme Court to intervene after a federal trade court struck down many of President Donald Trump's tariffs because the president exceeded his legal authority when he put them in place. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt say, "America cannot function if President Trump, or any other president for that matter, has their sensitive diplomatic or trade negotiations railroaded by activist judges"; State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce is asked about Secretary of State M...

May 29, 202554 min

President Trump rejects TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out) meme on his tariff strategy, saying, 'It's called negotiation'

President Donald Trump responds to a nickname some on Wall Street have given him to describe his tariff policy that includes the word 'chicken'; President is asked about Elon Musk saying he disappointed with the amount of spending in the budget reconciliation 'one big beautiful bill' passed by the House; Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy calls for more spending on upgrading air traffic control systems, as he gives an update from Newark Airport; Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Rep. Jason Crow (D-...

May 28, 202555 min

King Charles III opens Canada's parliament, saying 'the True North is indeed strong and free', amid Pres. Trump threats of annexation

Great Britain's King Charles III opens the Canadian parliament in Ottawa by declaring, "As the anthem reminds us, the True North is indeed strong and free." Associated Press calls it "a speech widely viewed as a show of support in the face of annexation threats by U.S. President Donald Trump"; on Wall Streets, stocks climb after President Trump says he will delay 50 percent tariffs on the European Union; Special Presidential Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg talks about the president's frustration ...

May 27, 202551 min

Weekend Edition: Trump Administration changes to public health, Energy Initiatives and the "Big, Beautiful Bill" and Immigration Enforcement

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a conversation with Dr. Georges Benjamin of the American Public Health Association. We'll talk about changes the Trump administration is making to public health, under the leadership of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Then, Congressional Republicans and President Trump are taking aim at Biden administration energy initiatives and tax credits in their so-called "big, beautiful bill." We'll talk about wh...

May 24, 202530 min

Federal judge blocks Trump Admin. ban on Harvard enrolling international students; Pres. Trump threatens high tariffs on European Union & Apple's iPhones

A federal judge puts on hold the Trump Administration order to Harvard not to accept any international students after the school refused to turn over information about those students' political activities; President Donald Trump threatens to impose a 50% tariff on the European Union and a 25% tariff on smartphones from Apple and Samsung not made in the U.S.; President signs Executive Orders to promote nuclear energy; Vice President JD Vance tells the graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy the admin...

May 23, 202543 min

House passes 'One Big Beautiful Bill" by one vote; bipartisan condemnation of deadly shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers in DC

House Republicans pass the budget reconciliation 'one big beautiful' tax cut and spending cut bill by one vote after an all-night debate and daybreak vote; FBI is investigating as an 'act of terror' the shooting death of two Israeli Embassy aides outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC by a man who shouted "free, free Palestine"; Make America Health Again (MAHA) Commission releases a report on what is causing chronic disease, especially in children; Democrats criticize President Trum...

May 22, 202553 min

Speaker Johnson says 'plan is to move forward' on vote on budget reconciliation bill after White House meeting with Freedom Caucus

House Rules Committee meets all night and then all day on the Republican tax cut and spending cut package called Budget Reconciliation or "One Big Beautiful Bill", but negotiations continue among Republicans to reach the near-unanimity that will be need to pass it through the House without any Democratic votes; Education Secretary Linda McMahon testifies before a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Trump Administration efforts to close the department and shift Education money and programs to st...

May 21, 202553 min

President Trump meets with House GOP on budget reconciliation bill, but SALT Caucus & Freedom Caucus still holding firm in their demands

President Donald Trump meets with House Republicans on the Budget Reconciliation bill, urging those opposed to accept what is being offered and not to push for additional spending cuts or more state & local tax deduction, but it is uncertain whether he convinced enough for the bill to pass this week; Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) says felony charges she is facing for allegedly assaulting a federal law enforcement officer outside an immigration detention facility are "purely political"; Secreta...

May 20, 202554 min

House GOP leaders want Trump to dissuade hard-liners on deeper Medicaid cuts

-House Speaker Mike Johnson says the Republicans federal budget resolution still has QUOTE a lot of hurdles left following its passage out of the House Budget Committee late last night…Fox News Digital reporter Liz Elkind reported that Speaker Johnson said on a conference call this morning…. That members are facing the “most important 48 hours ahead of us that we will ever have in our lives… Meanwhile, CNN is reporting that President Trump will make a personal pitch to House Republicans to pass ...

May 19, 202541 min

Weekend Edition: Supreme Court Case on Birthright Citizenship. Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks, and Prescription Drug Prices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, Wall Street Journal Supreme Court correspondent Jess Bravin breaks down the Supreme Court case heard this week on Trump administration's effort to end birthright citizenship. Then, a conversation with Maria Snegovaya of the Center for Strategic & International Studies about where Ukraine-Russia peace talks stand – after Russian President Putin was a no-show this week in Turkey. Plus, President Trump si...

May 17, 202531 min

House Republican tax cut & spending cut Budget Reconciliation fails in committee after a handful of Republicans vote 'no'

House Budget Committee votes down the Republican tax cut, spending cut, border and defense Budget Reconciliation, the one they call the One Big Beautiful Bill, after four Republicans join Democrats in voting no; President Donald Trump finishes up his Middle East trip at a business breakfast in the United Arab Emirates, saying UAE could buy advanced computer chips for AI development; Russian & Ukrainian officials hold peace talks in Turkey, with no ceasefire announced. President Trump is aske...

May 16, 202549 min

Supreme Court hears case on birthright citizenship and nationwide court injunctions

Supreme Court hears a case on the 14th Amendment's birthright citizenship clause, and President Trump Executive Order to redefine it to not include children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants, but much of the argument concerns whether nationwide court injunctions should be allowed; We hear some of the Justices' questioning and get analysis from Brett Samuels, The Hill's White House reporter (1); Senate Republicans block Democrats' attempt to bring up a bill to require a Trump Administra...

May 15, 202554 min

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. tells Congress people should not take his medical advice on vaccines

Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is questioned about vaccines at two congressional committee hearings. One Senator accuses him of lying to the committee during his confirmation about his plans for programs that promote vaccinations. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is confident that a deal can be reached with holdout House Republican who insist as a condition of their votes on an increase in the maximum State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT) in the comprehensive budget...

May 14, 202555 min

House committees mark up Republican tax, Medicaid & SNAP changes in budget reconciliation

Biggest parts of the House Republicans' and President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" get marked up in committees, but some Republicans are not satisfied with the proposals on tax cuts and Medicaid cuts, and it could put the bill in jeopardy. We will hear from Members and talk with Washington Post Congressional reporter Jacob Bogage. (1) President Donald Trump is in Saudi Arabia, signing cooperation agreements with that country and talking about the quest for Middle East peace, announcing he wi...

May 13, 202555 min

President Trump defends accepting luxury jet from Qatar as he travels to the Middle East, and signs Executive Order aimed at lowering prescription drug prices

President Donald Trump defends his decision to accept a luxury jet from the Qatari royal family that he plans to use as Air Force One, as he travels to the Middle East. President signs an Executive Order that aims to cut prescription drug costs. House Republicans release more of their tax plan that calls for extending the 2017 tax cuts and tightening Medicaid benefits. Hamas terrorists release Israeli-American Edan Alexander, the last American thought to be held alive. Learn more about your ad c...

May 12, 202535 min

Weekend Edition: Manufacturing in the U.S., Dept. of Education resumes collection on defaulted student loans, and Air Traffic Control Systems

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a conversation with author Rachel Slade about her book "Making it America" about the history – and future - of manufacturing in the United States. Then, the Department of Education resumed collection on defaulted student loans this week. We speak with Rick Seltzer of the Chronicle of Higher Education about what that means – and who will be affected. Plus, a discussion about efforts to modernize the nation'...

May 10, 202536 min

Another air traffic controller outage at Newark Airport; Pres. Trump on China & tariffs; Librarian of Congress fired

FAA says air traffic controllers lost contact again for short time with flights going in and out of Newark Airport; President Donald Trump suggests a new tariff level for China as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and USTR Jamieson Greer are about to meet Chinese officials for trade talks; White House says the Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden was fired for pursuing DEI initiatives and "putting inappropriate books" in the library; Pope Leo XIV attends his first papal mass and gives part of the h...

May 09, 202547 min

Cardinal born in Chicago elected first Pope ever from U.S.; Pres. Trump & UK Prime Minister Starmer announce trade deal

U.S.-born Cardinal Robert Prevost is elected Pope at the Conclave at The Vatican, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, taking name Pope Leo XIV; President Donald Trump and British PM Keir Starmer announce a trade deal; House passes bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America”, to write into law the President's executive order; Senate votes not to advance a cryptocurrency bill aimed at regulating stablecoins after some Democrats who had supported the bill in committee ...

May 08, 202553 min

Federal Reserve Chair Powell cites tariff uncertainty in holding interest rates steady

The Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady. Chair Jerome Powell says there still is too much uncertainty in how Trump Administration policies, especially tariffs, will affect the economy, inflation and job growth; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before a House committee about his meeting this weekend with Chinese officials on tariffs and trade; more Trump Administration officials go before House Appropriations Subcommittee about their agencies' budgets, including Energy Secretary...

May 07, 202553 min

Prime Minister Carney tells President Trump Canada 'won't be for sale, ever ' at White House meeting on trade & tariffs

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney meets U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House Oval Office, for what the president calls a "very friendly conversation"; President asked if there is anything the prime minister can say that would make him lift tariffs on Canada, replies "no"; Prime Minister asked about the president wanting to make Canada the 51st State, saying, Canada "will never be for sale"; House Speaker Mike Johnson addresses reports of internal Republican divisions holding up the b...

May 06, 202557 min

Treasury Secretary Bessent encourages investors to buy into the President's economic plan of trade deals, tax cuts & deregulation

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urges global business leaders at a conference in California to have faith in President Donald Trump's three-part economic plan: tariffs to lead to better trade deals, tax cuts and deregulation; President Trump is asked about his weekend posts to impose a 100% tariffs on movies made in other countries and to reopen the Alcatraz federal prison; House Republicans continue to try to put together a budget reconciliation bill that can pass with their narrow majority; H...

May 05, 202552 min

Weekend Edition: President Trump's First 100 Days in Office, Political Polarization, and a new Harvard Youth Poll

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, President Trump marked his 100th day in office earlier this week – but ever wonder where that benchmark came from? We'll find out with presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky. Then, Cook Political Report's David Wasserman discusses his analysis of the electorate and shifts in political polarization. It's actually getting better . Finally, a brand new poll shows young Americans losing faith in government ...

May 03, 202538 min

April jobs report, Pres. Trump sends Congress budget with spending cuts, Canadian PM preview DC meeting on tariffs

April jobs report; USA Today's Bart Jansen on President's FY'26 budget proposal with spending cuts (5); President Trump calls for the defunding of PBS and NPR; Reuters' David Ljunggren on Canadian Prime Minister's Mark Carney's preview of next week's meeting with President Trump to discuss trade and tariffs. (32) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 02, 202549 min

Nat'l Security Adviser Waltz to be nominated as U.S. Amb to UN; Sec of State Rubio to take second job as interim NSA

President Donald announces National Security Adviser Mike Waltz will leave that position and be nominated as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will take on the second job of National Security Adviser; General Motors estimates tariffs will cause a $5 billion loss in profits; President Trump speaks at a National Day of Prayer observance in the White House Rose Garden, taking time, as well, for an update on the tax cut, spending cut, border security "budget re...

May 01, 202554 min

U.S. economy shrinks in first quarter; President Trump blames former President Biden; Sen. Schumer (D-NY) blames tariffs

Commerce Depart says the United States economy as measured by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shrank in the first quarter of the year by 0.3%, first time in three years. There was a surge in imports as companies tried to stock up before the President Donald Trump's high tariffs take effect. We get reaction from President Trump at a Cabinet meeting at the White House and from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); Senate is expected to pass a resolution to disapprove of the national emerge...

Apr 30, 202555 min

President Trump holds Michigan rally marking his first 100 days in office

President Donald Trump marks his First 100 days in office with a trip to Michigan; White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Treasury Sec Scott Bessent talk to reporters about the economy and trade; White House is very critical of Amazon after reports the company may list the cost of tariffs next to products sold online. Amazon says it was never considering it; Budget Reconciliation committee markups begin in the House with Homeland Security committee dealing with increased spending on bo...

Apr 29, 202554 min

White House touts border security as first of week-long First 100 Days successes

White House focuses on border security at start of week marking President Trump's first 100 days in office; Congress is back in session after a two-week recess, with committees writing their portions of the budget reconciliation bill; House votes on a bill requiring websites remove 'revenge porn'; DC Mayor Bowser announces deal to build a new stadium for the NFL Washington Commanders in DC; President Trump welcomes 2025 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles to the White House; NASA's oldest ac...

Apr 28, 202550 min

Weekend Edition: President Trump's Presidential Campaign, U.S. Fertility Rates, Reducing Political Polarization

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, author and filmmaker Chris Whipple discusses his book "Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History." Then, University of Pennsylvania Economics professor Jesús Fernández-Villaverde -- discusses declining fertility rates in the U-S – and the economic impact. Plus, a conversation with Bill Doherty, co-founder of the non-profit group Braver Angels – about efforts t...

Apr 26, 202536 min
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