The NPR Politics Podcast

Democrats took a big gamble: they chose not to raise or eliminate the debt ceiling when they had full control of government, betting that it could create a headache for the Republican-controlled House. Republicans, after repeatedly raising the debt ceiling without issue during the Trump administration, held global financial stability hostage to secure minor policy wins. Now, after flirting with disaster for weeks, the parties appear close to ending a crisis of their own making. This episode: political correspondent Kelsey Snell, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Join us on an audio tour of the U.S. Capitol complex, through Senate office buildings, press work stations, the Capitol subway, and the House floor — originally released as a bonus episode for NPR Politics Podcast+ supporters. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, reporter Barbara Sprunt, and producer Casey Morell. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

The fiscal parameters of a deal to avert self-inflicted financial catastrophe have been largely hammered out by House Republicans and the White House — but differences over social programs and energy permitting still need to be resolved. And, over the last decade, the Supreme Court has increasingly leveraged its emergency or "shadow" docket to issue orders that have sweeping implications — but the approach is much less transparent than the usual judicial process. Also, the podcast marks 1000 episodes since we launched the daily version of the show. Thank you for listening! This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, economics correspondent David Gura, legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg, and congressional reporter Barbara Sprunt. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

The Florida governor made his campaign official on Wednesday night, in a Twitter Spaces event with Elon Musk beset with technical issues. Quickly attracting criticism from both Republican and Democratic challengers alike, DeSantis cited his pandemic response and battles against critical race theory as reasons why he would be an effective president. This episode: political correspondents Susan Davis and Kelsey Snell, and senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

The latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist National Poll shows more than six in 10 Americans are concerned about President Biden's mental fitness, but his approval rating has increased four points from last month's survey. The poll also explored attitudes toward the debt ceiling, and to issues surrounding gun control. We dig into the numbers, and make sense of them. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Tim Scott, the junior senator from South Carolina, kicked off his presidential campaign in North Charleston on Monday, and Florida governor Ron DeSantis is expected to follow suit this week, according to multiple media reports. As the field of Republican candidates takes shape, what will contenders need to do to challenge former president Donald Trump successfully — as well as current president Biden? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national political correspondent Don Gonyea, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

After cutting short his trip to Asia, President Biden returned to Washington to meet with Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to try and hash out terms over increasing the country's debt limit. Where are they finding common ground, and what still needs to be resolved? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, reporter Barbara Sprunt, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Vivek Ramaswamy is a 37 year-old investor and pharmaceutical entrepreneur who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination. A self-described nationalist, he says he can expand Donald Trump's America First message to a wider audience. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis and White House correspondent Asma Khalid. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

As world leaders convene in Japan for the G7 summit, contemporary concerns including climate change and Russia's invasion of Ukraine are on the agenda alongside a resurgent worry: nuclear war. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Scott Detrow, and international correspondent Anthony Kuhn. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

OpenAI head Sam Altman appeared before a Senate panel this week to talk about his ChatGPT product and the future of artificial intelligence. Lawmakers acknowledge the broad upsides of the fast-moving technology but hope to craft regulation in order to blunt the social and civic drawbacks that arrived alongside past tech breakthroughs. This episode: political reporter Deepa Shivaram, disinformation correspondent Shannon Bond, and congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, vetoed a bill banning abortion in North Carolina after 12 weeks. But as Republicans hold supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature, it is likely the veto will be overridden, and restrictions could take effect as soon as this summer. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and WFAE politics & government reporter Steve Harrison. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Four senators — two Democrats, two Republicans — are joining forces on a bill to regulate how social media companies can interact with users under the age of 18. They're one of many groups in Congress trying to increase oversight and regulation in this field, but given the country's polarized politics, does their legislation have any chance of making its way to President Biden's desk? This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and technology correspondent Dara Kerr. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Lawmakers have yet to reach a deal to avert U.S. default, which could come as soon as next month. In Ohio, Republican lawmakers are attempting to amend the state's constitution to waylay reproductive rights activists' push to safeguard access to abortion. And, in Can't Let It Go, news of a dog who is very old. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Kelsey Snell, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and Ohio Statehouse News Bureau Karen Kasler. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Social Security provides retirement money to U.S. workers who have paid into the system via taxes. The program could be forced to cut payments within the next decade if Congress doesn't act to shore up its funding. One bipartisan plan, still in its early days, comes from Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, and Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent who caucuses with Democrats: an independent endowment seeded by a $1.5 trillion investment from the federal government. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Susan Davis, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

This episode includes discussion of sexual violence. Jurors found former President Donald Trump liable for battery and defamation in the civil lawsuit brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, who says Trump raped her in a Manhattan department store. While the jurors did not find that Trump raped Carroll, they agreed that he "sexually abused" her and that he defamed her when he denied her story. Carroll was awarded $5 million in total damages for both claims. And New York Republican Rep. George Santos, infamous for lies about his background, has pleaded not guilty to more than a dozen federal charges. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, reporter Andrea Bernstein, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Congress has long directed the government to spend more money than it collects in taxes. That means the government has to borrow money to meets its obligations, which it does by selling Treasury securities. Treasury securities are a promise from the government that you if give it money now, it will pay you back with interest later. They have long been considered among the safest investments in the world. But now, the U.S. is flirting with not paying its bills by refusing to increase the amount of money that the government is legally allowed to borrow — its "debt ceiling." We explain the basics of how the system works and what the consequences might be if the ceiling is not raised and the government runs out of money. Previously on the podcast: Much Ado About Debt, Jan. 18 This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith and political correspondent Kelsey Snell. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

As a major pandemic-related immigration policy is scheduled to end, the Biden administration is warning the tens of thousands of migrants hoping to cross into the U.S. via its southern border that they should instead apply for asylum using the government's app or through a processing center in their home countries. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

A jury in Washington, D.C., has convicted former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio and three others of seditious conspiracy, handing the Justice Department a key victory in its Jan. 6 probe. And as the country continues to add jobs and boost wages, why do Americans think the country is in a recession? This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Statehouses have long passed legislation in order to curtail or overrule local governments, but there is a renewed focus in many Republican-controlled legislatures to enforce conservative cultural priorities in Democratic-leaning cities. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, political correspondent Kelsey Snell, and congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

The public health policy was implemented by the Trump administration as a way to limit migration to the United States during the pandemic, and the Biden administration kept it in place, despite criticism from many Democrats. With the policy set to be rescinded this month, what will happen to U.S. immigration policy as a result? The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Connect: Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group. Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.