CNN Political Briefing

The new omnibus bill dropped early this morning, and it’s a doozy. The bill is more than 4,000 pages and covers $1.7 trillion – but the clock is ticking to pass it before the end of the week. CNN’s Zachary Wolf breaks down all 12 appropriation bills, what made it in, and what got cut. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

The January 6 House select committee concluded its final public meeting by voting to refer criminal charges against former President Donald Trump to the Justice Department. CNN’s Zachary Wolf breaks down each crime the panel believes Trump committed, and new testimony the committee obtained. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choic...

Congress avoided a government shutdown for at least another week, while lawmakers work to pass an omnibus spending bill. CNN’s Kristen Holmes explains what else lawmakers accomplished and what’s still outstanding. Plus, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has a warning for his caucus and the two Democratic leaders in Congress get candid about 2024. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, v...

With the midterms in the rear-view mirror, the 2024 presidential election is full speed ahead. CNN’s Kristen Holmes breaks down a new CNN poll gauging where voters are, how former President Donald Trump’s campaign is going, and what some Republicans are saying about Trump’s bid. Plus, President Joe Biden appears closer to announcing his 2024 plans. To learn more about how CNN protects listener pri...

The hard work begins for lawmakers, as they start to write a spending bill that would fund the government for a full year. CNN’s Kristen Holmes explains how Congress got to this point, why a government shutdown isn’t likely, and why House Republicans want to do things differently. Plus, do most Republican voters want former President Donald Trump to be the 2024 GOP presidential nominee? To learn m...

Congress faces many deadlines in the coming days, including one to keep the government functioning. CNN’s Kristen Holmes breaks down where lawmakers are at in negotiations for an omnibus spending bill, and where House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy stands in his quest to become speaker. Plus, the January 6 House select committee has a big week coming up. To learn more about how CNN protects listener pr...

A new CNN poll shows how extreme Americans view the political parties to be, and how confident they feel in the incoming GOP-led House. CNN’s Melanie Zanona explains the issues people expect Republicans to have positive and negative impacts on, as lawmakers scramble to avoid a government shutdown. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad...

Senator Kyrsten Sinema is leaving the Democratic party and House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy is trying to lock down enough votes to become speaker. CNN’s Jeff Zeleny explains what Sinema’s decision could mean for Senate Democrats – and how House Republicans are preparing for a speakership showdown. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad...

The House passed two bills today, checking more items off Congress’ to-do list for this lame duck session. CNN’s Jeff Zeleny breaks down the Respect for Marriage Act and the National Defense Authorization Act and why these were priorities to pass as soon as possible. Plus, lawmakers still have to come up with an agreement to fund the government. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privac...

This week could make it tougher for former President Donald Trump to make a political comeback. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes explains the latest on the investigations and lawsuits involving Trump. The GOP is also reacting to Herschel Walker’s loss in the Georgia Senate runoff race – and debating what role Trump’s endorsement played. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...

As the Georgia Senate race nears its end, the two parties are now turning to 2024. But first, we’re checking former President Donald Trump’s scorecard as this year’s political cycle winds down. How did Trump’s endorsed candidates fare, and how does the GOP feel about his presidential candidacy? CNN’s Jeff Zeleny breaks down the latest reactions from politicos. To learn more about how CNN protects...

The Georgia Senate vote finally begins tomorrow, after the November election sent it into a runoff. Democratic incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker are both vying to take the final seat of the midterms. CNN’s Jeff Zeleny explains the stakes, and how both sides are spending the race’s final hours. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy...

President Joe Biden welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron for an official state visit at the White House this week. CNN’s Kristen Holmes explains the significance of Macron’s trip and key issues the two leaders addressed. Plus, Biden also signed a bill to avoid a rail strike and addressed the latest jobs report. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn...

While House Democrats race to wrap up investigations, Republicans reveal more of what could come when they take the House next month. CNN’s Melanie Zanona breaks down two committee investigations regarding former President Donald Trump’s tax returns and January 6. Plus, a bill meant to avert a devastating freight rail strike heads to President Joe Biden’s desk.  To learn more about how CNN protect...

The House passed a key bill to avoid a rail strike today, but it still needs to pass in the Senate. CNN’s Chris Cillizza explains the measure, on top of Democrats’ other priorities for the lame-duck session. Plus, House Democrats elected new leadership today, while GOP House leader Kevin McCarthy struggles to secure the votes for speaker.   To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, vi...

The Georgia Senate runoff is one week away from voters deciding if Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock will get another term, or if Republican Herchel Walker will make the Senate 50/50. CNN’s Chris Cillizza breaks down what both candidates and parties are doing for the race, and why its result matters. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about you...

Lawmakers are working to pass bills that would fund the government, codify same-sex and interracial marriage rights, and more in a matter of weeks. CNN’s Krista Bo explains what Congress aims to accomplish and what other political factors are at play in this lame duck session.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...

Republicans take control of the House in January, and GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy wants to become the next speaker. CNN's Melanie Zanona explains why the math isn't working out so far, and how he's trying to change that. As he scrambles to lock down the votes for his speakership, McCarthy issued his strongest stance yet on the Biden administration's immigration policies and border security leadershi...

The Justice Department faced off with Donald Trump’s lawyers today in a key hearing related to the Mar-a-Lago investigation. CNN’s Kristen Holmes explains how the newly appointed special counsel is handling his position overseeing the case. Plus, Holmes explains other key investigations at the federal and state level involving the former president.   To learn more about how CNN protects listener p...

Democrats have a little over a month left before Republicans take control of the House. CNN’s Kristen Holmes explains their priorities in the little time they have left, including passing same-sex marriage and protections for DACA recipients. Plus, President Joe Biden considers a 2024 run in the context of the midterms and Donald Trump’s campaign launch. To learn more about how CNN protects listen...

Now that Republicans are projected to have the majority in the House, they are preparing investigations on multiple fronts. CNN’s Chris Cillizza breaks down these investigations and a related update from Attorney General Merrick Garland. Plus, what will House leadership look like in the new year? To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad...

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told lawmakers she will not run for reelection for Democratic leadership, but will remain a member of Congress. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how the #2 and #3 House Democrats followed suit, paving the way for a new generation to take power. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy did not attend Pelosi’s farewell speech, but he has been celebrating the new R...

After months of teasing it, former President Donald Trump throws his hat in the 2024 ring, amid his legal woes and his party’s poor performance in the midterms. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down Trump’s speech and the political reaction to it. Plus, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell fends off his first leadership challenge in 15 years. To learn more about how CNN protects liste...

While control of the House remains uncalled, Republicans in both chambers of Congress are debating on how to more forward from the lackluster election results. CNN’s Chris Cillizza explains the challenges both Republican leaders in Congress face. Plus, former President Donald Trump is expected to move on from midterms with a special announcement tonight.  To learn more about how CNN protects liste...

CNN projects Democrats will hold on to the Senate, while Republicans inch closer to winning the House majority. CNN’s Chris Cillizza breaks down why House Republicans are not on the same page about Kevin McCarthy’s speakership bid. Plus, the stakes of Georgia’s Senate runoff election are still high. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your...