CNN Political Briefing

President Joe Biden just got coal for Christmas... not from Santa, but from West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how and why Manchin blew up Biden’s Build Back Better. Some Democrats are frustrated while others are trying to push for progress on it in 2022. What will get Build Back Better back on track? To learn more about how CNN protects listener priva...

With Build Back Better on the backburner for now, Democrats are pushing for progress on voting rights legislation. CNN Congressional Correspondent Ryan Nobles breaks down the stalemate in Congress over two voting rights bills and why Democrats believe they are important to pass. It isn’t the first time this year that the party’s priorities are held up in Congress because of two Democratic Senators...

The decision of whether to prosecute former Trump administration Chief of Staff Mark Meadows for contempt of Congress is in the hands of the Justice Department now. CNN Congressional Correspondent Ryan Nobles explains where the House select committee’s work stands. Plus, one of the unnamed lawmakers that sent texts to Meadows the day before the January 6th insurrection has now been identified. To...

President Joe Biden joked last week that he doesn’t pay attention to approval ratings unless they’re in his favor. By that logic, he’s probably not paying attention to the findings from the new CNN/SSRS poll... CNN Political Director shares key findings from the poll and explains why Biden should be worried. A majority of Americans are feeling sour on the economy and think the government is doing...

The House is voting tonight on whether to refer Mark Meadows to the Justice Department for a contempt of congress charge, after the House Jan. 6th committee recommended it last night. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the committee’s findings and what could be in store for Meadows. You’ll hear about some text messages Meadows provided to the committee that reveal many of Trump’s all...

One Senator is still not on board for President Joe Biden’s sweeping economic and climate bill and that’s Joe Manchin of West Virginia. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what Manchin’s concerns are and why some bad economic news recently has not alleviated them. The two Joes are discussing this on a call today–will there be enough movement from Manchin to pass the bill this calendar ye...

Today President Biden and other lawmakers attended the funeral service of the late Senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole. CNN Political Director David Chalian reflects on how politics has changed since Dole was in office. You’ll hear words the life-long Republican wrote and words he has said that represented his patriotism and love for this country. To learn more about how CNN protects liste...

President Joe Biden hosted the first “Summit for Democracy” today where he highlighted the importance of democracy worldwide. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains examples of how democracy is under threat right here at home. Between the January 6th investigation and Republicans pushing the big lie, the US continues to struggle to restore faith in its democratic institutions. To learn more...

President Joe Biden hit the road today to sell his economic agenda with new branding around his infrastructure law. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down positive economic indicators that the White House hopes will boost the President’s political standing. Plus, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says Build Back Better is on track to pass by Christmas. To learn more about how CNN prot...

The House committee investigating January 6th says they will move forward with a scheduled deposition of Mark Meadows tomorrow after his attorney said he no longer plans to cooperate. CNN Political Director David Chalian summarizes Meadows’ reason for his about-face and the latest with Steve Bannon’s upcoming criminal contempt trial. Plus, the Capitol Police Inspector General says the department s...

To punish or not punish Rep. Lauren Boebert? Dem. Rep. Ilhan Omar says she’s "very confident" House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will punish Boebert this week for her racist and anti-muslim comments. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why it’s up to Pelosi to do something about Boebert’s racist comments and not House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Will Democrats continue the pattern of holding...

This week democrat Stacey Abrams announced her bid for Georgia Governor, meaning she could face current Gov. Brian Kemp in a long-anticipated rematch next year. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down key questions Abrams answered this week. Plus, former President Trump’s determination to get revenge on Kemp might mean trouble for the governor in the primaries. To learn more about how CNN...

As Covid cases rise and concerns over the new variant continue, President Biden outlined his plan to combat the virus in the winter. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains that Biden’s taking a slightly different approach than he did over the summer. He’s no longer touting that the virus is almost behind us and acknowledging how politicized the pandemic’s become. To learn more about how CNN...

50 years' worth of fierce pro-life & pro-choice debate made its way to the Supreme Court today as justices heard a Mississippi case that could end Roe v. Wade. CNN Political Director David Chalian recaps the highlights from the oral arguments and explains where the judges might stand on abortion rights. You’ll even hear some of the justices themselves. To learn more about how CNN protects listener...

Lawmakers have a long to-do list before they can head home for the holidays. CNN Political Director David Chalian summarizes the priorities for the month ahead on Capitol Hill and the obstacles that may arise. From passing Build Back Better to funding the government before Friday’s deadline, Congress’ December sprint is ambitious to say the least. To learn more about how CNN protects listener priv...

President Joe Biden says the new Omicron coronavirus variant is “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic,” as the US braces for cases. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the political reality Biden is facing brought about by the potential threat of Omicron. Will the way Biden handles it be a factor in upcoming elections... or are Americans too Covid-fatigued to care? To learn more ab...

Should Roe v. Wade be overruled? Do states have the right to outlaw most abortions? To pack or not to pack the court? These are all questions the justices and legal experts are facing. CNN Legal Analyst Joan Biskupic details the two state laws that are forcing the court to address abortion yet again. The court’s decisions on these cases will certainty drive voters to the polls in 2022 and beyond,...

Americans won’t just be discussing how their Thanksgiving meals taste–they’ll also likely discuss how much it cost to make it... CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why President Biden spoke on the economy and inflation today before the holiday. Plus, you’ll hear what the White House plans to do to address the high gas prices. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...

President Joe Biden chose continuity above all else by nominating Jerome Powell to stay as the Chair of the Federal Reserve. CNN Political Director explains the economic and political calculus behind Biden’s decision. Despite the bipartisan support for Powell’s nomination on Capitol Hill, some progressives aren’t happy with it. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/p...

Some thought the day may never come, but the House finally passed President Biden’s Build Back Better social spending bill this morning. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the reactions from both excited Democrats and bitter Republicans. Democrats may be taking a victory lap now, but it’s going to take some time before Biden’s able to sign it into law... To learn more about how CNN prot...

WY Rep. Liz Cheney was one of only two House Republicans that voted to censure Rep. Paul Gosar. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why Cheney’s position in the GOP is a lonely place to be–both on Capitol Hill and back at home. Does an anti-Trump Republican like Cheney stand a chance in 2022... or 2024? To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn mo...

The House voted to censure Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar today after he tweeted a violent anime video that depicted the killing of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what this incident says about the state of politics today. You’ll hear from lawmakers directly debating the resolution on the House floor, including Gosar himself. To learn more about ho...

Now that the bipartisan infrastructure bill is officially law, President Joe Biden and his administration are traveling around the country to sell its benefits to the American people. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why these trips are important for Biden politically, especially with the ongoing social spending bill negotiations. First stop: New Hampshire. To learn more about how CNN...

After defying subpoenas from the House January 6th committee, Steve Bannon had some choice words for his supporters before he turned himself in this morning. By this afternoon, he was out of custody pending trial on criminal contempt charges, vowing to “go on offense.” CNN Congressional Correspondent Ryan Nobles explains the charges and what the committee could do next. Could this be the first of...

A federal grand jury has indicted former Trump adviser Steve Bannon on two counts of contempt of Congress after he defied a congressional subpoena issued by the House January 6th committee. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what this might mean for Trump's former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Plus, a new recording from ABC This Week shows where Trump’s head was at just mo...