CNN Political Briefing

The economy is trending upwards in some respects, but Americans are feeling the squeeze of higher prices and think otherwise. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how the White House dropped the ball on inflation. Biden maintains his policies are just the prescriptions needed to alleviate this inflationary pressure, but will his legislation provide relief soon enough for many frustrated A...

A judge ruled former President Donald Trump cannot assert executive privilege to withhold documents from the House select committee investigating the January 6th insurrection. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what the committee’s latest moves have been and how Trump plans to respond. Plus, some Republicans are trying to move forward, while others believe those responsible should be he...

Last week, 13 House Republicans voted with almost all the Democrats to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Unfortunately, that bipartisanship isn’t celebrated by everyone in the GOP. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what a disturbing voicemail left for a Michigan congressman and a violent video posted by an Arizona congressman reveals about the GOP. Warning: some of what you hear...

With the midterm elections exactly one year away, a new CNN poll released today shows President Joe Biden is not in good standing with the American people. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how Americans think Biden is handling their top-of-mind issues. What does this mean for Democrats in 2022? To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more...

President Joe Biden wanted the American people to know that October’s increase in jobs did not happen by chance. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Biden took credit for the nation’s economic recovery today and connected it to his own policies. Plus, the President made another pitch for his two big bills that have struggled to pass through the House. To learn more about how CNN prot...

Here we go again... House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House could vote on the Build Back Better act as early as tonight, and the bipartisan infrastructure bill tomorrow. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains where the reconciliation bill stands today and why Democrats are eager to deliver on their promises. Meanwhile, Republicans continue to stay unanimously opposed to the bill and have...

The first big election night since 2020 ended with some key victories for Republicans, including the governor’s race in Virginia. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains where Democrats went wrong and what both parties can learn from the election results. Meanwhile, the gubernatorial race in New Jersey is dangerously close for Democrats who thought they had it in the bag.  To learn more abou...

People are voting all over the country today in races where the results could signal what 2022 could be like, especially with the governor’s race in VA. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how the gubernatorial candidates there spent their final days on the campaign trail. Voters will also decide on some other historic elections today... from replacing the Minneapolis police departmen...

Moderate Senator Joe Manchin gave President Biden and Democrats a huge reality check today on the Build Back Better agenda. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what his announcement could mean for the passage of both the social spending bill and the bipartisan infrastructure package. However, Progressive Democrats seem to still have faith in the President to secure the votes. To learn mo...

The Virginia gubernatorial election is in its final days... and it’s still anyone’s race. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin are spending these critical moments leading up to voting day. Plus, both candidates released their closing campaign ads today. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy L...

President Joe Biden unveiled the framework for the Build Back Better Act, followed by Congress releasing the legislative text. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why all of these developments don’t necessarily mean the entire party is on board. Will Democrats finally be able to pass Build Back Better and the bipartisan infrastructure bill? To learn more about how CNN protects listener p...

The phrase “time is money” has a whole new meaning on Capitol Hill today... CNN Political Director David Chalian explains time is running out for Democrats to reach a deal on the social spending bill and money is one of the main reasons why. At the same time, the House still has to vote on the bipartisan bill soon and the President leaves for Europe tomorrow. To learn more about how CNN protects l...

We’re exactly one week away from the highly-anticipated gubernatorial race in Virginia. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what both candidates are doing in their final days to get voters to the polls. What will the results of this race tell us about the political landscape going into 2022? Chalian has a bold prediction... To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn...

It’s been talked about for months. But this week, President Joe Biden’s economic agenda might become a reality. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why Democrats are optimistic and what they’re still stuck on for the social spending bill. Will a framework be agreed upon? Will the bipartisan bill pass? These are all questions left unanswered days before Biden leaves for Europe... To learn...

In a CNN Town Hall last night, President Biden actually spoke candidly about some key issues in Washington right now. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down Biden’s updates and insight on what’s in and what’s out of his social spending bill, including where the two Senators holding it up stand. Plus, Biden offered a new perspective on the future of the filibuster. To learn more about how...

Breaking news: the House just voted to approve the January 6th committee’s recommendation to hold Steve Bannon for criminal contempt of Congress. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the Attorney General, who testified before another House committee today, is faced with a tough decision. Plus, the former president is doing all he can to keep his records away from the committee. To learn m...

President Biden is making clear this week what he wants included in the social spending bill. Now it’s up to Democrats to get on the same page by the end of the week. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what’s likely to be in the final package and what might not make the cut. Will Progressives and Moderates actually be able to strike a deal that everyone would support? To learn more abou...

Two weeks away from Election Day in Virginia and the race between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin is heating up. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down both campaigns’ strategies. The ads being released in the final days of the race tell an interesting story -- Youngkin is trying to entice frustrated Democrats in the state, while McAuliffe is trying to tie Youngkin...

Colin Powell, the first Black man to hold many key positions in Washington, has died from Covid-19 complications. CNN Political Director David Chalian reflects on how Powell–a longtime Republican–often put his country over party. From why he decided not to run for president in the ‘90s to why he endorsed every Democrat since Barack Obama in 2008, you’ll hear from Powell himself speaking on major p...

Many have questions and qualms with how the Supreme Court operates. President Joe Biden put together a commission of diverse experts to tackle these tough issues, like court-packing, term limits, etc. CNN National Correspondent Kristen Holmes shares the highlights from the commission’s draft report and why it’s findings so far are frustrating to some... To learn more about how CNN protects listene...

President Joe Biden updated the American people on the progress made so far on the pandemic and the work that still needs to be done. CNN Political Director David Chalian makes the point that Covid has been a dominant political issue for over a year. Will Covid help or hurt Dems in two gubernatorial races coming up? It certainly helped another Democratic governor this year… To learn more about how...

A new CNN poll dropped today that revealed some fascinating revelations. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks them down from President Joe Biden’s approval numbers to Americans’ thoughts on how Congress should move forward with the social spending bill. A large majority of Americans actually want to see lawmakers go big with the bill, and that’s not even the most striking stat. To learn mor...

With patience running thin, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told her caucus some “difficult decisions” need to be made to pass President Joe Biden's ambitious legislative agenda. CNN Political Director David Chalian details the difficulties Dems face when considering the price and scope for the social spending bill. Should the bill feature more funding for policies geared towards the younger or older g...

All eyes are on Virginia as a gubernatorial race is heating up between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why this race could provide key insight on how the midterm elections will go next year. President Biden won the state by 10 points in 2020, but that doesn't mean a win is a sure thing for McAuliffe.  To learn more about how CNN...

Like most days in office, President Biden is facing multiple political challenges at once. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how today’s disappointing jobs report and the spike in gas prices all contribute to an upside down approval rating for the President. Plus, Democrats seem to be at a crossroads for how to move forward with Biden’s two big bills that would advance his economic age...