CNN Political Briefing

In a rare sighting on Wednesday, Congress actually worked together to achieve a compromise… A bipartisan group of senators reached an agreement on a massive infrastructure package. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what’s in the $550-billion bill and what to expect moving forward. Will this bipartisanship continue and translate to a bill President Biden will sign? To learn more abou...

The CDC says it’s time for Americans to put their masks back on—cue the criticism. CNN Political Director David Chalian discusses how the CDC’s new mask guidance, the FDA’s vaccine approval process, and the frustration Americans feel about it all are proving to be difficult for the Biden administration to navigate. Plus, the war Republicans are waging over mask mandates certainly isn’t helping… To...

The House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6th held its first hearing today with harrowing testimony from four brave officers who shared their stories of being attacked by the rioters–some of which you’ll hear in this episode. CNN Political Director David Chalian highlights key moments from the hearing and the historical importance of the trial. Meanwhile, Republican...

President Joe Biden was confident the bipartisan infrastructure deal would come through by today… but here we are, without a deal. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what the hold-ups could be and what this stalling means for the state of our politics today. Is this back and forth a sign of last minute attempts at finalizing the bill or does it signal that Biden’s wish for bipartisan...

As the Delta Variant continues to spread in the U.S., President Joe Biden has some big questions to answer in the coming weeks. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what the White House is considering about revising mask guidance, even for vaccinated Americans. On top of that, the start of the school year is looming and there’s still no consensus on whether a booster shot is needed. To...

CNN Political Director David Chalian explains everything you missed from CNN’s town hall last night with President Joe Biden. The five big areas Biden touched on - the COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructure negotiations, filibuster reform, inflation and his faith in American democracy. Despite the vicious nature of politics today, Biden believes we are approaching a new day.  To learn more about how CN...

The Senate failed to reach the 60 vote threshold to advance the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, leaving a key part of Biden’s agenda still up in the air. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why Democrats wanted to test this bill with this vote and how serious some Republicans are to reach a deal. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privac...

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy nominated 5 GOP Reps to join the Democratic-led committee investigating the January 6th insurrection. CNN's Political Director David Chalian walks through who these Republicans are and what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had to say about them. Stay tuned for the Committee's first hearing next week. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.co...

This is a critical week for President Joe Biden’s legislative agenda – CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why the weight is on Senate Majority Leader’s Chuck Schumer’s shoulders. Schumer plans to address both the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the Democrats’ $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill in the coming days. He wants Senators from both sides to show where they stand with both...

Political enemies have become unlikely allies as Congresswoman Liz Cheney is named to the January 6th select committee by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. David Chalian explains the significance of her appointment and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's threats about committee assignments. Plus, the Supreme Court deals a blow to voting rights and President Biden acts as consoler in chief in Surfside...

Incompetence by the New York City Board of Elections has thrown the New York City mayoral race into turmoil...at a time when voting and elections are already under fire. David Chalian explains how the NYC Board's mistakes contribute to the erosion of public’s trust in elections nationwide. Plus, the House has voted to establish a select committee to investigate the January 6th attack after Republi...

In an effort to leave the Washington infrastructure drama behind him, today President Biden visited Wisconsin to tout the merits of the plan for middle class families. David Chalian explains what the hold up in Congress is, plus former President Obama's swipe at former President Donald Trump as he pushes to protect voting rights. Finally, LA County in now encouraging people to wear masks again reg...

It's been less than a week, and already the administration is walking back botched messaging on infrastructure. David Chalian explains why things are still on shaky ground even after last week's bipartisan deal, plus President Trump returns to the campaign trail even as he fends of potential criminal charges. Finally, the 2024 presidential race is already here for Republican presidential hopefuls...

As Pride month comes to a close, President Biden has a chance to lead the most pro-LGBTQ administration ever... but politics may offer some hurdles. David Chalian explains the history of Pride month celebrations, this administration’s LGBTQ achievements so far, and how Senate politics will likely get in the way of legislative progress. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit c...

After months of negotiations, President Biden and a group of bipartisan Senators have finally made a deal on infrastructure. David Chalian explains what it means for the President that compromise may not be completely dead in Washington. Plus, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces a select committee to investigate the January 6th insurrection, and in a move that may quell Republican attacks on her...

President Biden unveils a plan to tackle gun violence and violent crime as crime rates rise across the country. David Chalian breaks down this next political battlefront for Democrats and what the Biden administration is going to do about it. Plus, politics in New York may be able to tell us a larger story about the direction of the Democratic party. And finally, despite recent defeats, the fight...

Democrats' major voting rights legislation is doomed... but in a small victory, moderate Senator Joe Manchin sticks with his party. David Chalian explores what it means that President Biden didn't put his muscle behind this effort, plus how time is running out on what the administration is actually focusing on, infrastructure, as bipartisan talks drag on. And finally, although the White House is o...

It's the week before the Senate goes on recess, and its crunch time for two of President Biden's critical agenda items: Voting rights and infrastructure. David Chalian previews the President’s to-do list, plus the New York City mayoral race shifts into high gear as early voting ends. And finally, the Biden administration pushes to make the child tax credit a permanent fixture in America even as in...

Last year on Juneteenth, the country was in the middle of a sweeping protest movement sparked by the murder of George Floyd. This year, President Biden signed legislation marking this historic day as a national holiday. On today’s CNN Political Briefing, Brandon Tensley explains this history behind Juneteenth, what else has changed since last year’s racial reckoning, and what progress still needs...

Today, the majority conservative Supreme Court dismissed a Republican led challenge to the Affordable Care Act. David Chalian explains the significance of the Supreme Court's decision and why it’s a huge win for Democrats. Plus, promising progress on infrastructure negotiations as Senators from both sides show their support. Finally, Senator Joe Manchin is offering new life to the fight for voting...

After weeks of build-up, the summit we've all been waiting for went... pretty well. Marking the historic end to President Biden’s first international trip, he and President Putin sat down for roughly three hours and hashed out what lies ahead in the critical relationship between these two powerful nations. David Chalian breaks down what both leaders discussed and the clear lines each leader drew a...

After years behind the scenes of American foreign policy, President Biden will at last be meeting Vladimir Putin as commander-in-chief... and he has a lot of work to do to make sure he doesn't hand the Russian president a victory. David Chalian walks us through what we can expect from the meeting between the two leaders, plus a bombshell set of emails offers a behind the scenes look at how former...

Today in Brussels, President Biden took a very different approach to the NATO alliance than his predecessor... and promises to handle meeting Vladimir Putin differently as well. David Chalian dives into how Biden is showcasing his world view on the world stage, plus, signs of life in the infrastructure deal on Capitol Hill as Democrats indicate possible interest in the latest GOP proposal. And fin...

As the President and Congress go back and forth over a massive infrastructure bill and how to pay for it, one major bridge in Memphis, Tennessee is literally crumbling. In this episode, CNN Correspondent Pete Muntean walks us through what is actually happening with the country’s infrastructure, how that bridge in Memphis is proof of a failing system, and what Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigie...

Today, President Biden sat down with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for the first time since taking office. Kristen Holmes explores their tense personal history as both leaders look to revamp US-UK relations. Plus, President Biden announces a plan to donate 500 million vaccine doses to the rest of the world and Rep. Ilhan Omar's comments on Hamas, Israel, and the US divide Democrats. To lear...