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A misleading video claiming hydroxychloroquine is a cure for coronavirus has gone viral. President Trump is back to touting the drug on national TV — despite mounting evidence that it’s ineffective. So why the heck is hydroxychloroquine back in the national conversation? POLITICO’s Dan Diamond and Sarah Owermohle report. Plus, the Trump Administration agrees to lower the federal law enforcement pr...

The clock is ticking on Joe Biden's decision for a running mate. In the third and final episode of Dispatch's series on the Veepstakes, Laura Barrón-López breaks down why Stacey Abrams, Susan Rice and Gretchen Whitmer are under consideration to be Biden's No. 2.Laura Barrón-López is a national political reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi is the execu...

Joe Biden hasn't given much insight into how he's choosing his running mate. As POLITICO's Marc Caputo puts it, "There's really only six or seven people in the United States who know what the hell is going on." In Part Two of Dispatch's Veepstakes series, Caputo explains what you need to know about four of the top contenders: Val Demmings, Tammy Baldwin, Karen Bass and Kamala Harris. Marc Caputo c...

Eleven candidates. One running mate. Dispatch is spending three days with POLITICO campaign reporters to look at Joe Biden's top choices for vice president. First up: Natasha Korecki on Keisha Lance Bottoms, Tammy Duckworth, Michelle Lujan Grisham and Elizabeth Warren. Natasha Korecki is a national correspondent for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi is the execu...

The makeup of Congress still doesn’t reflect the diversity of the United States. Candidates of color grapple with barriers like fundraising and electability. Sarah Ferris explains why Congress is still so white, male and privileged over 200 years after its founding -- and what it’s going to take to change that. Sarah Ferris covers the House for  POLITICO's Congress team. Erica Morrison is a host f...

Virtual health care has surged during the coronavirus pandemic. Will it last? POLITICO's Mohana Ravindranath and Dan Diamond explain how the virus could change the future of medicine. Plus, more governors announce mask mandates. And Kansas Republicans kill a plan to delay the reopening of schools. Mohana Ravindranath is a health care reporter for POLITICO.Dan Diamond is a health care policy report...

The CDC is deploying teams across the country to address racial disparities during the coronavirus pandemic. But the effort is running into a familiar problem: a lack of coordination from the highest levels of government. POLITICO's Alice Miranda Ollstein explains why the deep and deadly problem can't be fixed without a dramatic shift in federal policy. Plus, Congress passes a defense bill requiri...

Congress is back … and so is the battle over Covid relief that we've all come to know and love. POLITICO’s Marianne LeVine breaks down where lawmakers disagree — and why passing a sweeping, bi-partisan measure is going to be a lot tougher than it was at the start of the pandemic. Plus, Florida teachers sue over an emergency order to reopen their classrooms. And Democrats eye a voting rights packag...

In 2016, the Trump campaign drove down turnout from Black voters in key battleground states by focusing on Hillary Clinton's past racist comments about "superpredators" and her support for legislation that led to increased incarceration, particularly among Black and Latino people. Now, they're trying to do the exact same thing with Biden. POLITICO's Holly Otterbein explains how Trump plans to weak...

The beginning of the summer looked good ... for, like, a minute. Then, states in the South and West started seeing new coronavirus surges. Now, the virus appears to be out of control in at least 18 states. POLITICO's Renu Rayasam explains why the worst has yet to come. Plus, Trump wants a payroll tax cut in the next relief bill. And the Supreme Court deals a blow to voting rights in Florida. Renuk...

Last year, POLITICO broke the story that a top Trump administration health official — CMS chief Seema Verma — was using tax dollars to hire GOP consultants to boost her image. Today, the health department's inspector general released a report confirming the story. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn and Dan Diamond explain why the controversy is relevant to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Plus, Ok...

The nursing home industry has been pushing for looser regulations for years. And they got what they wanted at the start of the pandemic. But now, advocates say lax standards are fueling the virus' spread. POLITICO's Maggie Severns has the story. Plus, the CDC chief predicts late 2020 could be “one of the most difficult times we have experienced.” And the Trump administration reverses its internati...

Mark Meadows came to the West Wing with big plans, hoping his friendship with President Trump would help him avoid turbulence. Then reality — and the coronavirus pandemic — hit. POLITICO’s Nancy Cook breaks down why it’s not so easy being chief of staff in Trump’s White House right now … or, really, ever. Plus, California rolls back reopening plans. And the IRS is cancelling uncashed stimulus chec...

President Trump and Republicans have pushed to roll back Medicaid for years. But now, as more people seek government-run health assistance due to the coronavirus pandemic, those plans have hit a brick wall. POLITICO's Rachel Roubein explains how the politics of Medicaid are shifting. Plus, Democrats slam Trump's commutation of Roger Stone's prison sentence. And Florida shatters the single-day coro...

President Trump is calling for schools to reopen this fall despite rising coronavirus cases. POLITICO’s Anita Kumar reports on how the push isn’t just about education — it’s about the economy and the election. Plus, the WHO acknowledges the potential for airborne coronavirus spread. And Dr. Fauci says states with surges should pause reopening. Anita Kumar is a White House correspondent and associa...

It's been 6 months since the World Health Organization warned about an unknown virus circulating in Wuhan, China. Now, the US has more than 3 million confirmed coronavirus cases and there are more than 12 million globally. POLITICO's Dan Diamond breaks down how we got here — and what's next for the rest of 2020. Plus, the CDC is updating its guidelines for schools to reopen. And the Ivy League can...

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a surge in families considered food insecure — and that’s true across demographic groups. But for Black and Hispanic families, the numbers are unprecedented. POLITICO’s Helena Bottemiller Evich breaks down how the pandemic has intensified pre-existing disparities. Plus, Trump says he’ll pressure schools to reopen. And the US is formally withdrawing from the WHO....

In 2010, Republicans won state houses across the country and redrew electoral maps to their advantage. Now, as President Trump trails in the polls, Democrats see an opportunity to take back power. POLITICO's Natasha Korecki explains why the party is starting to think bigger than just beating Trump — and what message Biden needs to send to help Dems in down-ballot races. Plus, America's coronavirus...

Yeah, it’s got a cool name. But what exactly is it? POLITICO’s Dan Diamond takes us inside the federal government’s $10 billion dollar effort to fast-track a coronavirus vaccine — and explains why it’s dangerous to bet on a vaccine that might never come. Plus, Trump changes his tune on face masks. And the House passes a massive infrastructure bill. Dan Diamond is a health policy reporter for POLIT...

Last year, it was anti-vaxxers. Now, it’s anti-maskers. POLITICO’s Mackenzie Mays looks at how the same activists are once again turning a public health issue into a culture war — and why that’s a big problem for state lawmakers and school teachers. Plus, Oklahomans vote to expand Medicaid. And the Senate agrees to extend the small business rescue program. Mackenzie Mays is a reporter for POLITICO...

Remember the opioid epidemic? America’s other big health crisis? It’s still here. And getting worse. But as POLITICO’s Brianna Ehley reports, attention — and resources — are mostly going to the pandemic, as overdoses rise in its shadow. Plus, the WHO warns the pandemic is speeding up globally. And China passes a sweeping law giving it more power over Hong Kong. Brianna Ehley is a health reporter f...

A month ago, President Trump pushed governors to let churches reopen. Now, he’s got a problem on his hands with several coronavirus clusters tied to houses of worship across the country. POLITICO’s Gabby Orr explains why churches can be super-spreaders — and why Trump is in a bind as he tries to keep evangelical voters on his side. Plus, governors are reimposing coronavirus restrictions. And the n...

Multiple states are seeing alarming spikes in coronavirus cases. But the White House has remained hands-off, attributing the surge to an increase in testing. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn explains how that’s left state officials overwhelmed — and why those claims about testing are misleading. Plus, the Trump administration calls for the Supreme Court to overturn Obamacare. And the Health Department whis...

First, he praised President Xi’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, he’s blaming China (again). POLITICO’s Dan Diamond breaks down Trump’s back and forth on China — and how John Bolton’s explosive memoir sheds new light on the White House’s response to the pandemic. Plus, the House is set to pass a sweeping police reform bill. And Democrats urge delegates to stay away from their party conv...

As the coronavirus surges in Texas, Florida and Arizona, it’s hitting counties that lean Republican more than Democrat-leaning ones. POLITICO’s Texas correspondent Renu Rayasam explains why. Plus, NY incumbent Elliot Engel’s time in the House appears to be over. And Dr. Fauci says he's still optimistic there will be a vaccine by the beginning of next year. Renu Rayasam is POLITICO's Texas correspo...