CNN Politics

Desperate Americans wait as Washington duels over Covid-19 relief bill

President Joe Biden says the massive Covid-19 relief bill now on the Senate floor is crucial to finally getting a jump on a murderous pandemic. It's also a perfect metaphor for American politics in 2021.

Fact-checking Republican critiques of the Covid-relief package

Ahead of the Senate debate on the stimulus bill, Republican Senate leadership criticized the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package during a news conference Tuesday. Instead of focusing on the bill's economic provisions designed to revive the US economy, Republicans have attacked it for including funds for non-health care related spending and failing to push schools to reopen for in-person learning.

The two political truths Joe Biden can't ignore

Here's what we've learned about Washington and US policymaking since President Joe Biden took office, paraphrasing from CNN's political director David Chalian:

Biden DOJ urges Supreme Court to dismiss 'sanctuary city' cases

The Biden administration told the Supreme Court on Thursday that it should dismiss pending cases concerning "sanctuary cities," which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

West Virginia man charged with stealing C-SPAN employee equipment during Capitol riot

Federal prosecutors have charged Eric Gene Barber of West Virginia in connection to the Capitol riot, alleging he stole C-SPAN employee equipment while participating in the January 6 insurrection.

READ: Senate Democrats' Covid relief bill

Federal investigators are examining communications between US lawmakers and Capitol rioters

Federal investigators are examining records of communications between members of Congress and the pro-Trump mob that attacked the US Capitol, as the investigation moves closer to exploring whether lawmakers wittingly or unwittingly helped the insurrectionists, according to a US official briefed on the matter.

Fact-checking Rand Paul's comparisons of genital mutilation and gender confirmation surgery

Last week, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky used part of his allotted time during the Senate confirmation hearing for Dr. Rachel Levine, President Joe Biden's pick for assistant secretary of health and human services, to draw a comparison between genital mutilation and gender confirmation surgery.

Blinken and Austin will travel to Japan and South Korea later this month

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will travel to Japan and South Korea later this month, marking the first international trip by Biden Cabinet officials since President Joe Biden's inauguration, according to a State Department official and a diplomat from the region.

Progressives irked by Biden's early deal-making to hold Dems together

Sitting on an empty stage at the White House Wednesday evening, President Joe Biden stared into a camera and made an appeal to House Democrats who, after passing his massive Covid-19 relief package, are worried it is now being watered down.

'I think she's lovely and I wouldn't mess with her': NY Attorney General Letitia James takes charge of Andrew Cuomo probe

New York Attorney General Letitia James was only a few months into her second term as New York City's public advocate when, over a few hours during a dinner party with friends, a stunning twist of fate put her on a collision course with the state's most powerful man, Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Ron Johnson at the center of the storm: 'People are out to destroy me'

Sen. Ron Johnson seems to be relishing his place at the center of the controversies dominating Washington.

Here's what a 'vote-a-rama' is (and what it means for Biden's stimulus)

Senate Democrats' push to quickly pass President Joe Biden's Covid-19 relief package is about to meet a time-consuming and stamina-challenging speed bump known as a "vote-a-rama."

Biden's pick for top Pentagon policy job apologizes for past tweets at confirmation hearing

President Joe Biden's nominee to become the top policy official at the Pentagon, Colin Kahl, apologized to Republican senators for using "sometimes disrespectful" language in tweets criticizing several Trump administration defense policy decisions after he was grilled in his confirmation hearing on Thursday.

A guide to what you can expect to get from the $1.9 trillion Senate stimulus

The $1.9 trillion coronavirus package being considered by the Senate contains a wide range of proposals to help Americans still struggling with the economic fallout of the pandemic.

Trump trashed Gov. Kemp after election. Hear what he says about Trump now

CNN's Brianna Keilar says some prominent Republicans lack the courage needed to distance themselves from former President Donald Trump.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett's first majority written opinion limits reach of FOIA

Justice Amy Coney Barrett penned her first Supreme Court majority opinion on Thursday, writing a 7-2 decision that will shield federal agencies from having to disclose certain materials under an exception to the Freedom of Information Act.

Veterans Affairs chief McDonough outlines agency's vaccination efforts

Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough on Thursday outlined the administration's efforts to vaccinate the nation's veterans and other work to care for veterans amid the pandemic.

Texas Gov. Abbott stalled federal offer to test migrants then blamed them for spreading Covid

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is stalling efforts by the Biden administration to provide federal funds for Covid-19 tests for migrants released from custody, a senior Homeland Security official tells CNN.

US Capitol Police request two-month extension of National Guard deployment in Washington

US Capitol Police have requested a two-month extension of National Guard troop support at the US Capitol which is now under review at the Department of Defense, according to two defense officials.