The Playbook Podcast

Today, Congress finally gets its first chance for answers about the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. Plus: Playbook has the scoop on an anti-Big Tech crusader poised to join the Biden administration.

The drama of Ted Cruz returning from sunny Mexico — chastened and apologetic for fleeing Texas while 3 million of his constituents remained without power — was a kind of throwback to an era when politicians could be embarrassed.

Today is the big reveal for President Biden’s immigration bill. Here's what's inside — and why the final version might look a lot different from what's unveiled this morning. 

Here are our superlatives from Joe Biden’s first town hall since he took office — from harshest toss under the bus to biggest progressive slap-downs.

Donald Trump may have been acquitted for a second time over the weekend. But despite that gripping impeachment-trial presentation laying out the ex-president’s role in the Capitol rampage, the GOP remains the undisputed party of Trump.

Reliving Jan. 6 was always going to be hard for senators. Emotions ran high in the chamber during the impeachment managers’ presentation Wednesday, as senators saw just how close the mob, egged on by then-President Donald Trump, came to finding them. No senator appears to be struggling with the trial as much as Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy, who switched his vote Tuesday and declared the impeachment trial is constitutional.

McConnell's signaling to Republicans to vote with their conscience, but only one has changed sides so far. Even after Trump's lawyers left Republicans shaking their heads. Listen here for the top 6 takeaways from Day 1 of the impeachment trial.Politico Playbook: https://www.politico.com/playbookTransition Playbook: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/transition-playbook

Democrats are torn over strategy as they kick off the second impeachment of Donald Trump, with impeachment managers feeling muzzled by party leaders.

A first in Playbook: As Democrats take another step toward passing Biden's $1.9 trillion relief plan without GOP support, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus will call on House Democratic leaders today to allow a stand-alone vote on $160 billion for vaccine distribution. Plus: It's Trump's last weekend to prep for his impeachment trial, and his allies are bracing for a PR nightmare.

Bring on the Red Bull: It’s time for a good old-fashioned all-nighter in the Senate tonight. Plus: If you’re trying to figure out the direction of the GOP after that circus of a conference meeting yesterday, good luck.