CNN Political Briefing

Congress and the Biden administration are once again at loggerheads over a potential debt ceiling crisis – and the possibility of defaulting on its debt for the first time in the United States’ history. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s speech today, and where the two parties stand in their response to the crisis. The debt ceiling isn’t the only issue on Congress’s plate – lawmakers are also dealing with two cases involving classified documents, and what to do about California Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s continued absence.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Abortion and guns are two issues that animate Republicans and Democrats for different reasons and they were front and center today. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what the Supreme Court is considering when it comes to medication abortion, and why Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is walking a political tightrope. Plus, Vice President Kamala Harris slammed Republicans today, as many 2024 hopefuls attend the NRA’s national convention.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Senate Democrats are trying to grant Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s request to temporarily replace her on the Judiciary committee while she recovers. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why there’s urgency and uncertainty around how to replace her, and why there's some pushback from some Democrats over the plan. The 89-year-old Senator is going to retire after this term, and there are some California House Democrats already running for her seat.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Republican 2024 primary field looks like it's going to grow, after Senator Tim Scott announced today he’s exploring a presidential run. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how this race is shaping up so far, even as the current frontrunner Donald Trump says he won’t drop out no matter what. Plus, the Democratic National Committee announced where it’ll hold its 2024 convention, while President Joe Biden has yet to officially announce his run.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US is again dealing with the fallout from classified documents making their way into the wrong hands. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why the leak of highly classified Pentagon documents is concerning, and where the investigations into them stand. Plus, members of the Gang of Eight are combing through the classified documents found in the homes of three high-profile politicians, after asking for access for months.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Justice Department asked a federal appeals court today to put on hold a Texas judge’s ruling that could make the use of an FDA-approved abortion drug unavailable nationwide. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why dueling rulings from Friday is causing legal confusion and could reignite the issue of abortion access before 2024. It's possible the Supreme Court could step in to hear another major case on abortion after overturning Roe v. Wade last year.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democrats close to Joe Biden tell CNN it’s not a matter of “if,” but a matter of “when" the president announces he’s running again. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down two new CNN polls that show the challenges ahead for Biden as he prepares for an eventual 2024 campaign launch. Plus, another Democrat is being cagey about his future come 2024 too.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even though Congress is out of session in Washington, there’s plenty of political drama happening at the state level. CNN Political Director David Chalian takes a close look at what’s going on in Tennessee and North Carolina’s state legislatures that could have national ripple effects. The Tennessee House voted to expel at least one of its Democratic colleagues while it considers doing the same to two others. And in North Carolina, Republicans now have a supermajority in both chambers after a House Democrat switched parties.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Progressives won big last night in key races for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the mayor of Chicago. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down each race and what the results could mean for the 2024 election. Abortion rights, crime, public safety, and election law – these are all issues that played a key factor in the two contests.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Donald Trump personally pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan court to 34 felony counts related to a hush money payment to a porn star in 2016. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the indictment and what prosecutors and Trump’s legal team had to say about the historic charges. Trump is on his way back to Florida, where he’s expected to deliver remarks on the case tonight.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices