CNN Political Briefing

Even as states drop Covid-19 mandates around the country, the White House is warning Congress about the perils of possible disruptions to the federal pandemic response. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how lawmakers’ failure to pass additional funding last week and rising cases in Europe are causing concern.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democrats in Congress are looking to President Joe Biden to help craft their midterm strategy as leaders are concerned their party is suffering from an enthusiasm gap. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the recalibration and rebranding that is going on with policy priorities. However, the President’s recent poll numbers can leave Democrats feeling a little hopeful about their standings for now. 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, alongside G7 and EU nations, announced more steps to squeeze Russia's economy even tighter. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what they are and what they’ll aim to do. As Russian attacks on Ukraine intensify, DC lawmakers and Ukranian officials want the West, especially the US, to act faster to assist Ukraine. But President Joe Biden made two things clear: the US must be in lockstep with its allies on actions and the US will not fight a war against Russian in Ukraine.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the US, inflation and gas prices are on the rise and those in Washington are playing the blame game. As CNN Political Director David Chalian explains, President Joe Biden puts most of the blame on Russia for invading Ukraine, but inflation was high even before then. Some lawmakers think the US should drill its own way out of this crisis, but energy experts say that’s not going solve the problem.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Congress has a Friday deadline to meet to ensure the government doesn’t shut down and Ukraine gets military and humanitarian aid it needs, among other things. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why lawmakers had to cut Covid-19 relief funding from the omnibus bill. Republicans do not want new money to be spent on pandemic relief efforts, so Democrats had to make a compromise that several members objected to. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Joe Biden took the major step of banning Russian energy imports to the US–a move with bipartisan support meant to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what the import ban means and why the decision was made. Meanwhile, US drivers haven't paid this much per gallon of gas since 2008. Republicans claim it's partly because the US won’t step up domestic energy production–Biden said today that’s not true.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US gas prices are on the rise as Russia carries on with its invasion of Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how the US and its allies are walking a fine line to not exacerbate the global energy problem, while also punishing Russia further for its actions. Congress is working on bills to ban US imports of Russian oil and to fund the government before Friday. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The jobs report showed the US economy had strong job gains last month, but inflation remains a concern. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down President Joe Biden’s latest plan to continue this upward trajectory: boost domestic manufacturing. Lawmakers are also urging Biden to ban Russian oil imports to the US, but what effect could this have on US gas prices? To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s week two of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine–today, the Presidents from both countries spoke on the situation and President Joe Biden announced new Russian sanctions at his cabinet meeting. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the latest developments on the ground in Ukraine. Plus, on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are pushing the Biden administration to sanction Russian oil. Yet, there’s hesitation to do so from the White House because of the effect it’ll have on gas prices at home.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address last night. You’ll hear speech highlights and analysis from CNN Political Director David Chalian. He explains how Biden balanced the Ukraine crisis with key domestic issues like inflation, Covid-19, and crime. Was the President able to galvanize Democrats while still appealing to more centrist voters?To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices