CNN Political Briefing

The first day of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Senate confirmation hearings have ended, but things are just getting started. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Democrats and Republicans approached the first day. Democrats pointed out her legal expertise and the historic nature of her nomination, while Republicans hinted at the heat she will face from them in the days ahead.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US President Joe Biden spoke with his Chinese counterpart today, mainly about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down read outs of the call from the White House and China’s news agency. He also explains the concerns the US has over China’s position on the war in Ukraine. President Biden laid out “implications and consequences” for China should it choose to help Russia at all.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Biden administration is preparing for a potential influx of Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn country and migrants seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border. As CNN Political Director David Chalian explains, the Biden Administration is trying to make it easier for some Ukrainian refugees to come to the US, while also grappling with the possible end of a southern border rule invoked at the start of the pandemic.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A war-weary Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to a joint meeting of Congress today, calling on the US to do more to protect his country. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how President Joe Biden and US lawmakers reacted and how far they’re willing to go, for now, to give Ukraine what it’s requesting. Biden also announced new security assistance for Ukraine, defending the US & its allies’ response so far.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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