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Congress is back … and so is the battle over Covid relief that we've all come to know and love. POLITICO’s Marianne LeVine breaks down where lawmakers disagree — and why passing a sweeping, bi-partisan measure is going to be a lot tougher than it was at the start of the pandemic. Plus, Florida teachers sue over an emergency order to reopen their classrooms. And Democrats eye a voting rights package to honor John Lewis.Marianne LeVine covers Congress for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2016, the Trump campaign drove down turnout from Black voters in key battleground states by focusing on Hillary Clinton's past racist comments about "superpredators" and her support for legislation that led to increased incarceration, particularly among Black and Latino people. Now, they're trying to do the exact same thing with Biden. POLITICO's Holly Otterbein explains how Trump plans to weaken the former VP's support from minority voters. Plus, global Covid deaths top 600,000. And Trump doubles down on his opposition to removing Confederate symbols.Holly Otterbein is a national political reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The beginning of the summer looked good ... for, like, a minute. Then, states in the South and West started seeing new coronavirus surges. Now, the virus appears to be out of control in at least 18 states. POLITICO's Renu Rayasam explains why the worst has yet to come. Plus, Trump wants a payroll tax cut in the next relief bill. And the Supreme Court deals a blow to voting rights in Florida.Renuka Rayasam is POLITICO's Texas correspondent and author of the POLITIC Nightly newsletter.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last year, POLITICO broke the story that a top Trump administration health official — CMS chief Seema Verma — was using tax dollars to hire GOP consultants to boost her image. Today, the health department's inspector general released a report confirming the story. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn and Dan Diamond explain why the controversy is relevant to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Plus, Oklahoma’s governor tests positive for Covid. And American Airlines is telling 25,000 workers they could lose their jobs.Adam Cancryn is a health reporter for POLITICO.Dan Diamond is a health care policy reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Inspector general: Medicare chief broke rules on her publicity contractsSign up for the Future Pulse newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The nursing home industry has been pushing for looser regulations for years. And they got what they wanted at the start of the pandemic. But now, advocates say lax standards are fueling the virus' spread. POLITICO's Maggie Severns has the story. Plus, the CDC chief predicts late 2020 could be “one of the most difficult times we have experienced.” And the Trump administration reverses its international student policy.Maggie Severns covers politics and the coronavirus for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Meadows came to the West Wing with big plans, hoping his friendship with President Trump would help him avoid turbulence. Then reality — and the coronavirus pandemic — hit. POLITICO’s Nancy Cook breaks down why it’s not so easy being chief of staff in Trump’s White House right now … or, really, ever. Plus, California rolls back reopening plans. And the IRS is cancelling uncashed stimulus checks sent to the dead.Nancy Cook is a White House reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump and Republicans have pushed to roll back Medicaid for years. But now, as more people seek government-run health assistance due to the coronavirus pandemic, those plans have hit a brick wall. POLITICO's Rachel Roubein explains how the politics of Medicaid are shifting. Plus, Democrats slam Trump's commutation of Roger Stone's prison sentence. And Florida shatters the single-day coronavirus case record.Rachel Roubein is a health care reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump is calling for schools to reopen this fall despite rising coronavirus cases. POLITICO’s Anita Kumar reports on how the push isn’t just about education — it’s about the economy and the election. Plus, the WHO acknowledges the potential for airborne coronavirus spread. And Dr. Fauci says states with surges should pause reopening.Anita Kumar is a White House correspondent and associate editor for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been 6 months since the World Health Organization warned about an unknown virus circulating in Wuhan, China. Now, the US has more than 3 million confirmed coronavirus cases and there are more than 12 million globally. POLITICO's Dan Diamond breaks down how we got here — and what's next for the rest of 2020. Plus, the CDC is updating its guidelines for schools to reopen. And the Ivy League cancels fall sports.Dan Diamond is a health policy reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a surge in families considered food insecure — and that’s true across demographic groups. But for Black and Hispanic families, the numbers are unprecedented. POLITICO’s Helena Bottemiller Evich breaks down how the pandemic has intensified pre-existing disparities. Plus, Trump says he’ll pressure schools to reopen. And the US is formally withdrawing from the WHO.Helena Bottemiller Evich is a senior food and agriculture reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Stark racial disparities emerge as families struggle to get enough food Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices