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The NPR Politics Podcast Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon.

Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics
The NPR Politics Podcast

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The NPR Politics Podcast

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Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon.

Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics

Most Recent Episodes

Senator Feinstein's Lengthy Absence Imperils Biden's Court Picks

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) makes her way to the Senate chambers at the U.S. Capitol on February 16, 2023 in Washington, DC. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Senator Feinstein's Lengthy Absence Imperils Biden's Court Picks

California Democratic Sen. Diane Feinstein's months-long recuperation from shingles has hamstrung the Judiciary committee and led some of her fellow lawmakers to push for her resignation. The 89 year-old has not voted on legislation since February.

Senator Feinstein's Lengthy Absence Imperils Biden's Court Picks

Listen · 26:44
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Leaked Docs Reveal Ukraine's Vulnerabilities, US Intel On Allies

The seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation hangs on the outside of the bureau's Edgar J. Hoover Building May 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Leaked Docs Reveal Ukraine's Vulnerabilities, US Intel On Allies

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, Jack Teixeira, as a suspect in the leak of classified intelligence documents. The files contain information about Ukraine's military readiness and sensitive intelligence gathered by the U.S. about its allies.

Leaked Docs Reveal Ukraine's Vulnerabilities, US Intel On Allies

Listen · 11:20
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Tim Scott Prepares To Join Expanding Republican Primary Field

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) stands on stage in an empty Mellon Auditorium while addressing the Republican National Convention at the Mellon Auditorium on August 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Tim Scott Prepares To Join Expanding Republican Primary Field

Scott, who serves as a senator from South Carolina, announced a presidential exploratory committee — a fundraising vehicle often used by candidates ahead of formal campaign announcements.

Tim Scott Prepares To Join Expanding Republican Primary Field

Listen · 16:24
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Trans Americans Face Patchwork Of Differing Laws

A Transgender Pride Flag is held above the crowd of LGBTQ+ activists during the Los Angeles LGBT Center's "Drag March LA: The March on Santa Monica Boulevard", in West Hollywood, California, on Sunday April 9, 2023. ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images

Trans Americans Face Patchwork Of Differing Laws

As many Republican-led states pass legislation restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minors and adults, both the Biden administration and the Supreme Court have begun to weigh in. We look at the current state of affairs in Utah, which passed a law on the topic earlier this year.

Trans Americans Face Patchwork Of Differing Laws

Listen · 12:39
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Abortion Access May Be On A Fast Track Back To Supreme Court

Mifepristone (Mifeprex), one of the two drugs used in a medication abortion, is displayed at the Women's Reproductive Clinic, which provides legal medication abortion services, in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on June 15, 2022. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

Abortion Access May Be On A Fast Track Back To Supreme Court

Two federal judges issued contradictory opinions related to a drug used in nearly all U.S. medication abortions last week. The Biden administration has announced its intent to appeal the issue and the issue will likely work its way to the Supreme Court.

Abortion Access May Be On A Fast Track Back To Supreme Court

Listen · 12:29
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Black Democrats Fired By Tenn. GOP Peers After Gun Protest

Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones of Nashville gestures during a vote on his expulsion from the state legislature at the State Capitol Building on April 6, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Seth Herald/Getty Images hide caption

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Black Democrats Fired By Tenn. GOP Peers After Gun Protest

Tennessee House Republicans voted to expel Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson after they led a protest on the floor of the chamber in response to a recent deadly school shooting in Nashville.

Black Democrats Fired By Tenn. GOP Peers After Gun Protest

Listen · 22:05
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Fraud Risk? Candidates Pay Signature Gatherers To Get On Ballot

People sign a petition supporting Washington state Initiative 1621 on May 20, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. Karen Ducey/Getty Images hide caption

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Karen Ducey/Getty Images

Fraud Risk? Candidates Pay Signature Gatherers To Get On Ballot

Want to put yourself or your cause on the ballot? Generally, you need to gather signatures first in order to signal support for your message. Last year, five would-be GOP gubernatorial hopefuls in Michigan were disqualified after allegedly fraudulent signatures were discovered on their petition documents. Now, election officials are raising the alarm about the risks associated with paid signature-gathering.

Fraud Risk? Candidates Pay Signature Gatherers To Get On Ballot

Listen · 12:49
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It Happened Again: Abortion Access Propels Dems To Huge Win

A supporter of Janet Protasiewicz sports a button with her name on April 04, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images hide caption

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Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

It Happened Again: Abortion Access Propels Dems To Huge Win

Liberal Janet Protasiewicz won her election to the Wisconsin State Supreme Court by more than 11 percent. The rout is the latest example of a powerful national trend: voters strongly support Democratic-backed candidates on abortion access issues.

It Happened Again: Abortion Access Propels Dems To Huge Win

Listen · 13:29
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Trump Pleads Not Guilty To 34 Felony Charges

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for his arraignment at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 04, 2023 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Trump Pleads Not Guilty To 34 Felony Charges

Prosecutors in New York allege Donald Trump falsified business records to conceal hush money payments made by allies, which prosecutors say was an effort to keep scandalous allegations against him from coming to light during the final months of his 2016 presidential campaign run. Trump is expected to speak to the allegations tonight at a Florida campaign event.

Trump Pleads Not Guilty To 34 Felony Charges

Listen · 14:57
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Abortion Access Likely At Stake In Wisconsin's Supreme Court Race

The Gates of Heaven Synagogue on November 8, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images) Jim Vondruska/Getty Images hide caption

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Abortion Access Likely At Stake In Wisconsin's Supreme Court Race

A race for one seat on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court has broken national spending records. The winner could be the key swing vote on cases deciding everything from abortion rights to redistricting in the state.

Abortion Access Likely At Stake In Wisconsin's Supreme Court Race

Listen · 13:10
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