Decoded by POLITICO

1:49pm — The chief of the Capitol Police makes an urgent plea for help from the National Guard. 5:08pm — Final approval from the Pentagon comes through. What happened in the hours between? POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney reports. Plus, Alabama’s GOP governor extends the state’s mask mandate. And a new poll says most New Yorkers don’t want Gov. Cuomo to resign.

Kyle Cheney is a congressional 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: Capitol riot probe zeroes in on Pentagon delay in sending troops

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Three working vaccines. Ramped-up production. Falling hospitalizations. “Normal life” feels within reach … But actually, it’s still gonna be a bit. POLITICO’s Erin Banco reports. Plus, New York Gov. Cuomo says he will not resign amid allegations of sexual harassment. And Facebook lifts its political ad ban.

Erin Banco covers the coronavirus pandemic and the CDC 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: CDC's draft guidelines for vaccinated Americans call for small steps toward normal life

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Obama tried to do it. So did Trump. But neither could make the elusive infrastructure overhaul happen. Will President Biden finally be able to pass a massive infrastructure package to rebuild the nation’s crumbling roads, bridges and broadband — or will he suffer the same fate as his predecessors? POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder reports. Plus, Biden says there will be enough vaccines for every adult in the US by April. And a federal watchdog calls for mandatory coronavirus workplace safety standards.

Tanya Snyder is a transportation 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.

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Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes, killing the man who allegedly used a counterfeit $20. Chauvin will be tried for murder this month. Many officers have been indicted for the deaths of Black people, but not convicted. POLITICO's Nolan McCaskill reports on whether this case will be different, and what long-term impact Floyd's death has had on the movement for police reform.

Nolan McCaskill is a national political reporter for POLITICO.
Erica Morrison is a host-producer at POLITICO Audio. 
Jenny Ament is a senior producer at POLITICO Audio. 
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer at POLITICO Audio. 

Subscribe to POLITICO's newsletter The Recast, which looks at how race and identity are shaping politics, policy and power.

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After weeks of silence on the biggest union fight in the country, President Biden released a video last night urging workers at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama to vote on organizing. POLITICO's Rebecca Rainey breaks down what the President's statement means for the union push — and for Amazon. Plus, a CDC advisory panel recommends Jonson & Johnson’s vaccine. And Virginia votes to legalize marijuana.

Rebecca Rainey is a labor 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: Biden backs right of Amazon workers to attempt to organize

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Progressives say he isn’t going far enough. Moderates in border districts worry he’s going too far. And Republicans see a clear line of attack. When it comes to immigration policy, President Biden can't win. POLITICO’s Sabrina Rodriguez reports. Plus, an FDA panel discusses the safety of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine. And Jennifer Granholm is confirmed as Energy Secretary.

Sabrina Rodriguez is an immigration correspondent 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:
‘Recipe for disaster’: Dem fears mount over immigration overhaul
Biden reverses Trump visa ban on legal immigration
Federal judge deals Biden another blow on 100-day deportation ban

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In the scramble to get the entire world vaccinated, countries like China and Russia are trying to use vaccine sales and donations to lift their standings on the global stage. POLITICO’s Ryan Heath breaks down the tricky world of vaccine diplomacy. Plus, Joe Manchin says he supports Deb Haaland’s nomination to lead the Interior Department. And embattled postmaster general Louis DeJoy tells Congress to “get used to me.”

Ryan Heath authors the Global Translations newsletter 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: China winning vaccine diplomacy battle, but will lose the war

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Sexism. Double-standards. White male privilege. Those are some of the charges activists and Democrats are lobbing as Neera Tanden’s nomination to the Office of Management and Budget slips away over divisive tweets. POLITICO’s Laura Barrón-López reports on how Tanden's nomination as the first Asian American to lead the OMB fell apart. Plus, four board members of Texas’ power grid operator are resigning amid outrage over last week’s blackouts. And McConnell says he’ll support Merrick Garland’s nomination as Attorney General.

Laura Barrón-López 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.

Read more: ‘A double standard going on’: Democrats accuse GOP and Manchin of bias on Biden nominations

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The 117th Congress has a record number of women and people of color. But when it comes to the congressional staff working behind the scenes at the Capitol, diversity is still a huge problem. POLITICO’s Maya King reports. Plus, Xavier Becerra faces his first of two confirmation hearings. And the FDA says vaccine boosters will require less extensive trials.

Maya King covers race and politics 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: This Congress is the most diverse ever. But Hill staffers remain overwhelmingly white.

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Are you confused about what you can and can’t do during the pandemic? Have you had a dispute with a family member or a coworker about Covid safety? You’re not alone. Welcome to Covid Court, where POLITICO’s Renu Rayasam issues rulings on how to get through the pandemic without losing your mind. Plus, Merrick Garland gets his second chance. And Boris Johnson says all British adults will get a first vaccine dose by the end of July.

Renuka Rayasam covers the coronavirus pandemic for POLITICO and writes the POLITICO 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.

Read more in POLITICO Nightly.
 

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