Decoded by POLITICO

The CDC says vaccinations aren't a necessity for safely reopening schools. But many teachers unions aren't backing down. POLITICO's Mackenzie Mays reports on the fight over reopening schools in California — and how it could pose a major problem for President Biden. Plus, Democrats move to strip freshman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of her committee assignments. And the House adopts a budget resolution to expedite Biden’s $1.9T pandemic plan.

Mackenzie Mays is a POLITICO education reporter based in California.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. 
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: 
One of Biden’s biggest problems in his first 100 days comes from an unlikely place
Newsom: California schools won't reopen 'if we wait for the perfect'

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Go big. Go fast. And, if need be, go without the GOP. That’s been President Biden’s credo while signing a record number of executive actions during his first days in office. POLITICO’s Natasha Korecki looks at the strategy behind the effort — and whether Biden is muffling his own message of bipartisanship and unity. Plus, Defense Secretary Austin roots out Trump appointees at the Pentagon. And Neera Tanden, Biden’s pick for budget director, is slated for a confirmation grilling next week.

Natasha Korecki 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: ‘Let them take you to court’: Biden dares GOP to obstruct him

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On the campaign trail, President Biden promised to promote democracy and fight authoritarianism across the globe. Now, he’s facing a foreign policy crisis that puts those promises to the test: A military coup in Myanmar. POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi breaks down how the White House plans to respond — and how the situation could escalate tensions with China. Plus, the Senate will vote on confirming two cabinet positions. And Robinhood’s CEO is expected to testify before a House panel on GameStop later this month.

Nahal Toosi is a foreign affairs 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: An inconvenient insurrection tests Biden on China, democracy support

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President Biden wants $1.9 trillion. Republicans want a lot less. POLITICO’s Victoria Guida breaks down what would really save the Covid economy —  and why we shouldn’t care too much about the price tag … for now. Plus, Blinken condemns Russia for arresting protestors. And a new CDC rule requiring travelers to wear face masks takes effect later today.

Victoria Guida covers economic policy 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 agrees to meeting with GOP senators on Covid relief
Wall Street shrugs at Washington’s debt pileup

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Every day has a theme. Every day has a briefing. Every day has some executive orders. The first full week of the Biden administration has certainly followed a pattern. POLITICO’s Sam Stein breaks down the strategy behind the blandness — and explains why boring isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Plus, Rep. Jim Jordan won’t run for Senate next year. And Novavax says early data from a U.K. trial shows its vaccine is more than 89 percent effective.

Sam Stein is POLITICO's White House editor.
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: Inside the Biden plan to be boring

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There’s an app for everything. There’s also data on everyone. POLITICO’s Mohana Ravindranath breaks down how companies are slyly buying and selling the information we share with health apps — and explains why that data isn’t protected like medical records. Plus, spending on food stamps jumped by nearly 50 percent in 2020. And DHS warns of continued violence by domestic extremists.

Mohana Ravindranath is an eHealth 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.

This story was co-reported with POLITICO's Katy Murphy. 

Read more in the Future Pulse newsletter.

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We’re in a race against the clock. New variants are popping up around the world, and slowing the spread is essential. POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle breaks down what sort of progress the U.S. is making in its vaccination efforts — and whether we’ll be able to take on the new strains. Plus, Trump’s conviction is looking unlikely after nearly every GOP Senator voted against holding a trial. And a federal judge blocks President Biden’s 100-day deportation moratorium.

Sarah Owermohle covers drug policy 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:
New virus variants threaten Biden’s pandemic plans
Biden administration to buy 200 million more doses of Covid vaccine
States taking back Covid shots unused by nursing homes

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President Biden made some big immigration promises. And he’s already delivered on some of them, signing executive orders to repeal the so-called “Muslim travel ban” and halt construction of the border wall. But the centerpiece of his plan — a bill providing a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants — faces a steep uphill battle in Congress. POLITICO’s Laura Barrón-López reports. Plus, Biden set his sights on 1.5 million vaccines a day. And banks say a technical glitch is preventing small businesses from getting relief.

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: Biden open to breaking his immigration bill into pieces

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If you can’t win, change the rules of the game. That appears to be the rule state Republicans are following across the country in the aftermath of Trump’s loss, as they push for new voting restriction laws. POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro reports on how Georgia is leading the effort. Plus, Biden health officials are hopeful vaccine supply problems will ease in March. And the Kremlin criticizes the U.S. for expressing support for Russian protesters.

Zach Montellaro is a campaign reporter for POLITICO and author of the Morning Score 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: State Republicans push new voting restrictions after Trump’s loss

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The global economy is still fighting the pandemic and digging itself out of a recession, while jobs and training will surely change going forward. What other actions need to be taken by government, business, education and other institutions to ensure that people have access to the resources necessary for good jobs? Hosts Ryan Heath and Luiza Savage talk with leaders in job training and tech about the big, structural changes that need to happen.

Ryan Heath is the host of "Global Translations". 
Luiza Savage is a host of "Global Translations".
Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO Audio. 
Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO Audio. 
Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO Audio. 
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.

Zoë Baird is the CEO and president of the Markle Foundation.

Constantijn van Oranje is the envoy for Techleap.nl. 

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