PBS News Hour - Politics

A record number of bills to limit transgender rights have been introduced this year in state legislators across the country, with lawmakers in 28 states considering 93 bills targeting the rights of transgender Americans according to the Human Rights Campaign. John Yang speaks to Kate Sosin, the LGBTQ+ reporter for The 19th News, about how the legal and cultural battles are playing out. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Joe Biden urged state and local officials Monday to keep or reinstate mask mandates amid some of the most urgent warnings yet about new COVID-19 surges. Judy Woodruff talks to Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University, about the latest developments in the fight against the virus, which has killed almost 550,000 Americans. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Monday, a Michigan judge ordered three more men to stand trial for allegedly plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last October. The FBI says they were anti-government extremists angered by COVID restrictions. The U.S responded to Myanmar security forces killing at least five more protesters after 114 were shot dead Saturday, and the Suez Canal was finally cleared. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including the recent mass shootings, the resulting actions towards gun control, and the latest on the government's efforts to fight COVID-19.

PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For more on the issue of split-verdict juries from our signature segment, wrongful convictions, and the inequities in the American criminal justice system, New Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams joined Hari Sreenivasan to discuss, including what happens to those convicted using this now-outlawed practice. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1972 that non-unanimous juries--those that convict a defendant with a split decision--are a violation of the 6th Amendment. But a loophole, until recently, allowed two states to maintain the practice. Special Correspondent Tom Casciato looks at the roots of split-jury verdicts and what faces those convicted by them. This segment is part of our series "Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Biden administration has been struggling to deal with migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. The current influx is straining resources and sowing confusion for migrants on both sides of the border. Mallory Falk covers the U.S.-Mexico border for Texas KERA and the Texas Newsroom, a statewide public radio collaboration. She joins Hari Sreenivasan to explain what families at the border are going through and what policies are currently in place. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A new law signed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Thursday night imposes a series of new restrictions on elections in the state. Supporters say it's necessary for election security, but as Lisa Desjardins reports, it is drawing ire from voting rights groups and even President Joe Biden. We dissect the law and get the Republican perspective from state election official Gabriel Sterling. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

After years of failed attempts, Congress is again struggling to make any headway on immigration reform. President Joe Biden's massive immigration bill has failed to gain the support it needs to pass as is, leaving immigrant families caught in limbo. Yamiche Alcindor reports on the hold up in Congress, and the uncertainty that hangs over these families. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week in politics, including efforts to restrict voting, gun violence legislation and Biden's first presidential news conference.

PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders