PBS News Hour - Politics

President Joe Biden on Thursday held his first White House news conference since taking office in January. He was faced with many questions on the subject of immigration at the southern border, voting rights, his plans for Afghanistan and his agenda's prospects in the U.S. Senate. White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor was at the conference and has our report. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As the Biden administration continues to face questions about its response plan to stem the influx of migrants, Senior National Correspondent Amna Nawaz was on the southern border last night, watching as several people crossed into the United States. She reports on the ground realities from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Thursday, the suspect in Monday's mass shooting in Colorado made his first court appearance. His lawyers requested a mental health assessment. Then, efforts to ship COVID-19 vaccines to needy nations face major delays and about 90 million doses may be affected. Also, California's Supreme Court issued a ruling today barring holding people in jail because they cannot afford bail. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Much of continental Europe is suffering through a third and brutal wave of COVID-19. Making matters worse, the drive to vaccinate throughout the European Union is faltering badly. Coupled with recent concerns about the AstraZeneca vaccine, the EU is running behind. Nick Schifrin has the story. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to extend the application period for the Paycheck Protection Program until the end of May. Since the program began, over $700 billion have been distributed to small businesses to help cover losses during the pandemic. But minority-owned businesses have found accessing those funds harder. We talked to several Latino business owners and lenders about the issue. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The White House is moving today to limit the humanitarian -- and political -- damage from the migrant challenge. President Joe Biden has put Vice President Kamala Harris in charge of the effort to stem immigration from Central America, and released new images from holding facilities in an effort towards transparency. Yamiche Alcindor begins our coverage, with Amna Nawaz reporting from the border. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Wednesday, Senators clashed over an elections bill to expand ballot access and head off attempts to limit voting access at the state level, with Republicans saying it's partisan overreach. U.S. health officials pointed to progress in the pandemic with rising vaccinations, but warned that new infections remain high. Also, Myanmar released people jailed for protesting the coup. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Biden regularly touts the promise of his COVID relief legislation, but there are significant problems in the job market that may not be easily solved as more than 9 million Americans remain out of work, and the unemployment numbers remain high. Newly appointed Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the administration's plans for the job market. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the U.S. risks seeing a surge similar to that in Europe if public health measures are rescinded too soon. The new wave of European infections forced Germany to extend its lockdown measures by a month. President Biden's new proposal to improve infrastructure, education and jobs may cost $3 trillion, and the USPS unveiled a 10-year overhaul plan. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday announced it will build yet another influx shelter to handle the growing number of unaccompanied migrant children arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border, and mitigate the risks of the spread of COVID-19 among the arrivals. Amna Nawaz reports from the southern border. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders