PBS News Hour - Politics

On his first day in office, president Biden signed an executive order to stop construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. But now, many people in the Great Lakes region are asking the Administration to halt a different pipeline project they believe poses an even greater threat to indigenous communities and local waterways. And as NewsHour Weekend's Ivette Feliciano reports, experts and climate advocates say it's time to stop oil pipeline projects in the U.S. once and for all. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The latest jobs report showed a surprising rebound in the labor market, with employers adding a net of 379,000 new jobs in February. And the unemployment rate fell a tenth of a percentage point, to 6.2 percent. The dip in unemployment comes as the Senate debates a massive coronavirus relief bill, poised to bring economic aid to millions struggling during the pandemic. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Friday, House impeachment manager and California Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell filed a lawsuit against former President Trump and several of his allies for inciting the Capitol insurrection, a new CDC study sheds light on how mask mandates and other rules have slowed COVID infections and deaths, and a Black woman will be officiating games for the first time in NFL history. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As the debate over an economic relief bill continues in the Senate, the surge in hiring in February suggests that the prospects of a better spring ahead for the U.S. economy. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest and how it might affect the debate over the size and scope of the COVID relief package. 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 the battle over voting rights, the lifting of pandemic restrictions in some states, and wrangling over the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Thursday, Capitol Police asked for National Guard troops to remain deployed there for two more months, U.S. Senate begins debate on President Biden's COVID relief package, the U.S is now vaccinating more than 2 million people per day, protests continue in Myanmar a day after security forces killed 38 people, and U.S. jobless claims climbed higher last week. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As the U.S. Senate moves toward floor debate on this next round of stimulus, we get the perspective of South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune. He joins Judy Woodruff to discuss some of the components of the legislation and other debates in Congress, including unemployment insurance, state and local aid, and the federal minimum wage. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For an opposing perspective on COVID relief and the congressional agenda we turn to Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who chairs the Senate's budget committee. He joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the minimum wage, the Republican response to President Biden's agenda, and the need for federal aid for local and state governments during the pandemic. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Republican state legislatures across the country are moving rapidly to pass new voting laws, amid former President Donald Trump's continued false claims of election fraud. Lisa Desjardins takes us to the battleground state of Georgia and explains the raging debate. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

House Democrats passed a landmark bill Wednesday that would expand voting rights and another key piece of legislation on police reform through the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act -- something Democrats have been pushing for since the death of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests last year. Lisa Desjardins joins Judy Woodruff to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders