The Decoded Podcast

The House passed a $3 trillion relief package on Friday. But the measure is almost certainly dead upon arrival in the Senate. California Rep. Jackie Speier explains why Dems aimed high in their bill — and why she thinks lawmakers should be banned from living out of their Capitol offices. Plus, the Fed chairman warns unemployment could hit Depression-era levels. And Japan officially enters a recession.

Jackie Speier is a US Congresswoman representing California's 14th Congressional District
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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“It's like hitting conspiracy bingo." That's how coronavirus has flung open the door to conspiracy theories and misinformation, according to one expert. POLITICO's Steven Overly explains how fringe groups and extremists are seizing this moment to peddle dangerous messages online. Plus, Pelosi is pushing a vote on a $3 trillion relief bill. And the CDC releases previously withheld guidance for reopening — kind of.

Steven Overly covers technology policy 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: Conspiracy theorists, far-right extremists around the world seize on the pandemic

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Dr. Rick Bright, the vaccine expert turned whistleblower who claims he was unfairly ousted from his position at the Health Department, testifies before Congress today. His claims are explosive, but colleagues say some of his complaint leaves out key context. POLITICO's Dan Diamond and Sarah Owermohle break down the complicated case of Dr. Bright. Plus, a federal judge is tossing cold water on the Justice Department's efforts to drop the case against Michael Flynn. And Trump splits with Dr. Fauci on how quickly schools should reopen.

Sarah Owermohle is a health care reporter for POLITICO.
Dan Diamond is a health care policy 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:
Colleagues paint a mixed picture of ousted vaccine chief
Top Trump critic will testify before a chairwoman who is a close ally
 

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Unlike most industries, cannabis sales have been booming during the coronavirus pandemic. And for the states where the drug is legal, that means more tax revenue during a financial crisis. POLITICO's Natalie Fertig explains how that could spur a push for legalization at the federal level. Plus, Wuhan plans to test all 11 million of its residents. And the UN chief is urging religious leaders to actively challenge hate speech and reject xenophobia during the pandemic.

Natalie Fertig is a cannabis policy 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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President Trump had a "mission accomplished" moment in the Rose Garden on Monday as he touted an increase in testing and pushed for lifting restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus. But at the same time, the White House itself was instituting new internal restrictions to prevent its own outbreak. POLITICO's Nancy Cook breaks down the "split screen" view from the West Wing. Plus, some of the nation's top doctors are videoing into a Senate hearing on the pandemic. And the WHO is warning countries not to reopen too quickly.

Nancy Cook 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.

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There's no work from home for the more than 2 million farmworkers in the US who have been deemed "essential" during the coronavirus pandemic. But with packed transportation to the fields and crammed living quarters, many of them are facing conditions similar to before the crisis, putting them at risk of exposure to the virus. POLITICO's Helena Bottemiller Evich explains the "unprecedented" anxiety among agriculture workers. Plus, the White House fights an outbreak of its own. And Georgia's AG calls for a federal probe of the Ahmaud Arbery case.

Helena Bottemiller Evich is a senior food and agriculture 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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Catastrophic earthquakes. Solar flares that bring down the entire power grid. The global rise of white supremacy. As if the coronavirus pandemic wasn't enough to worry about, POLITICO Magazine looked into the world-changing threats that could be next. Journalist and historian Garrett Graff breaks it down. Plus, the Justice Department drops its case against Michael Flynn. And days after cell phone video sparked national outrage, Georgia authorities have charged a white father and son with murdering a 25-year old black man who was jogging in their neighborhood in February.

Garrett Graff is a journalist, director of cyber initiatives at The Aspen Institute, and author of multiple books, including The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11.
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: Experts Knew a Pandemic Was Coming. Here’s What They’re Worried About Next.

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Fifty-two days ago, President Trump vowed that widespread drive-thru coronavirus screening was finally coming. Now, the White House is declaring victory in the race for more testing. POLITICO's Dan Diamond explains where we really are — and whether it's enough to get the country on track for reopening. Plus, the Trump administration shelves a CDC guide to reopening. And Trump dismisses an ousted vaccine expert as "disgruntled."

Dan Diamond is a health care policy 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: How a 96-hour project helped Trump's team reverse its testing debacle

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"A very strange eeriness to this whole thing." That's how POLITICO's Marianne LeVine describes the scene at the Capitol right now. We look at what's different in the Senate amid the coronavirus pandemic — including a lack of lobster rolls at the GOP's weekly lunch. Plus, ousted HHS vaccine expert Rick Bright files a whistleblower complaint. And new research sheds light on how the pandemic is disproportionately hitting African American communities.

Marianne LeVine 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.

 

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Pollution has dropped dramatically. Los Angeles' skyline is no longer obscured by smog. Kangaroos have been spotted hopping through deserted Australian streets. POLITICO's Nick Juliano explains how the climate effects of the coronavirus pandemic are changing the way we think about sustainability. Plus, the Senate is baaaaaaack. And more states are letting businesses reopen.

Nick Juliano is POLITICO's sustainability policy 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.

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