THE 202s

Essential briefing newsletters for leaders

Climate change raises pressure on Biden to keep workers cooler

OSHA may not finish a national heat standard for construction crews, warehouse workers and others until after the presidential election. Some Democrats want the agency to speed up.

By Samantha Young and McKenzie BeardJanuary 19, 2024

Why Denver’s Democratic mayor is pushing for a border bill

In today’s edition … Inside the breakup of Haley and Trump’s partnership over her U.N. role ... Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar on the Biden administration’s immigration problems.

By Theodoric Meyer, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Yasmeen Abutaleb and Tobi RajiJanuary 19, 2024

The Supreme Court has entered the AI chat

Justices mused about how the court will grapple with the technology.

By Cristiano Lima-StrongJanuary 18, 2024

Biden cracks down on prior authorization – but there are limits

Starting in 2026, some insurers, including Medicare Advantage and Obamacare plans, will have to follow new rules governing pre-approvals.

By Lauren Sausser and McKenzie BeardJanuary 18, 2024

How the right aims to scuttle border talks

In today’s edition … The Senate is expected to pass a stopgap bill that funds the government through March 1 and March 8 … Haley steps up attacks on Trump, but some in N.H. see her holding back.

By Leigh Ann Caldwell, Theodoric Meyer and Tobi RajiJanuary 18, 2024

FEC to weigh AI limits for political ads by ‘early summer,’ chair says

The agency faces pressure to act as the 2024 elections kick off.

By Cristiano Lima-StrongJanuary 17, 2024

The American Hospital Association on 2024 priorities

We talked Medicare payments, the health-care workforce and more.

By McKenzie BeardJanuary 17, 2024

What Congress still needs to ink a bipartisan tax deal

In today’s edition … SCOTUS reconsiders a major legal precedent giving federal agencies wide leeway in executing laws … Biden meets with the four congressional leaders to talk Ukraine funding and border security.

By Theodoric Meyer, Leigh Ann Caldwell and Tobi RajiJanuary 17, 2024

Is this covid surge really the second largest?

It’s harder to grasp the magnitude of recent spikes because federal officials aren’t tracking coronavirus cases as closely as in the past.

By Fenit Nirappil and McKenzie BeardJanuary 16, 2024

What Trump’s blowout win in Iowa means for the race

In today’s edition … Sen. Sanders will force a vote in the Senate over Israel’s human rights record in the war in Gaza … Lawmakers to announce a bipartisan package to expand the child tax credit and extend Trump-era tax breaks.

By Theodoric Meyer, Leigh Ann Caldwell and Tobi RajiJanuary 16, 2024

Alex Azar’s unusual spin through the revolving door

The former HHS secretary and ex-Eli Lilly executive greenlit importing drugs from Canada. Now he chairs the board of a company managing Florida’s importation program.

By Phil Galewitz and McKenzie BeardJanuary 12, 2024

How Trump changed Iowa

In today’s edition … Joe Manchin attends a must-visit breakfast in N.H. for prospective presidential candidates ... Biden makes pitch to Black voters in South Carolina.

By Theodoric Meyer, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Marisa Iati and Tobi RajiJanuary 12, 2024

Senators warn AI could lead to ‘destruction’ of local news

The rise of generative AI is creating a “perfect storm,” Sen. Blumenthal said.

By Cristiano Lima-StrongJanuary 11, 2024

The AMA wants a Medicare cut reversed – and lawmakers to stay out of care

In an exclusive interview, the president of the AMA calls it “unconscionable” that lawmakers would allow a cut in Medicare payments to doctors to go forward, and says his group is “optimistic” the Supreme Court will permit emergency abortions at hospitals.

By Julie Rovner and McKenzie BeardJanuary 11, 2024

The Republicans who aren’t endorsing Trump

In today’s edition … Immigration fear heats up Trump-Haley clash, dominates late GOP ad spending … Twelve House hard-liners sink a procedural rule in protest of Johnson’s bipartisan government funding deal.

By Leigh Ann Caldwell, Theodoric Meyer and Tobi RajiJanuary 11, 2024

Impeachment frenzy hits Capitol Hill

In today’s edition … The obstacles Nikki Haley faces in New Hampshire … Trump co-defendant in Georgia accuses prosecutors of misconduct.

By Theodoric Meyer, Leigh Ann Caldwell and Tobi RajiJanuary 10, 2024

Congress, lagging on AI rules, may be ahead of the curve on AI use

Lawmakers are launching a “cautious yet proactive exploration” of AI use in their work.

By Cristiano Lima-StrongJanuary 9, 2024

Will CMS crack down on prior authorization?

More than a year ago, federal officials issued a proposed rule to restrict some insurance plans’ much-maligned prior authorization processes. But since closing the public comment period on the rule 10 months ago, officials have gone silent.

By Lauren Sausser and McKenzie BeardJanuary 9, 2024

The consequences of Trump’s immunity court case

In today’s edition … Release of the bipartisan border security framework is likely delayed … A look at the violent threats against members of Congress, state officials, local leaders and judges since 2020.

By Leigh Ann Caldwell, Theodoric Meyer and Tobi RajiJanuary 9, 2024