National Politics

By Ali Zaslav and Lauren Fox, CNN A bipartisan group of senators announced Wednesday they reached a deal to renew the Violence Against Women Act, marking a years-long effort to modernize the landmark legislation that expired in 2018. “I think we can almost let out a sigh of relief,” said Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, a

By Shawna Mizelle, CNN Republican Rep. Greg Pence on Wednesday publicly defended his brother, former Vice President Mike Pence, who said former President Donald Trump was “wrong” in claiming that Pence had the right to overturn the 2020 election on January 6, 2021. The former vice president has been the subject of harsh criticism from

By Gabby Orr and Michael Warren, CNN Mike Pence did not initially intend to admonish former President Donald Trump during a long-planned speech last week. But a pair of statements from Trump criticizing Pence’s actions on January 6, 2021, were the final straw, said two people close to the former vice president. He had to

By Natasha Bertrand and Barbara Starr, CNN The White House has approved a plan presented by the Pentagon for the nearly 2,000 US troops in Poland to help Americans who may try to evacuate Ukraine if Russia invades, according to two US officials familiar with the matter. The US forces are not currently authorized to

By Jasmine Wright and Kate Sullivan, CNN Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the Munich Security Conference this month, a White House official confirmed to CNN on Wednesday. Harris’ latest high-profile foreign trip comes as the US has partnered with key allies in attempt to deter Russia from invading Ukraine. The vice president is expected

By Katie Lobosco, CNN “It turned out to be a horrible day,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said, recalling his first day of kindergarten as a 5-year-old still learning English. His mom had to pick up her overwhelmed son early that day, but Cardona eventually found Connecticut’s public school system to be a place of ample

By Kate Sullivan, CNN President Joe Biden on Wednesday is turning his focus to making new commitments to elect more Democratic governors, a Biden adviser told CNN, following on his pledge to be deeply involved in this year’s midterm elections. Democrats are defending 16 governors’ seats and Republicans are defending 20. Not all of these

By Kylie Atwood, CNN The Biden administration believes it has until the end of February to salvage the Iran nuclear agreement, otherwise the US will have to change tack and launch aggressive efforts to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, according to three administration officials. “This session is the critical one,” a senior administration

By Gregory Wallace and Pete Muntean, CNN The most dangerous way to travel in the United States became even more deadly during the coronavirus pandemic. Roadway deaths soared at the highest rate in recorded history. Road safety advocates say the numbers match their experience along Maryland Route 210, a six-lane, largely straight stretch with busy

By Veronica Stracqualursi, CNN Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Stacey Abrams apologized Tuesday for not wearing a mask when she posed for photos with masked schoolchildren last week, after she received intense backlash from political opponents. “Protocols matter, and protecting our kids is the most important thing, and anything that can be perceived as undermining