POLITICO Tech

The POLITICO Tech podcast is your daily download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy. From AI and the metaverse to disinformation and microchips, we explore how today’s technology is shaping our world — and driving the policy decisions, global rivalries and industries that will matter tomorrow.

Tech News
Politics
Daily News
376
The FDA's 4-month recall gap
The FDA first received reports of a foodborne illness suspected to be linked to infant formula back in September 2021. Last week, it issued a sweeping recall of three major brands after four babies were hospitalized and one died. Helena Bottemiller Evich reports.
11 min
377
350.org faces next challenge: itself
It was the group that brought down the Keystone XL pipeline — a once-upstart environmental advocacy group that changed the face of America’s climate activism. But 350.org, founded by legendary activist Bill McKibben, now faces a budget crunch, equity fights and union strife. Zack Colman reports.
12 min
378
Putin escalates crisis
In a televised address on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine as independent, amounting to a dramatic escalation of a crisis that Western leaders have warned is a pretext for a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Alex Ward reports.
14 min
379
Josh Mandel and the crowded Ohio primary
In a Ohio Senate GOP primary that holds five candidates, Josh Mandel has broken through as an early front-runner with brazen tweets and campaign trail provocations. But what makes him stand out is the length of his political arc: he's ubiquitous in Ohio politics and has been working on becoming a Senator for the past two decades — before turning 45. Michael Kruse reports.
14 min
380
A $30 billion price tag for continued Covid fun...
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told congressional appropriators in charge of supplemental pandemic funding that at least $30 billion is needed to keep Covid-19 response work going, arguing that while the Biden administration may have enough vaccines and therapeutics to ride out the Omicron surge, it doesn’t currently have enough money to respond to another variant. Alice Miranda Ollstein reports.
9 min
381
On the front lines in Ukraine
Journalist Kenneth Rosen visited front lines across the Donbas region to witness Putin’s digital war with Ukraine, and questions whether the West is prepared for cyberattacks and the future of warfare.
12 min
382
The court battles over mail-in voting
A pair of looming state court cases in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin could significantly curtail mail voting ahead of the midterms — one of Republicans’ major goals since former President Donald Trump went to war against the practice in 2020. Zach Montellaro reports.
14 min
383
Biden's stalled climate agenda
Joe Biden entered the White House last year with the most ambitious climate agenda in history, but he's struggling to log major wins and setbacks keep mounting. Josh Siegel reports.
13 min
384
Capitol Hill's instagram revolution
An anonymously run Instagram account known as “Dear White Staffers” has exploded in popularity, spilling tea and dragging longstanding workplace issues on the Hill into the light. It has also accelerated congressional staffers’ talk of unionizing. The problem? Well, it's complicated. Katherine Tully-McManus reports.
13 min
385
The next big health crisis?
When the pandemic began, Congress barred states from kicking people off Medicaid in exchange for additional federal funding, Enrollment surged nearly 20 percent over the next 16 months to 76.7 million, an all-time high. But state audits that will be triggered when the health crisis is declared "over" could lead to as many as 15 million people, including 6 million children, losing their health insurance. Megan Messerly reports.
12 min
386
Inside the resignation of Eric Lander
An internal White House investigation recently concluded that President Joe Biden’s top science adviser, Eric Lander, bullied and demeaned his subordinates and violated the White House’s workplace policy. On Monday, Lander resigned. Reporter Alex Thompson — who had the original scoop — shares the story.
14 min
387
Trucker protests take over Canada’s capital
With trucks and protesters occupying streets around Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, Ottawa's mayor Jim Watson has declared a state of emergency. The “Freedom Convoy” — a collection of semis and other large trucks — began as a rallying point for Canadians opposed to vaccine mandates. But it has snowballed into an increasingly organized fight against Covid-19 public health measures and Trudeau himself. Andy Blatchford reports.
13 min
388
Tensions mount, and mount, and mount
Russia now has an estimated 70% of the forces it needs for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in place, according to Biden administration officials. A group of bipartisan Senators continue to work on a sanctions bill, and Europe and the U.S. are on alert. Alex Ward reports.
13 min
389
The uncomfortable Winter Olympics
China's human rights abuses — leading to diplomatic boycotts of the Beijing 2022 Games by the US, UK, Australia and more — have put athletes in a difficult spot. Phelim Kine reports
14 min
390
A shot for the youngest kids is in sight
On Tuesday, Pfizer and BioNTech announced they’re seeking authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for the first two doses of a planned three-dose Covid-19 vaccine regimen for children under 5 — the last age bracket remaining witout a Covid-19 vaccine. The agency said that it would convene its independent panel of vaccine experts on Feb. 15 to consider the data. While many welcomed the new development, some pediatricians raised concerns that the companies were moving too quickly. Lauren Gardner reports.
13 min
391
The hot economy is about to be put on ice
President Joe Biden delivered a massive economic stimulus that sparked historic job growth — but is also a factor in why inflation is the highest it's been since the 80s. Now, he’s counting on the Federal Reserve to come to the rescue as inflation eats up people’s paychecks and feeds anxiety about the future. Victoria Guida reports.
14 min
392
The Jan. 6 panel is at an inflection point
Investigators for the Jan. 6 select committee have won a string of victories in court, obtaining testimony and records from Trump World. Now, they're preparing for their next battle, making those findings tangible — and understandable — to the public. Kyle Cheney reports.
13 min
393
The short list to replace Breyer
Last week, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement, setting off a flurry of anticipation about who his successor would be and how the confirmation process would play out. Josh Gerstein reports.
14 min
394
The battle to save Waikiki
Climate change is eroding Hawaii’s most popular attraction. But, even in a deep-blue state, no one can agree on how to save it. Melanie Warner reports.
13 min
395
Monoclonal antibodies and the midterms
Republicans are accusing the Biden administration of racism — against white people. The FDA recommended that race and ethnicity be considered when deciding who gets the limited supply of monoclonal antibody treatments — including the only antibody treatment to effectively work against the Omicron variant. But, it's now become the latest political talking point for Republicans, looking to energize their base ahead of the midterm elections. Megan Messerly reports.
11 min
396
Vax wars head to California
For the third time in 10 years, California is in the middle of the national vaccine wars. On Monday, State Sen. Richard Pan unveiled legislation to eliminate the personal belief exemption for the impending Covid-19 vaccine mandate for K-12 students in California. California Playbook co-author Jeremy B. White reports.
10 min
397
The standoff over Ukraine
Two weeks ago, the first round of diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Russia took place. Last week, another round of diplomatic talks took place. And now, Russia has mobilized about 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine. Alex Ward reports on the U.S.'s strategy to contain Russian aggression and possible outcomes.
12 min
398
What's next for Dems in Congress
After failures to advance two high profile bills — the Build Back Better spending plan and voting rights — Democrats return to the drawing board. Anthony Adragna reports.
13 min
399
Breaking up big meat
Four big companies dominate the meat processing market — but the Biden administration has considered breaking them up for a long time. Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has been on a multi-state tour talking about new cash programs from the Biden administration and strengthening local meat supply chains — but it could take billions of dollars and years of building up for smaller producers to reach a scale that would threaten the larger companies. Ximena Bustillo reports.
14 min
400
CovidTests.gov is live — but is it ready?
After more than a month of surging case numbers due to the Omicron variant, the Biden administration is responding with more testing and masking. On Wednesday, it launched covidtests.gov, a website that allows users to request four free at-home covid test and this week also unveiled a plan to distribute hundreds of millions of free N-95 masks through pharmacies and community sites. Adam Cancryn reports.
13 min