The national debt is a ticking timebomb. Can Congress raise the limit before we default on our loans? POLITICO’s Jennifer Scholtes reports. Plus, the Capitol physician considers recommending masks again due to the Delta variant. And the NFL says Covid outbreaks could mean forfeits.

Millions lost jobs during the pandemic and are still unemployed or left the workforce. POLITICO’s Katherine Landergan talked with a panel of experts about what’s next. Plus, Biden taps a telecom executive to be his ambassador to Canada. And Harris plans to meet with DACA recipients.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has chosen his five GOP appointees for the Democrat-led select committee probing the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers breaks down who they are and what they could mean for the investigation. Plus, Biden taps a progressive favorite for a DOJ antitrust post. And Trump adviser Tom Barrack is arrested on foreign-agent charges.

Biden is withdrawing all U.S. troops from Afghanistan in favor of a new diplomatic strategy, but recent military gains by the Taliban are complicating peace negotiations. POLITICO’s Alex Ward reports. Plus, Canada will open its borders to vaccinated Americans next month. And a judge hands down the first felony sentence tied to the Capitol riot.

Biden’s vaccine campaign is sputtering. Juvenile, the rapper who made waves with his 1999 hit 'Back That Azz Up,' thinks he can help. POLITICO Playbook’s Eugene Daniels reports. Plus, new polling finds that unvaccinated Americans are least concerned about the Delta variant. And German PM Angela Merkel pledges a stronger focus on climate after devastating floods.

The West is seeing record-breaking temperatures. For some workers, the effects are deadly. POLITICO’s Ximena Bustillo reports. Plus, Biden says monthly child tax credits will be among the administration’s top achievements. And Facebook blocks an Iran-linked hacking campaign.

No spectators, no problem — right? If only it were that simple. POLITICO’s Ryan Heath reports. Plus, Psaki says Biden still opposes marijuana legalization. And the GAO says the health costs of gun violence exceed $1 billion a year.

The White House had hoped to keep its distance. But after thousands of Cubans took to the streets in historic protests this weekend, the communist-run island nation is becoming an unavoidable foreign policy issue. POLITICO’s Sabrina Rodriguez reports. Plus, Biden nominates Jeff Flake as ambassador to Turkey. And the Senate narrowly confirms Julie Su as deputy Labor secretary.

The 'Free Britney' movement has a new fan base on Capitol Hill. But how much can Congress actually do to crack down on what critics call toxic guardianships? POLITICO’s Marianne LeVine reports. Plus, top U.S. officials see booster shots as inevitable. And the Senate confirms Jen Easterly as head of CISA.

With disappearing jobs and a fleeing population, West Virginia is trying to entice white-collar workers to move in from out of state. But the plan isn't sitting right with some residents. POLITICO's Mackenzie Mays reports. Plus, Americans are almost evenly divided on vaccine requirements. And Democrats want a 41 percent increase in education funding.

This Senate is the oldest in American history. But a surge of Millennial candidates could change that after the 2022 midterms. POLITICO’s James Arkin reports. Plus, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra says his vaccine comments are being taken “wildly out of context.” And Harris announces a $25 million expansion of the DNC’s voting campaign.

As vaccination rates slow, the White House is turning to a hyper-local strategy. But so far it’s not taking off in communities where people are more concerned about gun violence than the pandemic. POLITICO’s Natasha Korecki reports from a barbershop in Chicago. Plus, the remaining metal fencing around the Capitol is coming down. And 36 states and D.C. sue Google.

Eric Adams has narrowly won the New York City mayoral primary. In this special episode of Playbook Deep Dive, New York’s Sally Goldenberg and Playbook co-author Tara Palmeri unpack the wild ride leading up to Election Day.

A slate of transgender athlete restrictions taking hold in conservative states has snowballed into the highest-profile LGBTQ rights battle of the year. POLITICO’s Bianca Quilantan reports. Plus, Dr. Fauci laments “avoidable” deaths among the unvaccinated. And Britain plans to lift its Covid restrictions.

This week, Maine’s governor vetoed a bill partially decriminalizing prostitution in the state. Advocates said it would have been a big win in the fight against sex trafficking, but critics said it could entice more people into the underground trade. POLITICO’s Liz Crampton reports. Plus, the CBO says the federal budget gap will widen to $3 trillion this year. And D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine has subpoenaed Facebook for records related to the platform’s handling of coronavirus misinformation.

Probably not if you’re fully vaccinated. But it could cause some problems down the road — especially in areas with lower vaccination rates. POLITICO’s David Lim reports. Plus, FEMA changes the rules for a Covid-19 funeral aid program, potentially giving thousands of people access to assistance. And the House approves a select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection.

It starts with a note saying your files are being held captive. It ends with a big payout or a lengthy investigation. POLITICO’s Sam Sabin breaks down how ransomware attacks go down — and what the U.S. is doing to prevent more of them. Plus, New Jersey’s attorney general will lead enforcement at the SEC. And the latest New York mayoral count is voided after ‘test’ ballots were included in the tally.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is rising fast in popularity. That has him on a collision course with the most powerful man in the GOP ahead of 2024. POLITICO’s Matt Dixon reports. Plus, a federal court tosses out two antitrust suits seeking to break up Facebook. And Biden won’t attend the Tokyo Olympics.

The pandemic drove millions of women out of the workforce. Experts say bold action is needed to help them come back. POLITICO’s Elizabeth Ralph reports. Plus, Arkansas’ governor says hospitalizations are up among the unvaccinated. And Sen. Romney criticizes Trump’s false claims about the election during a weekend rally.

Three of the court’s picks came from the former president. But you wouldn’t be able to guess it based on their recent decisions. POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein reports. Plus, Biden says he’ll only sign a bipartisan infrastructure deal if it’s delivered alongside a “human infrastructure” bill. And the Senate passes legislation to help farmers profit on climate action.

More than 60 percent of adults in the U.S. have gotten at least one vaccine dose, but when you look at the demographic breakdown, things don’t look too good. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn reports. Plus, the FDA plans to add a warning about rare heart inflammation to Moderna and Pfizer’s vaccines. And House Democrats propose a 14 percent funding budget boost for the IRS.

You hate it when you’re in charge, you love it when you’re not. POLITICO’s Rachael Bade reports on how the decades-old debate over the Senate procedure requiring 60 votes for most legislation to pass — and why it’s coming to a head. Plus, Sen. Warren stalls Biden’s pick to be the No. 3 official at the Education Department. And Biden taps a Russia expert to be the Pentagon's international security chief.

Netanyahu is out and the latest round of violence with Hamas is over, but progressives’ willingness to criticize Israel is here to stay. POLITICO’s Andrew Desiderio looks at the generational divide forming within the Democratic caucus. Plus, the U.S. imposes new sanctions on Belarus. And it’s Election Day in New York City.

There’s a new sheriff in town. Lina Khan, a staunch critic of Silicon Valley giants, has taken the reins at the FTC. POLITICO’s Leah Nylen looks at what Kahn’s ascension — and a new package of antitrust bills — could mean for Big Tech. Plus, Sen. Bernie Sanders won’t back an infrastructure deal with more gas taxes or electric vehicle fees. And nearly two-third of Iowans are ready for Sen. Chuck Grassley to go.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent years opposing new cannabis laws in Utah. But in 2018, everything changed. POLITICO’s Natalie Fertig tells the unlikely story of how the Mormon Church helped broker a deal for medical cannabis legalization in Utah.