The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

Tension is testing the unsteady ceasefire in the Iran War. The D.C. region is feeling the impacts on public safety, gas prices, and the local Iranian community. U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), who sits on the House Oversight Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, talked with Kojo and Tom about how the overseas conflict is affecting area residents. Plus, we get his take on Virginia's redistricting referendum heading into the midterms and his push for a national data center strategy.This week, the Prince George's County Council unanimously passed a series of emergency measures aimed at limiting ICE in the county. It comes as immigration enforcement expands nationwide. Council Vice Chair Eric Olson joined the show to discuss why he thinks the bills are needed and why they will stand up in court. Plus, we discussed a buyer for the former Six Flags property and the state budget's limits on how the county can spend park money.After a delay, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is getting ready to submit her budget to the Council. Many are expecting big cuts, particularly as city leaders argue over whether to include $180 million in additional tax revenue. WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics reporter Alex Koma called in live from the Mayor's budget presentation to give us the highlights. Plus, he explained why Trump's immigration policies are reshaping the Ward 1 race.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

The Supreme Court heard arguments this week about limiting birthright citizenship, with President Trump in attendance. It's a case with far-reaching implications nationally and across the D.C. region. U.S. Representative and constitutional lawyer Jamie Raskin (D-MD) joined the show to explain the case and why judges appear to be leaning in one direction. Plus, we asked Rep. Raskin about the war in Iran and the redistricting push in the Maryland House of Delegates.Rep. Raskin said he supports redrawing the state's congressional maps and has lobbied Senate President Bill Ferguson to take up the measure. "I have felt that to the extent we've been thrust into this position by Trump and MAGA, then we've got to fight back with everything we've got," he said. The D.C. Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser are once again at odds after the council overrode a mayoral veto of a bill requiring federal law enforcement oversight. The council also agreed to allow enhanced youth curfew rules to expire this month, over the mayor's objections. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson discussed the friction between the legislative and executive branches.He also discussed why he thinks D.C. Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee is at fault for the Mayor's delay in delivering the budget. CFO Lee serves as the city’s independent financial chief. It’s his job to manage and oversee the city’s budget, including ensuring it is fiscally sound. This week, though, both the mayor and lawmakers criticized Lee for taking too long to complete his review of the mayor’s 2027 budget proposal and for overstepping his role."The CFO's role is to account the numbers and determine whether the budget is balanced," Mendelson said on The Politics Hour. "Not to make rulings with regard to policy."The mayor is now expected to formally submit the budget to the council by April 14, two weeks late.Chair Mendelson also discussed the ethics complaint against him for using his government office for campaign activity. Finally, as a member of the National Capital Planning Commission, Chair Mendelson shared his thoughts on President Trump's White House ballroom project. The commission approved the project this week, but a federal judge ruled the plan requires congressional approval.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

After years of debate, the Virginia General Assembly finally gave the green light to controversial legislation allowing developers to build a casino in Tysons. Some local officials are vehemently against the proposal, including Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay. He got behind the mic to explain his opposition and what could happen next.The Maryland General Assembly this week hit its midpoint, known as "Crossover Day," when bills must move to the other chamber or be shelved. Lawmakers are considering bills to lower utility costs, expand Medicaid to include obesity treatment, and ban cell phones in schools. House Majority Whip and Prince George's County delegate Ashanti Martinez joined us from Annapolis to explain what's next on the docket for lawmakers. Plus, we ask about the House's late push to revive redistricting efforts against Senate President Bill Ferguson's wishes.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

This week marked a key milestone in the 2026 D.C. election season: The deadline for candidates to submit signatures to qualify for the June primary ballot. WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics reporter Alex Koma gave us the latest on the city's big elections, including the first open seats in years for mayor and D.C. delegate. Plus, we discussed another attempt by Congress to undermine D.C.'s ability to self-govern.This week, the U.S. House Oversight Committee advanced a proposal to ban D.C. traffic cameras. While the measure still needs to be passed by the full House and Senate, Koma said eliminating traffic would be “catastrophic” for the city’s budget and would require a complete rethinking of how D.C. controls traffic. “The impact can’t be overstated," he said.The Virginia General Assembly gaveled out of its 2026 session without a budget deal, leaving a plan to eliminate data center tax breaks in limbo. Virginia state Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell got behind the mic to explain the hang-up.The state senate is pushing to eliminate a data center tax exemption that costs the state nearly $2 billion in revenue. But the House left the exemption in, arguing the industry brings in significant tax revenue,  putting the chambers at odds. Surovell said the state needs the money but cited the importance of data centers to Northern Virginia’s economy. "They have a massive impact on the electrical grid, but they also create many jobs. They create a lot of investment. They create this local tax revenue. We have to figure out the right balance to achieve," he said.The General Assembly will aim to resolve the issue in a special budget session on April 23.The General Assembly also passed a slew of legislation that now heads to the governor's desk, including bills addressing affordability, a ban on assault-style firearms, and a mechanism to establish a legal marijuana marketplace. Virginia state Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell discussed it all, as well as his push for a Fairfax County casino.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

We took the Politics Hour on the road this week, broadcasting our Montgomery County Executive forum, featuring Democratic primary candidates, from the Silver Spring Civic Building.Kojo and WAMU Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu were joined by Andrew Friedson, Evan Glass, and Will Jawando, all Montgomery County councilmembers. We asked them for their takes on a range of topics, including housing, federal immigration enforcement, and data centers, as the candidates made their cases to voters ahead of the Democratic primary on June 23.Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland, live from the Silver Spring Civic Building in Montgomery County!Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

Members of the local congressional delegation are strongly criticizing President Trump's decision to enter into a war with Iran. Iraqi war veteran and U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman joined the show from the U.S. Capitol to discuss why he thinks the military strikes were illegal and what might be next. Plus, Rep. Vindman weighed in on Virginia redistricting as early voting gets underway.The D.C. Council passed two bills this week aimed at increasing transparency around MPD's cooperation with federal immigration agencies. At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson got behind the mic to talk about the legislation and why the bills are necessary, despite objections from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.She also discussed her efforts to raise taxes on "flushable" wipes. Henderson introduced the bill following an incident in which wipes clogged pumps used to mitigate a sewage spill in the Potomac.It may say flushable on your package, and, sure, it may get down the drain in that immediate, but we know that it is causing backups, not just in the D.C water utility system, but in folks' homes and apartment buildings," she said.The tax revenue generated by the bill would go toward sewer maintenance and repair by D.C. Water. As a potential alternative to the wipes, Henderson's bill also offers a sales tax break on bidetsArlington County is facing major budget challenges that could lead the County Board to raise taxes. Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti sat down with Kojo and Tom to discuss how the board plans to navigate a nearly $40 million budget gap, including possibly eliminating a popular youth gymnastics program and saving the county nearly $1 million.But some residents are pushing back, saying the program serves thousands of kids. Board Chair de Ferranti said the county needs to make tough budget choices."We have to be looking at all the services that might not be core services or might not be serving the most vulnerable," he said.De Ferranti said the board is considering other options for the program, like changing fees and focusing on serving kids with special needs. Plus, Board Chair de Ferranti talked about how leaders are preparing for a potential surge in federal immigration enforcement in the county.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

Virginia state lawmakers are considering eliminating a billion-dollar data center tax break to help balance the budget. This comes as local jurisdictions, including Fairfax County, continue to debate restrictions amid plans for more data centers.  Virginia State Senator Jennifer Boysko, who sits on the senate finance committee and represents Fairfax County, joined the show from Richmond to discuss lawmakers' latest proposal. Plus, she explained her opposition to Fairfax County casino legislation, which is currently moving through the Virginia House of Delegates.D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a legal opinion this week Congress missed its deadline to block D.C.'s tax code changes, meaning the District can move forward with its current rates. The Attorney General's legal opinion could set up a dramatic confrontation between Congress and the city over its ability to self-govern. WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics reporter Alex Koma broke down what's going on and what could happen next. Plus, Alex gives us the latest on the wild election season in the District, including races for Mayor and for two at-large council seats.Prince George's County leaders are pushing legislation to prevent the federal government from placing a detention facility in the county. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning a detention center in Hyattsville. Prince George's County Chair Krystal Oriadha joined the show to discuss what authority the county has to stop the federal facility. Plus, what does a slew of appointments on the Prince George's County Council mean for its future?Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser this week declared the Potomac River sewage spill a public emergency while also requesting federal help and money for cleanup. It's the latest move in a local disaster that has turned political. NBC 4 Washington reporter Mark Segraves joined Kojo and Tom to break down what exactly happened, how local officials are trying to manage the crisis, and what comes next.The data center debate has come to Montgomery County. Elected officials in recent weeks have taken competing stances on the best way to manage data center growth, including a proposal to restrict them to industrial areas. Montgomery County Council Vice President Marilyn Balcomb represents the area around one controversial project. She got behind the mic to discuss why it's important for the county to limit where developers can build data centers, but still believes they have a place in the county.Balcombe said the county needs to think about data centers as a source of tax revenue. The county currently has four data centers, with a fifth being built in her district. “Roughly $10 million per year per data center. So, if we have five data centers, that would be $50 million, she said. "That's a lot of money when we think about how to balance our budget."A public hearing for the proposed zoning amendment is scheduled for Tuesday. The Virginia General Assembly session hit its midpoint this week, known as "Crossover Day," with approved bills moving forward to the other chamber. Virginia House Delegate Adele McClure, who represents Arlington County, joined us from Richmond to break down the docket and her priorities as the session moves into its final weeks. Plus, we discussed the latest court ruling halting Virginia's redistricting referendum.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a bill to block D.C. from uncoupling the city's tax code from the federal code. It's a move that will cost the District nearly $700 million in revenue and will almost certainly lead the city to ax the first-of-its-kind local child tax credit. Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker joined the show to discuss what Congress's interference means for the District.Parker said the change could also create tax season chaos. 360,000 District residents file personal income returns. The tax code shift might force the city to push back its tax filing deadline to the fall. "We don't fully have a picture of what that might mean, but it would certainly impact not only our cash on hand, but how we deal with tax season," he said. Parker also noted the Council is exploring its legal options.Plus, he talked about the Potomac River sewage spill, which now may be the largest wastewater spill in U.S. history.Virginia Democrats approved new congressional maps this week that could give the party a 10-to-1 seat advantage in the upcoming midterm elections. Several steps remain before the maps could take effect, including a statewide referendum on April 21. VPM State Politics reporter Jahd Khalil joined us from Richmond to break down the news that the Virginia Supreme Court will allow the referendum to proceed.Rep. April McClain Delaney, who represents a portion of Montgomery County and western Maryland, introduced legislation this week to block the opening of an ICE facility in her district. She joined the show to explain why she's pushing against it, despite local officials voting in favor of bringing the facility to the county.Delaney said she spoke directly to John Barr, president of the county commission, about the planned detention center."I said, "Listen, I've been in Minnesota at a field hearing and have seen the horrific state of what is happening there. I was at the Baltimore ICE facility.'... It’s unconstitutional, and I think a violation of human rights," she said.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

Last month's winter storm continues to pose challenges for counties and cities across the region. In Prince George's County, some side streets are still snow- and ice-covered, and schools only reopened on Wednesday of this week. Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy joined Kojo and Tom to explain why the county is struggling with cleanup. Plus, we asked County Executive Braveboy why she supports some Maryland lawmakers' efforts to redraw Congressional maps.The bill allows Democrats to re-work the congressional map in their favor, with the goal of ousting the state’s lone Republican representative. \But the legislation is expected to stall in the state Senate, where Democratic leadership says it’s political and legally risky. County Executive Aisha Braveboy said she supports redistricting because of the outsized effect it could have on her county.“Politics, unfortunately, and especially at the federal level, really impacts Maryland disproportionately," she said. "We have about 65,000 federal workers in Prince George’s County. About 5,000 of them have lost their jobs over the past few months."She said the bill should receive an up-or-down vote since state delegates and Governor Wes Moore favor the new maps.The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to block D.C.'s tax plan, which, if approved by the Senate, would cost D.C. $600 million in revenue. Ward 6 D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen got behind the mic to explain why this would be a significant blow to the District's budget.If the District is forced to mirror federal tax cuts at the local level, it could cost the city $600 million in revenue. Beyond blowing a hole in the city’s budget, it also could lead to a massive administrative headache. Federal taxes would still be due in the spring, but the local filing deadline would be pushed to account for the change.“Every single person, every business, and every resident in the district will now have their entire tax filing upended by six or eight months," said Allen. "You're gonna be filing your taxes for D.C. in the fall. It's a mess."A vote in the Senate on the measure is expected in the coming weeks.Plus, we discussed the significant layoffs at the Washington Post this week.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

The D.C. area experienced one of its most significant winter storms in a decade, resulting in days of impassable roads, closed schools, and unshoveled bus stops. Criticism has mounted against local officials as they continue to struggle to get the region moving again.Metro General Manager Randy Clarke joined the show to discuss how Metro approaches storm cleanup, the challenges of returning to regular service, and what lessons can be learned. Plus, we asked about the ongoing debate over the best way to fund Metro and transit police's relationship with federal immigration agents.A year ago this week, an American Airlines passenger jet and a Black Hawk military helicopter collided over the Potomac River, killing 67 people. WAMU's Kayla Hewitt joined the show to talk about her conversations with loved ones and first responders about that tragic day, which she did for a  WAMU News special. Plus, Hewitt broke down the latest NTSB findings about what led to the crash and the steps lawmakers are taking to make DCA safer.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

Maryland Governor Wes Moore is pitching a plan to close the state's $1.4 billion budget without tax hikes. Instead, he's proposing spending cuts, budget shifts, and drawing from a clean energy fund. The governor joined the show to break down his budget proposal. Plus, what's next in the redistricting battle.Maryland House Democrats introduced a bill Friday that would redraw the state’s eight congressional districts. The changes could give Democrats the ability to flip Maryland’s lone Republican District. This comes only days after the state’s redistricting commission recommended a "concept map" favoring Democrats in Congress.Governor Moore said Maryland can’t sit on their hands while President Trump pushes for redistricting in other states, like Texas. "This is going to end up being essentially the largest attack on black political leadership that we have seen in generations inside of this country," he said.However, Moore faces opposition in his own party. Senate President Bill Ferguson has so far opposed mid-cycle redistricting. But Moore's not deterred."Bill Ferguson is one vote, and Democracy doesn’t stop because of one person," he said. The House is expected to vote on the bill next week. If passed, it would then head to the Senate for a vote.The D.C. Council this week selected Doni Crawford to take former At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie's job on the council. The former McDuffie staffer and Ward 5 resident is somewhat of an unknown to the general public, though well-regarded in the Wilson Building for her experience in negotiating housing policy and budget matters. Councilmember Crawford got behind the mic to give us her stance on some of the city's biggest issues, including MPD's relationship with federal immigration agents and RFK Stadium. New Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger this week pressed for legislation addressing affordability and signaled her support for redistricting in her first address to lawmakers. WAMU's Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel broke down Gov. Spanberger's first week in office.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

Locals are protesting last week's fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, while officials wrestle with how to keep residents safe as the Trump administration continues its immigration crackdown. In Montgomery County, elected leaders are proposing a law limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. County Executive Marc Elrich joined the show to discuss the Trust Act, and how the county is working to protect its most vulnerable residents.The Trust Act extends county services to all residents regardless of immigration status and prevents local police from working with federal immigration authorities in certain circumstances, including participating in federal immigration raids. County Executive Marc Elrich said that’s the extent of the county’s power.“If ICE was just generally saying they're gonna go into a workplace and they get into the workplace and they're going to pull out workers, we can't intervene," Elrich said.The county council expects to vote on the Trust Act within the next few months. Plus, we discuss Elrich's plans for funding county schools and federal cuts.A D.C. Council committee released a report saying District police have lost the public's trust by not being transparent about their continued cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Chair Brooke Pinto is leading an effort to get clarity from interim police chief Jeff Carroll about MPD's relationship with ICE. Councilmember Pinto got behind the mic to discuss how the council is pressing District police. She said Chief Carroll's answers this week were “wholly inadequate." "The public has a right to know which federal agents are here," Pinto said. "How many arrests have been made? How many immigration-related arrests have be made? What does that level of deployment response look like?"The MPD head will need to answer these questions at a public oversight hearing set for February 25th.We also ask her about the council's process for picking its next member and the 2026 election season.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

Next week, Virginia's government shifts to Democratic control as the party takes over the Governor's mansion, the General Assembly, and the Attorney General's office. It gives the Democrats a rare opportunity to push through bold legislation, even as several longtime lawmakers depart. Virginia's longest-serving House Delegate, Vivian Watts, got behind the mic to talk about top priorities for the upcoming legislative session, including increasing the minimum wage, reproductive care access, and redistricting. Del. Watts, chair of the finance committee, also explained the need for Metro funding. Last month, Maryland lawmakers made history by electing Prince George's County Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk as the state's new Speaker of the House. She's the first immigrant and Afro-Latina to take on the role. Challenges await her in Annapolis as Maryland faces a $1.5 billion dollar budget deficit, a record number of federal job losses, and a controversial redistricting debate. Speaker Peña-Melnyk joined the show to give us a preview of the upcoming legislative session and her plan for navigating the state through difficult times.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

Prince George’s County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha has a lot on her plate as she starts her one-year term. She’s looking to make child care more affordable, housing more obtainable, and the county safer. The council’s new leader will try to do all of this while navigating a growing budget gap. Chair Oriadha joined Kojo and Tom to discuss her priorities and whether data centers could be an answer to the county’s money challenges.2025 was certainly an eventful year in national and local politics. We were joined for the last Politics Hour of the year by WAMU’s Regional Politics reporters Jenny Abamu, Margaret Barthel, and Alex Koma to talk about the year’s top stories and what’s ahead in 2026.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced late last month she would not be running for a fourth term, bringing to a close one of the longest mayoral tenures in the city's history. From guiding the District through a series of crises to bringing the football team home, Mayor Bowser has led D.C. through profound change.Mayor Bowser joined the show to explain her decision not to run for reelection, her legacy, and what's next. Plus, who might she support to be the District's next Mayor? Also, D.C. police chief Pamela Smith is stepping down. We asked Mayor Bowser who is on the short list to be the District's interim police chief.Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

After months of weighing the decision, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced last month she would not run for a fourth term. Immediately, attention turned to who might jump into the race to replace her. The first major candidate to declare was Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George. She joined us to discuss her campaign rollout.Lewis George said as a Democratic socialist, she is focused on affordability, income equality, and defending District residents, including from a federal takeover of the city, something President Trump has threatened on multiple occasions. Lewis George talked about what she sees as her role should she be elected."I wanna be clear that the job of the mayor is to protect and defend its residents, and we take an oath as public officials to defend the constitution as well," she said.Asked about working with President Trump, Lewis George said she’d work with anyone willing to make the city more affordable and safer for District residents. Plus, we asked Lewis George about the Council's decision to extend a stricter youth curfew, adopt ranked-choice voting, and assist restaurants with their streateries.Montgomery County has a new council president. Natali Fani-González got behind the mic to discuss her journey from undocumented immigrant to lawmaker for Maryland's wealthiest and most populous county. Plus, she explained the TRUST Act. The legislation bans county cooperation with federal immigration authorities without a warrant and restricts ICE access to county facilities.Fani-González said she’s not worried about attracting attention from federal authorities."Yes, we're going through a crisis, but this is not a time to hide," the Montgomery County Council President said. "This is the time when you stand up and you fight for what's for justice and fighting for due process."She says it's important that the community feels safe calling local police.Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday. Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

We took the Politics Hour on the road this week, broadcasting live from Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, Virginia.U.S. Representative James Walkinshaw (D-VA11) joined Kojo and Tom first on stage.With elections and the government shutdown in the rearview mirror, we turned to what the future holds for the commonwealth. Federal cuts continue to affect Northern Virginia's economy, but perhaps not in the way some initially feared. As Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger prepares to take office in January, many Virginia Democrats believe the party's big wins in statewide elections should translate to an aggressive legislative agenda. Statewide leaders are also moving forward with redistricting. Rep. Walkinshaw discussed what all of this means for Virginia's future, including the 2026 midterms.Then, former member of the Virginia House of Delegates and member of Gov.-elect Spanberger's transition team Republican David Ramadan took the mic to talk about the challenges Spanberger could face as governor, why a Democrat election sweep does not mean a mandate, and the legislative debates we can expect in 2026.Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia live at Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax!Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

Congress voted on Wednesday to end the longest federal shutdown in the nation's history. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine joined a handful of Democrats to broker a deal with Senate Republicans. The deal included reversing some federal layoffs and guaranteeing payment for furloughed workers. What it did not include was an extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits, a provision many Democrats insisted Republicans needed to add before they'd approve a funding bill. Sen. Kaine joined the show to explain why he voted to end the shutdown, despite pushback from many in his own party.Kain said on the Politics Hour that there was no path forward on healthcare subsidies without reopening the government. He said he voted only after securing federal worker protections from the White House, including back pay, rehiring workers who were fired during the shutdown, and an end to mass layoffs."I'm getting some holy hell, but I'm getting a lot of thanks from Virginians," the Senator said. "There were bad options, and so I have no judgment about anybody who resolved this question differently than me."He also said he’s optimistic about a December vote to extend healthcare subsidies, given the growing pressure on Congress to come up with a fix.Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, who represents one of the largest number of federal workers in the country, voted against the deal. Sen. Van Hollen took the mic to explain why he believes the funding agreement won't address rising healthcare costs and will continue to allow President Trump to ignore the law.Sen. Van Hollen also voiced his support for Maryland Governor Wes Moore's redistricting efforts."I believe we should have national nonpartisan line drawing, but Republicans tried to tip the playing field in Texas, and Maryland should maximize its opportunity to protect our Democracy and the Constitution in redistricting," Senator Van Hollen said.Politicos are speculating that At-Large D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie is considering a run for mayor. With D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser still undecided about running for a fourth term, he's among several potential candidates reportedly weighing runs of their own. Councilmember McDuffie also commented on D.C. residents raising questions after recent incidents where D.C. police have collaborated with federal immigration agents. He said the ICE raids need to stop. "There's no deal that I would sign that would permit our law enforcement to work with ICE, and I would want to be unequivocal about that," he said.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

Virginia Democrats had a big night in Tuesday's elections, sweeping all the statewide races and winning a supermajority in the House of Delegates. We broke down the historic election from all angles. We dove into the results with WAMU's Northern Virginia reporter, Margaret Barthel, and David Poole, founder of the Virginia Public Access Project.We were then joined by one of the big winners, Lieutenant Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi, to discuss what it means for Virginians and her historic election victory as the first Muslim woman to win statewide office in the U.S.During the campaign, Hashmi dealt with comments about her background, including from her Republican opponent, John Reid, who suggested she was supported by "radical Islamists." Hashmi said voters made clear they disagreed with that rhetoric. "It was Virginians who made their choice known, and the ugliness of the bigotry that my opponent was targeting me with was soundly rejected on Tuesday night," she said.Hashmi said that, as Lieutenant Governor, she plans to focus on housing affordability, energy concerns, and healthcare. Finally, Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell took the mic to discuss what the Democrats' "trifecta" means for governing, constitutional amendments, and the much-discussed redistricting plan. He cautioned that Democrats will need to navigate significant budget challenges, which could hamper the party's agenda."A lot of these new policies require money in order to implement," he said. "And given our budget situation, we're gonna have to figure out what we can afford and what we can prioritize."At the top of the agenda when the General Assembly reconvenes in January will be raising the minimum wage, banning assault weapons, and paid family leave.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org