Nancy Pelosi is again speaker of the House, as Democrats retook control of the chamber for the first time in eight years, bringing divided government back to Washington. Plus, Elizabeth Warren kicked off the new year by announcing that she was running for president. This episode: Congressional correspondent Scott Detrow, political reporter Asma Khalid, editor correspondent Ron Elving, political editor Domenico Montanaro, and Congressional correspondent Susan Davis. Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

A closed-door briefing for congressional leaders in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday failed to resolve any issues between Democrats and the Trump administration over funding for border security.The stalemate has led to a partial government shutdown, now nearing the two-week mark. This episode: Congressional correspondent Scott Detrow, Congressional reporter Kelsey Snell, and White House reporter Ayesha Rascoe,. Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

Amidst a partial government shutdown President Trump made a surprise trip to visit troops in Iraq. Meanwhile back in Washington Democrats and the White House are unable to come to an agreement over the president's demand for $5 billion for a border wall. This episode: political reporter Asma Khalid, Congressional reporter Kelsey Snell, national security editor Phil Ewing, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and Congressional correspondent Susan Davis. Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

In a year full of news, one line in the Aug. 23 episode of the NPR Politics Podcast spurred the most comments from our listeners. "You can't find good political music." Our listeners were right. There is good political music, so this year we're breaking down what makes a good political song & what were the best ones of 2018. This episode: Congressional correspondent Scott Detrow, White House reporter Ayesha Rascoe, political reporter Miles Parks, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, and NPR Music editor Stephen Thompson. Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

A partial shutdown of the federal government began just after midnight Saturday, after Congress and President Trump were unable to resolve an impasse over his demand for funding for his border wall. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, Congressional correspondent Susan Davis, and White House reporter Ayesha Rascoe. Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is stepping down after a slow freeze-out by President Trump. The federal government inches closer to a shutdown after President Trump refused to sign a spending bill from Congress. Trump announced his intention to pull American forces out of Syria despite being advised against it. And a new NPR/PBS News Hour/Marist poll finds that the majority of Americans think the country is too politically correct. This episode: political reporter Asma Khalid, Congressional correspondent Scott Detrow, Congressional reporter Kelsey Snell, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, political editor Domenico Montanaro, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, and national security editor Phil Ewing. Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.