Ashley Lopez

Iran and the United States have exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz in the last couple days as the U.S. military tries to provide safe passage to commercial ships there. We discuss what these developments mean for the ongoing ceasefire, as well as how the war overall has stymied President Trump’s domestic priorities.This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

Oil prices continue to climb as a result of the Iran war. We discuss how that has interfered with President Trump's planned energy policy.

The U.S. House map looks particularly bleak for Democrats after Virginia’s Supreme Court overturned the map voters approved last month, on top of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gutted the Voting Rights Act. We discuss where the party goes from here, how Republicans are continuing to bolster their advantage with new districts in southern states, and what it all means for voters.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, and political correspondent Ashley Lopez.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

Despite programs like Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, millions of Americans still struggle to afford basic healthcare. As medical debt rises and uninsured patients delay lifesaving treatment, critics argue the United States continues to treat healthcare as a privilege instead of a human right.

Much of the focus of the ongoing redistricting war has been on which political party will come out on top in the race to control Congress.

Voters cast their ballots on April 21 in Arlington, Va. The Virginia Supreme Court has nullified the April referendum on redistricting.

Much of the focus of the ongoing redistricting war has been on which political party will come out on top. But it's voters who will pay a cost, say voting experts and voting rights advocates.

Swing voters in North Carolina say they are frustrated with President Trump and the state of the economy, but aren't ready to abandon him or his party as the midterms inch closer.

The Primary used to be just the first step in the electoral process — now the primary has transformed, in many places into the moment when the election is all but decided. It's shaping Congress.

"I Voted" stickers are seen as a person casts their ballot in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania's primary on May 19.