In Texas, President Trump is betting his reputation as the party's kingmaker on the results of Tuesday's special election. Across the country, Republicans are more vocally encouraging their constituents to get vaccinated, though the team analyzes why neither political party seems eager to make the pandemic a centerpiece of their messaging. Hotline editor Leah Askarinam and correspondents Kirk Bado, Erin Covey, and Mini Racker discuss on the latest episode of the podcast.

House and Senate candidates raked in millions of dollars in the last three months. On the latest edition of the podcast, guest host Zach C. Cohen talks with Hotline Senate races reporter Matt Holt and Hotline House races reporter Kirk A. Bado about what those totals mean for control of Congress in less than two years.

The Senate returned this week, with the House soon to follow. On the latest edition of the podcast, Editor in Chief Jeff Dufour talks to Senate correspondent Zach C. Cohen and House correspondent Casey J. Wooten about the latest developments on infrastructure negotiations, including pay-fors like a minimum corporate tax. Then they get into the looming battle over the debt celling, and whether Majority Leader Chuck Schumer can find any more votes in favor of a voting-rights package.

Republicans have history on their side as they attempt to retake the Senate majority, with Democratic Senators in a handful of states President Biden narrowly won up for reelection. In Arizona and Georgia, however, President Trump seems to be complicating what should be Republicans' top pickup opportunities. Hotline correspondents Madelaine Pisani and Matt Holt walk through the dynamics in these key battleground states, along with North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and a detour through Alaska.