6 questions for politics in 2022

Plus: Biden's year in judges, and remembering Harry Reid [View this email online]( [NPR Politics]( Dec. 30, 2021 We won't be sending our Saturday newsletter this holiday week. Instead, here's an abridged midweek version. Happy New Year from NPR Politics! --------------------------------------------------------------- The Big Picture: 6 questions for politics in 2022 [Abortion demonstrators outside the Supreme Court] Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images From control of Congress and the strength of the Biden presidency to the future of abortion rights, here are six questions about the new year and politics: 1. Can Biden turn it around? The ongoing pandemic and rising prices have taken a political toll on President Biden. He ended the year with [historically low approval ratings](. Some other presidents reversed their fortunes. Will Biden? 2. Will we get back to any sense of normal? Americans are understandably fatigued by the pandemic. New variants, including the current [rapid spread of omicron]( have dampened hopes of turning the tide. And hope among voters is important for a party in power. 3. What, if anything, are Democrats able to pass? Get ready to hear more about Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and what he can get on board with, if anything. Will Democrats further narrow the scope of their agenda? And what of the filibuster — and voting rights? The clock is ticking, as Republicans are favored to win the House in the November midterm elections. 4. Do Republicans win back Congress and if so, what will they do? The GOP has been criticized as the ”party of no” rather than one interested in governing. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell played into that narrative, as he’s [reportedly]( against releasing any kind of legislative agenda ahead of the elections. 5. What does the Jan. 6 select committee come up with — and when? The congressional panel investigating the Capitol riot will likely take a more public role next year with hearings and a report expected ahead of the midterms. 6. Does the Supreme Court severely curtail abortion rights? A decision on a restrictive Mississippi law [is expected this summer]( and it could open a floodgate of restrictions in other states, just as the midterms are heating up. — [Domenico Montanaro]( NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- ICYMI: Top Stories [Then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada]( Paul Sancya/AP 2021's top political stories: As we count down to the new year, we asked our readers what they thought were the top political stories of 2021. [Here's what they picked](. Biden stopped marking grim COVID milestones: Biden used to talk a lot about the COVID-19 death toll, but [over the last year he's shifted]( to how to fight the pandemic. Some want him to go back to addressing the country's grief. Biden's success with judges: Biden got a diverse group of 40 federal judges confirmed in 2021, the most for a new president in his first year since the Reagan era. [Here's why the job could get tougher next year](. Harry Reid dies at age 82: Born into poverty in Searchlight, Nev., the onetime amateur boxer served in Congress for 34 years. As a hard-nosed Senate majority leader, he helped pass significant legislation. [Read our obituary](. — [Ben Swasey]( NPR Politics editor The Shot: [The disco ball shines on rollerbladers on the first evening of the Texas Skatium reopening in Garland, Texas.]( Keren Carrión/KERA News How about a gleaming disco ball to mark the new year? NPR's photo folks asked photographers from NPR's member stations to contribute memorable images from 2021. They shared stories of grief along with moments of joy. [Take a look](. — [Ben Swasey]( NPR Politics editor --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [nprpolitics@npr.org](mailto:nprpolitics@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Politics emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]