Inflation and base deflation

Plus: Rules on "ghost guns" and presidential primary changes [View this email online]( [NPR Politics]( April 16, 2022 This week, we looked at the political impact of high inflation and new rules on so-called "ghost guns." Plus, more action at the state level on abortion. --------------------------------------------------------------- The Big Picture: [President Biden]( Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images President Biden’s approval ratings have declined with most groups across the board as compared to last year. But the drop has been most precipitous with younger people. [Gallup found]( - Overall, Biden’s approval sits at 42%, down from 56% at the beginning of his term in the first half of 2021. - Biden’s approval has declined 7 points with baby boomers (those aged 58 to 76) and stayed the same with people over 76. - But it dropped 15 percentage points with Gen X, 19 with Millennials and 21 with the younger Gen Z. What explains this? Overall, inflation has risen to the top issue of concern for Americans and the country is still struggling to get past the coronavirus pandemic. And Biden’s efforts to label the rise in prices “Putin’s price hike” haven’t appeared to work. “Everything's gone up," Lisa Palmer [told NPR’s Asma Khalid]( outside a supermarket in Michigan. "I don't blame any one person," she said. "But yes, I blame the White House and Congress. That is their job to make America work if it's not working.” For younger people, many of whom voted for Biden, it’s also about what they view as promises not kept, including student loan relief. “He hasn't fulfilled his promises," Brady McAdams, a 19-year-old nursing student, told Khalid. "He's not doing enough for the people he said he would." All of that has led to a lack of Democratic base voter enthusiasm and a difficult national climate for Democrats in [this midterm election year](. — [Domenico Montanaro]( NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- ICYMI: Top Stories [President Biden listens as Steve Dettelbach, nominee for director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, speaks ]( Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images New ghost gun rule: President Biden announced [a new federal rule to regulate so-called "ghost guns"]( more like regular guns, including requiring serial numbers and background checks for the purchase of kits to assemble guns privately. Biden also announced the nomination of former U.S. Attorney Steve Dettelbach to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. E15 gas sales: In an effort to combat soaring gas prices, Biden [will temporarily allow the sale of E15 gasoline]( — gasoline that uses a 15% ethanol blend — this summer. The sale of E15 gas is usually banned in the summer months due to air pollution concerns. Presidential primary changes: The Democratic National Committee approved a resolution this week [that will significantly change how the party selects its presidential candidates](. The effort removes the guarantee of Iowa and New Hampshire being the caucus and primary openers of the primary season and instead will require states and territories to make their case to be included in a group of states holding elections before Super Tuesday. RNC on presidential debates: The Republican National Committee [voted unanimously to "withdraw" from future general election presidential debates put on by the Commission on Presidential Debates](. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said the RNC would “find newer, better debate platforms to ensure that future nominees are not forced to go through the biased CPD in order to make their case to the American people.” Florida abortion ban: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis [signed a bill this week that bans most abortions after 15 weeks]( making it the latest state to restrict access to abortions. The new law, which takes effect July 1, will replace a previous one that allowed abortions until 24 weeks of pregnancy. — [Brandon Carter]( NPR Politics social media producer NPR Politics Podcast+ [The NPR Politics Podcast logo]( Hey y'all. Want to show your support for our podcast and even listen to sponsor-free episodes? Try subscribing to The NPR Politics Podcast+ and get your political insights, news and analysis without the distraction. Learn more at [plus.npr.org/politics]( or at the link below. [Learn More]( The Shot: Destruction in Ukraine Nickolai Hammar/NPR In the devastated town of Borodyanka, northwest of Kyiv, Natasha Romanenko has pushed paper into the bullet holes peppered across her windows. It's to keep the cold out, she tells NPR. "You can see, there are holes where they were shooting directly in our window when we were hiding there," she says, speaking through NPR's interpreter. When Russian forces invaded and occupied the town, the damage was devastating. Ukrainian officials say Russia deliberately bombed civilian areas and that hundreds are still missing more than a week after the invading forces withdrew. Now, crews are sifting through the wreckage to see what — and who — survived. [Read and listen as NPR reporters speak with Ukrainians after the Russian withdrawal](. — [Brandon Carter]( NPR Politics social media producer --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. 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