Politics and views in the United States

Louisiana lawmakers advance a G-O-P backed congressional map, Trump in Beijing with Iran War, trade and Taiwan on table; Nebraska Senate race might split an anti-G-O-P vote; and a study links voting to a longer life expectancy.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

Hundreds of people have sat here in opposition and you act the exact opposite of what all of your constituents tell you they want from you.

You laugh in our faces when we try to hold you accountable.

From where the public is sitting, it looks like the outcome was decided before the testimony ever began.

Angela Roberts of Baton Rouge blasted Louisiana lawmakers during hours of angry public testimony on redistricting.

A state Senate committee voted to advance a Republican-backed map that would make five of Louisiana's six congressional districts lean more toward the GOP to the floor.

Democrats call it a power grab enabled by the Supreme Court decision ending an important Voting Rights Act protection for minority districts.

President Donald Trump is in Beijing for high-stakes talks with China's leader over the Iran war, trade tensions, and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.

Supporters say the summit could steady relations.

Critics argue rising inflation and the Middle East conflict could weaken Trump's position at the negotiating table, notably when trying to increase U.S. farm exports.

The Democratic candidate who just won Nebraska's Senate primary plans to drop out and throw her support to the Independent.

Retired pharmacy tech Cindy Burbank is backing veteran, mechanic, and labor leader Dan Osborne against Republican Senator Pete Ricketts.

Two years ago, Osborne mounted a surprisingly strong campaign against GOP Senator Deb Fischer.

A Senate budget hearing erupted into a sharp clash after FBI Director Cash Patel sparred with Maryland Democrat Chris Van Hollen over Atlantic Magazine reports that Patel is often drunk and erratic.

And so there have been no occasions when your security detail had difficulty waking or locating you.

Is that right?

Nope, it's a total farce.

I don't even know where you get this stuff, but it doesn't make it credible because you say so.

I'm not saying that Director Patel, it's been written and documented.

You are literally saying it.

The Trump administration is withholding $1.3 billion in Medicaid payments to California over alleged hospice fraud.

Federal officials say the state failed to properly police suspicious claims, especially around Los Angeles.

New research suggests voting may do more than shape elections.

It could also help older Americans live longer.

Indiana University's Sarah Conrath says voting builds purpose and connection.

I think there's a sense of purpose that comes along with voting, realizing you're part of a bigger community, you're contributing to the greater good, and all of those things can just make you feel more connected.

Researchers found voters were less likely to die years after casting ballots.

I'm Joe Ulory for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

Find our trust indicators at publicnewsservice.org.