This month, 13 House Republicans crossed party lines and voted in favour of Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill. This prompted anger from colleagues, voters and the former president Donald Trump. And the Republican leadership was slow to jump to their defence. Jonathan Freedland and Tara Setmayer discuss what this says about the direction for the party. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Heather Stewart and Polly Toynbee discuss the government’s narrowly approved social care plan and Boris Johnson’s bizarre CBI speech. Plus: can Priti Patel solve the issue of Channel crossings? Rowena Mason is joined by Rajeev Syal and Sunder Katwala. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

After reports came out suggesting the vice-president was being underused, the White House came to her defence at the weekend. Jonathan Freedland and Lauren Gambino discuss the various rumours shrouding Biden and Harris’ relationship. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

As row over MPs’ second jobs escalates, the Conservative party’s sleaze scandal is not going away. Jessica Elgot and Rafael Behr assess how damaging this could get for the Tories. Plus: the Guardian’s sketch writer John Crace on writing satire during a year of chaos in Westminster. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Known as one of the most powerful women in US politics, the speaker of the House of Representatives is due to retire in the next few years. Jonathan Freedland and Susan Page look back at the career of one of the longest-serving politicians on Capitol Hill, and what her eventual exit will mean for the Democratic party. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod