PODCAST · news
Ask a Pol politics
by Ask a Pol by Matt Laslo
Asking your lawmakers your political questions at your US Capitol. www.askapolpolitics.com
Episodes
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Rep. Jamie Raskin calls Trump electioneering efforts “an utter transgression against the Constitution”
Who? Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) — Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee LISTEN: Laslo & Raskin Ask a Pol asks: What do you make of some of these efforts by President Trump and his White House to kind of federalize this year’s midterm elections? Key Raskin: “This is an utter transgression…
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“I’m opposed to the repeal,” Elizabeth Warren opposes marijuana ballot measure in Massachusetts
Who? Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Ask a Pol asks:Curious your thoughts on whether rescheduling of cannabis in Massachusetts has worked? Been successful? Whatever metric you want to use. Key Warren:“We can make improvements in the operations, but overall, legalizing cannabis is better than...
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Democrats wept: Leading Alabama gubernatorial candidate unaware of famous Bible verse about the poor
Who? Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) — leading Alabama gubernatorial candidate Transcript: Sen. Tommy Tuberville (9-23-2026) SCENE: Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo’s been staking out the Capitol’s basement all morning on a slow day on Capitol Hill when he spots Sen. Tommy Tuberville and an aide walking...
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LISTEN: “I will f****** punch someone in the face for talking about Hegseth,” Rep. Van Orden says
Who? Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) Ask a Pol asks: How do you feel about canceling the early session early? Key Van Orden: “I work. I will be here tomorrow,”* Rep. Derrick Van Orden exclusively tells Ask a Pol. *Interview was conducted Wednesday; Speaker Mike Johnson canceled the previously...
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Thomas Massie on Epstein Files II: "It will be a very tangible impact on the perpetrators”
Who? Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) Ask a Pol asks:Will your Epstein Files Transparency Act 2 have a tangible impact on the lives of these survivors? Key Massie:“It’s going to be hard to have more tangible impact than 3 million files,” Rep. Thomas Massie exclusively tells Ask a Pol. Caught our ear:“It...
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Republican Tim Burchett’s skipping GOP convention over “$25,000 they want from members of Congress”
Who? Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) Ask a Pol asks: Why are you skipping the first-ever Republican Party midterm convention in Dallas, Texas? Key Burchett: “Apparently, it’s like $25,000 they want from members of Congress,” Rep. Tim Burchett told Ask a Pol Politics. “But they said they’d work something...
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"It’s none of their damn business,” Sen. Rand Paul blasts Republicans fighting for tougher hemp regs
Sen. Rand Paul: Whether people take Ambien or hemp for sleep is “none of their damn business” Who? Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) Ask a Pol asks: With this hemp hang-up, what do you make of this last-minute wrangling? Key Paul: “I think the people that are so opposed to hemp need to realize that people…
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Third time the charm? Another poll shows the Democratic US Senate candidate up in Texas
WASHINGTON — The third poll in a row shows Democratic state Rep. James Talarico ahead of Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in Texas’ U.S. Senate race. While it’s early, Texas lawmakers say it’s not an anomaly and Democrats have a real chance of winning a Texas Senate seat for the first time…
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WATCH: AOC hails 'magic' mushrooms for showing "early promise" combating PTSD
Who? Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) — Founding member, “The Squad” Ask a Pol asks: What do you make of psilocybin (ie, magic mushrooms) and other psychedelic measures focused on veterans with PTSD passing in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act or NDAA? Key Ocasio-Cortez: “I’ve…
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Mississippi’s only Black Congressman calls on FBI to help investigate Nolan Wells’ death
Who? Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) — Ranking Member, Homeland Security Committee Ask a Pol asks: What do you make of what we’re seeing with this kid in Mississippi — the one lost on the 4th of July? Key Thompson: “Given Mississippi’s history, it’s very suspicious — because we have history on these...
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Democrats push for federal recognition of Maine Indian tribes at US Senate nominating Convention
Who? Charles Dingman — Chair, Maine Democratic Party Where? Bangor, Maine When? Saturday — July 25, 2026 What? At Maine Democrats’ US Senate nominating convention to replace Graham Platner, state Democratic Party Chair Charles Dingman called for federal recognition of the Wabanaki Nations.*…
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"He’s not just Joe Bag of Donuts," Jim Jordan dismisses Jack Smith's defense
Who? Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) — Chair, House Judiciary Committee Ask a Pol asks: How are you feeling about the Jack Smith stuff — do you think DOJ has enough there? Key Jordan: “I do, or we wouldn’t have sent it. I mean, come on, you can’t say we didn’t get contents of their communications when in...
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NEW Exclusive: “They cheated,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville says Trump “legitimately won” 2020 election
Who? Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) Ask a Pol asks: Who won the 2020 election? Key Tuberville: “Donald Trump,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville exclusively told Ask a Pol when asked flat-out who won the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump did? You joking or for real? “Well, legitimately won it,”…
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"Leave us the hell alone!" Maine progressive Congresswoman to Bernie Sanders, DC consultants & press
Who? Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) Ask a Pol asks: After backing Graham Platner’s Senate bid, do you feel personally lied to or deceived by him? Key Pingree: “I don’t know if he was a liar or if he was delusional,” Rep. Chellie Pingree exclusively tells Ask a Pol Politics. “At this point it doesn’t...
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Trump ally calls for total migration ban: “Put a bed sheet over the Statue of Liberty for 10 years"
Who? Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) Ask a Pol asks:You’re calling for an end to birthright citizenship — do you think that’s possible? Key Nehls: “I don’t know if it’s possible. It’s the right thing to do,” Rep. Troy Nehls exclusively told Ask a Pol Politics. “We need to put a bed sheet over the Statue…
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"Big Money" v. Progressives — "This is about ideas," AOC says
About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media: Substack X Spotify Apple Don’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics. Ask a Pol…
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“I loved it” — former MMA fighter, DHS Sec. Mullin raves after attending first soccer match
Who? Secretary Markwayne Mullin — Department of Homeland Security Where? House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Key Mullin: “I’m not a soccer fan. I had never been to a soccer game before until LA and our opening day on the 12th of June. I loved it,” Secretary Markwayne Mullin...
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“Reparations now,” Squad member demands for America’s 250th birthday. "This is about reciprocity."
Rep. Ayanna Pressley: reparations “not a plea for charity” — “this is about reciprocity” Ep. — Rep. Ayanna Pressley (6-2026) Who? Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) — Member, AOC’s progressive “Squad” LISTEN: Laslo & Pressley Ask a Pol asks: As the US marks its 250th anniversary, where do things stand…
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I haven't filed a story from the Capitol since Jan 6 - forget rioters, I'm scared of TV Networks
The nation’s TV Networks are blocking me from training a summer intern for the first time since 2012. And they still won’t credential my 7 veteran team members. I’ve now sent a personal letter to the Speaker, Minority Leader, Senate Leaders and each member of the Senate Rules Committee, begging...
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“We had the votes for it" — Dems say they forced Speaker Johnson to pull Iran war authorization
Who? Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI) Ask a Pol asks: Why did Speaker Johnson pull the AUMF from the floor? Key Scholten: “We had the votes for it today, and I, you know, I’m not one to speculate, but I do believe that’s probably why he pulled it, because I think we could have gotten it done today…
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Sen. Mark Warner: Federal AI preemption ‘makes sense, but only if you’ve got strong guardrails’
Who? Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) — Vice Chair, Senate Intelligence Committee Ask a Pol asks: Is Anthropic’s new Mythos AI model on your radar? Has full Intelligence Committee had any classified briefing on it? Key Warner: “Preemption makes sense, but only if you’ve got strong guardrails,” Sen. Mark...
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AOC: Marijuana rescheduling reduces one harm — but “doesn’t quite make all of the wrongs right”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells Ask a Pol Politics founder Matt Laslo that while she supports descheduling marijuana because it reduces harm, it still leaves untouched the deeper injustice of people whose lives were damaged by the war on drugs. Her argument is that legalization should not…
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In face of record low disapproval, Congressional Republicans blame the media
Podcast Show Notes:Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~ Let us know what to ask next! In our latest episode — Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) fires back at the premise that Republicans need to retool ahead of the midterms, telling Ask a Pol Politics the only...
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Jamie Raskin calling Trump out for "unconstitutionally" raking in “hundreds of millions of dollars”
Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~ Let us know what to ask next! In this episode, House Judiciary Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin decries Trump’s alleged violations of the emoluments clause from the Capitol steps, telling Ask a Pol Politics that Trump has...
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Hegseth has ‘thinnest skin,’ mocks veteran and West Point grad, Rep. Pat Ryan
‘Knows he’s a joke’: Capitol Hill goes nuclear on Hegseth after mid-war ‘score-settling’ About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media: Substack…
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Pam Bondi watch: "She needs to show up,” Dems fear former AG will skip out on Congress (again)
Who? Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) — Ranking Member, House Oversight Committee Ask a Pol asks: Do you think there’s any chance Pam Bondi actually gets held in contempt? You’re trying to move those charges — but the DOJ is still run by her top deputy. Key Garcia: “We filed civil contempt charges…
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WATCH: Echoing Melania Trump, Rep. Luna’s pushing GOP leaders for Epstein survivor hearing
Who? Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) Ask a Pol asks: What do you make of the first lady’s call to have public hearings with the Epstein survivors — and how do you broach that with GOP leaders? Key Luna: “I actually had been encouraging that,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna tells Ask a Pol Politics. But…
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President Trump, Joe Rogan & RFK Jr unveil new psychedelic research measure
Who? Joe Rogan — Oval Office, White House Key Rogan: “We have a gigantic opiate problem in this country, obviously. In 2024, more than 80,000 people died of overdoses. It’s a horrible number. And there’s more than 5 million people that are addicted to opiates right now in this country,” Rogan…
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EXCLUSIVE — AOC on infamous NYC prison: “Not just about closing Rikers but what we turn it into”
Who? Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) Ask a Pol asks: Is there momentum behind this latest push to close Rikers Island? Key AOC: “I mean, we’ve been pushing to close Rikers for quite some time now,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez exclusively tells Ask a Pol Politics. About Ask a Pol: We give...
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“There’s a downside," Repub. Sen. Marshall fears TrumpRX will become socialized medicine under Dems
Who? Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) — Obstetrician & gynecologist by trade* *one of four doctors in the US Senate Ask a Pol asks: Is TrumpRX working — and could a future Democrat expand it into socialized medicine? Key Marshall: “Indeed it is working and it’s not perfect. It doesn’t cover every drug,...
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Rep. Balint: From TrumpRX to 10% stake in Intel, Trump admin. “smacks of socialism," yet GOP shrugs
Who? Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT) — Vice Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee Ask a Pol asks: Are Republicans hypocrites for hammering Democrats on socialism while the Trump administration takes equity stakes in private companies like Intel? Key Balint: “He’s using the words, you know,...
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Trump socialism okay to Freedom Caucus Chair "generally not supportive" of Feds meddling in business
Who? Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — Chair, House Freedom Caucus Ask a Pol asks: Is the Trump administration taking a 10% stake in Intel and grabbing 15% of profits from chip manufacturers socialism from the right? Key Harris: “Generally, I’m not supportive,” Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Andy Harris...
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Rep. Jamie Raskin says it's "sad" Republicans are dismissing calls for 25th Amendment commission
Who? Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) — Ranking Member, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ask a Pol asks: What do you make of your Republican colleagues standing by Trump’s mental acuity and saying you should have done this commission for Biden? Key Raskin: “I’d say they are in a distinct...
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Trump socialism: Ayanna Pressley says GOP “just trying to keep a seat" so letting Trump run wild
Who? Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) — Member, AOC’s “Squad” Ask a Pol asks: Isn’t it curious how congressional Republicans are falling in line behind President Donald Trump even as he’s taking 10% of Intel, taking 15% of profits from American chip makers and rolling out TrumpRX, which many on the...
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Sen. Tim Kaine: NATO might help with Iran if Trump stopped “kicking them around”
Who? Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) — US Senate Armed Services Committee Ask a Pol asks: What do you make of President Donald Trump publicly calling out America’s NATO allies — including threats to withhold Pentagon support in future conflicts — after European countries refused to send military support to...
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Flashback: “Bondi’s doing the best she can," Jim Jordan told abandoned Epstein survivors
Who? Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) — Chair, House Judiciary Committee Ask a Pol asks: Despite Attorney General Pam Bondi attacking members of both parties who pressed her for answers on the Justice Department's bungling of the Epstein files' release, survivors at today's hearing say they still need a…
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Sen. Coons: With Trump "disrespecting" allies, it's “unsurprising” NATO isn’t helping in Iran
Who? Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) — Ranking Member, Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Ask a Pol asks: What do you make of NATO allies being reluctant to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump and Israel attacked Iran? Key Coons: “That the President keeps disrespecting our NATO...
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"I’m terrified," Senate Intel Vice Chair on fallout of Iran war
Who? Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) — Vice-chair, Senate Intelligence Committee Ask a Pol asks: In President Donald Trump’s cabinet meeting this week, it seemed the administration was totally blindsided by Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz — were they? Key Warner: “No. If they had read any...
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Minority Leader Jeffries, House GOP stalemate over Homeland Security funding
Who? House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries What? War of words over funding the Department of Homeland Security What should we ask Congress next? Republicans beg to differ. Who? Chairwoman of the House Republican Conference Lisa McClain Ask a Pol AI Disclosure: Ask a Pol‘s playing around with as...
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After Mar-a-Lago upset, Republican Leader sees "opportunity to grow our majority" this fall
Who? Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) — House Majority Leader Ask a Pol asks: How worried are you by these special election returns? And this time in the president’s own backyard? Key Scalise: “Special elections are always unique because they’re very low turnout,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise...
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Did Speaker Johnson fake being mad at Dems earlier or did Trump leave him in dark on DHS funding?
Who? Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) — Speaker of the US House of Representatives Presser: Hours before President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order “instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation,”...
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"Mark’s Mark," Democratic Sen. Luján defends DHS nominee Mullin. “That’s just who he is"
Who? Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) — Member, Senate Indian Affairs Commitee Ask a Pol asks: Are you going to be supporting Sen. Markwayne Mullin to head the Department of Homeland Security? Key Luján: “Let’s see what we chat about. I mean, he has a big responsibility. His predecessor over there I…
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Republican US Senator: Europe needs to "take their skirts off" and help US fund defense
Who? Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) Ask a Pol Asks: What have you made of the pushback from NATO allies — like forbidding US troops from accessing their military bases — on President Donald Trump’s and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war with Iran? Key Marshall: “It’s time for Europe to…
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Sen. Ted Cruz staying on sideline in heated Texas GOP US Senate runoff
Who? Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) Ask a Pol asks: Now that the Republican primary for the Texas US Senate seat currently held by Sen. John Cornyn is headed to a runoff — after Cornyn and his GOP allies spent upwards of $70 million ahead of this week’s primary election day — are you prepared to back your...
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Rep. Al Green on his SOTU protest: “If you tolerate this level of racism, you perpetuate it”
Who? Rep. Al Green (D-TX) Ask a Pol asks: Why did you choose to protest during the President’s State of the Union address tonight? Key Green: “I wanted him to know and I wanted him to see it and hear it up close,” Rep. Al Green exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “I wanted the President to know that we...
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Republican gets mad when asked about Trump Admin attacks on protestors' gun rights
Who? Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) — Member, House Judiciary Committee Ask a Pol asks: Are you worried the Second Amendment’s being attacked by members of the administration? Key McClintock: “I utterly reject the premise of your question,” Rep. Tom McClintock exclusively tells Ask a Pol Politics…
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“The President wanting to hang me?” Sen. Mark Kelly, "I take a little bit of offense to it"
Who? Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) — Senate Armed Services Committee Ask a Pol asks: What have you made of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth…? Key Kelly: “The president wanting to hang me?” Sen. Kelly exclusively tells Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo. “Yeah, I take a little bit of...
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Rep. Dean: "Republicans will be held to account" for enabling "the criminal, lawless behavior of this president"
Who? Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) Key Dean: “We either uphold this Constitution and call out the criminal, lawless behavior of this president and his administration, or we could be doomed,” Rep. Madeleine Dean lectured congressional reporters from the steps of the Capitol. ICYMI — Ask a Pol’s on...
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Rep. Ilhan Omar: ICE agents responsible for bringing “pure terror” to Minnesota
Ask a Pol ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next? Who? Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) Ask a Pol asks: Is ICE escalating tactics in Minnesota? Key Omar: “They are. They are. I mean, “occupation,” I think, is a light word. It’s terror at this point,” Rep. Ilhan Omar…
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"Contempt of the judge" — Republican dares Trump's DOJ to keep Epstein files secret
Who? Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) — lead Republican sponsor of Epstein file measure President Donald Trump signed into law* *Massie and his Democratic partner, Ro Khanna, authored the “Epstein files“ discharge petition, which forced Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders to bring the Epstein...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Asking your lawmakers your political questions at your US Capitol.
www.askapolpolitics.com
HOSTED BY
Ask a Pol by Matt Laslo
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Ask a Pol politics currently has 117 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
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Asking your lawmakers your political questions at your US Capitol. www.askapolpolitics.com
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