{"author_name":"The Excerpt","author_url":"https://art19.com/shows/5-things/episodes/721acc1a-32dc-490c-a1f0-667f71421427","description":"<p>USA TODAY's Zachary Schermele takes a look at some of the major looming issues as <a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/09/02/congress-recess-shutdown-epstein-redistricting-major-issues/85865747007/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">lawmakers return from an August recess</a>.</p><p>China's President Xi Jinping convened the leaders of Russia and North Korea Tuesday.</p><p>Former CDC directors say Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s health actions <a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/09/01/cdc-directors-rfk-jr-public-health/85927837007/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">should alarm every American</a>.</p><p>USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe discusses what the high court might consider in a case centered on whether <a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/31/supreme-court-vanity-license-plates-appeal/85834301007/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">vanity license plates</a> are protected speech.</p><p>Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:podcasts@usatoday.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">podcasts@usatoday.com</a>.</p>","html":"<iframe src=\"https://art19.com/shows/5-things/episodes/721acc1a-32dc-490c-a1f0-667f71421427/embed\" style=\"width: 720px; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\" width=\"720\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"></iframe>","provider_name":"ART19","provider_url":"https://art19.com","title":"What is Congress focused on now that it's back in session?","type":"rich","version":"1.0","width":720,"height":200}