January 25, 2023 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Historic levels of drama played out over the first few weeks of the new Congress. Legislative leaders are just now beginning to get into the day-to-day of Capitol Hill. This week, Speaker Kevin McCarthy sparked outrage when he locked out leading Democrats from key committees. Lisa Desjardins has a look at what's happening now and what's to come.

As Vice President Harris meets with the families of those killed in the Monterey Park shooting, many are grappling with the toll it is taking on their community. For Asian Americans, this past week has been especially painful. All 11 victims in Monterey Park were of Asian descent. Gloria Pan of MomsRising and the AAPI Against Gun Violence Coalition joined John Yang to discuss gun access.

Pope Francis, in a wide-ranging interview with the Associated Press, spoke at length about his health, his critics and the future of the papacy. Most notably, he called laws criminalizing homosexuality fundamentally unjust and said being homosexual is not a crime. Paul Elie of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs joined Geoff Bennett to discuss the pope's interview.

In Washington state this week, legislators held public hearings to form a domestic violent extremism commission that, if implemented, would make Washington the first in the nation to target extremism with a public health and civic engagement approach. Laura Barrón-López spoke with Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson about what his state is doing and how it could be a model for the nation.

Oregon ranks among the worst states for youth mental illness and access to care. William Brangham went there and found a system facing heavy burdens, but one searching for solutions. It’s part of our new series, "Early Warnings: America’s Youth Mental Health Crisis." A warning: this story includes discussions of suicide and depression.