The Lead with Jake Tapper
CNN's lead DC anchor and chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper, hosts this two-hour long weekday afternoon program, with headlines from around the country and the world, the top stories in national and international news, politics, health, money, the environment, sports and popular culture. The Lead also concentrates on bringing stories that aren't found on front pages—buried leads—to the forefront.

Following the Senate vote to avert a rail shutdown, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joins to discuss the tentative agreement and paid sick leave for rail workers. Plus, a letter bomb was sent to the U.S. embassy in Spain, prompting increased security. Also, the Supreme Court keeps a block on the Biden student debt plan, scheduling arguments for February.