Row (pronounced like wow) is another word for argument or disagreement. It's most commonly used in the UK. A "political row" just means politicians are bickering with each other.

in westminster parliamentary procedure, when there is a disagreement the two partisan groups get together and competitively row in a race up the Thames, winner taking the victorious position on the matter.

It's a UK English thing, a row is a fight, they would describe the US Congress fighting over the shutdown as a row.