Politics & Government

President Biden signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in the East Room of the White House on Thursday.

Juneteenth Is Now A Federal Holiday

6:03pm June 17, 2021

by Alana Wise

June 19 is a commemoration of the end of chattel slavery in the United States, marking the day enslaved people in Texas were finally freed — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Texas Rep. Chip Roy, seen here at a press conference on May 20, was one of 14 House Republicans who voted against making June 19 a federal holiday.

Politics & Government

14 House Republicans Voted Against Making Juneteenth A Federal Holiday

5:59pm June 17, 2021

by Barbara Sprunt

Many Republican lawmakers cited concerns over the actual name of the holiday and whether it conflates with the July 4th federal holiday.

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., was the sponsor of the House bill to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq. The measure now heads to the Senate.

In Historic, Bipartisan Move, House Votes To Repeal 2002 Iraq War Powers Resolution

5:53pm June 17, 2021

by Claudia Grisales

In the wake of 9/11, Congress approved two measures giving the president expansive war powers. The House voted to repeal one of those measures, the 2002 authorization of force in Iraq.

Bowman's congressional campaign had the backing of prominent left-leaning Democrats like Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and the support of the progressive group Justice Democrats.

Politics & Government

How A Former NYC Principal Is Trying To Make Congress Work For His Community

4:46pm June 17, 2021

by Juana Summers

Freshman New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman joins a class of younger Black lawmakers working to broaden representation and progressive power in Congress, as well as in the Democratic Party.

Politics & Government

Greensboro City Council Passes New $620M Budget

3:34pm June 17, 2021

by April Laissle

The Greensboro City Council unanimously approved a new city budget at this week's meeting.

It was Brett Kavanaugh's conservative cred that led Trump to nominate the jurist for the Supreme Court, which resulted in one of the most dramatic hearings in recent Senate history.

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's Rise Continues To Fascinate In 'Dissent'

10:14am June 17, 2021

by Michael Schaub

Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing for the top court still sticks in the minds of those all along the political spectrum; it's the subject of several books, including a new one by Jackie Calmes.

Politics & Government

Sweeping Voting Rights Reform Looks Unlikely To Pass At The Federal Level

7:16am June 17, 2021

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Stacey Abrams, who pushed for different voting rules after losing the 2018 governor's race in Georgia, about what she wants from Congress, and what advocates can do.

Politics & Government

The yes vote comes a day after the Senate unanimously moved to recognize June 19 as a commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.