Politics & Government

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., arrives Friday at the U.S. Capitol when lawmakers faced a midnight deadline to pass a bill to fund the government.

Politics & Government

After Delays, Senate Approves Bill To Avoid Government Shutdown Ahead Of Deadline

3:43pm December 11, 2020

The Senate passed a bill funding federal agencies before a Friday night deadline. It was stalled as senators fought over other legislation. It also passed the defense bill with a veto-proof majority.

Critics Say New Trump Rule Gives Contractors More Freedom On Religious Discrimination

3:42pm December 11, 2020

by Tom Gjelten

The Trump administration has issued a new rule this week that allows federal contractors that claim a religious mission to exclude any job applicant who does not share their beliefs.

Incoming White House Public Engagement Director On His Plans For The Job

3:42pm December 11, 2020

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., about his future role as the director of the White House Office of Public Engagement in the Biden administration.

How One Senator's Missteps Lead To 'A Painful Age Question' In Congress

3:42pm December 11, 2020

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Jane Mayer of The New Yorker about her reporting on Sen. Dianne Feinstein and the problem of age in the Democratic Party leadership.

Politics & Government

'Bad Behavior By People In High Office': Rachel Maddow On The Lessons Of Spiro Agnew

2:01pm December 11, 2020

by Terry Gross

Richard Nixon's first vice president resigned amid charges of bribery and tax evasion. Maddow and Mike Yarvitz revisit Agnew's story in the podcast (and now book) Bag Man. Originally broadcast in '19.

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President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were named Person of the Year for 2020 by Time.

Joe Biden, Kamala Harris Named 'Time' Person Of The Year

11:50am December 11, 2020

by Jaclyn Diaz

The two made the cut after topping Time's shortlist that included President Trump, the movement for racial justice, Dr. Anthony Fauci and medical workers on the front line of COVID-19.

Politics & Government

Governor Announces Nearly $13M In Rural Infrastructure Grants

9:59am December 11, 2020

by Neal Charnoff

There is economic help on the way for North Carolina's rural communities. The state has approved nearly $13 million in grants for infrastructure projects.

An employee closes a gate in Yosemite National Park in California.

Politics & Government

Morale Down, Federal Workforce Gets Ready For A New Boss

9:58am December 11, 2020

by Brian Naylor

The federal workforce has often been pilloried by President Trump, but still there are far more applicants than there are federal jobs.

Discussions Drag On For Another Coronavirus Relief Bill

7:27am December 11, 2020

by Kelsey Snell

Top leaders say they won't go home for the holidays before they pass a relief bill, but negotiations are stalled over money for state/local governments and liability protections.

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Politics & Government

Updates On Georgia's Election Lawsuits

5:01am December 11, 2020

by Stephen Fowler

Trump and his allies have launched dozens of unsuccessful lawsuits seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election, which he lost. One of their most targeted states is Georgia.