Politics & Government

Alex Padilla On Becoming California's 1st Latino Senator

4:22pm December 30, 2020

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Alex Padilla, California's former secretary of state who is set to take Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' Senate seat, about his background and his new position.

Ron Rosmann, seen in 2011, received some of the subsidies but says he's not in favor of the program. "It has disproportionately gone to the largest producers," he says.

Farmers Got A Government Bailout In 2020, Even Those Who Didn't Need It

2:14pm December 30, 2020

by Dan Charles

Total payments to farmers reached $46 billion, a record. Many received more than $100,000, yet didn't necessarily need the help.

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Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., seen here during a Dec. 16 hearing, has said he plans to object to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory during the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6.

Politics & Government

GOP Sen. Hawley Will Object To Electoral College Certification

1:10pm December 30, 2020

by Barbara Sprunt

The move ensures there will be a debate and vote in both the House and the Senate and forces Republicans to go on the record as to whether they believe President Trump's allegations of election fraud.

Jake Sullivan, President-elect Joe Biden's incoming national security adviser, gives remarks last month in Wilmington, Del.

Why Biden's National Security Adviser Plans To Focus On The U.S. Middle Class

1:06pm December 30, 2020

by Scott Detrow

"The work that we do abroad fundamentally has to connect to making the lives of working people better, safer, fairer" in America, Jake Sullivan tells NPR in an interview.

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A car with a flag endorsing the QAnon conspiracy theory drives by as supporters of President Trump gather for a rally outside the Governor's Residence in St. Paul, Minn., on Nov. 14.

Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon And Other Conspiracy Theories

11:35am December 30, 2020

by Joel Rose

Misinformation about the election and the coronavirus is also gaining a foothold in American society, according to a new NPR/Ipsos poll.

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Louisiana's Congressman-elect Luke Letlow announced on Dec. 18 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized a day later.

Louisiana Congressman-Elect Dies From COVID-19

10:10am December 30, 2020

by Jaclyn Diaz

Republican Luke Letlow, 41, who was elected earlier this month to represent the northeastern 5th District, died Tuesday from complications from the disease.

Politics & Government

Action Shifts To Senate For Passage Of $2,000 COVID-19 Relief Payments

6:25am December 30, 2020

by Kelsey Snell

The Senate could vote Wednesday on a bill that ties the $2,000 relief checks — backed by Democrats and President Trump — to a controversial change to liability laws for social media companies.

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"[President-elect Joe Biden] says he opposes the death penalty, so we want him to use his clemency power and end this cruelty once and for all," said Rep.-elect Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat.

Politics & Government

'End This Cruelty': Progressives Call On Biden To Work To Stop Executions

5:00am December 30, 2020

by Juana Summers

As the Trump administration accelerates the pace of federal executions in its final days, some Democrats are feeling more urgency to push the president-elect to act upon taking office.

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A statue of Abraham Lincoln and a formerly enslaved man has been taken down in Park Square in Boston, Mass., after an intense debate and a petition to remove the work.

Statue Of Lincoln With Formerly Enslaved Man At His Feet Is Removed In Boston

7:34pm December 29, 2020

by Bill Chappell

"We're pleased to have taken it down this morning," a spokesperson for Mayor Marty Walsh said.

Jake Sullivan is President-elect Joe Biden's incoming national security adviser.

Biden's Incoming National Security Adviser Faults Pentagon's 'Obstruction'

6:52pm December 29, 2020

by Philip Ewing

Jake Sullivan tells NPR in an exclusive interview that the transition isn't getting what it needs from the outgoing Trump administration to take power properly next month.

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