Politics & Government

Politics & Government

Republican Sen. John Thune Comments On The Next Legislative Relief Package

4:04pm April 09, 2020

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., about the current bill to provide economic relief to small business owners adversely affected by the coronavirus.

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The IRS says taxpayers should not call for updates on their cash payments; instead the agency counsels people check its website.

Politics & Government

IRS Budget Cuts, Staffing Challenges Create Coronavirus Payment Headaches

1:42pm April 09, 2020

by Kelsey Snell

Over the past 10 years, the IRS budget has been reduced by roughly 20%, leaving the agency with aging technology and forcing it to cut back on staff and training.

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"We need more funding â and we need it fast," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor.

Senate Democrats Block GOP Effort To Boost Small-Business Aid

1:32pm April 09, 2020

by Kelsey Snell

Democrats want to funnel the extra funding through community-based financial institutions, which they say help businesses owned by minorities, veterans and rural Americans across the country.

Governments, like businesses and other organizations, are working remotely and holding online meetings. They're also falling victim to harassment.

Politics & Government

'Zoombombing' City Hall: Online Harassment Surges As Public Meetings Go Virtual

1:13pm April 09, 2020

by Shannon Bond

Racist and pornographic attacks on video conferences are a problem for anyone holding online meetings, but especially for governments and organizations that must make their meetings public.

Restaurants at Union Station in Washington, D.C., are closed. The Federal Reserve addressed several new lending programs in an effort to keep businesses and local governments afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mission Critical To Save The Economy: Fed Goes Even Bigger With Massive Loan Help

11:54am April 09, 2020

by Scott Horsley

In its latest salvo, the Federal Reserve announced $2.3 trillion in new lending programs in an effort to keep businesses and local governments afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump To Monitor OPEC Meeting As Low Oil Prices Hurt U.S. Firms

6:53am April 09, 2020

by Jackie Northam

OPEC holds an emergency meeting Thursday. President Trump is no fan of the oil cartel, but needs to deal with it to reverse low prices threatening the survival of U.S. shale oil companies.

News Brief: COVID-19 Guidelines, Sanders Campaign, OPEC Meeting

6:11am April 09, 2020

CDC issues guidelines when people exposed to COVID-19 can return to critical jobs. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ends his presidential campaign. And, OPEC members will meet to discuss low oil prices.

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Politics & Government

Sanders' Presidential Campaign Had An Impact On Democratic Party

5:02am April 09, 2020

by Scott Detrow

Sen. Bernie Sanders has ended his Democratic presidential campaign. The decision makes former Vice President Joe Biden the party's presumptive nominee for the fall election.

What Happened Today: White House Briefing, More Social Distancing Specifics

9:25pm April 08, 2020

NPR politics and science correspondents answer questions about the latest efforts to end the coronavirus pandemic and how people can practice social distancing.

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Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announced new guidelines on Wednesday for critical infrastructure workers who may have been exposed to the coronavirus to return to work.

White House Announces New Guidance For How Critical Employees Can Return To Work

8:40pm April 08, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

The new rules apply only to workers in critical infrastructure jobs, a broadly defined group that includes employees in fields from health care to financial services.