Politics & Government

Politics & Government

Encore: How Trump Teases, Threatens And Dodges With 'We'll See What Happens'

5:31pm December 26, 2017

by Tamara Keith

President Trump frequently says "We will see what happens" about matters large and small, creating uncertainty for the media, members of his administration and even world leaders. But what do these constant teases mean for the presidency?

Control of Virginia's House Of Delegates Rests With Two Film Canisters

5:31pm December 26, 2017

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with James Alcorn, chairman of Virginia's board of elections about drawing a film canister from a crystal bowl tomorrow, which will have a slip of paper that will decide which candidate will become a state delegate. It will also determine whether the Republican Party will keep control of the State House, or if the delegates will be split with the Democrats.

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States Say They Need Federal Government's Help To Secure Midterm Elections

4:36pm December 26, 2017

by Pam Fessler

The 2018 midterm elections will be the first test of efforts to protect the U.S. voting process from outside interference since Russian hackers probed state voting systems in last year's presidential race. Some progress has been made, but state and local election officials say they need more money and information from the federal government to secure the elections.

'Politico' Report Finds Lack Of Transparency Surrounding Work Of Trump's Cabinet Secretaries

4:36pm December 26, 2017

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Politico reporter Emily Holden about their investigation of President Trump's cabinet. They looked into 17 members of and found that many of them provide little or no information about what the they're working on, breaking from the policies of the Obama and George W. Bush administrations.

Here's the NPR bracket for top political story of the year. Pick the winners by voting now.

Pick The Biggest Political Story Of 2017

2:39pm December 26, 2017

by Domenico Montanaro

What's the biggest political story of the year? It's too hard to decide. You can vote in our March Madness-style contest of 64 eye-popping stories that made waves in 2017.

Senate Finance Committee chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) gestures before a committee meeting on Nov. 15 in Washington, D.C.

Salt Lake Tribune Calls For Sen. Orrin Hatch To Step Down In Blistering Editorial

1:21pm December 26, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

The paper named Hatch "Utahn of the Year," a title based on impact either good or bad, while denouncing his "utter lack of integrity." Hatch said he was "grateful for this great Christmas honor."

The U.N. headquarters in New York City is seen here in 2003.

Trump Administration Touts A Smaller U.N. Budget (And Takes Credit For It)

1:11pm December 26, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

The language in the U.S. mission's announcement led some to misinterpret it as meaning that Washington would reduce its own contribution by $285 million next year.

Sen. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., has increased her stature in the Democratic Party in recent years, though deflects the question of whether she will run for president in 2020.

Politics & Government

With Women's Rights As A Focus, Attention Turns To Gillibrand

9:48am December 26, 2017

by Scott Detrow

As the "Me Too" moment hit Congress this year, Kirsten Gillibrand found herself in the center of the headlines. The New York senator is now on most short lists of possible Democratic 2020 contenders.

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Morning News Brief: Political Headlines, Afghan Suicide Attack

7:30am December 26, 2017

The new year is less than a week away, and it's good time to look back over the past political headlines from 2017. And, a suicide bomber blew himself up near the Afghan Intelligence Agency in Kabul.

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Politics & Government

We Sort Out Political Headlines Using A March Madness Bracket

6:38am December 26, 2017

by Domenico Montanaro

The year has been filled with numerous political stories. How would you even go about ranking them? Our political team borrows the bracket idea from college basketball's tournament.