Politics & Government

Politics & Government

Strike Force Is Created To Combat Chicago Gun Violence

7:52am July 01, 2017

President Trump announced the strike force, but Mayor Rahm Emmanuel is skeptical. Scott Simon talks to Carol Marin, political editor at NBC 5 in Chicago, to discuss how the city reacted to the news.

The Impact Of The 'Summer Of Love' Still Reverberates

7:52am July 01, 2017

by Rachael Myrow

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. The Monterey Pop Festival in June of 1967 became a soundtrack for an emerging counterculture.

Health Care Debate Opens A Wound Between House And Senate GOP

7:52am July 01, 2017

It has become clear that Republicans can't agree with one another on what to do about the Senate health care bill. Scott Simon talks to Mark Hemingway of The Weekly Standard about the GOP divide.

Hugo, Colo., is home to no more than 850 residents, but has a beloved hospital where staff members know most of their patients by name. To survive financially, the hospital depends on payments from Medicaid, a program that faces deep cuts in the GOP healt

A Hospital In Rural Colorado Is The Cornerstone Of Small Town Life

7:52am July 01, 2017

by John Daley

At the lone hospital in Hugo, a country town, staff members know most of the patients — they are friends and family. But cuts in the GOP health bill could threaten this cherished institution.

Is Seattle's Minimum Wage Hike Doing More Harm Than Good?

7:52am July 01, 2017

A study suggests the most recent minimum wage hike in Seattle may be doing harm. NPR's Scott Simon talks with Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., about the impact of Seattle's push for $15/hour.

Rex Tillerson Faces Mideast Test In Navigating Saudi Arabia, Qatar Tensions

10:38pm June 30, 2017

by Michele Kelemen

The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Qatar is the biggest test yet of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. He has deep ties to Qatar's leaders, but the White House seems to prefer the Saudis.

Queue Listen Now

Chart of White House salary distribution

Politics & Government

Trump White House Staff Payroll Nearly $36 Million And Top-Heavy

8:38pm June 30, 2017

by Tamara Keith

Among those making the maximum salary are chief of staff Reince Priebus, chief strategist Steve Bannon, press secretary Sean Spicer and former Apprentice contestant Omarosa Manigault.

In this episode of Ron's Office Hours: Who's in charge of U.S. foreign policy?

As Trump Travels To Summit, Congress May Be Reasserting Itself On Foreign Affairs

7:29pm June 30, 2017

by Ron Elving

Congress has generally followed a pattern of deferring to the executive on foreign policy. For decades Congress has usually let the president take the lead — and take the heat when things go wrong.

Mika, Joe And The Donald: Trump's Tweets Intensify Feud With MSNBC Hosts

6:17pm June 30, 2017

by David Folkenflik

The president's tweets attacking MSNBC critics veered into unexpected terrain Friday as they accused the White House of trying to extort an apology to Trump to get him to quash a tabloid story about their personal lives.

Queue Listen Now

Trump Administration Outlines Emerging Strategy On Afghanistan

6:17pm June 30, 2017

by Tom Bowman

The Trump administration's emerging strategy on Afghanistan involves sending more American troops into the country, the isolation of Pakistan, and the long-term goal of a political settlement with the Taliban.

Queue Listen Now