Politics & Government

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is working to contain a revolt by hard-line members of his party that could threaten his job as speaker and a potential government shutdown.

Politics & Government

Up First briefing: House budget dispute; Zelenskyy in D.C.; Simone Biles makes history

8:00am September 21, 2023

by Suzanne Nuyen

House Republicans can't agree on a spending bill. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of his D.C. visit. Simone Biles qualifies for a record sixth World Gymnastics Championships.

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Politics & Government

A proposed spending bill for the Pentagon is a point of contention for the GOP

7:59am September 21, 2023

House Republicans started the week with a plan to vote on their own spending bill, but Speaker McCarthy spent much of the week battling a small group hardline members who were blocking the debate.

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Biden's plan to send more aid to Ukraine is criticized by voters in Wisconsin

7:29am September 21, 2023

by Chuck Quirmbach

Some liberal and conservative voters in the political battleground state of Wisconsin disagree with President Biden's plan to send as much as $24 billion more in aid to Ukraine to fight Russia.

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Rep. Matt Rosendal is among Republicans blocking budget bills from advancing

7:27am September 21, 2023

by Shaylee Ragar

A looming government shutdown would have impacts across the country, including in Montana, where Rep. Matt Rosendale is among those opposing federal spending bills.

Morning news brief

6:01am September 21, 2023

House Republicans can't agree on a stopgap government spending bill. NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Lawsuits say Baton Rouge police beat detainees.

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Politics & Government

In House panel hearing, AG Garland insists he and the DOJ are independent

5:13am September 21, 2023

by Ryan Lucas

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland appeared before the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday, and defended the Justice Department's investigations into the Jan. 6 insurrection and Hunter Biden.

UAW strike may be pivotal to raise workers' living standards, Sen. Sanders says

5:13am September 21, 2023

NPR's A Martinez talks to Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who supports the UAW's strike as a fight for fair wages, but also against growing inequality and corporate greed.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., leaves the Senate chamber in May.

This Republican senator wants an expanded child tax credit — with work requirements

9:19pm September 20, 2023

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio says the U.S. has lost focus over the last 20 to 30 years and economic policies need to be geared towards creating stable work for families.

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President Biden speaks about gun violence during a summit on June 16, 2023 in West Hartford, Conn.

Politics & Government

Biden is creating a new White House office focused on gun violence prevention

8:58pm September 20, 2023

Gun safety measures have stalled in Congress. Advocates have long pushed for a White House office to elevate the issue and coordinate administration efforts to reduce gun violence.

President Biden promised to create the Climate Corps during his first week in office. It's a program meant to appeal to young climate activists.

Biden is unveiling the American Climate Corps, a program with echoes of the New Deal

8:55pm September 20, 2023

by Eric McDaniel

The White House says the program will provide paid training to 20,000 Americans in its first year. It's much smaller than its New Deal predecessor, but targets a more diverse group of young people.