Politics & Government

President Obama speaks at Ellicott Dredges in Baltimore on May 17. The trip followed a visit by the company's president to Capitol Hill to testify in support of the Keystone XL pipeline. The White House says Obama's speech had nothing to do with Keystone,

Obama Group's Climate Push Puts President Under Scrutiny

12:54pm May 24, 2013

by Ari Shapiro

Organizing for Action — a group that formed out of President Obama's re-election campaign — has focused its ire on Republicans it calls "climate change deniers." But some environmentalists are frustrated with the president himself on issues like the Keystone pipeline.

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Politics & Government

IRS Official's Silence Riles House Committee Members

12:54pm May 24, 2013

by Peter Overby

On Wednesday, Lois Lerner, the IRS official overseeing the tax-exempt organizations office, refused to testify during a hearing on Capitol Hill, and was attacked by some Republicans on the House committee. Her brief appearance was the beginning of a five-hour session marked by angry outbursts and allegations of political motives.

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Losers In Chicago School Closings Target Elected Officials

12:54pm May 24, 2013

by Cheryl Corley

The Chicago school board voted to close dozens of schools, despite community protests that the closings disproportionately affect minority students. Now the teachers union and community activists want to change the system and oust the elected officials who disagreed with them.

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Abortion Opponents Try to Spin Murder Case Into Legislation

8:23pm May 23, 2013

by Julie Rovner

Abortion opponents are hoping the recent murder conviction of Pennsylvania abortion provider Kermit Gosnell will lead to more scrutiny of second trimester abortions. They're working on a bill that would ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy — nationwide.

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Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. (center), listens to testimony during a hearing on the immigration bill on April 22.

Fears Of Killing Immigration Bill Doomed Same-Sex Amendment

6:40pm May 22, 2013

by David Welna

Amid warnings the proposal would shatter support for the measure, Democrats backed away from a provision that would allow gay U.S. citizens to sponsor foreign-born spouses for green cards. Advocates for gay and lesbian immigration rights accused Democrats of caving in to threats.

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Politics & Government

With White House Bogged Down By Scandal, GOP Looks For Boost

4:31pm May 22, 2013

As criticism of the Obama administration over a string of scandals grows, conservatives see an opportunity to gain momentum for 2014 races. Host Neal Conan and Political Junkie Ken Rudin talk with political science professor Jack Pitney about the GOP and the re-emergence of the Tea Party. Plus: the week in politics from Anthony Weiner's New York mayoral candidacy to the Senate immigration bill.

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LA Mayoral Candidates Try To Persuade Voters To Pay Attention

4:46pm May 21, 2013

by Kirk Siegler

City Councilman Eric Garcetti and City Controller Wendy Greuel are in an all-out blitz for votes ahead of Tuesday's election to replace the term-limited Antonio Villaraigosa. But observers say the race hasn't garnered much interest — even though Greuel could become the first female mayor.

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Apple CEO Faces Senate Panel's Accusations Of 'Tax Gimmickry'

11:13am May 21, 2013

by John Ydstie

Tim Cook will address reports that his company pays billions less than it should in U.S. taxes each year at a Tuesday hearing in Washington. According to a report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Apple avoids the tax payments by shifting profits to subsidiaries in Ireland.

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Fox News Reporter James Rosen Caught Up In Federal Probe

11:13am May 21, 2013

by David Folkenflik

There is word of another controversial leak investigation by the Department of Justice. The target is Fox News reporter James Rosen, who was monitored by the department after breaking a story about North Korea's nuclear weapons program in 2009.

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Politics & Government

Unclear Laws May Have Contributed to Tax-Exempt Controversy

11:13am May 21, 2013

by Scott Horsley

IRS and Treasury officials can expect a hard time in their appearances on Capitol Hill Tuesday. A key question that so far has not gotten much attention: How did it come to be that social welfare organizations became vehicles for political activity?

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