Politics

Trump Faces Challenge Of Filling Over 100 Federal Court Vacancies

4:39pm March 20, 2017

In addition to filling a seat at the Supreme Court, President Trump has more than 120 vacant federal court judgeships. A large number of them carried over from the Senate refusing to approve President Obama's nominees. NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Brookings Institution visiting scholar Russell Wheeler about how Trump may shape the judiciary for years to come.

Trump Confronts Ongoing Russia Controversy Amid Gorsuch Hearing

4:39pm March 20, 2017

by Mara Liasson

President Trump's Supreme Court nominee faces confirmation hearings, and the House nears a vote on the GOP's health care bill. That all could be drowned out by ongoing controversy about Russia.

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Trump's White House Counsel Don McGahn Has Combative Record

4:39pm March 20, 2017

by Peter Overby

White House Counsel Don McGahn has historical ties to President Trump and a combative record at the Federal Election Commission. His job is to interpret ethics laws and apply them to the White House.

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FBI Director Confirms Investigation Into Trump-Russia Links

4:39pm March 20, 2017

by David Welna

Members of Congress on the House Intelligence Committee questioned witnesses on Monday about the role played by Russia in the 2016 presidential race, including its potential ties to the Trump campaign.

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Lawfare Editor Outlines FBI Director's Testimony On Russia, Wiretapping

4:39pm March 20, 2017

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to Benjamin Wittes, who runs the blog Lawfare, about Monday's congressional testimony regarding Russia's involvement in the U.S. presidential election.

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Former U.S. Ambassador Criticizes Trump's Framing Of How NATO Works

4:39pm March 20, 2017

On the campaign trail and since taking office, President Trump has been critical of United States' allies in NATO — calling them out for failing to pay their fair share on defense and for relying on the U.S. to carry the burden. NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Ivo Daalder, former U.S. representative to NATO, about the current reality of the NATO alliance and what he makes of Trump's messaging.

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Gov. Sam Brownback delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Kansas Legislature in Topeka, Kan., on Jan. 10. Lawmakers are considering whether to expand Medicaid, which Brownback opposes.

As ACA Repeal Vote Nears, Kansas Debates Expanding Medicaid

3:49pm March 20, 2017

by Jim McLean

An estimated 300,000 Kansans could qualify for health care coverage, which comes as Congress debates replacing the Affordable Care Act.

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., chair of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks during a news conference on Affordable Care Act replacement legislation in February.

Leading The Charge Against The GOP Health Plan, Rep. Mark Meadows Is Right At Home

3:37pm March 20, 2017

by Phil Galewitz

Republican Rep. Mark Meadows enjoys strong support in his western North Carolina district as he leads conservative opposition to the GOP's health overhaul plan.

Neil Gorsuch takes part in a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing as US President Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

Republicans Praise Gorsuch, Democrats Decry Garland Treatment On Day 1 Of Hearings

3:19pm March 20, 2017

by Jessica Taylor

The federal appeals court judge will give his opening statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, starting off what is expected to be three days of hearings.

President Trump attends a meeting on health care at the White House last week. The bill is facing opposition from all sides. Without its passage, everything else on Trump's agenda could be slowed.

Trump Faces Critical Phase, As He Tries To Make His Rhetoric Reality

2:49pm March 20, 2017

by Domenico Montanaro

The GOP deadline to pass health care is the first week of April. If it doesn't happen, everything else gets pushed back. Trump's agenda faces two big tests this week, from the Supreme Court to Russia.