Politics

House Judiciary Introduces Bipartisan Plan On Sentencing Reform

6:43pm October 08, 2015

by Carrie Johnson

Momentum for sentencing reform grows as leaders of the House Judiciary Committee introduce a bipartisan bill. But rising violence in some big cities could complicate the legislative forecast.

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Orrin Hatch On TPP: Despite Concerns, Fast-Track Authority Was 'Essential'

6:43pm October 08, 2015

Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah has reservations on where the Trans-Pacific Partnership landed on patent protection. NPR's Robert Siegel talks to the senator about the GOP reaction to the trade deal.

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Rep. Charlie Dent: House Republicans 'Frankly Shocked' By McCarthy Decision

6:43pm October 08, 2015

NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania about Rep. Kevin McCarthy's decision to drop out of the race for the House Speakership.

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The debate about sustainable diets has focused on meat production, which requires lots of land and water to grow grain to feed livestock. It also contributes to methane emissions. But the Cabinet secretaries with final authority say the 2015 dietary guide

New Dietary Guidelines Will Not Include Sustainability Goal

6:10pm October 08, 2015

by Allison Aubrey

A government-appointed panel wanted the federal government's 2015 nutrition advice to consider a food's environmental impact. But the Cabinet secretaries with final authority say it won't happen.

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Senate Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada says a defective exercise resistance band caused injuries to his eye, face and ribs. He and his wife are seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

Sen. Harry Reid Sues Makers Of Exercise Band Over His Injuries

5:20pm October 08, 2015

by Brakkton Booker

The Senate minority leader and his wife are seeking more than $50,000 in damages over what they say is a defective resistance band that caused him to lose sight in his right eye, among other injuries.

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., joked on Twitter that things weren't going very "smooth" for House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. — unlike his own scrumptious fruit smoothie.

Best Twitter Reactions To McCarthy Withdrawing From Speaker Race

4:46pm October 08, 2015

by Jessica Taylor

The political world was shocked when the GOP House leader took himself out of consideration for speaker. Rep. Charles Rangel tweeted that unlike his smoothie, things weren't "smooth" for McCarthy.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy talks to reporters at the Capitol after announcing that he will not be a candidate for speaker of the House.

McCarthy Drops Out Of Speaker Race, Throwing GOP Leadership Into Chaos

4:24pm October 08, 2015

by Jessica Taylor

The current House GOP leader said he was withdrawing because, for Republicans to unite, "we probably need a fresh face." Now, leadership elections have been postponed.

Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush talks to voters at the Scott County Republican Party's Ronald Reagan Dinner on Tuesday in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Iowa Republicans Don't Think Jeb Is Bush Enough

2:00pm October 08, 2015

by Don Gonyea

The former Florida governor has a household name, but the candidate knows he needs to introduce himself. "I've gotta tell the Jeb story," he said, "I've got to say who I am. I've gotta show my heart."

Politics & Government

'People Magazine' Issues Call To Action Over Gun Violence

10:11am October 08, 2015

This week's issue urges readers to speak out to Congress about gun violence. Renee Montagne talks to Editorial Director Jess Cagle about the magazine's foray into politics.

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McCarthy Poised To Clinch GOP's Nomination For Speaker, But It's Just Step 1

9:43am October 08, 2015

by Susan Davis

House Republicans will cast secret ballots Thursday to nominate the next speaker. Kevin McCarthy is favored, but he will face a bigger hurdle when the entire House votes later this month.