Politics

Senate Blocks Measures To Extend NSA Data Collection

9:48pm May 23, 2015

The Senate worked late into the night but was not able to figure out what to do about expiring provisions in the Patriot Act that authorize the NSA's bulk collection of Americans' phone records.

Queue Listen Now

Fast-Track Trade Authority, A Step Toward Asia Deal, Passes Full Senate

9:11pm May 22, 2015

by Christopher Dean Hopkins

The bill still must clear the House. The measure would clear the way for President Obama's Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is unpopular with labor groups and some Democrats.

Obama Faces Criticism For Light Footprint Strategy Against Islamic State

8:32pm May 22, 2015

by Scott Horsley

President Obama says the U.S. is not losing the fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq, but his strategy has come under criticism after the fall of Ramadi.

Queue Listen Now

Week In Politics: U.S. Policy On Islamic State, 2016 Presidential Race

8:32pm May 22, 2015

NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with regular political commentators E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post and Brookings Institution and Ramesh Ponnuru of the National Review about U.S. policy on the self-declared Islamic State and the 2016 presidential race.

Queue Listen Now

Nuns vote on a referendum to legalize same-sex marriage, at a polling station in County Dublin, Ireland, on Friday.

Irish Voters Decide Whether To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

2:08pm May 22, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Polls show the "yes" vote is stronger in the conservative, predominantly Catholic country. But public opinion surveys could be masking a "shy no vote," observers say.

Doug Hughes said he sees his future as working for "the cause of getting a Congress — not more liberal, not more conservative — but a Congress that is working for the people."

Gyrocopter Pilot On His 'Incredible' Flight Onto Capitol Lawn

8:39am May 22, 2015

by Peter Overby

Doug Hughes flew into Washington, D.C., on something resembling a hybrid bicycle and helicopter. He did it to protest money in politics, but he could face up to a decade in prison. He has no regrets.

Queue Listen Now

Congressional Stalemate Threatens To Kill Phone Data Program

7:32am May 22, 2015

by David Welna

Congress continues to debate the USA Patriot Act. A key provision allowing the bulk collection of Americans' phone records expires at the end of the month.

Queue Listen Now

Macedonians, Ethnic Albanians Unite Over Effort to Oust Prime Minister

3:49am May 22, 2015

by Joanna Kakissis

Macedonia escaped largely unscathed from the ethnic violence that defined the breakup of Yugoslavia. But the country's Slavs and Albanians live largely separate and unequal lives, until now.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Amtrak Train Derailment Highlights Delays Installing Safety Controls

1:25am May 22, 2015

by David Schaper

The delay in installing the automated control system that may have prevented last week's Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia is being blamed on not enough funding and complex design issues.

Queue Listen Now

States with implemented or planned online voter registration.

Cheap And Fast, Online Voter Registration Catches On

1:23am May 22, 2015

by Pam Fessler

Twenty states have implemented online voter registration and seven are expected to follow. It has Republican and Democratic support, but some still worry about cyberthreats.

Queue Listen Now