Politics

Politics & Government

Gearing Up For Another Season Of Campaign Reporting

6:45pm January 11, 2015

Political reporters are gearing up for a long, vicious presidential campaign in 2016. But has coverage gotten worse over the years? NPR's Arun Rath speaks with Politico media watcher Dylan Byers.

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California's Brown On Governing: 'Practice Tends To Make More Perfect'

11:31am January 10, 2015

Jerry Brown was inaugurated this month for his second term as governor of California — his second second term. NPR's Scott Simon talks to the 34th and 39th governor about the issues facing his state.

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Keystone Supporters Hope Amendments Will Soften Pipeline Opposition

11:31am January 10, 2015

by Ailsa Chang

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised to make the Keystone XL pipeline the first order of business in the new term. One week in, however, the bill is still a long way from passing.

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House OKs Keystone XL Pipeline Despite Obama Veto Threat

5:53pm January 09, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

The vote came hours after Nebraska's Supreme Court cleared the way for the controversial pipeline. The GOP-controlled Senate is also considering legislation to approve the pipeline.

Politics & Government

Still Just A Bill: Why Being Senate Bill 1 Doesn't Guarantee Success

2:37pm January 09, 2015

by Ron Elving

The prestige of being S-1, like the Keystone XL legislation, conveys a sense of priority and urgency. But the history of past bills designated as such is rather mixed.

House Speaker John Boehner answers questions during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday. The House is debating changes to the Affordable Care Act's employer mandate.

Congressional Republicans Take Another Swing At Obamacare

5:08pm January 08, 2015

by John Ydstie

The House passed a bill Thursday that would make a change in the Affordable Care Act. It would raise the law's definition of full-time work from 30 hours to 40 hours a week.

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Sen. Barbara Boxer Won't Seek 5th Term In Senate

12:36pm January 08, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

The California Democrat's announcement ends speculation about her political future. Boxer, 74, had been a favorite to retain her seat; she said she would work to ensure it remains with her party.

Kirby Delauter, Who Didn't Want His Name In A News Story, Apologizes

6:27pm January 07, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

The Frederick County, Md., council member was the subject of a tongue-in-cheek editorial by the Frederick News-Post after he said the newspaper couldn't use his name in a story without permission.

That's So Joe: How The Senate Swearing-In Became Must-See TV

12:35pm January 07, 2015

by Don Gonyea

The vice president welcomed senators and their families to Tuesday's photo-op ceremony — and he did it in typical Biden fashion.

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House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio arrives on the House floor in the Capitol on Tuesday, the opening session of the 114th Congress.

New House Leadership Passes A Tax Cut 'Scoreboard'

6:26am January 07, 2015

by Lauren Hodges

"Dynamic scoring" would favor tax cuts as a way to bring in more revenue for the government. But critics of the system are calling it "a gimmick."