Politics

Billionaire Steyer Puts Money Toward Climate, Energy Issues

7:34am February 24, 2014

Liberal activist Tom Steyer pledged to spend $100 million in the 2014 election cycle to promote his favored cause of fighting climate change. David Greene talks to Steyer about his political plans.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Texan's Final Campaign May Act As National Barometer

7:53pm February 21, 2014

by Don Gonyea

Republican Ralph Hal of Texas, the longest-serving member of the House, has escaped anti-incumbent moods in the past, but if there's such a wave building in 2014, his district may be an indication.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Obama To Enlist Democratic Governors' Support

9:29am February 21, 2014

by Mara Liasson

Thursday at fundraising dinner, President Obama told Democratic governors that their Republican counterparts are making it harder for people to get health insurance or exercise their right to vote.

Queue Listen Now

Once Neglected, Secretaries Of State Step Into The Spotlight

7:58pm February 18, 2014

by Peter Overby

There was a time when secretaries of state were seen as little more than functionaries. That view changed in 2000's Florida presidential election recount, which starred Katherine Harris. Now, secretaries of state are involved in implementing new state laws that have been making it either easier or harder for non-traditional voters to cast ballots — with decidedly partisan implications.

Queue Listen Now

TV producer Colleen Bell, shown here in a 2013 photo, was a big donor for President Obama before she was nominated to become ambassador to Hungary. Obama has chosen more political appointees than his predecessors.

A Closer Look At How Corporations Influence Congress

4:51pm February 13, 2014

Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, has been writing about how corporations work in opaque ways to shape debates. He also explains the revolving door between Congress and lobby groups, and how non-profit think tanks aren't always what they seem.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Senate Follows House Lead In Passing Debt Limit Raise

8:00pm February 12, 2014

by Ailsa Chang

Eager to follow their House colleagues out of Washington for a break, senators Wednesday cleared a raise to the debt ceiling for the president to sign into law. It will take the issue of limiting U.S. debt off the table until March 2015.

Queue Listen Now

House Passes 'Clean' Debt Limit Bill

8:00pm February 11, 2014

by David Welna

Republican House Speaker John Boehner has said for months that he would not let the United States default on its debt, and he made good on that promise: The House voted Tuesday evening for an increase of the debt limit with no strings attached, just as President Obama had wanted.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

House Sets Vote On Raising Debt Limit

1:28pm February 11, 2014

by David Welna

House leaders have had weeks to come up with a plan to deal with the nation's debt limit. Now, the day before they want to leave town for a break, it appears they've essentially decided to throw in the towel. They plan to put a bill on the House floor raising the debt ceiling for a year without any conditions attached.

Queue Listen Now

Does Congress Have Enough Political Will To Reduce The Debt?

10:24am February 11, 2014

by Ailsa Chang

When the bipartisan budget deal was announced in December, supporters heralded cuts that would balance spending increases — among them, a slight reduction to the pensions of working-age military retirees. But a bipartisan consensus emerged to undo it — calling into the question whether Congress has the political will necessary to make any cuts that reduce the long-term debt.

Queue Listen Now