Politics

How Texas Gov. Abbott's Immigration Rhetoric Flipped

5:34pm March 13, 2021

by Paul Flahive

Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has embraced a tough stance on immigration. That's a change from his time as state attorney general, when he often spoke about protecting immigrants in Texas.

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Rod Bradshaw, pictured in January 2021, says he's the last Black farmer in Hodgeman County, Kan. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talked with NPR about debt relief coming for Black farmers.

Black Farmers Have Long Faced Discrimination. New Aid Aims To Right Past Wrongs

5:34pm March 13, 2021

Generations of systemic discrimination have decimated the number of Black farmers in the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talked with NPR about new funding for debt relief.

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President Biden, with Vice President Harris behind him, speaks about the American Rescue Plan in the Rose Garden of the White House on Friday.

Politics & Government

The COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed. What's Biden's Next Big Move?

5:12pm March 13, 2021

by Domenico Montanaro

Democrats passed the $1.9 trillion bill on a party-line vote, and Republicans do not appear ready to compromise on infrastructure, voting rights, the minimum wage, immigration or much else.

Daylight saving time takes effect on Sunday. Senators are pushing to make daylight saving time permanent.

Some Senators Want Permanent Daylight Saving Time

5:10pm March 13, 2021

by Catherine Whelan

Sen. Marco Rubio is among a group of lawmakers pushing to make daylight saving time permanent. Some states have passed measures to make DST permanent, but they need federal approval to take effect.

A makeshift memorial in downtown Louisville, Ky., for Breonna Taylor in September 2020. Taylor was killed a year ago in her home during a botched narcotics raid carried out by Louisville police.

A Year After Breonna Taylor's Killing, Family Says There's 'No Accountability'

11:17am March 13, 2021

Taylor was shot and killed in her apartment by Louisville police last March. "I can't believe it's a year later and we're still just asking people to do the right thing," her mother said recently.

Protesters against last month's military coup hold a candlelight rally in Yangon, Myanmar, on Saturday. More than 70 people have been killed by security forces since the military overthrew the country's fragile democracy six weeks ago, a United Nations o

Several More Protesters Die In Myanmar; 'Quad' Leaders Urge Restoration Of Democracy

10:04am March 13, 2021

by Catherine Whelan

Unrest continues as protests challenge a Feb. 1 military coup. It's estimated more than 70 protesters have died in the past six weeks. Regional leaders said it was urgent that democracy be restored.

Week In Politics: Americans Will See Coronavirus Aid Money As Early As Today

8:24am March 13, 2021

President Biden's coronavirus aid victory may not be replicated on upcoming issues like immigration.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders returns to his office on March 5, 2021, while the Senate works on the Democrats' $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill. Sanders calls the recently passed package "the most consequential" for working families in decades.

Politics & Government

Sanders: Americans Care More About $1,400 Checks From Aid Plan Than Lack Of GOP Votes

8:19am March 13, 2021

by Scott Simon

Sen. Bernie Sanders, who helped shepherd the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan through Congress, says the package is "the most consequential piece of legislation for working families" in decades.

The Internal Revenue Service headquarters is pictured in April 2020 in Washington, D.C. The IRS has faced huge challenges in recent years, and new coronavirus relief bills introduce new complexity to the agency's work.

Politics & Government

Coronavirus Relief Bill Is A 'Heavy Lift' For Already-Strained IRS

7:00am March 13, 2021

by Brian Naylor

The Internal Revenue Service, which has seen budget and staff cuts in recent years, is responsible for carrying out several key provisions of the legislation signed by President Biden this week.

Security forces stand guard on a road as people are arrested, next to dismantled barricades that were set up by protesters demonstrating against the military coup, in Yangon, Myanmar, on Friday.

U.S. Offers Protected Status For People From Myanmar As Coup Leaders Crack Down

6:29pm March 12, 2021

by Michele Kelemen

The Biden administration will offer temporary protected status to people who fear returning to Myanmar after the military coup and ensuing suppression of protesters that has killed at least 70 people.