National

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid celebrate the open enrollment of the Affordable Care Act on Tuesday. During the government shutdown, the Democrats have been more unified than they have been in a long time.

Obama's Shift In Rhetoric Helping Democrats Stick Together

7:56pm October 02, 2013

by Ari Shapiro

Instead of castigating all of Congress over the latest fiscal stalemate, President Obama is focusing his ire on Tea Party Republicans. That's energized Democrats, who are more unified than they've been in a long time. Still, that doesn't mean that they're making any headway in ending the shutdown.

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GOP Establishment Grapples With A Tea Party That Won't Budge

7:56pm October 02, 2013

by Don Gonyea

Beyond voicing frustration, the traditional Republican power players on Capitol Hill and in the business community haven't been able to do much so far to end the current congressional standoff.

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Assisters get up to speed on how best to explain the new health coverage choices during training on Sept. 25 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

First Step In Health Exchange Enrollment: Train The Helpers

2:06pm October 02, 2013

by Julie Rovner

Navigators are a key part of the health law rollout. They work at nonprofit organizations, and they're being trained to help people learn about their coverage options. In some areas that training is still going on, even though the exchanges are up and running.

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A sign warns would-be buyers at the Annapolis Gun Show in Annapolis, Md., in September of the state's pending gun control law. The new law, which took effect Tuesday, bans the purchase of many types of assault rifles.

National

New Maryland Firearms Law Rides In On A Wave Of Gun Sales

8:05pm October 01, 2013

by Jacob Fenston

Gun sellers in the state say they couldn't keep their shelves stocked in the days leading up to the implementation of the law, which takes effect Tuesday. The legislation requires gun buyers to be fingerprinted, limits bullet purchases and bans the sale of many assault weapons.

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In Florida, Insurer And Nonprofits Work On Enrollment

7:05pm October 01, 2013

by Greg Allen

Florida resisted implementing the Affordable Care Act. Now, in the absence of the state encouraging people to sign up for insurance on exchanges set up under it, other groups have stepped in.

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Shutdown signs have been posted at the National Museum of American History and other Smithsonian Institution museums, which will remain closed as long as the government is.

Congressional Impasse Leaves Museums Empty, Monuments Shut

6:38pm October 01, 2013

by Elizabeth Blair

In addition to the shuttered federal agencies affected by the government shutdown, cultural institutions including the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo have been closed indefinitely, disappointing tourists and D.C. locals alike.

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The Religious Alternative To Obamacare's Individual Mandate

4:54pm October 01, 2013

by NPR Staff

The new federal health law has a few exemptions from its insurance mandate, including health care sharing ministries. Members pay a monthly fee to help cover some of each other's medical costs — but there are no guarantees.

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Steve Inskeep interviews President Obama in the Oval Office on Monday for NPR's Morning Edition.

After Shutdown, A Familiar Feeling At The White House

11:17am October 01, 2013

by Steve Inskeep

In his interview with President Obama on Monday, NPR's Steve Inskeep says some of the president's remarks were reminiscent of what he said in 2011 during the debt ceiling crisis. One stark difference, however, was the president's firmness. "Absolutely I will not negotiate," the president said.

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Then-Gov. Mitt Romney signs the Massachusetts health care bill in Boston on April 12, 2006.

Lessons For The Obamacare Rollout, Courtesy Of Massachusetts

9:23am October 01, 2013

by Richard Knox

Seven years ago, Massachusetts launched its own experiment with health insurance exchanges. Those involved in that experiment say it's gone smoothly, and as a result, 97 percent of the state's residents now have health coverage. Some called the program Romneycare; some still do.

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National

Marine Generals Forced To Retire A Year After Taliban Attack

6:35am October 01, 2013

Two Marine Corps generals have been asked to resign over an incident in Afghanistan a year ago. Taliban insurgents made their way onto a sprawling base and attacked NATO forces. Two Americans died and six Marine fighter jets were destroyed. The two generals reprimanded in the matter were found to bear responsibility for underestimating the threat to base security.

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