Politics & Government

State Of The Union Is Obama's Big Chance To Frame The Debate

12:57pm January 18, 2015

During his State of the Union address, President Obama will announce a plan to help the middle class and raise taxes on the wealthy. NPR's Mara Liasson previews the speech with NPR's Rachel Martin.

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House Speaker John Boehner listens as President Obama speaks to media during a bipartisan, bicameral leadership meeting at the White House this week. Boehner and others have reacted dismissively to Obama's tax overhaul plan.

Republican Leaders Dismiss Obama's Tax Proposal As 'Not Serious'

12:23pm January 18, 2015

by Scott Neuman

House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and others have rebuffed the president's plan to cut taxes for middle income earners by raising them on the wealthiest Americans.

"We've all had an opportunity to get to know each other a little better," House Speaker John Boehner said of this week's Republican retreat in Hershey, Pa.

Republican Lawmakers Retreat Great For Face Time, But Divisions Remain

8:31pm January 16, 2015

by Juana Summers

House and Senate Republicans spoke of the opportunity to talk with members of the opposite chamber and hear their views. But they remain divided on issues like immigration.

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Congressional Budget Watchdogs Change The Way They Keep Score

7:02pm January 16, 2015

by Scott Horsley

House Republicans voted this week to change the way Congress measures the effects of tax and spending bills.

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Obama, Cameron Promise To Cooperate On Cybersecurity

6:32pm January 16, 2015

by Scott Horsley

President Obama hosted British Prime Minister David Cameron at the White House on Friday.

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Politics & Government

Saudis Postpone 2nd Round Of Public Flogging For Jailed Blogger Raif Badawi

4:52pm January 16, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

A doctor who examined Badawi found his wounds from last Friday's public flogging hadn't healed and he would be unable to withstand another round. The punishment could be carried out next Friday.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, will deliver the GOP response to the president's State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 20.

Iowa's Sen. Ernst Grabs Spotlight That's Often Proven Too Hot

10:43am January 16, 2015

by Ron Elving

As often as not, the opportunity to speak right after the president has been the kiss of death for aspiring politicians — especially for the GOP during the Obama years.

Politics & Government

Conservative Koch Brothers' Group Puts Congressional GOP On Notice

10:12am January 16, 2015

by Peter Overby

Americans for Prosperity set out its own agenda for congressional Republicans, including a call to build the Keystone XL pipeline and repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Senate Republicans Move To Block Further Transfers From Gitmo

9:43pm January 15, 2015

by David Welna

As part of a renewed push by the Obama administration to empty the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the transfer of five more detainees to other countries was announced on Wednesday night. All five are citizens of Yemen, where the local branch of al-Qaida is claiming responsibility for last week's attacks in Paris. Senior Republican senators introduced legislation this week blocking such transfers. They say releasing the prisoners lets them return to the battlefield.

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At age 16, Maajid Nawaz joined the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir. But after four years in prison, he decided to leave the group. He co-founded the think tank Quilliam, which is dedicated to countering extremist beliefs, and he's now running for Parliament

How Orwell's 'Animal Farm' Led A Radical Muslim To Moderation

7:00pm January 15, 2015

When Maajid Nawaz was 16 he joined a radical Islamist group. After four years in prison in Egypt, he decided to leave it. "I'm very, very lucky to have been able to get through it," he says.

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