Politics & Government

Politics & Government

Voters In New Orleans Give Mayor Mitch Landrieu 2nd Term

7:43am February 03, 2014

by Eve Troeh

Over the weekend, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu won a triumphant re-election victory. Even with the major progress New Orleans has made since Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, there are plenty of challenges for Landrieu to tackle in a second term, including high rates of unemployment and crime.

Queue Listen Now

More Republicans Push For Fixing, Not Repealing, Obamacare

7:51pm January 31, 2014

by Eric Whitney

Some conservatives say the health care law is here to stay. They're urging Republicans to shift their focus from repealing it to changing parts they don't like. The Tea Party wing calls that capitulation. And it's pushing primary challengers against Republicans they say are soft on repeal.

Queue Listen Now

The farm bill proposes a $1 billion cut to food stamps, which would affect nearly 850,000 struggling families who already depend on food banks like the Alameda County Community Food Bank in Oakland, Calif.

Small Cuts To Food Stamps Add Up To Big Pains For Many Recipients

8:00pm January 30, 2014

by Richard Gonzales

The proposed farm bill would cut nearly $1 billion a year from the food stamp program, known as SNAP. While it's far less than what Republicans had originally wanted, the proposal will affect roughly 850,000 households, many of which are still struggling from cuts made only three months ago.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Democratic Rep. Fudge Weighs In On Obama's Key Points

2:08pm January 29, 2014

Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, joins Steve Inskeep with reaction to President Obama's State of the Union address.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Republican Rep. Schweikert: Obama Didn't Hit A Crescendo

1:58pm January 29, 2014

The Arizona Congressman sat in the House chamber Tuesday night and listened to President Obama address the nation. He tells Steve Inskeep this year's address sounded a lot like last year's speech.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Capitol Hill Lawmakers Reach Bipartisan Farm Bill

8:20am January 28, 2014

After a more than two-year stall, lawmakers have reached a compromise on the Farm Bill. That mammoth piece of legislation deals with agriculture policy and governs the federal food stamp program. For more on the legislation, Steve Inskeep talks to Derek Wallbank of Bloomberg News.

Queue Listen Now

Congress Gets A Beating In Gates Memoir, Too

12:50pm January 27, 2014

Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has a new memoir out that serves up some tough criticism of President Obama and Congress. NPR's Arun Rath talks to correspondent Liz Halloran about the punches being thrown.

Queue Listen Now

An Unconventional Contender Emerges As GOP Ponders 2016 Convention

7:29pm January 24, 2014

by Don Gonyea

Las Vegas may seem to be an unlikely place for Republicans to gather to nominate their next presidential candidate. That's exactly why city leaders are getting such a head start on their pitch to do just that.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Boehner Picks Cathy McMorris Rodgers For GOP Rebuttal

10:16am January 24, 2014

by Mara Liasson

Tuesday night is the State of the Union Address — the biggest opportunity President Obama gets all year to speak to the American people about his priorities. There's also another speech that night — the GOP response. On Thursday, House Speaker John Boehner announced Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers from Washington State would deliver the official rebuttal.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Hagan Raises $2 Million + in 4th Quarter; 7 Republicans Now in Race to Replace

11:23am January 22, 2014

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan's campaign announced Tuesday that she raised more than $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.