Politics & Government

Politics & Government

D.C.'s Marijuana Vote Faces Congressional Review

11:15am November 06, 2014

by Jennifer Ludden

Voters in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday approved the legal use of marijuana for recreational purposes. Some residents say decriminalizing pot will lead to more illegal activity in their neighborhood.

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Berkeley's efforts to pass a penny-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks faced opposition with deep pockets — but it also got sizable cash infusions from some big-name donors.

How Did Berkeley Pass A Soda Tax? Bloomberg's Cash Didn't Hurt

10:47am November 06, 2014

by Allison Aubrey

The American Beverage Association poured tons of cash into the effort to defeat the penny-per-ounce sugary-drink tax. But the effort to pass the tax also got cash infusions from some big-name donors.

Reince Priebus: Republican Wins The Result Of Americans Making A Statement

10:23am November 06, 2014

Robert Siegel talks with Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus about the GOP's big election night win and what it means for the Republican agenda.

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Sen. Joe Manchin: In Midterms, 'We Lost The Middle ... The Moderates'

10:23am November 06, 2014

Robert Siegel speaks with Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia about the election results in his state.

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Jon Stewart (from left) and Stephen Colbert hosted live editions of their programs, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, on Tuesday.

'Daily Show', 'Colbert' Strain To Lampoon Democratic Losses

3:17am November 06, 2014

by Eric Deggans

Both comedy shows aired live, election-themed episodes Tuesday. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans says the broadcasts showed the limits of news-tinged satire on the political scene.

Politics & Government

Turnout Confounds Election Predictions

7:52pm November 05, 2014

Turnout was a factor in Tuesday's election, but not in the way many people expected. A record number of people voted. But it only added up to 44 percent of registered voters, pretty typical for a mid-term election. That was a problem not just for Democrats, but also for pollsters.

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President Obama answers questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, one day after Republicans seized control of the U.S. Senate and captured their biggest majority in the House in more than 60 years.

Obama Cites 'A Moment For Reflection' In Election Results

6:33pm November 05, 2014

by Bill Chappell

Speaking one day after his party lost control of the Senate to the Republican Party, President Obama says he's not "mopey" over the trouncing Democrats endured but rather energized.

Politics & Government

Voters Decide Minimum Wage, Marijuana Ballot Measures

5:10pm November 05, 2014

by Ina Jaffe

Across the country, many voter initiatives were on the ballots. Minimum wage questions were on ballots in five states. In addition, three states and the District of Columbia voted on marijuana issues.

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In the latest bids to compel companies to label foods made with genetically modified ingredients, voters in Colorado and Oregon weighed in on the issue Tuesday.

GMO Labeling: Colorado Voters Reject Food Measure; Maui Voters Approve

4:49pm November 05, 2014

by Bill Chappell

While more than half of U.S. states have contemplated similar GMO legislation, the only one that has come close to requiring a label is Vermont.

Fast-food workers and activists demonstrate outside a Chicago McDonald's in July in favor of a higher minimum wage. Illinois voters on Tuesday called on the state Legislature to approve a $10 minimum wage.

Thumbs Up For Higher Minimum Wages, And For Marijuana Industry

3:44pm November 05, 2014

by Marilyn Geewax

Voters in Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota overwhelmingly approved minimum-wage hikes. Illinois voters approved a nonbinding wage-hike referendum. Recreational pot was approved in Oregon.