Politics & Government

Politics & Government

A Closer Look At How Corporations Influence Congress

4:51pm February 13, 2014

Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, has been writing about how corporations work in opaque ways to shape debates. He also explains the revolving door between Congress and lobby groups, and how non-profit think tanks aren't always what they seem.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Senate Follows House Lead In Passing Debt Limit Raise

8:00pm February 12, 2014

by Ailsa Chang

Eager to follow their House colleagues out of Washington for a break, senators Wednesday cleared a raise to the debt ceiling for the president to sign into law. It will take the issue of limiting U.S. debt off the table until March 2015.

Queue Listen Now

House Passes 'Clean' Debt Limit Bill

8:00pm February 11, 2014

by David Welna

Republican House Speaker John Boehner has said for months that he would not let the United States default on its debt, and he made good on that promise: The House voted Tuesday evening for an increase of the debt limit with no strings attached, just as President Obama had wanted.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

House Sets Vote On Raising Debt Limit

1:28pm February 11, 2014

by David Welna

House leaders have had weeks to come up with a plan to deal with the nation's debt limit. Now, the day before they want to leave town for a break, it appears they've essentially decided to throw in the towel. They plan to put a bill on the House floor raising the debt ceiling for a year without any conditions attached.

Queue Listen Now

Does Congress Have Enough Political Will To Reduce The Debt?

10:24am February 11, 2014

by Ailsa Chang

When the bipartisan budget deal was announced in December, supporters heralded cuts that would balance spending increases — among them, a slight reduction to the pensions of working-age military retirees. But a bipartisan consensus emerged to undo it — calling into the question whether Congress has the political will necessary to make any cuts that reduce the long-term debt.

Queue Listen Now

Obama Tries Going It Alone — And Moves Onto Murky Legal Ground

9:04pm February 07, 2014

by Carrie Johnson

President Obama's strategy of governing by executive order is designed to deal with a recalcitrant Congress. But Republican lawmakers are signaling that they'll challenge the White House there too by demanding the legal analysis to support the president's actions.

Queue Listen Now

GOP Still Looking At Pieces Of Debt Limit 'Puzzle'

3:40pm February 07, 2014

by David Welna

Friday is the statutory deadline for the Treasury's borrowing authority, but Congress has no agreement on how to raise the limit. House Republicans appear unwilling to force another showdown over the debt ceiling, but they have not yet found a way to save face, and there are few legislative days left before Treasury exhausts its means to pay the bills.

Queue Listen Now

President Obama tours a Costco location in Lanham, Md., on Jan. 29, before speaking about raising the federal minimum wage.

As Deficit Anxiety Fades, Debt Rears Its Ugly Head

7:55pm February 06, 2014

by Mara Liasson

Cutting the national debt and deficit used to be the most divisive political debate in Washington. These days, not so much. Both parties have agreed to move on and focus on issues they largely agree on: income inequality and social mobility. But there's not much they can do without a sustainable budget.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Senate Expected To Pass Long-Delayed Farm Bill

8:12am February 06, 2014

by Ailsa Chang

The Senate is heading toward final passage of a five-year, half-trillion dollar farm bill Tuesday afternoon. Proponents are pointing to its elimination of direct subsidies and replacement with crop insurance. But critics say crop insurance continues to provide overly generous subsidies to even wealthy corporate farms.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Singer Clay Aiken Announces Run for Congress

1:25pm February 05, 2014

Singer-songwriter Clay Aiken announced Wednesday morning that he is putting his entertainment career on hold in order to run for Congress.