Politics & Government

Politics & Government

FEC: Tea Party May Not Shield Donors

5:45am November 22, 2013

by Peter Overby

The Federal Election Commission has rejected a bid by conservatives to weaken the campaign-finance disclosure law. A Tea Party group had asked for a precedent-changing decision to keep its donor lists secret. It said members are being targeted for harassment and intimidation.

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ATF Chief Faces Tough Challenge At Troubled Agency

6:54pm November 21, 2013

by Carrie Johnson

B. Todd Jones is in charge of a bureau whose relevance and performance are being questioned and whose resource problems appear to be growing larger. He's trying to put the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives back on solid footing after years of controversy and criticism.

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Politics & Government

Mexican-American Vets Ignited Kennedy's Latino Support

9:12am November 21, 2013

by Karen Grigsby Bates

Most politicians recognize the importance of the Latino vote, but John F. Kennedy might have been the first presidential candidate to actively court it. Viva Kennedy clubs started by former Mexican-American veterans were an important factor in Kennedy's 1960 victory.

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What A Bitcoin Political Debut Could Mean For Transparency

7:28pm November 20, 2013

by Peter Overby

The Federal Election Commission is expected to vote Thursday on a proposal to allow virtual currency contributions to political action committees.

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (left) with Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley on Capitol Hill in July. Both senators favor curtailing the minority's right to filibuster judicial nominees.

With Nominees Stalled, Democrats Reprise Filibuster Threat

7:11pm November 20, 2013

by David Welna

With Republicans blocking the nominations of one African-American and two female judges to a key appeals court, Senate Democrats are again pondering a rules change to curtail the minority's ability to filibuster judicial appointments. But even Democrats themselves are split on whether to proceed.

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At Climate Meeting, Tensions Rise Between Rich And Poor Nations

6:57pm November 20, 2013

At the United Nations climate talks in Warsaw, Poland, conflict between rich and poor nations is mounting. The developing world wants large sums of money to help them adapt to climate change. The U.S. and Europe say they're doing what they can to help but times are tough.

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Politics & Government

Duncan Apologizes For 'Clumsy' Common Core Remarks

5:54pm November 19, 2013

by Eric Westervelt

Education Secretary Arne Duncan is in some hot water over remarks he made last week suggesting that opposition to Common Core of Standards was coming from "white suburban moms." He has since pulled back from those remarks.

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Politics & Government

Bitcoin Hits Record High After Senate Panel Told It's Legal

6:15am November 19, 2013

by Steve Henn

The cyber-currency was at the center of a Senate panel hearing Monday. Senators are looking into the way Bitcoin was used by the illegal drug marketplace that called itself Silk Road. But even with the scrutiny, Bitcoin investors drove the virtual currency to record highs.

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To fight hyperpartisanship and redistricting aimed at keeping politicians safe in their district, some states are experimenting with new primary voting systems.

Politics & Government

States Aim To Cure Hyperpartisanship With Primary Changes

5:42pm November 18, 2013

by Mara Liasson

Several states are moving or looking to move to a new primary election system that could force members of Congress to pay more attention to general election voters than to their base voters on the right or left.

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Obama Shifts To Foreign Policy Goals During Second Term

3:10pm November 18, 2013

by Ari Shapiro

The White House has been fighting to prevent the disastrous rollout of the health care law from defining President Obama's second term. This week, diplomats from the U.S. and other countries are meeting for a second round of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, and a breakthrough there could shape history's view of this president.

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