Politics & Government

Politics & Government

Former Cabinet Members On Being Part Of The President's Team

2:07pm January 10, 2013

President Obama nominated Jack Lew, his current chief of staff, for Treasury Secretary today. Former cabinet members explain what it takes to put together a good cabinet, and how to get the members to work together.

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Peanut plants grow on a Halifax, N.C., farm that received federal subsidies in 2011.

Farm Bill Critics Claim Partial Victory Despite Stalemate

10:20am January 10, 2013

by Dan Charles

Payments to farmers survived in the latest extension of the farm bill. But not all of the groups that argued for the end of the subsidies see this as a loss. They've just been given nine more months to make their case to Congress.

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Politics & Government

After 'Fiscal Cliff' Debate, The State Of The GOP

5:17pm January 09, 2013

NPR's Political Junkie Ken Rudin recaps the week in politics — from Chuck Hagel's nomination for Secretary of Defense, to the swearing-in of the 113th Congress. Exiting Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH) shares his thoughts on the current state and future of the Republican Party.

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Officers transfer confiscated weapons after a news conference to announce the arrests of scores of alleged gang members and associates on federal racketeering and drug-trafficking charges in Lakewood, Calif., in 2009.

Gun Control Advocates Say ATF's Hands Have Been Tied

6:37pm January 08, 2013

by Brian Naylor

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the primary enforcer of the nation's gun laws, but advocates and former ATF officials say agents face legal restrictions that limit their effectiveness. In addition, the agency has been without a permanent director for years.

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Sen.-elect Ted Cruz of Texas answers a question from a television reporter on Nov. 6 in Houston.

Politics & Government

Tea Party Texan Cruz Gives GOP Hope In Hunt For Hispanic Votes

2:19pm January 08, 2013

by Wade Goodwyn

Sen.-elect Ted Cruz is a bright young Hispanic star who will be sworn in this week in Washington. Many in the GOP hope he'll be able to bring more Latino voters into their column. But Cruz takes a Tea Party hard line on immigration.

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John Brennan speaks in the East Room of the White House on Monday, after President Obama announced his nomination of Brennan to run the CIA. Obama also announced his choice of former Sen. Chuck Hagel (left) to head the Department of Defense.

CIA Nominee Brennan Has Obama's 'Complete Trust'

6:19pm January 07, 2013

by Tom Gjelten

President Obama has nominated his counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan, to lead the CIA. Brennan's work with the agency under George W. Bush has been controversial, and he's also drawn criticism for his lead role in the Obama administration's use of unmanned drones.

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Politics & Government

The Consequences Of A Short-Term Farm Bill Fix

2:09pm January 07, 2013

Lawmakers in Washington extended some provisions of the farm bill that expired in October. Subsidies for grain cotton and soybeans will be renewed, and budgets for some organic and environment initiatives will be cut. Since the extension only lasts nine months, many farmers are left with uncertainty.

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Recent episodes of gridlock in Congress have some arguing for the return of legislative earmarks, which, though often abused for political gain, helped get bills passed.

Politics & Government

Could Reviving Earmarks Get Congress Moving Again?

9:54am January 07, 2013

by NPR Staff

The so-called "Bridge to Nowhere" came to symbolize all that's wrong with earmarks in Congress. But during the past few weeks, as Speaker John Boehner struggled to rally support for his alternate tax plan, some said earmarks could have helped him convince fellow Republicans to push legislation through the House.

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Politics & Government

Kentucky's Andy Barr Says He'll Focus On Compromise In New Congress

5:10pm January 05, 2013

by Kenny Colston

The 113th Congress reconvened this week with 84 newly elected members. Kentucky Public Radio's Kenny Colston travels to Lexington, Ky., to meet the newest member of the Kentucky Republican delegation, Andy Barr.

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Obama's On-Again, Off-Again Relationship With Progressives

5:10pm January 05, 2013

by NPR Staff

President Obama handily won re-election, but Congress remains fairly unchanged. Will the status quo prevail during his second term? Or will he follow through on promises that got progressives excited about him in 2008?

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