Politics & Government

Is A Recess Appointment Valid If The Senate Says It's Not Really Gone?

9:09am December 05, 2012

by Carrie Johnson

President Obama and Senate Republicans have different views when it comes to what counts as "recess." A federal appeals court is now weighing the question in a case challenging three of Obama's appointments.

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Dairy farmer Bob Andrews feeds heifers in the same barn his grandfather used. He says today "the harder you work, the further you get behind."

Politics & Government

Milk Producers Peer Over The Dairy Cliff

9:09am December 05, 2012

by David Sommerstein

The expiration of the farm bill has left dairy farmers without a milk pricing program — and a safety net. While all farmers are watching closely, milk producers face an environment where cow feed costs more than cow milk.

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Politics & Government

Senate Fails To Ratify U.N. Treaty On Disabilities

9:09am December 05, 2012

by David Welna

Republicans in the Senate on Tuesday blocked ratification of a U.N. treaty that would have helped countries protect the rights of disabled people. It was inspired by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Opponents argued, among other things, it would threaten the ability of parents in this country to home school their children.

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For Tea Party Activists In Florida, The Health Care Battle Goes On

6:50pm December 04, 2012

by Greg Allen

Even in a state where top Republicans led the legal battle against Obamacare, there's recognition now that Florida has to act fast to comply with the new law. But many Tea Party members are still calling on state lawmakers to reject the health care law.

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Politics & Government

Outgoing Political Mavericks Reflect On Careers

3:33pm December 04, 2012

NPR's Neal Conan and Political Junkie Ken Rudin talk with retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), a former Democrat, about the future of moderates in politics. Retiring U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) reflects on the movement he built and the role for Libertarians in the Republican party.

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Politics & Government

Obama Starts His Second Term By Bringing Tougher Talk

12:37pm December 04, 2012

by Mara Liasson

In his first term, President Obama was criticized as caving to Republicans too early, too often. Since his re-election, he has subtly changed his approach. He's bringing a more aggressive style — but some critics say it's not the best way to find common ground.

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In the presidential debate on Oct. 16, Mitt Romney presented a hypothetical way to cap deductions and raise revenue.

Pick A Number: Let's Play 'Cap Those Deductions'

8:35am December 03, 2012

by Scott Horsley

Mitt Romney may have lost the election, but the tax policy he floated is sticking with congressional Republicans. Rather than raising rates, the GOP would prefer to shrink or eliminate deductions. So what would that do to the deficit — and to the middle class?

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GOP Bill On Immigrant Jobs Up For House Vote

8:06am November 30, 2012

Renee Montagne talks with Rep. Raul Labrador, Republican from Idaho and one of the congressmen who introduced the bill that's set for a vote Friday. The STEM Jobs Act allows people who are in the U.S. legally who are getting advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and math to stay and get their green cards, he says.

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Politics & Government

Ohio's 2004 Presidential Vote Still Being Contested

10:06am December 16, 2004

Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) is asking the FBI to investigate alleged election tampering in Ohio. NPR's Tavis Smiley talks with Conyers, Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell and Melissa Harris Lacewell, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Chicago.

Politics & Government

Michael Eric Dyson: MLK's Civil Rights Legacy

10:06am December 16, 2004

Despite his many accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize, there are still camps that condemn and criticize the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commentator Michael Eric Dyson and NPR's Tavis Smiley talk about the controversy over King's legacy.