Governing

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.

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Janet Yellen smiles as President Obama announces her nomination for Federal Reserve chairwoman on Oct. 9.

After Overcoming Early Obstacles, Yellen Assumes Fed's Top Job

7:51pm January 31, 2014

by John Ydstie

The world of central banking is largely a man's world. But Janet Yellen, the Federal Reserve's new leader, has been undeterred by such barriers since she was in high school in Brooklyn. Now global financial markets will be watching her every move.

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Auto show worker Jorge Martinez details a 2014 Buick Regal in preparation for display Jan. 11. The Regal is equipped with technology that senses a potential accident and slows the car automatically.

National

Putting The Brake On Who Can See Your Car's Data Trail

8:01pm January 22, 2014

by Brian Naylor

Many cars can now track where we are, how fast we go and lots of other nuggets of information that can be accessed and mined. Some lawmakers and at least one car company say it's time to set some rules on driver privacy.

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Long-Term Unemployed Wearily Watching Capitol Hill

6:36pm January 18, 2014

The U.S. Senate this week failed to end debate on a measure that would reinstate the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program. Some 1.3 million unemployed Americans lost these benefits at the end of 2013, after Congress failed to extend the program. Now, lawmakers can't agree on how to pay for the program in 2014, which means more waiting for the long-term unemployed struggling to get by.

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To help cut down on fraud, Congress is limiting access to the Social Security Administration's data about people who die in the United States each year.

Tighter Access To 'Death Master File' Has Researchers Worried

10:51am January 07, 2014

by Brian Naylor

The Social Security Administration has long kept track of deaths so it can stop checks when recipients die. And while researchers have used the file for years, fraudsters have, too. So Congress is limiting access to the data — and that has everyone from bankers to genealogists concerned.

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A man holds a sign advocating the recall of state Sen. John Morse in Colorado Springs, Colo., in September. Morse and a second state senator who backed the state's new gun control measures were recalled during a special election that month.

National

After Fight Over Colo. Gun Laws, Two Sides As Dug In As Ever

8:47pm December 11, 2013

by Kirk Siegler

Colorado enacted several tough gun control measures after the shooting in Newtown, Conn. — and then voters ousted two lawmakers who backed those laws. One former senator says he has no regrets, while the man who helped remove him is now focused on other gun rights supporters.

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HealthCare.gov Now Allows Window Shopping, And A Do-Over

6:31am December 06, 2013

by Julie Rovner

Probably the best feature of the retooled HealthCare.gov website is that you can actually use it. People are now able to get a customized list of plans and prices, and click through to see an insurer's provider directory. Still, better though it is, it's clearly not 100 percent.

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*PROMO IMAGE *Cristina Sevin attempts to wake up her 16-year-old daughter Lily. It usually takes three rounds of this before she is up and out of bed.

Parents Of Sleep-Deprived Teens Push For Later School Start Times

5:32pm December 03, 2013

by Allison Aubrey

Scientists agree that teenagers naturally go to bed late and sleep late, too. But high school start times are traditionally very early. Proponents of later start times say they're finally getting traction. The result, they say, will be happier kids who do better in school.

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Low-income adults formerly had few options for free health care. Leah Sessor had her blood pressure taken on April 14, 2012, during a free clinic at a racetrack in Bristol, Tenn.

Medicaid Enrollment Is Brisk Despite HealthCare.gov Troubles

11:16pm November 20, 2013

by Julie Rovner

If you advertise it, they will come. Sign-ups for Medicaid are brisk, even in states that haven't expanded their programs with an infusion of federal dollars. Experts call that the "woodwork effect" — getting the word out to people who were already eligible.

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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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