Politics

Politics & Government

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's truck inspection policy draws ire

5:05am April 18, 2022

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to a Texas Republican criticizing Gov Greg Abbott's new truck inspection policy at the border, saying it's causing long delays and could lead to high prices for consumers.

Politics & Government

Politics chat: Biden opens more land for oil drilling

8:23am April 17, 2022

by Asma Khalid

Higher gas prices may not be the main driver of the Biden administration's decision to sell new oil and gas leases on public land, but inflation is a significant political liability.

Alyona Shkrum, a 34-year-old member of parliament, is among a new class of Ukrainian leaders who are pushing their country to a more Europe-focused future.

War crystalizes young Ukrainian leaders' calls for a future aligned with Europe

8:06am April 17, 2022

by Franco Ordoñez

These young politicians have few memories of life under Soviet rule — and they say the war has accelerated their efforts to push for a more Europe-focused future.

Medicare's coverage for long-term care is very limited, while Medicaid generally requires people to impoverish themselves before it picks up the tab.

Washington state retools a first-in-nation payroll tax plan for long-term care costs

5:00am April 17, 2022

by Michelle Andrews

The WA Cares Fund would help alleviate the financial burden of long-term care by providing workers a lifetime benefit of $36,500. The program was delayed while lawmakers addressed equity issues.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced Friday that Cameroon would be granted Temporary Protected Status for 18 months.

The U.S. designates Temporary Protected Status to Cameroon for 18 months

5:57pm April 16, 2022

by Deepa Shivaram

The designation comes amid extreme violence between Cameroon's forces and separatists as well as a significant rise in attacks from Boko Haram, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

An oil well is seen east of Casper, Wyo., on Feb. 26, 2021. The Biden administration is raising royalty rates that companies must pay for oil and natural gas extracted from federal lands.

Biden increases oil royalty rate and scales back lease sales on federal lands

9:44am April 16, 2022

by The Associated Press

The U.S. government will sharply boost royalty rates for companies as federal officials weigh efforts to fight climate change against pressure to bring down high gasoline prices.

President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin speak during a visit to Crawford High School in Crawford, Texas, on Nov. 15, 2001. The appearance wrapped up a summit of the newly elected presidents in Texas.

With Bush in 2001, Putin sought to charm students at a rural Texas high school

8:32am April 16, 2022

by Don Gonyea

Back in 2001, Vladimir Putin was seeking respect from world leaders while pledging a new openness in Russia. That's what brought him to tiny Crawford, Texas, at the invite of President George W. Bush.

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Politics & Government

Week in politics: U.S. sends more money to Ukraine; inflation up; midterms approach

8:03am April 16, 2022

by Ron Elving

President Biden's support for Ukraine has not garnered enthusiasm from the U.S. public. Another inflation record. And the Republicans drop out of presidential debates.

President Biden, seen speaking at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C., on April 14, 2022, has reestablished a tradition that presidents make their tax filings publicly available after former President Trump failed to do so.

Politics & Government

The Bidens paid a 24.6% tax rate on $610,702 in earnings, their filings show

8:35pm April 15, 2022

by The Associated Press

Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff earned $1,655,563 in 2021 and paid $523,371 — a federal income tax rate of 31.6% — their tax filings show.

Ukraine's Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova visits a mass grave in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, on April 13, 2022. The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor to Bucha visited as the front in Russia's invasion shifted eastward and new alleg

As Ukraine investigates Russian war crimes, the U.S. and EU allies offer assistance

5:47pm April 15, 2022

by Ryan Lucas

The help includes a group of experts that's been looking at possible war crimes since Russia took over Crimea and Donbas in 2014.