Politics

Politics & Government

Congress considers scenarios for what to do if calamity strikes

5:12am April 07, 2022

by Kelsey Snell

Lawmakers are trying to answer how Congress could function if a catastrophe incapacitated members. A 2017 shooting at a GOP baseball practice, the pandemic and Jan. 6 have made the issue more urgent.

Politics & Government

Oil executives defend against accusations of price gouging at House panel hearing

5:12am April 07, 2022

Profits are rising for oil companies. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Democratic Rep. Lori Trahan of Massachusetts about accusations that those firms are price gouging and profiting from the Ukraine war.

The student loan pause has been extended until the end of August

5:12am April 07, 2022

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Mike Pierce of the Student Borrower Protection Center, about plans to extend the student loan payment pause and a reset for roughly 7 million borrowers who are in default.

An election worker in Atlanta carries a bin of ballots to be scanned on Jan. 5, 2021, during Georgia's U.S. Senate runoff elections.

Politics & Government

Many harried election officials are eyeing the exit. But new workers are stepping up

5:00am April 07, 2022

by Stephen Fowler

A recent survey found that 20% of election workers say they are unlikely to continue in their role in the 2024 election cycle. Here are some of the new faces joining the ranks.

The California city of Palm Springs has taken the first step in developing a universal basic income program for transgender and nonbinary residents.

Palm Springs looks to create a universal basic income pilot for trans residents

5:00am April 07, 2022

by Jaclyn Diaz

The Palm Springs City Council took the first step in approving funding for two organizations to develop a universal basic income pilot program that prioritizes trans and nonbinary residents.

Then-White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Dan Scavino delivers a recorded address for the Republican National Convention on Aug. 26, 2020, in the empty Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

House approves criminal contempt referrals for 2 Trump aides over the Jan. 6 attack

7:42pm April 06, 2022

by Claudia Grisales

The House voted to hold former Trump White House advisers Dan Scavino Jr. and Peter Navarro in contempt of Congress and refer the matter to the Justice Department for possible prosecution

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona delivers remarks in Washington, D.C., in January. The department has extended the freeze on federal student loan payments several times since the pandemic began in March 2020.

The student loan pause has been extended until the end of the summer

7:04pm April 06, 2022

by Cory Turner

The Biden administration extended the freeze on student loan payments yet again, this time until September, and announced a reset for borrowers in default.

El Salvador's president conducts gang crackdown, prompting human rights concerns

6:46pm April 06, 2022

by Carrie Kahn

El Salvador's president has responded to gang violence with a sweeping campaign of arrests that raise questions about whether he's violating human rights.

Queue Listen Now

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., listens during a news conference following the weekly Senate Democratic policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.

Politics & Government

Clash over immigration policy derails Senate COVID aid bill

6:34pm April 06, 2022

by Susan Davis

Senate Republicans, with the support of some Democrats, want to use the $10 billion spending bill to block the expiration of a policy that has made it easier to deport migrants during the pandemic.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Justice Department on April 06, 2022 in Washington, DC. He tested positive for COVID-19 within hours of making remarks.

Politics & Government

Attorney General Garland tests positive for COVID

5:11pm April 06, 2022

The 69-year-old cabinet member asked to be tested after learning he may have been exposed to the virus and he is not experiencing symptoms.