Politics

Rachel Brand, Third In Command At The Justice Department, Is Leaving Her Post

9:28pm February 09, 2018

by Carrie Johnson

Her departure is notable as she would be in line to replace Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is supervising the special counsel probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

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The Implications Of The House Intelligence Committee Sticking To Party Lines

9:28pm February 09, 2018

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks to Jeremy Bash, former chief Democratic counsel for the House Intelligence Committee. He talks about the implications for how the committee is separating themselves along party lines.

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Albuquerque Newspaper Apologizes For Racist Cartoon About DREAMers

8:31pm February 09, 2018

by Vanessa Romo

The editor of paper said she assumed the drawing would spark debate. Instead, the depiction of young immigrants as thugs, terrorists and gang members drew protests.

No. 3 Justice Department Official Rachel Brand Will Step Down

7:20pm February 09, 2018

The associate attorney general's departure will leave a key vacancy in the succession of people who are tasked with overseeing the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

After Passing Budget Deal, Congress Turns To Immigration Without A Clear Plan

7:01pm February 09, 2018

by Kelsey Snell

Now that Congress has passed a two-year budget deal they will move ahead on immigration legislation, but it's not clear what kind of plan could pass. Many Republicans also remain sore over an increase in deficit spending.

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Concerns Rise As Missouri's Legislature Is Struggling To Fund Basic Services

6:29pm February 09, 2018

by Jason Rosenbaum

In Missouri, the state's embattled governor and GOP legislature are struggling to fund basic services, such as roads, higher education institutions, and health care for disabled. Even some Republicans are worried that the state is following a path that Kansas took earlier in the decade, when the GOP starkly cut taxes — and later had to raise them.

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Politics & Government

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's Profile Is Rising Even With Added Pressure

5:19pm February 09, 2018

by Scott Detrow

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi made a marathon speech on the floor this week to protest a lack of action on immigration. It highlighted the limits of her power, though she remains a potent force for Republicans to rally against.

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California Lawmaker, Outspoken Leader Of #MeToo Movement, Accused Of Sexual Harassment

5:19pm February 09, 2018

by Ben Adler

When the #MeToo movement sparked nearly 150 women around the California state capitol to sign a letter declaring, "We Said Enough," Cristina Garcia added her's. Now, she's been accused of harassment.

Agency Conducting Government Background Checks Has Backlog Of 700,000

5:19pm February 09, 2018

by Brian Naylor

Thousands of jobs with the government dealing with national security and other sensitive issues require applicants to get a background check or security clearance. But the agency conducting the checks has a backlog of some 700,000 applications. Members of Congress say this poses a serious national security risk.

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Bipartisan Budget Agreement Spends Too Much Money For Most Conservative Republicans

5:19pm February 09, 2018

The federal government reopened after a brief government shutdown and fallout continues over the dismissal of former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter. NPR's Ari Shapiro is joined by Jonathan Capehart of The Washington Post, and Erick Erickson, of The Resurgent blog, to discuss the shutdown, Porter and more of this week's top political stories.

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