Politics

Bulk Collection Debate Highlights Need To Revise Patriot Act

7:07pm May 21, 2015

NPR's Audie Cornish interviews Kim Zetter, a senior staff reporter at Wired magazine, who says the debate in Congress over the NSA's bulk collection program shows the Patriot Act needs to be revised.

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Senate Advances Bill To Give Obama 'Fast-Track' Trade Authority

7:07pm May 21, 2015

by Ailsa Chang

The Senate is trying to wrap up its business before leaving Washington, D.C., for a week-long recess. That includes considering a bill to give President Obama expanded authority on trade.

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Stephanie and Brian Packer make lunch with their children, Brian, 11, Savannah, 5, Scarlett, 10, and Jacob, 8.

Terminally Ill California Mom Speaks Out Against Assisted Suicide

5:32pm May 21, 2015

by Stephanie O'Neill

Stephanie Packer's debilitating illnesses leave her in a lot of pain. But she is opposed to a California bill that would legalize physician-assisted suicide.

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President Obama tells The Atlantic that the loss of Ramadi to the self-declared Islamic State is a

Obama Calls Loss Of Ramadi A 'Setback,' But Denies U.S. Is Losing To ISIS

5:26pm May 21, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

The comments came in an interview with The Atlantic. The president also discussed the nuclear talks with Iran and his often-frosty relationship with Israel's political leadership.

When Is A Filibuster Not Really a Filibuster? When It Looks Like A Filibuster

4:49pm May 21, 2015

by Ron Elving

Filibusters were once reserved for the gravest existential issues. Rand Paul's long hours Wednesday were about liberty, the Constitution and the need to stand out in a field of presidential hopefuls.

'Fast-Track' Trade Authority Wins Key Test Vote In Senate

3:28pm May 21, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Lawmakers voted 62-38 to limit debate on a bill that would grant the authority to President Obama, marking a big step toward a new trade pact with 11 Asia-Pacific nations.

In an image from Senate video, presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul speaks on the floor of the U.S. Senate Wednesday afternoon at the start of an almost 11-hour speech opposing renewal of the Patriot Act.

Sen. Rand Paul Stages 'Filibuster' To Protest Patriot Act

1:04pm May 21, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The Kentucky senator and presidential candidate opposes the collection of bulk telephone data and other surveillance measures that the government says are needed to combat terrorism.

Senate Panel Considers New Constraints On Fed's Emergency Lending

7:44am May 21, 2015

Renee Montagne talks to David Wessel about Congress, the Federal Reserve and banking regulations. Wessel is director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the Brookings Institution.

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Karla Rodriguez and her family: Evelia Beltran (from left), Aileen Orozco, Cesar Orozco, Karla Rodriguez, Evelyn Orozco, Brandon Orozco and Brenda Orozco.

Immigrant Family's Hope On Hold After Promises From The President

8:40pm May 20, 2015

by Tamara Keith

Six months ago, President Obama announced executive actions that would protect millions of immigrants who are undocumented from deportation. But those actions are on hold pending a lawsuit.

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Netanyahu Cancels Palestinian-Only Bus Plan Just Before Scheduled Start

7:17pm May 20, 2015

NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Lahav Harkov, Knesset reporter for the Jerusalem Post, about the politics around a plan to require Palestinian laborers from the West Bank to ride Palestinian-only buses.

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