Politics

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky waves while riding with his wife Elaine Chao in the Hopkins County Veterans Day Parade on Sunday in Madisonville. McConnell remains locked in a close race with Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan

Sen. Mitch McConnell Has More Than Most Riding On Midterm Elections

1:49pm February 23, 2015

by Ailsa Chang

If the GOP takes over the Senate, the man expected to become majority leader is Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. But first, he has to win a sixth term in a state where his popularity has been sagging.

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President Obama stands with Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy in Bridgeport on Sunday. Malloy is in a tough re-election battle with Republican Tom Foley. The president spent the weekend trying to energize the Democratic base to get out and vote in Tuesday's mid

Obama's Low Approval Rating Casts Shadow Over Democratic Races

11:49am February 23, 2015

by Scott Horsley

President Obama rallied supporters in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The last-minute swing was unusual for a president who's kept a relatively low profile on the campaign trail this year.

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Politics & Government

Politics In Colorado Shift With Demographics

11:49am February 23, 2015

Days before Tuesday's midterm elections, NPR's Steve Inskeep has been meeting with voters in Colorado. It's the scene of an intense Senate race — and also mirrors the way the nation is evolving.

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Looming Presidential Race Divides National Governors Group

9:20am February 21, 2015

The National Governors Association is in Washington for its winter meeting, and there is no lack of talk about the 2016 White House. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Ron Elving about the week in politics.

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Pussy Riot Releases Its First Song In English

9:20am February 21, 2015

The Russian band Pussy Riot is well known for protesting the Russian government. Now the group has released its first song in English. NPR's Scott Simon talks to band member Nadya Tolokonnikova.

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Canadian Lawmaker Uses 'Tight Underwear' Excuse To Explain Absence

7:57pm February 20, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Blaming his absence during a vote on too-small underwear that makes him uncomfortable, a member of Canada's House of Commons earns applause from his colleagues.

White House Worries Extremists Are Winning The Propaganda War

5:36pm February 20, 2015

by Scott Horsley

The Obama administration's effort to counter violent extremism includes trying to find a way to fight the messages of sectarian strife coming from groups like the self-proclaimed Islamic State.

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Obama's Plan To Tax Overseas Earnings Draws Scrutiny

3:15pm February 20, 2015

by Jim Zarroli

American firms have about $2 trillion in overseas accounts — money they could be using to hire workers and pay dividends in the U.S. The president wants to encourage them to bring that money home.

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U.S. Communities Called On To Prevent Homegrown Terrorism

1:35pm February 19, 2015

by Scott Horsley

Preventing homegrown terrorism is the focus of meetings at the White House this week. Experts say more than 20,000 foreign fighters have traveled to Syria to sign up with the so-called Islamic State.

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By The Numbers: White House Takes On Violent Extremism

8:41pm February 18, 2015

by Amita Kelly

Domestic and world leaders gather this week to discuss terrorist threats. Here's a look by the numbers.