Politics

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush answers questions Wednesday after speaking to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The likely 2016 presidential candidate says he will be guided by his own thinking and experiences when it comes to foreign policy questions.

What Would Jeb Do On Iraq? He Won't Say

5:08pm February 18, 2015

by S.V. Dáte

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says he loves his father and older brother, but would be his "own man" in matters of foreign policy.

Supporters cheer in Colorado Springs, Colo., as a television broadcast declares that Republicans have taken control of the Senate. Republican candidates, party committees and outside groups spent about $44 million more than Democrats, according to the Cen

2014 Midterm Election Was The Most Expensive One Yet

4:41pm February 18, 2015

by Peter Overby

The $3.77 billion appeared to come from a smaller cadre of donors than in the 2010 midterms, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

The heightened partisanship cemented in congressional districts has created havens for both Democrats and Republicans, whose job security now often depends more on pleasing primary voters than on the high-altitude questions facing the nation at large.

Why Congress Doesn't Really Worry About What Most Americans Think

1:27pm February 18, 2015

by Ron Elving

Polls show Americans are largely in favor of authorizing further actions against the Islamic State. Yet there is one group of Americans that is having far more trouble deciding how it feels: Congress.

Oregon Ushers One Governor Out, Another One In On Wednesday

8:59am February 18, 2015

by Chris Lehman

Secretary of State Kate Brown will become the second woman to serve as Oregon's governor. She replaces fellow Democrat John Kitzhaber, who is resigning amid a criminal ethics investigation.

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The Senate Finance Committee has one of the more straightforward names on Capitol Hill. Others, like the education committee, have seen frequent name changes to reflect party priorities.

For Congressional Committees, It's All In The Name

7:49pm February 17, 2015

by Juana Summers

A Senate Judiciary subcommittee dropped "human rights" and "civil rights" from its name last month, sparking some controversy. But does the congressional name game even matter?

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Jesus, an unauthorized immigrant from Mexico, gets help with tax documents from Mun Yin Yeow, a staff member at Atlas: DIY, a nonprofit in Brooklyn, N.Y. He asked NPR not to use his last name because he fears deportation if his application for deportation

Judge's Decision Leaves Immigrants In Legal Limbo

7:08pm February 17, 2015

by Hansi Lo Wang

Unauthorized immigrants who entered the U.S. as children and have lived here since 2010 now wait to see what will happen to programs that were designed to temporarily protect them from deportation.

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A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction to President Obama's executive orders on immigration. Earlier this month, Obama met with young immigrants, known as DREAMers, in the Oval Office.

Federal Judge Blocks Obama's Executive Actions On Immigration

5:19pm February 17, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Two days before the first of President Obama's executive actions on immigration were to take effect, the new rules have been put on hold by a federal judge's ruling in South Texas.

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Aleida Ramirez must wait longer for an appointment to renew her expired driver's license because Colorado Republicans have blocked funding for licensing undocumented immigrants.

For Colorado's Undocumented, The Wait At The DMV Just Got Longer

1:23pm February 17, 2015

by Megan Verlee

Last year, the state became the 10th to offer driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. This year, Colorado Republicans made it virtually impossible for those immigrants to get a slot at the DMV.

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Vice President Biden swears in Ashton Carter, as the new Secretary of Defense's wife, Stephanie, holds the Bible for a ceremony in the White House Tuesday.

Ashton Carter Is Sworn In As Obama's 4th Defense Secretary

12:26pm February 17, 2015

by Bill Chappell

The cold and snow that walloped Washington didn't stop Ashton Carter from reporting for work at the Pentagon Tuesday. Carter was sworn in as the 25th U.S. Secretary of Defense on Tuesday.

Politics & Government

Pre-Election, Chicago Mayor Emanuel Loses African-American Support

7:58am February 17, 2015

by Cheryl Corley

School closings and high crime in some neighborhoods are big issues as Rahm Emanuel battles four challengers who want his job. President Obama is headed to town to give his former top aide a boost.

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