Politics

Congress Says Goodbye To Its Last World War II Vets

6:47pm December 09, 2014

by Don Gonyea

When the next session of Congress begins in January, it will be the first in more than 60 years without a veteran of World War II. It's a generation that dominated the House and Senate for decades.

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Senate Panel's Report On CIA Calls Harsh Tactics Ineffective

5:16pm December 09, 2014

by Tom Bowman

Democrats on the Senate intelligence committee released a report saying the CIA misled higher-ups and didn't accurately describe its post-Sept. 11 interrogation tactics. The CIA disputes the findings.

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Obama Appointees Could Become Targets For GOP Ire

3:21pm December 09, 2014

Two nominees to President Obama's cabinet await Senate confirmation hearings. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with senior Washington editor Ron Elving about their prospects.

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Obamacare Adviser Gets Set To Go In Front Of Congressional Firing Squad

12:27pm December 09, 2014

by Scott Horsley

An MIT economist was recorded saying that without the "stupidity of the American voter," the Affordable Care Act wouldn't have passed. Those comments, and others he made, have put it at serious risk.

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As Torture Report's Release Nears, CIA And Opponents Ready Responses

12:27pm December 09, 2014

by Carrie Johnson

The Senate's release will focus on case studies of the treatment, at times brutal, of 20 or so high-value detainees in the counterterrorism efforts following 9/11, and whether those methods paid off.

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'Obamacare' Expert Apologizes For Remarks On Law's Creation

11:46am December 09, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

MIT health care economist Jonathan Gruber had said the "stupidity of the American voter" was critical in getting the law passed. Critics say that displays the deceit that went into creating the law.

How Washington's Odd Couple Transformed Welfare

10:49am December 09, 2014

by NPR Staff

The new book The Professor and the President looks back at how Democratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan pushed the Nixon White House to embrace a relatively liberal plan.

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Senate intelligence committee chairwoman Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is again defending her report on CIA torture methods, which was set to be released this week.

Congress Clashes Over Release Of CIA 'Torture Report'

9:06am December 09, 2014

by Lauren Hodges

Senate Democrats plan to release the long-withheld report on interrogation techniques this week, but the State Department wants more delay because of feared repercussions — both at home and overseas.

U.S. Boosts Security At Facilities Ahead Of 'Torture Report' Release

8:53am December 09, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

The White House says the report "could lead to a greater risk" to U.S. facilities and individuals around the world, but that the president supported the Senate's release scheduled for Tuesday.

Protesters of varied stripes and political affiliations gathered outside the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative where negotiators from 12 nations were meeting to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Some Liberals And Tea Partiers Unite To Oppose Trade Deals

6:15pm December 08, 2014

by Marilyn Geewax

President Obama is pushing for massive trade deals with Asian and European nations. Critics say the trade negotiations, which are conducted in private, aren't facing enough scrutiny.