Politics

With Proposed Mega-Merger On The Hill, Spotlight's On Consumers

6:48pm April 09, 2014

by Jim Zarroli

Comcast and Time Warner executives ran into stiff opposition as they pitched their proposed merger to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The deal would give the combined company a large share of both pay TV and broadband internet service markets. In both cases, lawmakers wanted to know how consumers would be affected.

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Politics & Government

Senate Panel Considers Nominee To Head Safety Commission

8:02am April 09, 2014

Elliot Kaye is President Obama's nominee to head the Consumer Product Safety Commission. He made a name for himself pushing safety changes to youth football.

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An Angry Hearing On The Hill For 'Cockamamie' Twitter-like Network

5:24am April 09, 2014

by David Welna

During a hearing Tuesday, Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy vented anger about a USAID program to fund a failed, Twitter-like network in Cuba.

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White House Learns Complications Of Pay Equity Debate

5:24am April 09, 2014

by Scott Horsley

It's no surprise that Democrats are pushing the equal pay issue: It's a political winner among women. But the economics behind the current inequity and the challenges of righting it are complicated.

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Politics & Government

Gay Candidate May Help Mass. GOP End Losing Streak

9:36am April 08, 2014

by Asma Khalid

Massachusetts Republicans have lost the past 92 U.S. House races in a row — the worst GOP losing streak in the country. But Republicans think they've found a candidate who can break the lock.

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With Enrollee Goal Met, Obamacare Still Faces Political Trial

1:03pm April 05, 2014

by Scott Horsley

The Affordable Care Act's poll numbers may rise now that seven million more Americans have a stake in its survival. Yet even a small number of people can still make trouble for the law.

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Josie Maisano poses with her congressman, Democrat Sander Levin of Michigan. Levin says if Congress can't respond to people like Maisano, "we've failed."

Life Without Jobless Benefits: Watching, Searching And Praying

7:11pm April 04, 2014

by Tamara Keith

More than three months have passed since the long-term unemployed saw their federal jobless benefits cut off abruptly. One Michigan woman is looking for work while watching for congressional action.

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The youngest-ever Oklahoma speaker of the House, T.W. Shannon has rubbed some constituents the wrong way with his quick rise to prominence.

Politics & Government

A Rising GOP Star In Oklahoma Aims For The U.S. Senate

4:53pm April 04, 2014

by Brian Naylor

T.W. Shannon, a 36-year-old conservative who is running to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, would be the third African-American in the Senate.

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President Obama stands on stage with Vice President Biden and their families after accepting the party nomination during the final day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

For Political Conventions, Another Balloon Bursts

7:34pm April 03, 2014

by Don Gonyea

National party conventions have received taxpayer funds for years, but new legislation will end that — just as parties and the media are rethinking the relevance of those quadrennial extravaganzas.

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Politics & Government

Chemical Spill In W. Va. Tests Tolerance For Big Coal

10:27am April 03, 2014

Linda Wertheimer talks to Evan Osnos about his New Yorker piece in which he explores how the coal industry has become a political player in the state, and what that could mean for future regulation.

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