Politics

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois is congratulated by members of Congress during the unveiling of his portrait at the Capitol in 2009.

Hastert: Primary Challenges Making Congress 'Kind Of Neurotic'

11:25am October 08, 2013

by Erica Ryan

"All of a sudden, people are looking over their shoulders," says former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. He says changes in the way campaigns are financed have led members of Congress to worry that if they're seen as not liberal or not conservative enough, they'll be challenged by their own party.

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President Obama arrives to speak about the government shutdown at the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Response Coordination Center on Monday.

Raids Project Presidential Power Amid Shutdown's Gridlock

6:50pm October 07, 2013

by Ari Shapiro

The special forces operations against terrorism targets in Libya and Somalia over the weekend came at a time when President Obama badly needed something to go his way. It's a reminder that counterterrorism is the unusual arena where Obama can decide on a course of action — and execute it.

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The Supreme Court opens its new term this week.

Despite Shutdown, Supreme Court Opens Its Doors For New Term

11:09am October 07, 2013

by Nina Totenberg

The docket this year has nothing quite as riveting as last year's same-sex marriage cases, or the challenge to President Obama's health care overhaul from the term before. But once again, the court is facing hot-button social issues and questions of presidential and congressional power.

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What's The Cost Of Budget Gridlock?

5:33am October 07, 2013

Renee Montagne talks to David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal, about the cost of the government shutdown, and the dangers of the threatened government default.

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What Furlough? GOP Lawmakers Choose How Much Burden To Bear

12:20pm October 05, 2013

by Ailsa Chang

Even as hundreds of thousands of federal workers stay home, some members of Congress have kept most or all of their own staffs working. With no end to the government shutdown in sight, that's put Republicans on the defensive.

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You've Got Shutdown Questions. We've Got Answers

5:47pm October 04, 2013

by NPR Staff

Earlier this week, All Things Considered asked you to submit your questions about the shutdown, then assembled a crack team of NPR reporters to answer them. Find out what the government shutdown means for food safety, military pay and more.

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The Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.

From Therapy Dogs To New Patients, Federal Shutdown Hits NIH

1:00pm October 04, 2013

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

The Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland is often the last resort for patients who have mysterious, rare or terminal diseases. Patients sometimes call it the "House of Hope." But the government shutdown may mean that prospective patients will be turned away.

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President Obama speaks about the government shutdown, the budget and the debt ceiling debate during a visit to M. Luis Construction in Rockville, Md., on Thursday.

Shutdown Showdown: Assessing Obama's Negotiating Tactics

11:14am October 04, 2013

by Scott Horsley

President Obama says he won't negotiate with Republicans over the debt ceiling, but he's happy to talk once the government is open and the full faith and credit of the United States is assured. Experts in negotiation weigh in about the tactics and the strategy being used during the budget impasse.

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President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner take part in a ceremony to unveil a statue honoring the late civil rights activist Rosa Parks in the Capitol in February.

For Obama And Boehner, No Sign Of Thaw In Frosty Relationship

11:13am October 04, 2013

by Ari Shapiro

President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner have had five years of fights and negotiations to learn how to work together. But today, their relationship is as sour as it's ever been. While closer ties might not solve the shutdown, the mutual suspicion and mistrust aren't helping.

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pauses outside the West Wing of the White House after meeting Wednesday with President Obama, House Speaker John Boehner, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Reid's Tough Tactics In Shutdown Drama Draw Notice

12:53pm October 03, 2013

by David Welna

As the leader of Senate Democrats, Harry Reid has been in a lot of fights — but this one may be different, in that Reid has drawn a line. After a meeting with other congressional leaders and President Obama on Wednesday, Reid said: "The one thing we made very clear ... we are locked in tight on Obamacare."

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