Politics

Is The Fed Chair Succession Too Politicized?

by John Ydstie

Federal Reserve chairmen used to be named without much fanfare. Not this time. A very public competition between former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and the current vice chairman of the Fed Janet Yellen has made headlines and pitted the White House against liberal Democrats in Congress. It raises the question of whether the Fed succession has become too politicized — and whether it could ultimately hurt the economy.
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States Face Language Barriers To Health Exchange Sign Up

by Cheryl Corley

Polling shows that many Americans aren't quite sure how the Affordable Care Act will affect them, and it may be even more confusing for immigrants and people who don't speak English as their first language. Illinois has a large immigrant population, and the state has been working to resolve language barriers as it gets ready to launch its insurance marketplace.
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Senate More Than Likely To Keep Obamacare Intact

by David Welna

Congress has just days to avoid a government shutdown when the new fiscal year starts next Tuesday. Standing in the way is a House provision that cuts off all funding for the health care law known as Obamacare. The aim is to cripple that program just when its major provisions are about to kick in. But the Senate is not expected to pass any bill that defunds or delays Obamacare.
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House GOP Group Forces Boehner To Choose Sides

A GOP group in the House is behind an effort to defund the Affordable Care Act through the process of keeping the federal government funded. Speaker John Boehner may have to choose whether to stand by them and force a government shutdown, or makes a deal with Democrats to avert it. Steve Inskeep talks to former Ohio Republican Rep. Steve LaTourette for insight into Boehner's dilemma.
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