Politics

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during the annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York City on Wednesday.

Every Move She Makes, Pundits Are Watching Hillary Clinton

11:09pm September 25, 2013

by Mara Liasson

Everything former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says gets a tremendous amount of attention, even if she says virtually nothing, says strategist Geoff Garin. And that's not likely to change as the 2016 presidential race gets closer.

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Senate More Than Likely To Keep Obamacare Intact

6:25am September 25, 2013

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

6:25am September 25, 2013

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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Sen. Durbin Wants Budget Showdown To End Quickly

9:13am September 24, 2013

The Senate is considering a bill to keep funding the federal government past next Tuesday. The measure was passed last week by the Republican-controlled House, and it includes language to defund the Affordable Care Act. To discuss what is the path forward, Steve Inskeep talks to Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois.

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Politics & Government

Most Agree 'Welfare For Farmers' Has To Go

10:35am September 23, 2013

by Frank Morris

The farm bill which Congress is bitterly divided over is set to expire at the end of this month. Included in it is the $5 billion a year subsidy called Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment Program. It shells out money to farmers and land owners regardless of need or loss.

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Politics & Government

Have Obama's Troubles Weakened Him For Fall's Fiscal Fights?

11:34am September 21, 2013

by Mara Liasson

Observers say the president's recent fumbles on Syria and other issues have emboldened Republicans. But President Obama's supporters say he has the upper hand when it comes to showdowns over a possible government shutdown and default on the nation's debt.

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Obama's Latest Challenges Go Beyond The GOP

5:54pm September 20, 2013

by Scott Horsley

Congressional Republicans are trying to use budget deadlines to extract concessions from the president on his signature health care law. And they aren't alone in choosing this time to test the president's mettle — liberal Democrats have been pressuring Obama, too.

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House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, talks about the deadline to fund the government Thursday on Capitol Hill.

House Nears Vote To Fund Government, Defund Obamacare

11:18am September 20, 2013

by Tamara Keith

The Republican-controlled House is set to vote Friday on a stopgap spending bill to keep the government open for business through the middle of December. And the White House has already said if it makes it to the president's desk, he'll veto it. That's because the bill also would defund the Affordable Care Act.

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After Shooting Tragedies, States React With Legislation

6:10am September 20, 2013

by Ted Robbins

Mass shootings provoke sorrow and outrage, but what actually changes? Not much in Congress regarding gun safety laws, but it's been a busy year for firearm and mental health legislation in states.

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President Obama nominates Robert Wilkins, Patricia Millett and Nina Pillard to fill the remaining vacancies on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on June 4.

Republicans Push Back On Obama's D.C. Court Nominees

7:07pm September 19, 2013

by Ailsa Chang

President Obama has been able to fill one opening on a key appeals court, but three more remain. And GOP senators are signaling that they'll block those remaining nominations, saying the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals doesn't really need that many judges.

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