Politics

Conservatives Use Budget Deadline To Revive Obamacare Debate

7:03pm September 11, 2013

by Tamara Keith

With the pause button pushed on the congressional debate over Syria, the House is turning its attention back to the budget. The House was supposed to act this week to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month, and Republican leaders had hoped to avoid drama. But drama is brewing.

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U.S. Fleshes Out Russian Plan For Syria's Chemical Weapons

7:54am September 11, 2013

The situation is growing more complicated as the U.S. delves into a Russian proposal to make Syria turn over its chemical weapons. Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona has supported limited U.S. military intervention in Syria. McCain talks to Steve Inkseep about whether the Russian proposal will work.

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Colorado Voters To Decide 2 Lawmakers' Fates In Recall Elections

2:01pm September 10, 2013

by Bente Birkeland

The Democratic senators were targeted by gun rights activists after sweeping gun control laws were passed. The elections have attracted donations from major players across the country.

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Tea Party Won't Let Congress Forget Obamacare Issues

7:08am September 10, 2013

by Don Gonyea

Tea Party Patriots are making a push for Congress to defund the new health care law as part of debates over the budget and funding the federal government. On Capitol Hill Tuesday, Tea Party activists have scheduled an afternoon gathering to rally support for cutting off funding for the health law often referred to as Obamacare.

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2 Democratic Senators Propose Alternate Plan For Syria

7:08am September 10, 2013

President Obama on Tuesday meets with Democratic senators to press his case for military action against Syria. Two moderate senators are offering an alternative plan. It would delay military action for 45 days, and give Bashar Assad another chance to get rid of his chemical weapons. Steve Inskeep talks to Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota about the plan.

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Obama Prepares For Speech On Syria

7:08am September 10, 2013

by Mara Liasson

On Tuesday night, President Obama will address the nation — asking for support of his plan to punish the Syrian regime for a chemical weapons attack near Damascus last month. The president must deal with widespread skepticism about his plan.

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After A Decade, Congress Moves To Fix Doctors' Medicare Pay

7:59am September 09, 2013

by Julie Rovner

Federal lawmakers have been unable to solve a widely acknowledged problem with the formula used to set the pay for doctors who treat Medicare patients. Now, after a series of temporary patches, a bipartisan solution may be at hand.

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Rep. Cole Weighs In On Syria Resolution

7:25am September 09, 2013

The White House is pursuing a major effort to persuade members of Congress to support a military strike in Syria. Estimates show the number of House members publicly against a strike near an outright majority. Renee Montagne talks to Republican Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma who is opposed to military action.

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Politics & Government

Congress Returns Facing Work Besides Syria Resolution

7:25am September 09, 2013

When Congress left on its August break five weeks ago, members knew they had a string of fiscal deadlines coming up upon their return — from the budget bill funding the government to a debt ceiling increase. The Syria debate has overshadowed all of that.

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President Obama holds a press conference in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Friday on the sideline of the G-20 summit.

Syria Puts Obama's Multilateralist Philosophy To The Test

1:11am September 08, 2013

by Ari Shapiro

Multilateralism has been the foundation of the president's foreign policy, and not just on issues of war and peace. At the G-20 summit in Russia this week, he used familiar words when urging military action in Syria. So far, few allies are onboard.

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