Politics

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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Secretary Napolitano Finishes Up At Homeland Security

12:40pm September 06, 2013

by Brian Naylor

Friday is Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's last day on the job. She is leaving Washington, and will become president of the University of California system at the end of the month.

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Politics & Government

Calif. Gov. Debates Changing Who's Eligible For Jury Duty

6:58am September 05, 2013

by Shereen Marisol Meraji

The California legislature passed a bill that would allow lawful permanent residents to sit on juries. Governor Jerry Brown has until Oct. 13 to sign the bill into law. If he does, California will be the first state to allow non-citizens to perform jury duty.

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Politics & Government

Is Operation Streamline Worth Its Budget Being Tripled?

6:58am September 05, 2013

by Ted Robbins

The Senate immigration bill calls for tripling a controversial federal court program called Operation Streamline. The program takes people caught crossing the border illegally, gives them prison sentences, then deports them. It's hugely expensive — but does it work?

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Politics & Government

Sen. Tom Udall On Syrian Resolution

6:58am September 05, 2013

On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a resolution authorizing President Obama to take military action against the Syrian regime. It goes to the full Senate over the objections of New Mexico Democrat Tom Udall. Steve Inskeep talks with Sen. Udall about his concerns over intervention in Syria.

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