Politics

President Obama walks off the stage after speaking about the Affordable Care Act during an event in the East Room of the White House on Thursday. Obama argued that the law is holding insurance companies accountable and putting money back into the pockets

White House Muddles Obamacare Messaging — Again

6:13am July 20, 2013

by Julie Rovner

This summer was supposed to be a time for the Obama administration to reintroduce the public to the Affordable Care Act and teach people how to sign up for benefits this fall. But despite another White House speech, that's not happening. And an expert in political messaging thinks he knows why.

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Politics & Government

Senators Express Concerns About Smithfield Foods Merger

4:52pm July 18, 2013

by John Ydstie

Smithfield CEO Larry Pope tried to reassure lawmakers that the sale of his Virginia based company will not mean a transfer of jobs to China or a reduction in food safety. He appeared before lawmakers on the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday.

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Congress Takes Renewed Aim At Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

7:45am July 18, 2013

by Chris Arnold

Risky bets by the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac helped to trigger the financial crisis. After being bailed out by taxpayers and put under government conservatorship, there's new momentum in Washington to dismantle the mortgage giants.

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Richard Cordray, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

'We're Here To Stay' Says Newly Confirmed Consumer Watchdog

7:11pm July 17, 2013

by Mark Memmott

After two years of political bickering, Richard Cordray has been confirmed as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He thinks that, in the end, his agency has won bipartisan support for the work it will do.

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The government took over mortgage giants Fannie Mae (seen in 2010) and Freddie Mac in 2008, during the worst of the housing crisis.

Congress Debates Taking A Step Back From The Mortgage Market

7:11pm July 17, 2013

by Scott Horsley

Lawmakers are trying to figure out how to scale back the outsize role that mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac play in the housing market. A bipartisan Senate proposal would replace Fannie and Freddie with a scaled-down program, while a Republican House proposal would go even further.

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Former President Bill Clinton hugs House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California as another Democrat, Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, looks on at Wednesday's ceremony naming the Environmental Protection Agency headquarters for him.

EPA Building Named For Bill Clinton; He Says That's Fitting

7:11pm July 17, 2013

by Elizabeth Shogren

The building housing the Environmental Protection Agency got a new name on Wednesday: it's now the William Jefferson Clinton Federal Building. The former president tallied his administration's accomplishments at a renaming ceremony.

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Politics & Government

Paul, Cruz Back Bill Changing Military Sexual Assault System

6:46am July 17, 2013

by Ailsa Chang

Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is winning more support for her effort to put serious military criminal cases in the hands of prosecutors. Commanders currently decide whether to try a case. On Tuesday, two Republican senators, and possible 2016 presidential hopefuls, added their names: Ted Cruz and Rand Paul.

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Scot Paltrow is a special enterprise correspondent for Reuters.

Investigation Reveals A Military Payroll Rife With Glitches

4:29pm July 16, 2013

A new investigative report from Reuters special enterprise correspondent Scot Paltrow details how the antiquated and error-ridden payroll system for the U.S. military is erroneously cutting soldiers' paychecks and causing terrible hardship.

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President Obama applauds as former first lady Barbara Bush and former President George W. Bush help President George H.W. Bush stand at the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Library on April 25 in Dallas. Former first lady Laura Bush loo

In Second Term, Obama Takes Softer Tone Toward Bushes

5:10am July 15, 2013

by Ari Shapiro

When President Obama took office, he rarely invoked the Bush name unless it was to assign blame. Today, he more often mentions the family in admiration. When former President George H.W. Bush visits the White House on Monday, it will be Obama's third Bush meeting in three months.

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Pennsylvania's Voter ID Law Gets Its Day In Court

11:13pm July 14, 2013

by Mary Wilson

On Monday a judge will rule on the constitutionality of requiring all Pennsylvania voters to show state-issued photo identification. Supporters say it's a common-sense remedy for voter fraud, but opponents counter it's an attempt to disenfranchise minorities.

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