Politics

In his new book, Alfredo Corchado writes about the escalating violence in Mexico.

Drugs, Chaos And Violence Darken Mexico's 'Midnight'

2:11pm July 09, 2013

Journalist Alfredo Corchado covers Mexico for the Dallas Morning News. His new book, Midnight In Mexico, is part memoir and part recent history of the upheaval in the country. He talks to Fresh Air about the power of the cartels, the rampant corruption and the hopes for the future of Mexico.

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Congress Called On To Reverse Student Loan Rate Increase

2:02pm July 08, 2013

Rates on federally subsidized Stafford loans, which help low and middle-income college students, doubled on July 1. There is now pressure for a deal to undo the increase. NPR's David Greene talks to Matthew Chingos, a fellow at the Brookings Institution's Brown Center on Education Policy.

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Whose Term Was It? A Look Back At The Supreme Court

1:03pm July 08, 2013

by Nina Totenberg

The end of this latest Supreme Court term leaves us with questions: Is it Justice Kennedy's court or Justice Roberts'? Does pragmatism triumph over ideological purity?

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Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas delivers remarks during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting to work on the immigration legislation in May.

Immigration Debate In Congress Riles Up Texas Republicans

9:48am July 04, 2013

by David Welna

In a state with a fast-growing Latino population, the fight over immigration is especially relevant. There's scant backing for the Senate's immigration bill among Texas Republicans in Washington, but some Texans say those lawmakers are "behind the curve."

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One of the attorneys in the California Proposition 8 case, David Boies (center), speaks outside the Supreme Court as he's surrounded by plaintiffs in the case, couples Paul Katami (from left) and Jeff Zarrillo, and Sandy Stier and Kris Perry.

Reporter: In Court Rulings, Roberts Takes Long-Term Approach

12:07pm July 03, 2013

Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times, says that in the years Chief Justice John Roberts has led the court, his patient and methodical approach has allowed him to establish a robustly conservative record.

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White House Delays Key Piece Of Affordable Care Act

9:52am July 03, 2013

by Julie Rovner

The Obama administration has decided to delay the date companies with 50 or more full-time employees are required to comply with the Affordable Care Act. They'll now have until 2015.

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After DOMA Ruling, Government Scrambles To Adjust

8:12pm July 02, 2013

by Scott Horsley

After the Supreme Court ruling overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, President Obama ordered federal agencies to revise their rules regarding benefits for same-sex spouses. But that will be simpler for some federal agencies than others.

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Texas Democrats See Opportunity In Changing Demographics

8:36am July 02, 2013

by Don Gonyea

For most of the 20th century, Democrats were the only game in town when it came to Texas politics. But that changed and Republicans have been in charge for decades. For Democrats to return to power, they'll have to hold together a coalition of minority voters.

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Republicans celebrated when California Gov. Pete Wilson was re-elected in 1994. But his divisive campaign led to a backlash, especially among the growing Latino population in the state.

How To Turn A Red State Blue: California Edition

6:11pm July 01, 2013

by Ina Jaffe

Democrats who want to change the dynamics in Texas are turning to California for inspiration. Here's a look at how things went so wrong for the Republicans in the Golden State.

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A bilingual sign stands outside a polling center at a public library ahead of local elections on April 28 in Austin, Texas.

Big Growth Could Shake Up Texas' Old Political Equation

9:36am July 01, 2013

by Scott Horsley

The state is growing fast, and most of that growth is in the Hispanic population. If Democrats could capture a large share of Hispanic votes — as they have elsewhere — they would be a lot more competitive in Texas. But the state's GOP leader says he's not worried.

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