Politics

Jasmine Chestnut at her internship at the Center for American Progress in Washington. An at-risk student, Chestnut had almost given up on college when a nonprofit network supported by the government's Social Innovation Fund helped her get back on track.

Can Federal Funds Help Social Service Groups Work Smarter?

6:20pm June 11, 2013

by Pam Fessler

The Obama administration's Social Innovation Fund has spent millions to help scores of nonprofits develop innovative solutions to pressing social problems. While participating groups say they're helping thousands of people, it's not yet clear what the government is getting for its money.

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Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is among the lawmakers who say they were never briefed about the government's surveillance programs.

What Did Congress Really Know About NSA Tracking?

6:20pm June 11, 2013

by Ailsa Chang

The White House maintains it had sufficiently briefed Congress on the Internet and phone data monitoring programs leaked last week, but many lawmakers vehemently disagree.

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Third-generation Oklahoma farmer Scott Neufeld says crop insurance is important to his family's business.

How The Senate Farm Bill Would Change Subsidies

3:40pm June 11, 2013

by Tamara Keith

The Senate passed legislation Monday that would do away with direct payments to farmers and instead create an expanded crop insurance program. It's designed to protect farmers from losses, but some say it amounts to a highly subsidized gift to agribusiness.

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As Government Surveillance Powers Grow, Privacy Is Redefined

5:33am June 11, 2013

by Martin Kaste

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the public has had several glimpses of the government's growing surveillance powers. The Bush administration had a program so secret, it dispensed with judicial warrants altogether. The resulting scandals and lawsuits appear to have done little to roll back the spying.

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Feds Buckle On Emergency Contraception Age Restrictions

5:23am June 11, 2013

The administration had been trying to appeal a judge's ruling to make the morning-after birth control pill available over the counter with no age restrictions. The Justice Department said it would obey the order — sort of. The FDA may soon approve the over-the-counter sale of Plan B One Step without a prescription.

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Will Surveillance Disclosure Lead To More Oversight Of NSA?

5:23am June 11, 2013

by Larry Abramson

When surveillance laws were revised in 2012, Congress expressed great concerns that without proper oversight intelligence agencies would engage in the sort of monitoring that has been uncovered in recent days. Congress put a number of safeguards in place, but rejected others that would have guarantee more public discussion about what the NSA does.

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President Bill Clinton with Walter and Leonore Annenberg at the entrance of the historic estate on Feb. 14, 1995.

Sunnylands: Where Movie Stars And Presidents Play (And Work)

5:38pm June 10, 2013

by Ari Shapiro

President Obama heads to the 200-acre California estate on Friday for a meeting with the Chinese president. He'll be the eighth president to visit the former winter home of Walter and Leonore Annenberg. It has also entertained the likes of Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart and Frank Sinatra.

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NSA Scandal Looms Over Obama's Talks With China's Xi

5:39am June 09, 2013

by Ari Shapiro

The goal of the meeting between President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping is for the leaders of the world's largest economies to find common ground and build trust. But the summit threatens to be overshadowed by revelations about secret NSA surveillance programs.

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Watchdog Agency Could Keep NSA In Check, Once It Gets Going

5:39am June 09, 2013

by Martin Kaste

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board is tasked with making sure that secret government surveillance programs aren't abused. It was created in 2004, but still doesn't even have a website or email.

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Sen. McCain Urges U.S. To Do More For Syrian Rebels

2:32pm June 07, 2013

by Michele Kelemen

Sen. John McCain, just back from a quick foray to rebel-held territory in Syria, is pushing the Obama administration to do more to help rebels topple Bashar Assad's regime. His call comes as rebels lose ground in their fight, and as skepticism rises about the U.S.-Russian plans for a peace conference.

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