Politics

Politics & Government

Obama Names OMB Controller As Acting IRS Commissioner

5:25am May 17, 2013

by John Ydstie

On Thursday, President Obama named Daniel Werfel, 42, acting IRS commissioner. The announcement comes a day after the resignation of Steven Miller, who got caught up in the controversy over the IRS targeting Tea Party groups.

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Some Lawmakers Want Big-Budget Groups Included In IRS Debate

7:24pm May 16, 2013

by Peter Overby

The Justice Department is investigating the IRS's flagging of grass-roots conservative groups that sought nonprofit status. But some lawmakers want the debate extended to look at the well-financed activities of existing 501(c)(4) groups that spent millions in the 2012 elections.

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The Tricky Business Of Retirement: Hidden 401(K) Fees

2:04pm May 16, 2013

You could end up with a lot less savings at 65 than you ever anticipated because of fees charged by the financial institutions managing your retirement accounts. Robert Hiltonsmith, who researches retirement security, says those fees were disclosed to 401(k) plan participants until only recently.

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After President Obama overturned Bush-era policy restricting federal funding of embryonic stem cell research in 2009, Nebraska Right to Life led a protest of the research outside the University of Nebraska regents' meeting.

Cloning, Stem Cells Long Mired In Legislative Gridlock

11:53am May 16, 2013

by Julie Rovner

The news that scientists have successfully cloned a human embryo seems almost certain to rekindle a political fight that has raged, on and off, since the creation of Dolly the sheep. It's a fight that has, over the past decade and a half, produced a lot of heat and light and not a lot of policy.

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One Reason To Apply For Tax-Exempt Status: Anonymity

9:07pm May 15, 2013

by Brian Naylor

The IRS scandal has put a spotlight on a part of the tax code increasingly popular with political groups. Donors can't get tax deductions for giving to 501(c)(4) organizations like they would for charities. But the names of those donors can stay private.

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White House Addresses Benghazi Emails, IRS Audits

7:39pm May 15, 2013

The White House has released 100 pages of internal emails related to the development of talking points after the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, last year. President Barack Obama also addressed the controversy surrounding the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative groups. Audie Cornish talks to Scott Horsley.

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IRS Inquiries Crossed The Line, Tea Party Groups Say

9:51am May 15, 2013

by Don Gonyea

Activists are calling for a full investigation, and possibly lawsuits, following revelations that the IRS flagged so-called patriot groups for scrutiny in applications for federal tax-exempt status. Groups say they were asked about rallies, Facebook and Twitter activity.

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Politics & Government

Holder Called To Capitol Hill To Testify On Controversies

6:23am May 15, 2013

by Carrie Johnson

In an NPR interview, Attorney General Eric Holder answers questions about the IRS's processing of tax-exemption applications, the Justice Department's subpoenas for reporters' phone records and other hot issues. Holder faces questions on Capitol Hill Wednesday during an oversight hearing.

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Drawing Security Lessons From Benghazi Mission Attack

2:33pm May 13, 2013

The debate continues over the handling of the September attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya. But retired Marine Col. Gary Anderson says some important lessons have already been learned about strengthening diplomatic security and inter-agency communication.

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After Leaving Senate, Snowe Is Still 'Fighting For Common Ground'

9:18am May 13, 2013

by NPR Staff

In a new book, former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe explores how to fix the gridlock in Congress. Earlier this year, the Republican from Maine left the Senate out of frustration with the partisan stalemate. "It has to change, for the country," she says. "People deserve ... better representation."

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