Politics

Four F-16s from the 77th Fighter Squadron of Shaw Air Force Base fly over Darlington Raceway before a NASCAR race in Darlington, S.C., in May 2012.

Sequester In South Carolina: A Tale Of Fighter Jets And Preschools

6:47pm February 22, 2013

by Tamara Keith

If across-the-board federal spending cuts go into effect March 1, the F-16s will be taking fewer flights from Shaw Air Force Base. And nearby, the Head Start program would have to cut 50 kids. But some residents are wondering if the whole thing is just hype.

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Newly sworn-in U.S. citizens recite the Pledge of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony in Baltimore in 2012.

The 'Line' For Legal Immigration Is Already About 4 Million People Long

10:26am February 22, 2013

by Ted Robbins

In the debate over immigration, many politicians seem to agree that people now in the U.S. illegally should wait at "the back of the line" for legal residency. But the backlog in processing applications means even those already in line face decades of waiting.

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Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., confer at the start of a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week on the appointments of military leaders. McCain and Graham have been among the Republicans pushing the Obama administration

Republicans Make 'Benghazi' A Frequent Refrain

6:02pm February 21, 2013

by Ari Shapiro

Republicans delayed a vote on President Obama's defense nominee, saying they wanted more answers about the attack in Benghazi, Libya, last year. In recent months, Benghazi has become a sort of catchword. To Republicans, it symbolizes everything bad about the Obama administration.

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Defense Cuts May No Longer Be Political Sacred Cow

9:17am February 21, 2013

by Scott Horsley

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said the looming automatic spending cuts will damage U.S. national security. But the warnings don't appear to be moving the needle with lawmakers or the American public.

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Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., checks his phone before a hearing on Capitol Hill in September.

Meet The Virginian Shaping The House GOP's Immigration Plan

8:24am February 21, 2013

by David Welna

Republican Rep. Bob Goodlatte is charged with drafting the House immigration bill. He is against a path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants but says the "broken" system needs work. And he says President Obama "should calm down, back off and let the Congress do its work."

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One Place You May Notice The Sequester: At The Airport

5:52am February 21, 2013

by Brian Naylor

Officials predict that cutbacks at the FAA could lead to takeoff delays and fewer flights. Unless Congress acts, across-the-board spending cuts are scheduled to take effect March 1.

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Dr. J. William Hirzy, a chemistry professor at American Universiy, rests outside the rally route with a graph he uses to teach his students about the relationship between atmospheric carbon dioxide and global temperature.

Protesters Call On Obama To Reject Keystone XL Pipeline

4:33pm February 20, 2013

by Elizabeth Shogren

Tens of thousands of protesters turned out on the National Mall Sunday to encourage President Obama to make good on his commitment to act on climate change. The pipeline would carry tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, to refineries on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

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Politics & Government

Where Does Overhauling Immigration Stand?

9:41am February 20, 2013

Bipartisan groups of lawmakers are working together on overhauling immigration. On Tuesday, President Obama spoke with several of the senators involved. But there's been some controversy over a draft White House proposal on immigration that was made public.

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On Tuesday, President Obama urged congressional action to prevent automatic spending cuts scheduled to begin on March 1.

How The Sequester Could Affect Health Care

6:56pm February 19, 2013

by Julie Rovner

Federal programs, including many that provide health care, could soon be hit with deep cuts to their budgets. Agencies won't close, but services ranging from food inspections to vaccinations could be cut back. And the health care industry warns that half a million jobs could be lost within a year.

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U.S. Treasury checks are run through a printer.

Get A Social Security Check? Treasury Says It's Time To Go Electronic

12:33pm February 19, 2013

by Brian Naylor

Every month, the government sends out about 5 million paper checks to Americans who receive federal benefits. As of March 1, however, the Treasury Department is planning to make those checks a thing of the past. It's encouraging holdouts to move to direct deposit or a debit card.

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