Politics

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, takes questions as House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., look on during a Capitol Hill news conference on Wednesday.

Obama And House GOP Engage In Fiscal Cliff Talks, Only Briefly With Each Other

6:30pm December 05, 2012

by Mara Liasson

The president and House Republicans continued to snipe at each other Wednesday over the impending set of automatic tax hikes and spending cuts known as the fiscal cliff. President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner later spoke briefly by phone for the first time in a week, according to reports.

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Alan Krueger, chairman of the president's Council of Economic Advisers, warns that consumer spending will drop if Congress and the White House fail to reach a deal on spending cuts and tax increases.

Looming Spending Cuts Would Hit Hard All Over

6:09pm December 05, 2012

by Jim Zarroli

If Congress fails to reach an agreement on tax increases and spending cuts this year, it will mean sharp reductions in a broad swath of federal spending, from defense and Medicare to education and unemployment benefits. Economists say the cuts would be a serious setback for the economy as a whole.

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Politics & Government

The Election, Gay Marriage And The GOP

2:25pm December 05, 2012

NPR's Political Junkie Ken Rudin recaps the week in politics and talks with Walter Olson, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, about the role of Republicans in passing same-sex marriage initiatives. Dallas Morning News senior political reporter Wayne Slater discusses the passing of longtime Texas Congressman Jack Brooks.

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Social Security's COLA At Stake In 'Fiscal Cliff' Talks?

10:34am December 05, 2012

by NPR Staff

The Republican plan to avert the "fiscal cliff" includes a proposal that would change the way inflation is calculated. The change could result in savings of billions, but its getting pushback from Democrats and groups like AARP.

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Is A Recess Appointment Valid If The Senate Says It's Not Really Gone?

9:09am December 05, 2012

by Carrie Johnson

President Obama and Senate Republicans have different views when it comes to what counts as "recess." A federal appeals court is now weighing the question in a case challenging three of Obama's appointments.

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Dairy farmer Bob Andrews feeds heifers in the same barn his grandfather used. He says today "the harder you work, the further you get behind."

Politics & Government

Milk Producers Peer Over The Dairy Cliff

9:09am December 05, 2012

by David Sommerstein

The expiration of the farm bill has left dairy farmers without a milk pricing program — and a safety net. While all farmers are watching closely, milk producers face an environment where cow feed costs more than cow milk.

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Politics & Government

Senate Fails To Ratify U.N. Treaty On Disabilities

9:09am December 05, 2012

by David Welna

Republicans in the Senate on Tuesday blocked ratification of a U.N. treaty that would have helped countries protect the rights of disabled people. It was inspired by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Opponents argued, among other things, it would threaten the ability of parents in this country to home school their children.

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For Tea Party Activists In Florida, The Health Care Battle Goes On

6:50pm December 04, 2012

by Greg Allen

Even in a state where top Republicans led the legal battle against Obamacare, there's recognition now that Florida has to act fast to comply with the new law. But many Tea Party members are still calling on state lawmakers to reject the health care law.

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Politics & Government

Outgoing Political Mavericks Reflect On Careers

3:33pm December 04, 2012

NPR's Neal Conan and Political Junkie Ken Rudin talk with retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), a former Democrat, about the future of moderates in politics. Retiring U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) reflects on the movement he built and the role for Libertarians in the Republican party.

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Politics & Government

Obama Starts His Second Term By Bringing Tougher Talk

12:37pm December 04, 2012

by Mara Liasson

In his first term, President Obama was criticized as caving to Republicans too early, too often. Since his re-election, he has subtly changed his approach. He's bringing a more aggressive style — but some critics say it's not the best way to find common ground.

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