Politics & Government

Politics & Government

Republicans Pin Hopes On Senate Turnover In 2014

7:37am July 23, 2013

by Mara Liasson

Much of what happens in the Senate in the present reflects expectations for the Senate of the future — specifically after the next election. Republican hopes are high for a takeover in 2014 that would confront President Obama with united opposition from a GOP-controlled Congress. So what are the prospects for the gains the GOP needs?

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Politics & Government

Political Reporters Hit The (Bike) Trail In Iowa

7:37am July 23, 2013

David Greene speaks with NPR's Don Gonyea, Scott Horsley and Brian Naylor about The Des Moines Register's Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. The three reporters are riding in the event, also known as RAGBRAI, to explore the Iowa they didn't see on the presidential campaign trail.

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Becca Besaw of Austin, Texas, and Christopher Robertson of Fort Worth, Texas, protest the state's new law restricting access to abortion at a rally in Dallas on July 15.

State Laws Limiting Abortion May Face Challenges On 20-Week Limit

4:57pm July 22, 2013

by Julie Rovner

States are setting an abortion limit at 20 weeks after fertilization, but that may clash with established standards for calculating the viability of a pregnancy. It could also open the new laws up to constitutional challenges.

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State Abortion Laws Differ From Doctors In Defining 20 Weeks

10:30am July 22, 2013

by Julie Rovner

Texas last week became the 12th state to ban most abortions after 20 weeks. But most of the state laws don't define 20 weeks the same way doctors do.

Military Sexual Assault Bill Would Reassign Authority

5:58pm July 21, 2013

by NPR Staff

New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand wants to give independent military prosecutors, rather than commanders, the power to decide which cases should be tried in military court.

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Pandoraviruses were discovered lurking in the mud of Chile and Australia, half a world apart.

World's Biggest Virus May Have Ancient Roots

6:14am July 20, 2013

by Geoff Brumfiel

The Pandoravirus is so big you can see it in an ordinary microscope. Scientists say its size may have helped fool amoebas and other potential hosts into eating it. But this virus doesn't pose a threat to humans. It's more of a Trojan virus than a surprise from Pandora's Box.

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President Obama walks off the stage after speaking about the Affordable Care Act during an event in the East Room of the White House on Thursday. Obama argued that the law is holding insurance companies accountable and putting money back into the pockets

White House Muddles Obamacare Messaging — Again

6:13am July 20, 2013

by Julie Rovner

This summer was supposed to be a time for the Obama administration to reintroduce the public to the Affordable Care Act and teach people how to sign up for benefits this fall. But despite another White House speech, that's not happening. And an expert in political messaging thinks he knows why.

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Politics & Government

Senators Express Concerns About Smithfield Foods Merger

4:52pm July 18, 2013

by John Ydstie

Smithfield CEO Larry Pope tried to reassure lawmakers that the sale of his Virginia based company will not mean a transfer of jobs to China or a reduction in food safety. He appeared before lawmakers on the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday.

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Congress Takes Renewed Aim At Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

7:45am July 18, 2013

by Chris Arnold

Risky bets by the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac helped to trigger the financial crisis. After being bailed out by taxpayers and put under government conservatorship, there's new momentum in Washington to dismantle the mortgage giants.

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Richard Cordray, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

'We're Here To Stay' Says Newly Confirmed Consumer Watchdog

7:11pm July 17, 2013

by Mark Memmott

After two years of political bickering, Richard Cordray has been confirmed as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He thinks that, in the end, his agency has won bipartisan support for the work it will do.

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