Politics & Government

Politics & Government

President Obama Speaks On The 'Fiscal Cliff'

4:58pm December 31, 2012

Republicans and Democrats have until midnight tonight to avoid going off the so-called fiscal cliff. If they can't reach an agreement by then, automatic tax hikes and spending cuts will kick in.

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Politics & Government

Secretary Clinton Hospitalized With Blood Clot

6:51am December 31, 2012

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in a New York hospital for treatment of a blood clot. Clinton suffered a concussion after a fall earlier this month.

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, leaves the Senate chamber to caucus in the Capitol on Sunday.

After Fruitless Weekend, Congress Still Seeks Fiscal Deal

5:46am December 31, 2012

by David Welna

Both the House and the Senate were in session Sunday evening, but a bipartisan push by Senate leaders fell short. Monday is the last day to avoid the tax hikes and spending cuts, though Congress may still reach a deal over the next few days.

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A Look Forward: Immigration Reform In 2013

6:39pm December 30, 2012

by NPR Staff

Will the DREAM Act become a reality? Is there comprehensive reform on the way? Will the GOP be able to reach out to Latino and other immigrant groups? The coming year could make a difference in the lives of the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.

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'Fiscal Cliff' Talks Temporarily Stall

5:55pm December 30, 2012

The deadline for the fiscal cliff is fast-approaching. NPR's David Welna is at the Capitol and talks with host Jacki Lyden about where congressional leaders are on a deal.

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Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and then-presidential candidate Barack Obama in Amman, Jordan, in 2008.

Hagel Would Be First Former Enlisted Soldier To Run Pentagon

11:20am December 30, 2012

by Tom Bowman

President Obama may nominate former Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel to be the next defense secretary. The Vietnam veteran could bring a bipartisan presence to Obama's Cabinet, but only if he survives opposition from some in his own party.

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House Speaker John Boehner arrives at the White House on Friday for talks with President Obama and congressional leaders aimed at avoiding the "fiscal cliff."

Congressional Leaders Hopeful As Fiscal Cliff Deadline Nears

5:38pm December 29, 2012

by David Welna

Even though the top four congressional leaders left their White House meeting with the president separately and silently Friday, they cast the hourlong encounter in a positive light back at the Capitol.

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Cautious Optimism For Behind-The-Scenes Fiscal Dealing

5:28pm December 29, 2012

The deadline for the so-called "fiscal cliff" is fast-approaching. The combination of automatic spending cuts and tax hikes go into effect in just three days. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with host Jacki Lyden about where congressional leaders are on a deal.

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Assessing Hillary Clinton's Legacy

12:04pm December 28, 2012

by Michele Kelemen

She is about to step aside as secretary of state and "step off this incredibly high wire." She generally gets high praise, though some critics say her role was limited on the major foreign policy questions of the past four years.

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With Clock Ticking, 'Fiscal Cliff ' Looms Ever-Closer

2:23pm December 27, 2012

Just five days remain for the government to reach an agreement to avoid the tax hikes and spending cuts set to take effect Jan. 1, 2013. Many analysts now say the deadline is unlikely to be met. NPR's Ron Elving explains the looming deadline and the possible ramifications of going over the fiscal cliff.

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