(L to R) U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during his opening remarks during a bipartisan meeting to discuss health reform legislation with congressional members at the Blair House (Getty Images)
After long hours of spirited debate, President Obama and Congressional lawmakers failed to reach any substantive compromises on health care legislation. Republicans were clearly frustrated with the president's proposals and repeatedly suggested scrapping the legislation and starting over again. Democrats insisted that was not an option because too much progress has already been made.
We get an overview of the health care summit with our Washington correspondent, Todd Zwillich. And to help us sift through the hours of politicking and decipher the truths and half-truths of the debate, we talk with Lori Robertson, the managing editor for FactCheck.org.
Today's Takeaway: Multi-Billion Dollar Foreclosure Settlement Imminent
Newly-Discovered Recordings Shed Light on a Young Malcolm X
Today's Takeaway: What's Next for Syria?
A Lesson on Making Better Home Movies
Is Our Constitution Out of Date?
Multi-Billion Dollar Foreclosure Settlement Imminent
The Real Story Behind Tyler Clementi's Tragic Death
The Soundtrack to the Arab Spring
Carl Hiaasen on What Florida Means for the Rest of the Race
'Tebow Bill' May Allow Home-Schoolers to Play on High School Teams
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with The BBC World Service, New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
Major funding provided by:
Comments [2]
Thanks for the great coverage. One suggestion: It was not in this segment, but you just reported that McCain "says it's time to start over." As this is a talking point that just about every Republican at the summit repeated, I think it's worth mentioning that fact when you report this. Otherwise it lends the talking-point-repeater too much undeserved credit and credibility.
The threat of fillibuster has gained too much power. If the Senate is not going to accomplish anything, then the manner in which they do it does not really matter. The simple majority should find the courage to take a vote and let the fillibuster be engaged even if it lasts for the next 6 years. The accomplishments will be the same and at least the fillibuster will be seen by all for what it is and is not. If it is only a threat, then it's power will remain in great excess of it's true value.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.