Neither Democrats' nor Republicans' plans for extending payroll tax cuts passed the Senate on Thursday. The former proposed to extend tax cuts on federal withholdings like Social Security and unemployment for employers and employees; the latter wanted to freeze federal worker's pay until 2015 and reduce that workforce by ten percent. While the respective failure of both measures is attributable to partisanship, some senator's refusals to vote along party lines reflect fierce internal debates about the best way to proceed.
While the country anxiously waits to see if lawmakers can raise the debt limit before the August 2 deadline, a few economists and financiers are emphasizing the importance of a long-term financial solution to the deficit, even if that results in a temporary default. They question the lasting effects of a default in terms of investor confidence, citing the reputation and dominance of U.S. currency in financial transactions.
Tensions have been escalating between Republicans and Democrats in debates this week over the debt limit, as they struggle to reach an agreement about the budget by August 2. President Obama will speak about it in a press conference this morning at 11 a.m. (EST). Heading into the weekend, neither side is budging, and for the Republicans, some say that’s in large part because of one person.
The United States is performing a difficult balancing act in how to respond to the tumult in Egypt. The Obama administration was quick to show support for protesters who are pushing for democratic reform in the Middle East, but hasn't forcefully called for the end to Mubarak's regime.
We’re nearing the end of the campaign trail for candidates seeking to win over voters in this November’s upcoming mid-term elections. Takeaway Washington correspondent Todd Zwillich and Mike Shear, chief political reporter for the Caucus Blog at our partner The New York Times, are joining us every Tuesday to give us updates on what the candidates are up to on the trail.
Two long serving African-American House lawmakers have run into ethics problems, and some in Washington say they are being unfairly targeted based on their race.
Last night, voters decided the party candidates in four closely watched states: Arkansas, California, Nevada, and South Carolina and seven others. But for many candidates the election battle is only just beginning. Takeaway Washington correspondent Todd Zwillich looks at how the primary winners will fare in November's ballot. Sharron Angle's win in Nevada is both a victory for the Tea Party and for Harry Reid, who has been preparing to face-off against the conservative candidate.
A former Mexican presidential candidate, and close friend of Mexican President Felipe Calderon, is feared dead after he went missing over the weekend. Authorities believe Diego Fernandez de Cevallos was kidnapped by organized criminals in what may be a direct attack on the government. We talk with Inma Gil, a reporter with the BBC who is Mexico City, for reactions to the kidnapping.
Later this morning, President Obama will nominate Solicitor General Elena Kagan to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. The Senate confirmed her appointment to her current position last year, 61-39. Justice Stevens has long been a reliably liberal voice on the court and Kagan would likely continue that philosophy. If confirmed, she would be the third woman on the court and the first justice in nearly forty years who has not already served as a judge.
Rep. David Obey, an influential democrat in the House of Representatives, announced he would not seek reelection at the end of his term in November. Obey who represents Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District, is the third-most senior member of the house and is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He served in Congress for more than four decades.
For the past year, conservatives have coalesced around the number one enemy: health care reform. But now that it's over, we explore what’s next for the GOP. The Tea Party Express III kicks off this weekend and some wonder if that's the future of the Republican party. Is it still possible to be a moderate Republican?
A new CNN poll finds that 86 percent of Americans think that government is broken. This week, we kick off a series called "Frustration Nation," where we examine the gridlock in the capital and how politics has come to be so divisive in America. For the first installment, we put today's situation in a historical context.
UPDATED: 8:35 p.m.
Alex Goldmark here on the holiday night shift.
Tomorrow we'll continue our ongoing effort to understand as many ripple effects of the Haitian earthquake as possible. We will hear from two doctors, one of them Haitian-American, about the strains and stresses on the medical community and the medical workers administering necessary care in the battered country.
On an uplifting note, it is Mardi Gras time. We'll get Grammy award winning musician Terence Blanchard to tell us about his favorite carnival time music. Good listening will abound.
Yesterday, top military brass announced their desire to see "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell" laws investigated, and ultimately repealed. But not everybody who wears the uniform agrees. Over 1000 former military officials signed a document expressing their wariness of any type of reform to the culture of the armed forces. We talk to Ret. Col. David F. Bedey a 30-year Army veteran, who says that the U.S. military has a lot more to lose than it has to gain by repealing current legal restrictions.
The Environmental Protection Agency may begin an investigation into a series of facial birth defects among migrant farm workers in Kettleman City, California. If the EPA takes on the case, it will mark a sharp turn in the agency's attitude towards issues of environmental justice.
For the hour of Wednesday's State of the Union address, MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews said he "forgot" President Obama was black, causing a wide range of responses (including some on our show) the next day. Do we all need to forget about race to be post-racial? Or do we just need to acknowledge and accept people's race?
The last few weeks have been busy for U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. Besides dealing with international and domestic security concerns following the foiled bomb plot on Christmas Day, Napolitano is also addressing the devastation in Haiti and how to best help those who made need to seek refuge in the United States.
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) might not be the first person you think of when you think of memorable holiday ditties, but you might have heard his latest magnum opus, a Hannukah song called "Eight Days of Hannukah." Sen. Hatch has been a prolific composer for years in his spare time – from Christian rock to patriotic ballads – but calls this song his "gift to the Jewish people." (He's Mormon.) He and his co-writer, Madeline Stone, join us to talk about their favorite Christmas songs, and how to write music for faiths that aren't your own.
Eight Days of Hanukkah from Tablet Magazine on Vimeo.
Today's Takeaway: Big Night for Rick Santorum
Today's Takeaway: Focus on Violence Syria
'Tebow Bill' May Allow Home-Schoolers to Play on High School Teams
Today's Takeaway: Multi-Billion Dollar Foreclosure Settlement Imminent
Comedian Baratunde Thurston on 'How to Be Black'
Newly-Discovered Recordings Shed Light on a Young Malcolm X
Multi-Billion Dollar Foreclosure Settlement Imminent
Is Our Constitution Out of Date?
Contraception Coverage Draws Criticism from Catholic Bishops
Results from GOP Contests in Minnesota, Colorado, and Missouri
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