NPR Politics
Political Takeaways: Headaches For The White House
Controversies dominated this past week's political headlines, leaving the Obama White House on the defensive, trying to contain any lasting damage. Host Rachel Martin talks with NPR's Mara Liasson.
Nonconservative Groups Say IRS Scrutinized Them, Too
The IRS has admitted it flagged tax-exemption requests from groups with "tea party" or "patriot" in their names starting in 2010. But some liberal groups and journalism organizations say their applications also faced long delays during the same period.
Tesla Rides High, But Faces Formidable Foe: Car Dealers
The Model S from electric car manufacturer Tesla has been named Motor Trend Car of the Year. But the company's business model is under attack by a formidable foe: the National Automobile Dealers Association, one of the most powerful lobbying groups in Washington.
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What A Week: White House Rattled By Controversy
NPR's Ari Shapiro joins host Scott Simon to talk about the Obama administration's week. The president was buffeted by revelations that the IRS had targeted Tea Party groups seeking tax-exempt status and that the Justice Department had subpoenaed reporter phone records. On top of that, Republicans continue to allege that the White House engaged in a cover-up of talking points about the attack in Benghazi, Libya.
Highly Charged IRS Case Pulls In Political Agendas
NPR's Peter Overby reports on the Congressional testimony of IRS officials in response to the scandal over special scrutiny of tea party groups. Underneath all the politics, there's a policy question that hasn't been addressed.
Immigration Bill Chugs Along, But Some See Deal-Breakers
The bipartisan immigration overhaul proposed by the Senate's Gang of Eight has been the target of scores of amendments. So far, the bill has largely held its own, but its prospects for getting through Congress are uncertain.
Why The IRS Scandal Is Built To Last
Of all the current Washington scandals, the one involving the IRS appears to have the most staying power. It rolls into one package an agency many love to hate, partisan suspicions and the American appetite for conspiracies.
Why The IRS Scandal Is Built To Last
Of all the current Washington scandals, the one involving the IRS appears to have the most staying power. It rolls into one package an agency many love to hate, partisan suspicions and the American appetite for conspiracies.
Obama U: What Graduation Speeches Say About The President
President Obama's commencement speeches often seem more about the big-picture state of the union than do his State of the Union addresses, which read like to-do lists. And his assessment of where the country stands and where it's going has changed over the past four years.
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A Field Guide To Democratic Responses To Scandals
A long week of scandal has been tough on more than just the White House. President Obama's allies are struggling with how to respond to their first taste of really bad news within the administration.
After Deadly Chemical Plant Disasters, There's Little Action
Proposals for chemical plants to use "inherently safer" design practices have been blocked by industry executives and their allies in Congress, despite deadly accidents and the risk of a potential terrorist attack that could harm an entire community or city.
After Deadly Chemical Plant Disasters, There's Little Action
Proposals for chemical plants to use "inherently safer" design practices have been blocked by industry executives and their allies in Congress, despite deadly accidents and the risk of a potential terrorist attack that could harm an entire community or city.
Outgoing Acting IRS Director Grilled By House Lawmakers
The House Ways and Means Committee became the first oversight panel in Congress to weigh in on the IRS tax-exempt group controversy on Friday morning.
Conservative Advice To GOP: Don't Legislate, Focus On Scandals
The political arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation wants GOP leaders to set aside legislation like the farm bill that might turn attention away from questions about the IRS and Benghazi.
Nearly Half The Country Doesn't Know Health Law Exists
A new poll finds 42 percent of Americans aren't sure that the Affordable Care Act is actually a law. Guest Host Celeste Headlee discusses this and other health care-related issues with Mary Agnes Carey, senior correspondent at Kaiser Health News, and NPR's Senior Washington Editor, Ron Elving.
Could The President's Week Get Any Worse?
From scandals involving the IRS, to spirited Benghazi hearings, it's been a tough week for the Obama administration. But will this bad week really have further political fallout? Guest host Celeste Headlee checks in with the barbershop guys.
It's All Politics, May 16, 2013
Ron Elving and Mara Liasson look back at the week of scandals rocking the Obama administration. The president is angry over the IRS' targeting of groups with names that include "Tea Party" and "patriot." And Eric Holder testifies on the Justice Department's seizing of phone records of journalists
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Gingrich Cautions GOP About 'Overreach' On Scandals
"I think we overreached in '98 — how's that for a quote you can use?" the former House speaker says of the Clinton impeachment. Now he tells fellow Republicans that they need to be "calm and factual" as they pursue answers from the Obama administration about the IRS and other scandals.
'Foolish Mistakes Were Made,' IRS Chief Says
Steven Miller, who was forced to submit his resignation as head of the agency this week, testified before Congress. Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike are angry over the agency's targeting of conservative groups.
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Obama Moves Aggressively Into Damage Control Mode
President Obama is in the middle of a series of scandals. But are they serious enough to undermine his second term? Veterans of past Washington scandals assess the potential for political peril, and what the president can do about it.
