NPR Politics
Former IRS Head To Senate: It Wasn't My Fault
Douglas Shulman, who led the IRS during the years when agency workers targeted tax-exempt applications from conservative groups, did his best to deflect accusations from unhappy senators.
Oklahoma's GOP Senators Find Themselves In Tornado Aid Bind
Sens. Tom Coburn and James Inhofe have become the faces of pushback on federal emergency spending. Now the deadly and devastating tornado in their home state has put them in an awkward position.
Why Don't We Pay (More/Any) Attention To Los Angeles Mayoral Elections?
After eight years of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles voters will pick a, shall we say, more charismatically-challenged successor.
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'I Was Dismayed' To Learn What Agency Did, Ex-IRS Chief Says
Under Douglas Shulman's watch, IRS personnel singled out some conservative groups for extra scrutiny. That, he conceded Tuesday, has "justifiably led to questions" about the tax agency's motivation.
IRS Officials On Hot Seat
Former IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman and outgoing acting Commissioner Steven Miller are being grilled. The IRS is under fire because some conservative groups' applications for tax-exempt status were given extra scrutiny in recent years. An inspector general has called the actions "inappropriate."
Fox News Reporter James Rosen Caught Up In Federal Probe
There is word of another controversial leak investigation by the Department of Justice. The target is Fox News reporter James Rosen, who was monitored by the department after breaking a story about North Korea's nuclear weapons program in 2009.
Unclear Laws May Have Contributed to Tax-Exempt Controversy
IRS and Treasury officials can expect a hard time in their appearances on Capitol Hill Tuesday. A key question that so far has not gotten much attention: How did it come to be that social welfare organizations became vehicles for political activity?
Apple CEO Faces Senate Panel's Accusations Of 'Tax Gimmickry'
Tim Cook will address reports that his company pays billions less than it should in U.S. taxes each year at a Tuesday hearing in Washington. According to a report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Apple avoids the tax payments by shifting profits to subsidiaries in Ireland.
Senate Debates 5-Year Farm Bill
The measure includes farm and food subsidies totaling almost $100 billion. Lawmakers have trimmed more than $2 billion in annual farm spending. The question, though, is whether to trim more.
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Senate To Debate Farm Bill
Steve Inskeep and David Greene have details on where things stand with the Farm Bill.
Texas Medicaid Debate Complicated By Politics And Poverty
In Texas, it may be politically unwise to cross the governor, but some politicians and advocates in the poor Rio Grande Valley are starting to speak out in support of expanding Medicaid. Gov. Rick Perry opposes all parts of Obamacare.
Texas Medicaid Debate Complicated By Politics And Poverty
In Texas, it may be politically unwise to cross the governor, but some politicians and advocates in the poor Rio Grande Valley are starting to speak out in support of expanding Medicaid. Governor Perry opposes all parts of Obamacare.
Turnabout Is Fair Play: Senators Have Many Questions For IRS
The IRS gave some conservative groups extra, improper scrutiny. Now there's a bipartisan request for the IRS to answer dozens of questions. Read the queries and demands for information from the top Democrat and top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee.
ABC's Karl Expresses Regret, But Stands By Benghazi Story
The White House correspondent's story about administration emails created an uproar. Then a key part of it turned out to be wrong.
Decades Of History Behind IRS Flap
Host Michel Martin looks into why some non-profits are tax exempt, and how something like the recent IRS flap could happen. She speaks with David Cay Johnston, a columnist for Tax Analysts and reporter Brentin Mock of Colorlines.com.
Supreme Court Takes Case On Prayer At Government Meetings
Prayers said before meetings of the town board in Greece, N.Y., have predominantly been Christian. A lower court ruled that officials hadn't done enough to seek out prayers from other faiths. That violates the Constitution's Establishment Clause, the court said. Now the Supreme Court will weigh in.
Why Congress Has Reasons Not To Be Bipartsan
Some political columnists say President Obama needs to exercise more "leadership" to bend a divided Congress to his will. But congressional Republicans have little incentive to cooperate with the president. And the more he "leads," the harder it may be for them to follow.
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Is There Really A Second-Term Curse?
Whether it's Richard Nixon's resignation or Bill Clinton's impeachment, presidents tend to have a tough time during the back half of an eight-year presidency.
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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.
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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.
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