NPR Politics
The White House Under Fire And The Democratic Party's Future
As questions linger about the official response to the Benghazi attack, the White House faces new challenges related to probes by the IRS and the Justice Department. Political Junkie Ken Rudin discusses the week in politics and the future of the Democratic Party with former DNC chair Howard Dean.
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DOJ Seized Records Because 'Lives Were At Stake.' Really?
The Obama administration is taking heat after the IRS admitted targeting conservative groups for extra scrutiny. Also enraging critics, the Department of Justice seized phone records from the Associated Press. Host Michel Martin talks with two former White House insiders: Republican strategist Ron Christie, and Corey Ealons, of VOX Global.
Why Is There So Much Sexual Abuse In The Military?
The Army has announced that a soldier who was coordinating a sexual assault prevention program in Texas is under investigation for "abusive sexual contact." That's fueling a growing debate about sexual assault in the military, and what can be done to stop it. Host Michel Martin talks about the issue in the Beauty Shop roundtable.
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Why Redemption Is More Costly For Some Than Others
Second chances are celebrated in the world of politics, and many leaders of high finance survive failure to enjoy lucrative careers. In her regular 'Can I Just Tell You' essay, host Michel Martin shares her thoughts about why so many poor Americans struggle to get second chances after a setback.
It's ScuttleButton Time!
President Obama says we don't have time to be playing these kinds of political games. Was he talking about Benghazi or ScuttleButton?
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Boehner: Who's Going To Jail For What IRS Did?
The House speaker says he's not interested in who resigns because the IRS inappropriately singled out some conservative groups for extra scrutiny. He wants to know who's going to be charged with breaking the law.
Read The Report On IRS's 'Inappropriate' Scrutiny Of Groups
A Treasury Department inspector general concludes that "ineffective management" is to blame for the singling out of some conservative groups.
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Holder Isn't Sure How Often Reporters' Records Are Seized
While looking for the source of a leak, federal investigators obtained phone records of Associated Press reporters and editors. There's been bipartisan outrage over what many see as government overreach. The attorney general tells NPR "I'm not sure" how many such seizures he's signed off on.
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Holder Called To Capitol Hill To Testify On Controversies
In an NPR interview, Attorney General Eric Holder answers questions about the IRS's processing of tax-exemption applications, the Justice Department's subpoenas for reporters' phone records and other hot issues. Holder faces questions on Capitol Hill Wednesday during an oversight hearing.
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Senate Panel Keeps Up Effort To Reshape Immigration Overhaul
Senators on the Judiciary Committee spent their second full day slogging through proposed amendments to the bipartisan immigration overhaul. Tuesday's subject was the method of awarding visas for those wanting to come here to study and work.
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'Ineffective Management' Blamed For IRS Tax-Exempt Scandal
A Treasury Department Inspector General's report criticizes the IRS for inappropriately flagging some conservative groups for additional scrutiny on their applications for tax-exempt status. President Obama says those responsible must be held accountable.
IRS Inquiries Crossed The Line, Tea Party Groups Say
Activists are calling for a full investigation, and possibly lawsuits, following revelations that the IRS flagged so-called patriot groups for scrutiny in applications for federal tax-exempt status. Groups say they were asked about rallies, Facebook and Twitter activity.
IRS Inquiries Crossed The Line, Tea Party Groups Say
Activists are calling for a full investigation, and possibly lawsuits, following revelations the IRS flagged so-called Patriot groups for scrutiny in applications for federal tax-exempt status. Groups say they were asked about rallies, Facebook and Twitter activity.
Goodbye, Again, To Obama's Most Audacious Hope
The sudden eruption of second-term scandals in his administration will have many costs for President Obama, but surely the most grievous will be the lost opportunity to transcend the partisan wars of Washington, his fondest dream for his second term, much as it was for his first. Now it seems destined to be dashed once again.
Goodbye, Again, To Obama's Most Audacious Hope
The sudden eruption of second-term scandals in his administration will have many costs for President Obama, but surely the most grievous will be the lost opportunity to transcend the partisan wars of Washington, his fondest dream for his second term, much as it was for his first. Now it seems destined to be dashed once again.
Immigration Reform Bill Holds Together In Senate Committee
The Senate Judiciary held its second round of debate on changes to the bipartisan immigration bill. Tuesday's focus was visas for workers, including visas for skilled technical work. David Welna talks to Melissa Block.
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Justice Department To Open Probe Of IRS's Actions
Echoing comments made Monday by President Obama, Attorney Gen. Eric Holder also said that even if no laws were broken it was "outrageous" for the IRS to focus on groups who identified themselves as "patriots" or "tea party" supporters when they applied for tax-exempt status.
It's True: 'Mistakes Were Made' Is The King Of Non-Apologies
As the head of the IRS turns to this classic "past exonerative," we look at the history of an oft-used phrase. It came up in the Nixon era, again during the Reagan, Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, and now in the Obama years. It goes back much further, though.
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Is The FDA's Caution Hazardous To Our Health?
Some argue that the FDA's approval process — required before new treatments can be sold on the market — takes too much time and money. A group of experts face off over the balance between safety and urgency in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate.
IRS Chief Says 'Mistakes Were Made' But Weren't Partisan
The extra scrutiny given to some conservative groups' applications for tax-exempt status has sparked outrage. Acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller blames "shortcuts," not politics. He and other IRS officials didn't alert Congress to what was happening when they could have last year.
