National Reid Prepares to Lead Senate Democrats December 31, 2004 • When the 109th Congress convenes next week, Nevada's Harry Reid will take over as the new minority leader of his fellow Democratic senators. The former minority whip, Reid is a Mormon convert. He's pro-gun, anti-abortion and a strong ally of the mining industry. NPR's David Welna profiles Reid.
World U.S. Boosts Tsunami Aid December 31, 2004 • The White House announces the U.S. will boost its aid contribution to tsunami victims from $35 million to $350 million. Secretary of State Colin Powell said the increase came after discussions with disaster officials made clear the size of the tragedy. Hear NPR's Larry Abramson. U.S. Boosts Tsunami Aid Audio for this story is unavailable.
National Congressman-Elect Emanuel Cleaver December 31, 2004 • NPR's Tony Cox chats with Emanuel Cleaver, the freshman representative from Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. He's one of five new African-American members of Congress, and next week he'll be sworn into the 109th Congress.
Restructuring Homeland Security Oversight December 31, 2004 • Paul Light of the Brookings Institution argues that congress should streamline oversight of the Department of Homeland Security -- giving that responsibility to only one committee in the House of Representatives. But he warns congressional leaders not to hamstring that committee -- by putting too many members on it.
Justice Renounces Torture December 31, 2004 • The Justice Department backs away from a narrow and controversial definition of torture. A new memo says torture violates U.S. and international law. The White House came under criticism for a 2002 memo that said President Bush had authority superseding U.S. laws against torture during times of war. NPR's Carrie Kahn reports.
Analysis Political Analysis: Tsunami Aid, Social Security Reform December 31, 2004 • NPR's Madeleine Brand talks with NPR's Juan Williams about the week in U.S. politics. This week's topics include U.S. aid for victims of the tsunami in southern Asia, Social Security reform and the future of troubled airlines.
Law DOJ Memo Redefines 'Torture' December 31, 2004 • A new Justice Department memo revises and expands the definition of torture, ruling out its use in interrogating prisoners of war. It replaces a controversial 2002 memo that justified the use of torture to protect national security. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and Jess Bravin of The Wall Street Journal.
Analysis: Bush Foreign Policy in 2005 December 30, 2004 • President Bush's foreign policy is often noted for the use of pre-emption. NPR's Tom Gjelten talks about President Bush's approach to foreign policy: which ideas and practices from 2004 may carry over to 2005 -- and which may be changing. Hear Gjelten and NPR's Renee Montagne.
Opinion Politically Speaking Much at Stake in Defining Social Security 'Crisis' December 30, 2004 • NPR Washington Editor Ron Elving looks at what's at stake when President Bush brands Social Security as a "crisis" -- and what it means for the future of the two major political parties.
World Peace Deal to Be Signed in Casamance, Senegal December 30, 2004 • Before the year is out, Senegal's president is expected to sign a peace deal ending one of Africa's least publicized and longest-running rebellions. The Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance has been waging a bloody independence campaign against the Central Government in Dakar since 1982. NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports.
World Venezuelan Voting Advocacy Group Faces Treason Charges December 30, 2004 • Venezuelan prosecutors charge the leaders of a get-out-the-vote group with trying to topple President Hugo Chavez in 2002. The prosecutors say the group received a grant from a Washington-based organization funded by the U.S. Congress. Brian Ellsworth reports.
Opinion On Creating a Committee to Oversee Homeland Security December 30, 2004 • When the 109th Congress convenes next week, among its most immediate items of business will be a vote on consolidating congressional oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. Rep. Christopher Cox (R-CA) has this comment.
All Things Considered Bush Eyes Expansion of No Child Left Behind December 29, 2004 • As President Bush prepares an effort to expand many of the No Child Left Behind Act's provisions to high schools, NPR's Claudio Sanchez examines the law's successes and shortcomings.
The Impact of War Analysis: Viability of Iraq Elections in January December 29, 2004 • NPR's Madeleine Brand talks to NPR's Mike Shuster about the viability of next month's Iraqi elections. Shuster just returned from a month of reporting in Iraq, and discusses moves by Sunni Muslims to disrupt polls.
Health Care U.S. Governors Unite to Demand Fed Medicaid Funds December 29, 2004 • U.S. governors unite in a bipartisan effort to hold onto their Medicaid money, even as President Bush considers cuts to help balance the federal budget. NPR's Tony Cox speaks with Michael Cannon, director of health care studies at the Cato Institute, and Victoria Wachino, health policy director at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
