Politics : NPR

Deal To Avert 'Fiscal Cliff' Appears Likely

The Capitol is illuminated in Washington, where the House and Senate remain in session. The two chambers will miss a deadline to avoid the "fiscal cliff" tonight, as 2013 begins. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption

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Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Deal To Avert 'Fiscal Cliff' Appears Likely

December 31, 2012 • Vice President Joe Biden was meeting late Monday with Senate Democrats to brief them on a proposed deal to stop the sharp tax increases and spending cuts. The Senate may vote on the deal Monday night, but there will be no vote in the House until Tuesday at the earliest.

Chief Justice John Roberts On Fiscal Woes: Don't Look At Us

Chief Justice John Roberts speaks in Farmington, Pa., in June. Ann Wilkins/AP hide caption

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Ann Wilkins/AP

It's All Politics

Chief Justice John Roberts On Fiscal Woes: Don't Look At Us

December 31, 2012 • The leader of the judicial branch of government uses his end-of-year report on the state of federal courts to highlight efforts to trim government costs, and to note: "For each citizen's tax dollar, only two-tenths of one penny go toward funding the entire third branch of government!"

Financial Markets Watching Fiscal Cliff Talks Closely

December 31, 2012 • Investors are watching fiscal cliff negotiations closely as 2012 draws to a close. Both the Dow and the S&P 500 had healthy gains this past year, but the year could end on a down note if the budget stalemate in Washington isn't resolved. All Things Considered host Robert Siegel talks with NPR business reporter Jim Zarroli about what we might expect in 2013.

What Stalled Congress On The Fiscal Cliff?

December 31, 2012 • For perspective on why Democrats and Republicans in Washington have not been able to work together to avoid a countdown to the fiscal cliff, All Things Considered host Robert Siegel talks with Norm Ornstein, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Ornstein says a big part of the problem is how Republicans in Congress have behaved like a parliamentary minority.

As Final Hours Tick Away, Fiscal Deal Said To Be 'Very Close'

December 31, 2012 • As the hours ticked away before the end of the year, Congress still did not have a final package to vote on or even debate to avert automatic tax hikes and spending cuts. NPR's David Welna, reporting from the Capitol, talks with All Things Considered host Audie Cornish to help us understand what the next day or two may hold.

Obama Says A Deal Is 'Within Sight' But Not Done Yet

December 31, 2012 • President Obama made a final public plea to Congress today to hurry up and pass an agreement to avert automatic tax hikes and spending cuts that would take effect at midnight. NPR's Scott Horsley joins host Audie Cornish from the White House with the latest news on what's happening on Capitol Hill.

White House Website Draws Petition To End All Petitions

The White House

The Two-Way

White House Website Draws Petition To End All Petitions

December 31, 2012 • We the People is supposed to be an online way for the public to petition the president. It's being used by advocates to score political points. Media critic and blogger Jeff Jarvis says it's time to stop the stunts. So he has, of course, started a petition.

President Obama Speaks On The 'Fiscal Cliff'

December 31, 2012 • Republicans and Democrats have until midnight tonight to avoid going off the so-called fiscal cliff. If they can't reach an agreement by then, automatic tax hikes and spending cuts will kick in.

Arizona Democrat Kirkpatrick Making Capitol Hill Comeback

Rep.-elect Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., enters a room full of supporters on Election Day, Nov. 6, in Flagstaff, Ariz. Ralph Freso/AP hide caption

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Ralph Freso/AP

It's All Politics

Arizona Democrat Kirkpatrick Making Capitol Hill Comeback

KJZZ

December 31, 2012 • Rep.-elect Ann Kirkpatrick is returning to Washington this week after sitting out a term following her 2010 defeat. This time around, Kirkpatrick hopes to strengthen her foothold in a swing district, but she's dealing with a tricky electorate.

Economy

Is Our Economy Better Than Theirs?

December 31, 2012 • The countdown is on to a new year — and the fiscal changes that are on the other side of midnight. But what else is on the cards economically for 2013, both here and overseas? Guest host Celeste Headlee puts the question to the Wall Street Journal's Sudeep Reddy.

Tea Party supporter William Temple of Brunswick, Ga., protested outside the Supreme Court in June as justices debated the constitutionality of President Obama's health care law. David Goldman/AP hide caption

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David Goldman/AP