Politics : NPR

Christie's Post-Sandy Remarks About House GOP Behind Non-Invite To CPAC

Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks with reporters in Trenton, N.J., this month. Christie was not invited to this year's CPAC conference. Mel Evans/AP hide caption

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Mel Evans/AP

Christie's Post-Sandy Remarks About House GOP Behind Non-Invite To CPAC

February 28, 2013 • If New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was hoping for a return invite to the big CPAC convention this year, he probably should have thought of that before he bad-mouthed House Speaker John Boehner a couple of months back.

After Tough 2012, Conservative Koch Brothers Regroup

David Koch, executive vice president of Koch Industries, attends an event at The Economic Club of New York last year. Mark Lennihan/AP hide caption

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Mark Lennihan/AP

After Tough 2012, Conservative Koch Brothers Regroup

February 28, 2013 • Conservative groups backed by wealthy industrialists David and Charles Koch spent millions but fared badly in the 2012 elections. Now they're assessing how they can get more for their money in 2014 and beyond.

Some Political Lessons From The Violence Against Women Act Vote

Supporters of the Violence Against Women Act rally in front of the U.S. Capitol last June. On Thursday, the House passed a reauthorization measure. Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/Flickr hide caption

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Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/Flickr

It's All Politics

Some Political Lessons From The Violence Against Women Act Vote

February 28, 2013 • The measure's reauthorization showed us again that as much as the two sides of the aisle in the House often can't seem to stand each other, they remain lashed together when it comes to issues that divide Republicans but unite Democrats.

Justice Department Warns Of 'Pain' From Looming Cuts

Attorney General Eric Holder speaks before a meeting of the National Association of Attorneys General on Tuesday. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

It's All Politics

Justice Department Warns Of 'Pain' From Looming Cuts

February 28, 2013 • The Obama administration warns that the situation looks ugly for the department under the sequester. But for now, the most alarming claims — that prosecutors will drop cases and criminals will walk free — seem to be just that: alarms.

Law

House Passes Expansion Of Violence Against Women Act

February 28, 2013 • The House finally took up an extension to the Violence Against Women Act on Thursday. There were a number of roadblocks to what many saw as an uncontroversial bill.

Federal Gay Marriage Ban Hurts The Bottom Line, Businesses Argue

Starbucks is among the companies urging the Supreme Court to strike down the federal government's ban on recognizing same-sex marriages. Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Federal Gay Marriage Ban Hurts The Bottom Line, Businesses Argue

February 28, 2013 • Google, Apple, Facebook and other big names are wading into the same-sex-marriage debate, which will come before the Supreme Court next month. They argue the federal government's ban on recognizing gay unions causes "unnecessary cost and administrative complexity."

It's All Politics

$85 Billion Versus $42 Billion: The New Sequester Argument

February 28, 2013 • The Congressional Budget Office has a new report saying the forced budget cuts coming tomorrow are actually smaller than the number used by the White House.

The Sequester: Cuts And Consequences

On Heels Of Sequestration, The Business Of Spending Cuts

February 28, 2013 • With automatic budget cuts set to take effect Mar. 1, politicians are jockeying to control the message about sequestration and what it will mean for their constituents. Meanwhile, the cuts may create economic choke points that could affect industries from agriculture to air travel.

Race

Black Reverend: Guns Are Important To My Church

February 28, 2013 • Gun violence devastates many predominantly African-American neighborhoods in places across the country. But some faith leaders feel that legal access to guns is part of the solution, not the problem. Host Michel Martin speaks with Reverend Kenn Blanchard about why he wants his congregation to have wider access to guns.

Africa

Kenya's Candidates Spar In First TV Debates

February 28, 2013 • For the first time, Kenya recently aired presidential debates, ahead of its election. But despite the wide audience, many people doubt the country can get through the election without violence. Host Michel Martin catches up with journalist and debate moderator Uduak Amimo.

The Two-Way

House Reauthorizes Violence Against Women Act

February 28, 2013 • Yet again, a small number of Republicans joined the Democratic majority to pass a Senate bill, provoking handwringing from Conservative members.

How Washington Chose Not To Be Careful With Spending Cuts

Under sequestration, federal agencies don't have the flexibility to choose to spare popular programs or services by making administrative cuts elsewhere. Tatiana Popova/iStockphoto.com hide caption

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Tatiana Popova/iStockphoto.com

It's All Politics

How Washington Chose Not To Be Careful With Spending Cuts

February 28, 2013 • No rational person would try to cut nearly all government spending by a fixed amount, regardless of the individual merit of any given program. That's kind of the point.

The Meaning Of 'Regret': Journalist Bob Woodward, White House Disagree

Bob Woodward speaks during an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Watergate in Washington in June. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

The Two-Way

The Meaning Of 'Regret': Journalist Bob Woodward, White House Disagree

February 28, 2013 • The veteran Washington Post reporter says a White House aide threatened him over a story about President Obama's role in sequestration.

Countdown To The Sequester: 3 More 'Should-Read' Stories

Will the clouds part, the sun shine and a sequester solution be found? Jason Reed/Reuters /Landov hide caption

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Jason Reed/Reuters /Landov

The Two-Way

Countdown To The Sequester: 3 More 'Should-Read' Stories

February 28, 2013 • Friday's deadline looms and "oh, it's gonna happen," says one Republican congressman. We continue to scour news outlets for stories that help make sense of the sequester.

NPR's Tamara Keith on where things stand

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Democrats Move To Reinstate Assault Weapons Ban

February 28, 2013 • The Senate held its first hearing on an assault weapons ban Wednesday, with activists pushing for tighter gun regulations sharing a table with gun-rights activists. They are seizing on public outrage over the December gun massacre at a school in Connecticut.