On Thursday, the Federal Election Commission gave comedian Stephen Colbert the OK to form a superPAC. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Mark Wilson/Getty Images There's Nothing Funny About Colbert's SuperPAC June 30, 2011 • Comedian Stephen Colbert started a political superPAC as a joke. But — his bad — it turned out to raise some basic questions about campaign finance law. On Thursday, the Federal Election Commission gave Colbert most of what he'd asked for.
The Two-Way Clinton: U.S. Has Had 'Limited' Engagement With Muslim Brotherhood June 30, 2011 • Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said it was in the United States' interest to engage with all parties that will participate in Egypt's September elections.
What Tax 'Loopholes' Does Obama Want to Close? June 30, 2011 • President Obama and his fellow Democrats are hitting Republicans hard for protecting tax breaks for corporate jet owners and hedge fund managers.
Debt Ceiling Fight Sparks Political Shame Game June 30, 2011 • After a tongue-lashing from President Obama, the Senate is canceling its recess next week. Lawmakers have yet to strike a deficit-reduction deal to raise the debt ceiling, and they have to act by Aug. 2 to avoid a possible default. The impasse has led to a flood of scolding on Capitol Hill.
National Growers Nervous As Washington Eyes Farm Subsidies June 30, 2011 • Federal subsidies for farmers have been an essential element of the U.S. agricultural industry for decades. But as both political parties look for ways to cut the deficit, payments to growers are under the microscope, and farmers are bracing for leaner times.
President Barack Obama discusses the debt limit and federal deficit during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, June 29, 2011. Carolyn Kaster/ASSOCIATED PRESS hide caption toggle caption Carolyn Kaster/ASSOCIATED PRESS Economy Debt Deadlock Chills Consumers June 30, 2011 • At Wednesday's press conference, President Obama urged congressional leaders, and particularly Republicans, to be more open to negotiations when it comes to raising the debt limit and cutting the deficit. To learn what the continued standoff between Republicans and Democrats will mean for the U.S. economy, host Michel Martin speaks with NPR's Senior Business Editor Marilyn Geewax and Wall Street Journal reporter Sudeep Reddy.
Obama Turns Up Heat On Congressional Republicans June 30, 2011 • During President Obama news conference Wednesday, he urged lawmakers to act quickly on a deficit reduction plan, and to approve an increase in the federal debt ceiling. The debt limit must be raised by Aug. 2 or the government will risk an unprecedented default.
iStockphoto.com Business Banks Ordered To Lower Retailers' Debit Fees June 30, 2011 • Starting in October, banks will only be allowed to charge retailers 21 cents for each debit card transaction, plus an additional 0.05 percent of the purchase price to cover the cost of fraud protection.
Is GOP Resolve On Taxes Showing Cracks? June 30, 2011 • Most Senate Republicans voted two weeks ago to end a tax break for ethanol. Some see that vote as a chink in the armor of anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist and the no-new-taxes pledge he's gotten almost every GOP lawmaker to take.
It's All Politics Obama Debt-Ceiling Pitch Sounds Re-Election Themes June 29, 2011 • At his news conference, the president's first and more short-term campaign was his effort to get congressional Republicans to agree to raise the federal debt ceiling by the Aug. 2 deadline set by the U.S. Treasury Department to avert a debt default by the U.S. government. His second and longer campaign was for re-election.
Obama Challenges GOP Lawmakers In Budget Debate June 29, 2011 • President Obama took questions from reporters Wednesday at his first news conference since March. He called out congressional Republicans for their refusal to consider any revenue increases as part of a budget deal. Mister Obama also took questions regarding his views on same-sex marriage.
Congress Reacts To Obama's Presser June 29, 2011 • President Obama tells Congress to get cracking on the deficit reduction talks — and maybe not take so many vacations. After all, Mister Obama said, his kids do their homework ahead of time, so why can't Congress?
Environment White House Pushes For Higher Fuel Efficiency June 29, 2011 • The Obama administration and auto industry executives are starting talks over new fuel economy standards for cars and trucks, which are to be announced in September. Sources say the administration is pushing for the average fuel economy for each carmaker's fleet to rise to 56 mpg by 2025. The companies want something closer to 47 mpg. The heavyweight in these negotiations could turn out to be California, which plans to set its own standard if the federal government doesn't go high enough.
