Politics : NPR

Countdown To Shutdown: A Closure Appears Inevitable

As the sun started its descent behind the U.S. Capitol building on Monday, it seemed virtually certain to rise on a partially shuttered federal government. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Countdown To Shutdown: A Closure Appears Inevitable

September 30, 2013 • Only hours before a partial shutdown of the federal government would take effect, House Republicans still hadn't arrived at a temporary spending bill that Senate Democrats were willing to approve to keep government workers on the job.

The Shutdown: A Guide To What Would And Wouldn't Close

If Congress does not reach a budget agreement and the government shuts down, the U.S. Postal Service is one agency expected to remain in operation. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

It's All Politics

The Shutdown: A Guide To What Would And Wouldn't Close

September 30, 2013 • How would government agencies and services be affected if lawmakers don't reach a budget deal by midnight? We've put together a quick breakdown.

With Shutdown Looming, Senate Takes Up Stopgap Spending Bill

September 30, 2013 • As the U.S. government braces for a shutdown, the Senate voted Monday to reject amendments to a stopgap spending bill passed by the House of Representatives that would have delayed the healthcare law for a year and repeal a tax on medical devices, and returned a "clean" continuing resolution that would keep the government open until Nov. 15 — and leave Obamacare intact — to the House.

Economy

What Happens To The Economy If The Government Shuts Down?

September 30, 2013 • Most analysts are predicting that a shutdown of the federal government will not last long. But there's no guarantee, and the mere possibility that a shut down might drag on was enough to push down the stock market today. It's one of many possible economic impacts a shutdown might have.

Obama: 'We Still Have A Window' To Avert A Shutdown

September 30, 2013 • Audie Cornish talks with Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep about his interview Monday afternoon with President Obama. We hear excerpts from the interview, more of which will air Tuesday on Morning Edition.

Rep. Roe: 'We're Not Interested In A Shutdown'

September 30, 2013 • Melissa Block speaks with Congressman Phil Roe, a House Republican and member of the Tea Party Caucus. He says he's no fan of the healthcare law — but he doesn't want to see a government shutdown either.

Hours From Shutdown, Senate Says No To House Plan

September 30, 2013 • With hours left before a government shutdown, the Senate reconvened this afternoon and promptly said no to the latest House plan to delay the Affordable Care Act in exchange for funding the government.

Here's Something Congress Can Agree On: Helium

Party On: Legislation passed last week allows the Federal Helium Reserve to continue selling the stockpiled gas. Above, Jonathan Trappe launches his 370-balloon craft from Caribou, Maine, in an attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 12. Alexandre Ayre/Barcroft Media/Landov hide caption

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Alexandre Ayre/Barcroft Media/Landov

It's All Politics

Here's Something Congress Can Agree On: Helium

September 30, 2013 • With the government on the brink of a shutdown, Republicans and Democrats in Congress have come together on a law to protect the Federal Helium Reserve. Legislation passed late last week will keep the gas used in party balloons flowing from the national stockpile.

Who's Likely To Lose The Shutdown 'Blame Game'?

Sign of the times? A room where the Senate Democratic caucus was meeting on Monday. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

The Two-Way

Who's Likely To Lose The Shutdown 'Blame Game'?

September 30, 2013 • Surveys conducted in the past week or so by Pew, CNN and Gallup show that more Americans think a shutdown would be the fault of Republicans rather than the president.

Obama And Netanyahu Discuss Iran And Syria At White House

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives Monday at the White House to meet with President Obama. The two are expected to discuss Iran's nuclear program, Syria's civil war, and peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

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Susan Walsh/AP

The Two-Way

Obama And Netanyahu Discuss Iran And Syria At White House

September 30, 2013 • Before leaving for the U.S. on Sunday, the Israeli leader promised to warn officials in Washington that they should maintain pressure on Iran to cease its nuclear program.

Are You Ready For Some Shutdown? Here's Monday's Schedule

Inside the Capitol, lawmakers are battling over health care and the budget. Outside, many government services may come to a stop at midnight. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Are You Ready For Some Shutdown? Here's Monday's Schedule

September 30, 2013 • The Democratic-led Senate is expected on Monday afternoon to reject the latest plan from the Republican-led House. With a midnight ET deadline looming, it's looking as if a partial government shutdown can't be avoided.

From 'Morning Edition': NPR's Ailsa Chang on what's expected to happen Monday

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Clock Keeps Ticking Toward Government Shutdown

September 30, 2013 • The government is expected to partially shutdown at midnight Monday night if Congress cannot agree on a spending plan. The Senate is expected to reject a House bill passed over the weekend. That bill funds the government, but delays the president's health care law by one year, and repeals a tax that helps pay for it.

Analysis

House, Senate Disagree On How To Keep Government Open

September 30, 2013 • A partial government shutdown is looming. To discuss the situation, David Greene and Steve Inskeep talk to contributor Cokie Roberts, NPR's Mara Liasson, All Things Considered host Audie Cornish and Robert Costa, who covers Congress for the National Review.

Insurance Exchange 101: Here's What You Need To Know

The audience concentrates on a presentation by Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger's office about the federal health care overhaul at the University of Kansas satellite campus in Overland Park, Kan., earlier this month. John Hanna/AP hide caption

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John Hanna/AP

Shots - Health News

Insurance Exchange 101: Here's What You Need To Know

September 30, 2013 • If all goes as planned, people who don't have insurance will be able to shop for it on online insurance marketplaces starting Tuesday. As long as people sign up by Dec. 15, they'll be covered starting Jan. 1.

With President Jimmy Carter watching, Benjamin Civiletti is sworn in by Chief Justice Warren Burger as U.S. attorney general on Aug. 16, 1979. The following year, Civiletti issued a legal opinion saying that federal work cannot go on until Congress agrees to pay for it. AP hide caption

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AP

The Government Shutdown

A Short History Of Government Shutdowns

September 30, 2013 • Drawn-out fights over spending bills are nothing new for Congress. But before a 1980 ruling by President Carter's attorney general, the rest of the country barely noticed. That's because when lawmakers reached a budget stalemate back then, the federal workforce kept on working.