KPCC: Politics News

"In Their Boots" documentary series looks at the impact of war

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:51:12 -0800

The recent shootings at the Army base at Fort Hood, Texas raise many questions about the psychological effect of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq on soldiers. That's also the focus of the new documentary series "In Their Boots."

Ahead of debate, health care battle lines drawn

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:13:55 -0800

The House of Representatives is poised Saturday to take up its health care bill. With every step this legislation takes toward becoming law, the fervor — on both sides — gets stronger.

House Dems struggle for final votes on health care

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:33:17 -0800

Amid intense lobbying by the Obama administration, House Democratic leaders struggled Friday for the final votes needed to pass sweeping health care legislation, working to ease concerns among Hispanic holdouts and abortion foes.

Rep. Dingell: The House's link to health-care history

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:10:54 -0800

When people think of health care and Congress, often the first name that springs to mind is the late Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts. While Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) may not be as well known, his legacy on health care is even richer than Kennedy's.

How many losses for the Democrats in 2010?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:04:34 -0800

The dust has settled from Tuesday's off-year elections, and now both political parties are looking forward to the next election in November 2010, when 36 governorships, 36 Senate seats and all of the House of Representatives will be at stake.

Karzai must kick out 'cronies' to succeed, Kerry says

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:53:59 -0800

When the main challenger to Afghan President Hamid Karzai dropped out of a planned runoff, it did more than end two months of election disputes. Sen. John Kerry says it also gave Karzai a chance to prove his legitimacy — and to become a stronger ally to America.

Schools emerge as new tactic in gay marriage votes

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:18:57 -0800

In one ad after another, voters in California and Maine were besieged with images of what would supposedly happen if same-sex marriage were legal: Students on a field trip to a lesbian wedding, elementary kids gobbling up books featuring gay couples, kindergartners learning about homosexuality from their teachers.

Obama signs homebuyer, jobless bill assistance

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:59:58 -0800

President Barack Obama signed into law a $24 billion economic stimulus bill providing tax incentives to prospective homebuyers and extending unemployment benefits to the longtime jobless who have been left behind as the economy veers toward recovery.

Zelaya: US-brokered pact for Honduran crisis fails

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:55:20 -0800

Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya said Friday that a U.S.-brokered pact failed to end a four-month political crisis after a deadline for forming a unity government passed.

House Dems say Sat. vote on health care may slip

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:54:38 -0800

House Democrats acknowledged they don't yet have the votes to pass a sweeping overhaul of the nation's health care system, and signaled they may push back the vote until Sunday or early next week.

House Dems push for votes on health bill

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:02:01 -0800

House Democrats are scrambling to secure enough support to pass President Barack Obama's historic health overhaul initiative, working to soothe last-minute concerns from rank-and-file Democrats ahead of a make-or-break vote.

Muslim leaders condemn violence at Fort Hood

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:34 -0800

Southern California Muslim leaders and law enforcement officials held a news conference to express solidarity after the deadly shooting in Fort Hood, Texas. A gunman opened fire at the Army post, killing 12 people and injuring more than a dozen others. The Muslim Public Affairs Council condemned the violence and the group said it's contacted federal authorities to learn more about the suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. Los Angeles city and county law enforcement officials have increased patrols and officer presence around area mosques and other religious institutions. KPCC's Brian Watt was at the group's news conference and spoke with All Things Considered host Alex Cohen. (Audio: Extended details on the press conference.)

With election dispute over, the pressure is on Karzai

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:47:44 -0800

In Afghanistan, a runoff election was called off this week, handing incumbent President Hamid Karzai a second term. Many Afghans are adamant that Karzai deliver change this time around, and his Western partners have plans to set benchmarks he will have to meet.

Hard choices in Afghanistan: what's next?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:22:46 -0800

A special report from All Things Considered and NPR.org explores the challenges facing President Obama, America and Afghanistan in the troubled region and the options available to the U.S.

John Garamendi sworn in as congressman

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:25:31 -0800

California’s newest member of Congress, former lieutenant governor John Garamendi, took the oath of office the floor of the U.S. House today.

Senate Democrats advance climate bill without GOP

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:06:26 -0800

Senate Democrats sidestepped a Republican boycott Thursday, pushing a climate bill out of committee in an early step on a long and contentious road to passage.

Obama welcomes AARP backing of health care bill

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:45:26 -0800

President Barack Obama trumpeted two major endorsements for his health overhaul push Thursday as House Democratic leaders pushed toward a vote Saturday on the far-reaching legislation remaking the U.S. health care system. "I am extraordinarily pleased and grateful to learn that the AARP and the American Medical Association are both supporting the health insurance reform bill that will soon come up to vote in the House of Representatives," Obama said in an unannounced visit to the White House briefing room.

California lawmakers pass water plan to improve supply

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:36:43 -0800

After months of negotiation and a couple of all-night voting sessions, state lawmakers passed a cluster of bills Wednesday morning designed to improve California’s water supply. They’ve called the $11 billion package “historic” – and it is. The plan alters the way California manages water.

GOP sets sights on conservative 'Blue Dog' Democrats

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:04:26 -0800

Republicans, fresh off electoral wins this week, are looking ahead to the 2010 midterms with their hit lists ready. Some of their top House targets: Blue Dog Democrats, many of whom have pushed back on the president's top domestic initiatives.

Carly Fiorina derides Barbara Boxer as do-nothing senator

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:41:46 -0800

Former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina announced Wednesday she’s running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in California. Fiorina brings considerable wealth and name recognition to her bid to oust three-term Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer.