Accessibility links
Politics NPR's expanded coverage of U.S. and world politics, the latest news from Congress and the White House and elections.

PoliticsPolitics

Thursday

National

Earmark Vital To Keeping Fort Drum Area Healthy

North Country Public Radio

A $400,000 earmark funds an organization that helps connect soldiers and their families at Fort Drum with private-practice doctors. The service was necessary because Fort Drum lacks its own hospital, but it has also helped bolster the region's health care assets as a whole.

Earmark Vital To Keeping Fort Drum Area Healthy

Listen · 4:25
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/132483586/132562486" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

How To Get Around The Ban On Earmarks

As Congress vows to crack down on earmarks, the search intensifies for other ways to direct the flow of federal dollars to suit the agendas of powerful lawmakers. Some possibilities: Lawmakers may help groups lobby the executive branch for grants, or create targeted tax breaks.

How To Get Around The Ban On Earmarks

Listen · 4:00
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/132442444/132445429" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Political Powerhouses: Remembering Those Who Died

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) was first elected to the Senate in 1959 and was the longest serving member in the Senate's history. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Political Powerhouses: Remembering Those Who Died

A comprehensive list of lawmakers, journalists, campaign advisers and family members who died in 2010, and who for the most part helped make politics an honorable profession.

The 2010 Obit Podcast

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/132406492/132295510" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Tuesday

GOP Consultant: Smart Republican Opponents Hope Palin Runs

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin at a rally in West Virgina on Oct. 30, 2010. Randy Snyder/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Randy Snyder/Getty Images

The Two-Way

GOP Consultant: Smart Republican Opponents Hope Palin Runs

"What you really want to be is the candidate who emerges toward the end of 2011," says Mike Murphy, and if Palin can "fascinate the media for nine months" before then, that's fine.

Mike Murphy on Sarah Palin

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/132409855/132409626" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Hey, Members Of Congress: Keep Your Day Jobs

The freshmen members of the upcoming 112th Congress pose for a class photo on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. The group includes a dentist, a nurse and a pizzeria owner, among other professions. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

National

Hey, Members Of Congress: Keep Your Day Jobs

Some prominent conservatives have called for a return to the days when being a member of Congress was a part-time job, arguing that it will keep lawmakers more in touch with reality. But critics warn it would strengthen the presidency too much. Either way, is it even feasible?

Monday

Legal Questions Linger After 'Don't Ask' Repeal

The "don't ask, don't tell" repeal legislation that allows gays to serve openly in the military sits on a desk at the Interior Department on Dec. 22, 2010, prior to President Obama's signing it. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Evan Vucci/AP

Law

Legal Questions Linger After 'Don't Ask' Repeal

Lawyers who represent discharged and current gay and lesbian troops are preparing several challenges. Some service members discharged under "don't ask, don't tell" are seeking retirement benefits and severance pay.

Legal Questions Linger After 'Don't Ask' Repeal

Listen · 4:05
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/132366702/132368090" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Obama, Hillary Clinton Top Gallup's 'Most Admired' Poll

President Obama listens as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at the State Department in Washington on Dec. 13, 2010. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Obama, Hillary Clinton Top Gallup's 'Most Admired' Poll

The Gallup/USA Today "most-admired" list shows that 22 percent chose Obama. At No. 2: former President George W. Bush, who was the choice of 5 percent. Hillary Clinton has been most-admired woman nine straight years.

Health Overhaul's Biggest Failing Could Be Lack Of A Catchy Name

At the March signing ceremony for the health overhaul law, Vice President Biden had an idea for what to call the historic legislation. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Health Overhaul's Biggest Failing Could Be Lack Of A Catchy Name

Even the wonkiest among us rarely refer to the law by its given name: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. So what should we call the law remaking the nation's health care system?

House Freshman Gosar Wants Health Law Repealed

WUAL

Capitol Hill has 85 new House Republicans, nearly half of them political rookies. This week Morning Edition is profiling some of the incoming GOP freshmen. Among them is Paul Gosar, a dentist from Arizona, who wants the health care law repealed.

House Freshman Gosar Wants Health Law Repealed

Listen · 3:11
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/132358532/132358526" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript