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Saturday

Spending Bill Stalls over Immigration Issue

The House and Senate have been unable to reconcile differences over a supplemental spending bill, largely because of disagreements over a House-sponsored amendment aimed at curbing illegal immigration. The debate within the Republican Party is a prelude to a broader discussion still to come.

Spending Bill Stalls over Immigration Issue

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Schwarzenegger Plug for Minutemen Causes Stir

Critics question California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's praise of the Arizona Minutemen, the volunteer-based group that drew attention earlier this month for patrols on the Mexican border. The Austrian-born governor responds by declaring himself a champion of immigrants.

Schwarzenegger Plug for Minutemen Causes Stir

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Friday

Day to Day

Mexico City Mayor a Presidential Favorite

Lourdes Garcia-Navarro profiles Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the controversial mayor of Mexico City. Obrador is facing criminal charges for an obscure land transaction -- charges that could keep him from running in Mexico's upcoming presidential election -- but millions of Mexicans recently came out in a show of support. Many blame Obrador's political rivals for pushing trumped-up charges to keep him from becoming president.

Mexico City Mayor a Presidential Favorite

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National

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin's Success Story

Of the South's newly thriving cities, few have risen from the ashes of economic and political crisis as quickly as Atlanta — due in large part to its mayor, Shirley Franklin. She is not only the first woman ever to hold that office in Atlanta, but also the first African-American woman to run a large city south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin's Success Story

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Frist Proposes Deal on Judicial Filibusters

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist offers a compromise in the battle over judicial filibusters: He would guarantee nominees a yes/no vote after 100 hours of debate, stripping the judiciary committee of the power to block a vote by the full Senate. But he refused to drop a demand that Democrats stop using filibusters. Democrats are unlikely to accept the proposal.

Frist Proposes Deal on Judicial Filibusters

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The Impact of War

Photos of Caskets Bearing War Dead Released

After an extended legal fight, the Pentagon has released hundreds of photographs of caskets, bearing casualties of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Korea and Vietnam. The Pentagon had fought the release of these photos, which were taken by military photographers.

Photos of Caskets Bearing War Dead Released

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Social Security Debate

Bush Outlines Proposal for Social Security

In his Thursday night press conference, President Bush cited a proposed change to Social Security called progressive indexing. The measure would cut promised benefits significantly for about 70 percent of future retirees.

Bush Outlines Proposal for Social Security

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Bush Gets More Specific on Social Security Plans

President Bush offers details on his thoughts for fixing Social Security's long-term problems. During his first prime-time news conference of the second term, he suggested a plan to slow increases in payments to the wealthiest Americans.

Bush Gets More Specific on Social Security Plans

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Thursday

All Things Considered

Army to Issue New Manual on Interrogation Methods

Pentagon officials say a new Army manual on interrogation techniques will prohibit the kind of abuse revealed last year at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison. The Pentagon also has published interim guidance on the issue for all branches of the service.

Army to Issue New Manual on Interrogation Methods

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Senate Republicans Offer Compromise on Judicial Filibusters

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has offered what Republicans see as a compromise regarding filibusters of judicial nominations. Frist said he would allow for 100 hours of debate for each nominee, to be followed by a yes-or-no vote. Democrats responded coolly to the idea.

Senate Republicans Offer Compromise on Judicial Filibusters

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Author Interviews

Biographer Sees New Relevance in Economist Galbraith

Harvard professor Richard Parker's John Kenneth Galbraith: His Life, Politics and Economics is the first authorized biography of the influential thinker, now 96. The book traces the life of the liberal intellectual icon, from his childhood in rural Canada to the present day.

Biographer Sees New Relevance in Economist Galbraith

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Energy Plan Emphasis: Nuclear Power, Efficent Vehicles

Seeking to blunt growing criticism over high energy prices, President Bush is proposing to speed construction of nuclear power plants and oil refineries -- possibly on retired military bases. He also made a pitch to boost sales of energy-efficient vehicles.

Energy Plan Emphasis: Nuclear Power, Efficent Vehicles

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Bid to Regulate '527' Donations Bogs Down

A bill to regulate what are known as "527" groups finds more critics the longer it is debated. The legislation seeks to close a loophole in earlier efforts to curb unlimited political contributions.

Bid to Regulate '527' Donations Bogs Down

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NRA Looks to Expand on 'Perceived Threat' Victory

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed a law this week that broadens citizens' rights to use deadly force in response to a perceived threat — a huge lobbying victory for the National Rifle Association. The gun advocacy group now plans to duplicate that success in other states.

NRA Looks to Expand on 'Perceived Threat' Victory

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