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Politics 2002
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Debate On Capitol Hill Over Going To War With Iraq
President Bush hopes to rally both the nation and the international community to his campaign against the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. The White House will pursue its goals on two tracks at once, seeking explicit authority to use force from the US Congress and a new mandate from the UN Security Council. We have two reports on this dual strategy, the first from NPR's Don Gonyea at the White House.
September 27, 2002.
Gore Speaks Criticizes Bush's Pre-Emptive Policy
Today Al Gore harshly criticized President Bush's push for war against Iraq. In his first major speech on Iraq, the former Democratic president candidate said the Bush administration has embarked on a dangerous course. Political writer Carla Marinucci of the San Francisco Chronicle joins NPR's John Ydstie.
Sept. 23, 2002.
Congressional Democrats Struggle to Respond to Bush's Demands For Fast Action on Iraq
Congressional Democrats are struggling with how to respond to President Bush's demands for fast action on Iraq. Elections are only weeks away, some Democrats say GOP candidates are using the Iraq issue to pump up their campaigns. NPR's David Welna reports from the Capitol on how Democrats are dealing with the Iraq issue.
Sept. 20, 2002.
Democrats Respond
NPR's David Welna reports on the dilemma that Congressional Democrats face in deciding whether to pass a resolution giving President Bush advance approval to use military force against Iraq. Some Democrats are concerned that Republican candidates for Congress are using the Iraq issue against them in the election campaign.
Sept. 20, 2002.
Appropriations Bills Languish
The federal government faces a budget showdown. Host Scott Simon talks with budget analyst Stan Collendar about some likely scenarios for the upcoming election-year budget debate in Congress. (5:30)
September 14, 2002
Bush and Forests
Thinning forests can help to prevent the kind of terrible fires that have burned in the West this year. But, as NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports, the Bush administration's forest policy is controversial. (5:20)
September 7, 2002
Congress Goes to New York
NPR's David Welna reports on today's historic session of Congress in New York. The extraordinary meeting, which lasted an hour and included about half the members, was held to remember the events of Sept. 11 and the devastating effect it had on the city. (4:00)
September 6, 2002
Faith-Based Initiative and the States
NPR Religion Correspondent Duncan Moon reports on the legislation that would allow religious group to use federal dollars for social service programs. The "faith based initiative" is stalled in Congress, but the Bush administration is already altering government regulations to make federal money available to religious organizations... and plans to show state governments how to do the same. (3:35)
September 6, 2002
Senate Panel Rejects Judge Priscilla Owen
NPR's Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg reports that yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee rejected the nomination of Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen to the U.S. Court of Appeals. The committee's Democratic majority thwarted the nomination in a move that outraged President Bush, who called the vote "bad for the country." (4:06)
September 6, 2002
Senate Votes to Allow Pilots to Carry Guns
The U.S. Senate has voted to allow commercial airline pilots to carry guns, in an effort to protect their planes from hijackers. NPR's Pam Fessler tells Robert Siegel about the details of the bill. (3:00)
September 5, 2002
Florida Election Lawsuit Settled
NPR's Phillip Davis reports on the settlement that the NAACP and other civil rights groups have reached in their class-action lawsuit against the state of Florida and seven Florida counties over the disputed presidential election results in 2000. Under the settlement, Florida officials say they will change the way they maintain voter rolls and train poll workers. (3:30)
September 4, 2002
Congress Returns to Busy Schedule
Host Bob Edwards speaks with NPR's David Welna about Congress's long to-do list for this session: homeland security, appropriations, election reform, and a prescription drug benefit for seniors are all up for consideration. (4:08)
September 4, 2002
Senate and Homeland Security
The U.S. Senate returned from its summer recess Tuesday and plunged back into its struggle to create a new Department of Homeland Security. President Bush also returned from his August travels and resumed lobbying efforts for his version of the new department, which would allow his administration more flexibility than usual in managing federal employees. NPR's Pam Fessler reports. (3:30)
September 3, 2002
Bush's Labor Day in Pittsburgh
President Bush visits Pittsburgh for a little Labor Day campaigning. Bush is working to increase labor votes because he did poorly among that group in the 2000 election. Don Gonyea reports many union members oppose the president's domestic polices, especially those concerning the economy. (8:00)
September 2, 2002
California Budget Crisis Continues
Laura Sydell reports from Sacramento that the California state assembly is poised to set a record this weekend for creating the longest budget impasse in state history. Republicans and Democrats continue to wrangle as they struggle to come up with cuts and new funds to make up an $24 billion budget shortfall. (4:15)
August 31, 2002
Lawsuit Targets Congressional Chaplains
Robert Siegel speaks with Michael Newdow, a doctor and lawyer who has brought a lawsuit against the government over congressional chaplains. Newdow says it is unconstitutional for taxpayer-funded chaplains to pray in Congress and minister to lawmakers. Newdow won a lawsuit challenging the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. (4:30)
August 30, 2002
Cheney Emerges as Spokesman on Iraq
For the second time this week, Vice President Dick Cheney has spoken publicly about the Bush administration's desire for a pre-emptive strike on Iraq. Speaking to a Korean War veterans' reunion in San Antonio, Texas, Cheney said the U.S. "will take whatever action is necessary" to defend America's freedom and security. Two prominent senators, Patrick Leahy and Russell Feingold, are insisting that President Bush seek permission from Congress before deciding to go to war with Iraq. Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Steve Inskeep. (4:30)
August 29, 2002
Return to Deficit Spending
NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports the federal budget is back in the red. Democrats blame President Bush's tax cut; Republicans say the budget was already receding before they gained control of the White House, and the cost of homeland security has merely exacerbated an already existing condition. (4:02)
August 28, 2002
Boston Fights for Convention
Boston has its bid in to host the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and it's up against an old rival, New York City. NPR's Tovia Smith reports, Boston is getting a facelift to try to beat out the Big Apple and impress the DNC scouts. Some Bostonians say the chance to host the convention would do wonders for the city's pride, and its purse. (5:28)
August 15, 2002
Democrats' View of Waco Economic Forum
John talks with Congressman John Spratt of South Carolina about the forum. Spratt is the senior Democrat on the House Budget Committee. (4:00)
August 13, 2002
Administration View of Waco Economic Forum
All Things Considered guest host John Ydstie talks with Lawrence Lindsey, White House economic adviser, about the Waco Economic Forum. (4:00)
August 13, 2002
Waco Economic Forum
President Bush and members of his cabinet convene a gathering of business executives, academics and consumers at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where they discuss the state of the economy. The program at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and lasted about three hours. Speaking to several of the different discussion panels, the president emphasized his confidence that the American economy would continue to grow and that its capital markets would recover from recent sell-offs. NPR's White House Correspondent Don Gonyea reports from Waco. (4:00)
August 13, 2002
Bush Granted Increased Trade Powers
President Bush reclaims the presidential power to negotiate trade treaties that Congress cannot amend. So-called "fast-track authority," has been exercised by earlier presidents, but lapsed in 1994. Mr. Bush says his first use of the power will be to increase the free-trading zone of North America to include more of the Western Hemisphere. NPR's Pam Fessler reports. (3:00)
August 6, 2002
Voting Rights Suit Identifies Bias Against Native Americans
NPR's Greg Allen reports that the American Civil Liberties Union plans Monday to file the largest voting rights lawsuit ever. The ACLU alleges that there is a wide pattern of discrimination against Native Americans in South Dakota. (4:34)
August 5, 2002
Senate Wraps Up Business Before Summer Recess
NPR's Congressional Correspondent David Welna tells Scott Simon about the Senate's last-minute accomplishments before summer recess. (4:30)
August 3, 2002
FBI and Senators
NPR's Barbara Bradley reports on complaints by senators that FBI agents have asked them to take polygraph tests. The agents were investigating the source of leaked information regarding the Sept. 11 investigations. (4:00)
August 2, 2002
Medicare Vote
NPR's Julie Rovner reports on the Senate's decision to reject a fourth attempt to add prescription drug benefits to Medicare. While this larger goal was missed, a bill did pass that will ease the entry of generic drugs into the market. (4:32)
August 1, 2002
Ethics Panel Chides New Jersey's Torricelli
NPR's Peter Overby reports that the Senate Ethics Committee "severely admonishes" Sen. Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) for accepting gifts from a campaign contributor. (3:24)
July 31, 2002
Traficant Sentenced to Prison
Former Congressman James Traficant, a maverick Ohio Democrat, is sentenced to eight years in prison. Traficant was expelled from the House of Representatives last week after being found guilty of those same corruption charges. (1:30)
July 30, 2002
Vote Fraud in Dallas
NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports that absentee ballot fraud is tipping elections in Dallas. One city council election was invalidated and two big civic projects squeaked through, thanks to a longstanding practice in the city's minority neighborhoods. Brokers know when absentee ballots are delivered and scoop them out of mailboxes at houses and nursing homes. Prosecutors and legislators says it's fraud that must be stopped. (12:30)
July 25, 2002
Congress Passes Corporate Reform Legislation
Both houses of Congress have overwhelmingly approved a compromise package designed to tighten the regulation of corporate accounting and lengthen penalties for chief executives found responsible for defrauding investors. NPR's David Welna reports. (2:30)
July 25, 2002
House Expels Traficant
The House expels Rep. James Traficant after the Ohio Democrat was convicted of ten felonies in federal court. Traficant took the floor to defend his seat in a trademark ramble about conspiracy, fair play and bell-bottom pants. (4:10)
July 25, 2002
Accounting Reform
NPR's David Welna reports on the apparent agreement reached by House and Senate negotiators on a bill that would crack down on corporate fraud and deal with penalties for those found guilty of wrongdoing. Democrats are claiming victory in the deal, which keeps intact the provisions of the reform bill unanimously passed by the Democrat-run Senate. (4:00)
July 24, 2002
Judge Owen
NPR Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg reports on what has become a grueling approval process for the nomination of Texas Judge Priscilla Owen to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Despite testimony from a number of Republicans singing Owen's praises, support for the nomination from Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee is waning. (4:31)
July 24, 2002
Judge Owen
NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg reports on the controversial nomination of Texas Supreme Court Judge Priscilla Owen, whom the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider Tuesday. While the Bush administration strongly supports Owen, her nomination has attracted protest from a vast coalition of liberal rights groups. (5:05)
July 23, 2002
Bush and Congress
NPR's David Welna reports that lawmakers are eager to complete a corporate reform bill before House members break for their summer recess. The bill is currently in a House-Senate Conference Committee, where members are trying to reconcile two different versions of the legislation. (3:35)
July 23, 2002
Michael Myers
The last person to be expelled from Congress was Michael "Ozzie" Myers, a Democrat from Pennsylvania. He was one of the many people caught taking bribes from undercover FBI agents in the sting operation known as Abscam. Guest host Brian Naylor speaks with NPR Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving about the Myers hearings in 1980 and how they relate to the James Traficant hearings of this past week. (5:30)
July 21, 2002
Rep. James Traficant
Guest host Brian Naylor looks back at the performance of Rep. James Traficant (D-Ohio) before the House Standards of Official Conduct Committee this past week. Traficant faces expulsion from the House stemming from his conviction on charges of tax evasion and taking kickbacks and bribes. (3:00)
July 21, 2002
TSA Head Resigns
John Magaw, head of the Transportation Security Administration, resigned Thursday citing health problems. But some lawmakers say Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta helped push Magaw out, as the TSA continues to be criticized for its inability to federalize U.S. airport security more rapidly. Mineta has endorsed Admiral James Loy, the former vommandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, to replace Magaw. NPR's Mary Ann Akers reports. (3:52)
July 19, 2002
House Passes Corporate Reform Measure
NPR's David Welna reports on the House's sudden debate and passage today of a measure that would institute severe penalties for companies that engage in corporate fraud. The action follows a measure passed unanimously by the Senate yesterday, a bill far tougher than one passed by the House last April. Republicans, who control the House, say their bill is stronger than the one passed yesterday by the Senate, which is controlled by the Democrats. But some see the latest GOP action as an attempt by Republicans to cover themselves politically, as Americans seem more and more concerned about corporate scandals and the resulting drop in the stock market. (3:30)
July 16, 2002
Senate Votes on Corporate Ethics
NPR's Larry Abramson reports on a new piece of legislation passed by the Senate that is designed to crack down on corporate fraud. The bill calls for the creation of an independent oversight board with the power to create accounting standards and punish deviant firms. The recent discovery of questionable bookkeeping by major corporations, along with a diving stock market, may have added pressure to push the bill through Congress. But some Senators have criticized the legislation, saying it could stifle the kind of business innovation that will revitalize the market. (4:07)
July 16, 2002
Traficant Makes His Case to Stay in Congress
NPR's David Welna reports on the effort by convicted Rep. James Traficant to remain in Congress. Traficant, an Ohio Democrat seeking re-election as an independent, appeared today before an open hearing of the House ethics committee, arguing that despite his earlier conviction on fraud and bribery charges, he should not be expelled. Traficant, again acting as his own attorney, insisted on his innocence and urged the panel to allow him to present witnesses, but he conceded that he is "prepared" to be expelled and sent to prison. (4:00)
July 15, 2002
Reviewing Gov. Ventura's Tenure
At a convention of the Minnesota Independence Party, they're trying to decide what to do when their current governor, Jesse Ventura, leaves office. The biggest question is whether the former wrestler's four-year tenure was a positive experience or not. Mark Zdechlik of Minnesota Public Radio reports.
July 15, 2002
Homeland Security
The White House sends its top cabinet officers to Capitol Hill to push for President Bush's plan for a new Department of Homeland Security. But key House committees -- all run by Republicans -- resist several key elements of the plan. Next week, a specially created panel will finalize the House version of the new Department and send it to the floor. NPR's Pam Fessler reports on the progress of the government's newest department. (4:30)
July 12, 2002
Cheney, Halliburton Face Lawsuit
Host Bob Edwards talks with Jeffrey Birnbaum, Washington bureau chief of Fortune magazine, about the lawsuit filed against Vice President Cheney Wednesday. Judicial Watch, a legal watchdog group, alleges that Cheney and the Halliburton Co., an oil services company he once ran, defrauded shareholders by overstating company revenues. (4:30)
July 11, 2002
Bush Holds News Conference
Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Don Gonyea about this afternoon's press conference at the White House. President Bush defended his own late SEC filings regarding sales of stock made when he was on the board of directors of the Harken Energy Corporation more than 10 years ago. Mr. Bush also called on Congress to approve money for the war on terrorism and for airport security. (4:00)
July 8, 2002
Fire Fingerpointing
NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports that politicians, environmentalists and members of the timber industry are blaming one another for the forest fires burning in the West. (4:33)
July 5, 2002
Karen Hughes Departs White House
NPR Senior Correspondent Juan Williams talks with departing White House adviser Karen Hughes. In May, Hughes decided to return home to Texas after two years working in Washington. She says she'll still advise the president and hopes that she'll gain a more accurate perspective on how the rest of the country views the administration. (7:37)
July 2, 2002
Tennessee's Budget Crisis
NPR's Adam Hochberg reports that more than half the employees of the state of Tennessee have been furloughed through this week. The 22,000 workers are off their jobs because the Tennessee legislature has failed to pass a balanced budget, as required by the state constitution. (3:46)
July 2, 2002
A Talk with the Newark Candidates
In two separate interviews, Tavis Smiley speaks to the candidates running for mayor of Newark, N.J. election. In the first interview, the host of NPR's The Tavis Smiley Show speaks to the challenger, 33-year-old City Councilman Cory Booker, about what he sees as new era of black leadership. In the second conversation, Smiley talks to incumbent Mayor Sharpe James about his achievements in Newark and why he feels he's still the right man to run City Hall.
May 13, 2002
Illinois Primary Results
Shirley Jahad of Chicago Public Radio has the latest on the results of the Illinois primary. She reports for Morning Edition.
March 20, 2002
Illinois House Race
NPR's Cheryl Corley reports that charges of anti-Semitism and ethnic polarity are boiling up in the campaign rhetoric in a Chicago Democratic congressional primary election. Some say it's a throwback to old-style Chicago politics.
March 14, 2002
Two Texas Candidates Accept Enron Donations
NPR's Kathy Lohr reports that two of the three candidates in Tuesday's Democratic Senate primary in Texas have received money from Enron. People are angry about the company's collapse, but there seems to be less stigma in Texas about politicians taking money from Enron.
March 11, 2002
Simon to Take On Davis in California; Condit Loses
Bill Simon won the GOP nomination for governor of California, which means that he will face off against incumbent Gray Davis in November. NPR's Ina Jaffe reports.
March 6, 2002
Condit's Struggle to Overcome Scandal
NPR's Richard Gonzales reports on California Democrat Gary Condit's uphill battle to retain his Congressional seat. Despite his seniority in the House of Representatives after seven terms there, he struggled to overcome the taint of scandal.
March 3, 2002
California Gubernatorial Primary Tightens in Final Weeks
NPR's Ina Jaffe reports on that a few short weeks ago, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan looked like a shoo-in for the GOP nomination to take on California Gov. Gray Davis in November. Then things got interesting.
Feb. 28, 2002
The California Republican Convention
NPR's Ina Jaffe reports from San Jose, Calif., on the state GOP convention.
Feb. 11, 2002
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