Politics http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1014&ft=1&f=1014 NPR's expanded coverage of U.S. and world politics, the latest news from Congress and the White House, and elections. Subscribe to podcasts and RSS feeds. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Tue, 21 May 2013 20:01:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Politics http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1014&ft=1&f=1014 IRS Official In Charge Of Nonprofits Declines To Testify Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says. She is accused of closely scrutinizing conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status. Tue, 21 May 2013 20:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185877696/irs-official-in-charge-of-nonprofits-declines-to-testify?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185877696/irs-official-in-charge-of-nonprofits-declines-to-testify?ft=1&f=1014 Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says. She is accused of closely scrutinizing conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status.

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]]> Former IRS Head To Senate: It Wasn't My Fault Douglas Shulman, who led the IRS during the years when agency workers targeted tax-exempt applications from conservative groups, did his best to deflect accusations from unhappy senators. Tue, 21 May 2013 17:05:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/21/185834361/former-irs-head-to-senate-it-wasnt-my-fault?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/21/185834361/former-irs-head-to-senate-it-wasnt-my-fault?ft=1&f=1014 Douglas Shulman, who led the IRS during the years when agency workers targeted tax-exempt applications from conservative groups, did his best to deflect accusations from unhappy senators.

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]]> Oklahoma's GOP Senators Find Themselves In Tornado Aid Bind Sens. Tom Coburn and James Inhofe have become the faces of pushback on federal emergency spending. Now the deadly and devastating tornado in their home state has put them in an awkward position. Tue, 21 May 2013 14:54:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185792100/oklahomas-gop-senators-find-themselves-in-tornado-aid-bind?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185792100/oklahomas-gop-senators-find-themselves-in-tornado-aid-bind?ft=1&f=1014 Sens. Tom Coburn and James Inhofe have become the faces of pushback on federal emergency spending. Now the deadly and devastating tornado in their home state has put them in an awkward position.

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]]> Why Don't We Pay (More/Any) Attention To Los Angeles Mayoral Elections? After eight years of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles voters will pick a, shall we say, more charismatically-challenged successor. Tue, 21 May 2013 13:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/politicaljunkie/2013/05/21/182638113/why-dont-we-pay-more-any-attention-to-los-angeles-mayoral-elections?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/blogs/politicaljunkie/2013/05/21/182638113/why-dont-we-pay-more-any-attention-to-los-angeles-mayoral-elections?ft=1&f=1014 After eight years of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles voters will pick a, shall we say, more charismatically-challenged successor.

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]]> 'I Was Dismayed' To Learn What Agency Did, Ex-IRS Chief Says Under Douglas Shulman's watch, IRS personnel singled out some conservative groups for extra scrutiny. That, he conceded Tuesday, has "justifiably led to questions" about the tax agency's motivation. Tue, 21 May 2013 11:09:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185772664/i-was-dismayed-to-learn-what-agency-did-ex-irs-chief-says?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185772664/i-was-dismayed-to-learn-what-agency-did-ex-irs-chief-says?ft=1&f=1014 Under Douglas Shulman's watch, IRS personnel singled out some conservative groups for extra scrutiny. That, he conceded Tuesday, has "justifiably led to questions" about the tax agency's motivation.

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]]> IRS Officials On Hot Seat Former IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman and outgoing acting Commissioner Steven Miller are being grilled. The IRS is under fire because some conservative groups' applications for tax-exempt status were given extra scrutiny in recent years. An inspector general has called the actions "inappropriate." Tue, 21 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185732605/irs-officials-to-be-on-hot-seat?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185732605/irs-officials-to-be-on-hot-seat?ft=1&f=1014 Former IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman and outgoing acting Commissioner Steven Miller are being grilled. The IRS is under fire because some conservative groups' applications for tax-exempt status were given extra scrutiny in recent years. An inspector general has called the actions "inappropriate."

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]]> Fox News Reporter James Rosen Caught Up In Federal Probe There is word of another controversial leak investigation by the Department of Justice. The target is Fox News reporter James Rosen, who was monitored by the department after breaking a story about North Korea's nuclear weapons program in 2009. Tue, 21 May 2013 05:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185688357/fox-news-reporter-james-rosen-caught-up-in-federal-probe?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185688357/fox-news-reporter-james-rosen-caught-up-in-federal-probe?ft=1&f=1014 There is word of another controversial leak investigation by the Department of Justice. The target is Fox News reporter James Rosen, who was monitored by the department after breaking a story about North Korea's nuclear weapons program in 2009.

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]]> Unclear Laws May Have Contributed to Tax-Exempt Controversy IRS and Treasury officials can expect a hard time in their appearances on Capitol Hill Tuesday. A key question that so far has not gotten much attention: How did it come to be that social welfare organizations became vehicles for political activity? Tue, 21 May 2013 05:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185683100/unclear-laws-may-have-contributed-to-tax-exempt-controversy?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185683100/unclear-laws-may-have-contributed-to-tax-exempt-controversy?ft=1&f=1014 IRS and Treasury officials can expect a hard time in their appearances on Capitol Hill Tuesday. A key question that so far has not gotten much attention: How did it come to be that social welfare organizations became vehicles for political activity?

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]]> Apple CEO Faces Senate Panel's Accusations Of 'Tax Gimmickry' Tim Cook will address reports that his company pays billions less than it should in U.S. taxes each year at a Tuesday hearing in Washington. According to a report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Apple avoids the tax payments by shifting profits to subsidiaries in Ireland. Tue, 21 May 2013 04:24:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185688463/ceo-cook-to-defend-apple-before-senate-committee-hearing?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185688463/ceo-cook-to-defend-apple-before-senate-committee-hearing?ft=1&f=1014 Tim Cook will address reports that his company pays billions less than it should in U.S. taxes each year at a Tuesday hearing in Washington. According to a report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Apple avoids the tax payments by shifting profits to subsidiaries in Ireland.

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]]> Senate Debates 5-Year Farm Bill The measure includes farm and food subsidies totaling almost $100 billion. Lawmakers have trimmed more than $2 billion in annual farm spending. The question, though, is whether to trim more. Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185723561/senate-to-debate-farm-bill?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185723561/senate-to-debate-farm-bill?ft=1&f=1014 The measure includes farm and food subsidies totaling almost $100 billion. Lawmakers have trimmed more than $2 billion in annual farm spending. The question, though, is whether to trim more.

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]]> Texas Medicaid Debate Complicated By Politics And Poverty In Texas, it may be politically unwise to cross the governor, but some politicians and advocates in the poor Rio Grande Valley are starting to speak out in support of expanding Medicaid. Gov. Rick Perry opposes all parts of Obamacare. Tue, 21 May 2013 03:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/21/182180240/texas-medicaid-debate-complicated-by-politics-and-poverty?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/21/182180240/texas-medicaid-debate-complicated-by-politics-and-poverty?ft=1&f=1014 In Texas, it may be politically unwise to cross the governor, but some politicians and advocates in the poor Rio Grande Valley are starting to speak out in support of expanding Medicaid. Gov. Rick Perry opposes all parts of Obamacare.

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]]> Turnabout Is Fair Play: Senators Have Many Questions For IRS The IRS gave some conservative groups extra, improper scrutiny. Now there's a bipartisan request for the IRS to answer dozens of questions. Read the queries and demands for information from the top Democrat and top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee. Mon, 20 May 2013 14:30:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185559245/turnabout-is-fair-play-senators-have-many-questions-for-irs?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185559245/turnabout-is-fair-play-senators-have-many-questions-for-irs?ft=1&f=1014 The IRS gave some conservative groups extra, improper scrutiny. Now there's a bipartisan request for the IRS to answer dozens of questions. Read the queries and demands for information from the top Democrat and top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee.

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]]> ABC's Karl Expresses Regret, But Stands By Benghazi Story The White House correspondent's story about administration emails created an uproar. Then a key part of it turned out to be wrong. Mon, 20 May 2013 13:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185544994/abcs-karl-expresses-regret-but-stands-by-benghazi-story?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185544994/abcs-karl-expresses-regret-but-stands-by-benghazi-story?ft=1&f=1014 The White House correspondent's story about administration emails created an uproar. Then a key part of it turned out to be wrong.

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]]> Decades Of History Behind IRS Flap Host Michel Martin looks into why some non-profits are tax exempt, and how something like the recent IRS flap could happen. She speaks with David Cay Johnston, a columnist for Tax Analysts and reporter Brentin Mock of Colorlines.com. Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185534662&ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185534662&ft=1&f=1014 Host Michel Martin looks into why some non-profits are tax exempt, and how something like the recent IRS flap could happen. She speaks with David Cay Johnston, a columnist for Tax Analysts and reporter Brentin Mock of Colorlines.com.

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]]> Supreme Court Takes Case On Prayer At Government Meetings Prayers said before meetings of the town board in Greece, N.Y., have predominantly been Christian. A lower court ruled that officials hadn't done enough to seek out prayers from other faiths. That violates the Constitution's Establishment Clause, the court said. Now the Supreme Court will weigh in. Mon, 20 May 2013 10:50:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185508793/supreme-court-takes-case-on-prayer-at-government-meetings?ft=1&f=1014 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185508793/supreme-court-takes-case-on-prayer-at-government-meetings?ft=1&f=1014 Prayers said before meetings of the town board in Greece, N.Y., have predominantly been Christian. A lower court ruled that officials hadn't done enough to seek out prayers from other faiths. That violates the Constitution's Establishment Clause, the court said. Now the Supreme Court will weigh in.

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