Governing http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1123&ft=1&f=1123 Governing en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Fri, 17 May 2013 19:31:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Governing http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1123&ft=1&f=1123 Why The IRS Scandal Is Built To Last Of all the current Washington scandals, the one involving the IRS appears to have the most staying power. It rolls into one package an agency many love to hate, partisan suspicions and the American appetite for conspiracies. Fri, 17 May 2013 19:31:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/17/184857776/why-the-irs-scandal-is-built-to-last?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/17/184857776/why-the-irs-scandal-is-built-to-last?ft=1&f=1123 Of all the current Washington scandals, the one involving the IRS appears to have the most staying power. It rolls into one package an agency many love to hate, partisan suspicions and the American appetite for conspiracies.

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]]> A New Front In The War On Obamacare: Twitter Republicans slammed Obamacare with a barrage of three-word tweets. But the White House trolled them in response. Thu, 16 May 2013 18:25:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/16/184574065/a-new-front-in-the-war-on-obamacare-twitter?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/16/184574065/a-new-front-in-the-war-on-obamacare-twitter?ft=1&f=1123 Republicans slammed Obamacare with a barrage of three-word tweets. But the White House trolled them in response.

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]]> Some Lawmakers Want Big-Budget Groups Included In IRS Debate The Justice Department is investigating the IRS's flagging of grass-roots conservative groups that sought nonprofit status. But some lawmakers want the debate extended to look at the well-financed activities of existing 501(c)(4) groups that spent millions in the 2012 elections. Thu, 16 May 2013 17:44:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/16/184545892/some-lawmakers-want-big-budget-groups-included-in-irs-debate?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/16/184545892/some-lawmakers-want-big-budget-groups-included-in-irs-debate?ft=1&f=1123 The Justice Department is investigating the IRS's flagging of grass-roots conservative groups that sought nonprofit status. But some lawmakers want the debate extended to look at the well-financed activities of existing 501(c)(4) groups that spent millions in the 2012 elections.

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]]> The Tricky Business Of Retirement: Hidden 401(K) Fees You could end up with a lot less savings at 65 than you ever anticipated because of fees charged by the financial institutions managing your retirement accounts. Robert Hiltonsmith, who researches retirement security, says those fees were disclosed to 401(k) plan participants until only recently. Thu, 16 May 2013 14:04:10 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/184221956/the-tricky-business-of-retirement-hidden-401-k-fees?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/184221956/the-tricky-business-of-retirement-hidden-401-k-fees?ft=1&f=1123 You could end up with a lot less savings at 65 than you ever anticipated because of fees charged by the financial institutions managing your retirement accounts. Robert Hiltonsmith, who researches retirement security, says those fees were disclosed to 401(k) plan participants until only recently.

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]]> 10 Things We Learned From the IRS Inspector General Report Among the things we learned about the IRS from the inspector general's report was that their boss told the group of employees at the controversy's heart to stop their dubious practices. Which they did, for a little while at least. Wed, 15 May 2013 17:19:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/15/184246228/ten-things-we-learned-from-the-irs-inspector-general-report?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/15/184246228/ten-things-we-learned-from-the-irs-inspector-general-report?ft=1&f=1123 Among the things we learned about the IRS from the inspector general's report was that their boss told the group of employees at the controversy's heart to stop their dubious practices. Which they did, for a little while at least.

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]]> Comp Time Or Cold Cash. Which Would You Pick? Private employers must pay time and a half to workers who put in more than 40 hours a week. But some workers want comp time for extra hours. The House voted to allow workers to save up their comp time, but critics fear that employers would use the measure to abuse overtime rules. Mon, 13 May 2013 11:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182910609/comp-time-or-cold-cash-which-would-you-pick?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182910609/comp-time-or-cold-cash-which-would-you-pick?ft=1&f=1123 Private employers must pay time and a half to workers who put in more than 40 hours a week. But some workers want comp time for extra hours. The House voted to allow workers to save up their comp time, but critics fear that employers would use the measure to abuse overtime rules.

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]]> In 'Passage,' Caro Mines LBJ's Changing Political Roles The fourth volume in Robert Caro's monumental biography of Lyndon Johnson is <em>The Passage of Power;</em> it explores the period between 1958 and 1964 during which Johnson went from powerful Senate majority leader to powerless vice president to — suddenly — president of the United States. Mon, 13 May 2013 13:38:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/13/180880018/in-passage-caro-mines-lbjs-changing-political-roles?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/13/180880018/in-passage-caro-mines-lbjs-changing-political-roles?ft=1&f=1123 The fourth volume in Robert Caro's monumental biography of Lyndon Johnson is The Passage of Power; it explores the period between 1958 and 1964 during which Johnson went from powerful Senate majority leader to powerless vice president to — suddenly — president of the United States.

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]]> IRS's Tea Party Scrutiny Adds To Conservatives' Case Against Obama The targeting by IRS workers in Cincinnati of the filings of conservative groups for added scrutiny was an innocent mistake, said an agency official who apologized. But President Obama's critics see more nefarious motives in the action. Fri, 10 May 2013 19:09:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/10/182940489/irss-tea-party-scrutiny-adds-to-conservatives-case-against-obama?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/10/182940489/irss-tea-party-scrutiny-adds-to-conservatives-case-against-obama?ft=1&f=1123 The targeting by IRS workers in Cincinnati of the filings of conservative groups for added scrutiny was an innocent mistake, said an agency official who apologized. But President Obama's critics see more nefarious motives in the action.

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]]> After Targeting Conservative Groups, IRS Apologizes On Friday, the IRS officer in charge of tax-exempt groups apologized for the agency's use of the terms "tea party" and "patriot" on paperwork as a reason for giving applicants additional scrutiny. Conservative groups say the admission validates their complaints from last year that they were being singled out by the Obama administration. Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182938648&ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182938648&ft=1&f=1123 On Friday, the IRS officer in charge of tax-exempt groups apologized for the agency's use of the terms "tea party" and "patriot" on paperwork as a reason for giving applicants additional scrutiny. Conservative groups say the admission validates their complaints from last year that they were being singled out by the Obama administration.

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]]> Who Will Hurt The Most From Immigration Bill? Congress is reviewing an immigration bill that could bring sweeping changes to how people come to the United States. But some prominent African American groups are finding themselves on opposite sides of the debate. Host Michel Martin examines who would benefit, and who would feel the pain, from the Senate's proposed immigration bill. Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182597611&ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182597611&ft=1&f=1123 Congress is reviewing an immigration bill that could bring sweeping changes to how people come to the United States. But some prominent African American groups are finding themselves on opposite sides of the debate. Host Michel Martin examines who would benefit, and who would feel the pain, from the Senate's proposed immigration bill.

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]]> 5 Reasons Vetoes Have Gone Out Of Style President Obama may not like the bills Congress considers, but he rarely vetoes them. In fact, Obama has vetoed fewer pieces of legislation than any president since Martin Van Buren. It's not just because Congress is sending him fewer bills. Thu, 09 May 2013 10:17:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/02/22/172698717/five-reasons-vetoes-have-gone-out-of-style?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/02/22/172698717/five-reasons-vetoes-have-gone-out-of-style?ft=1&f=1123 President Obama may not like the bills Congress considers, but he rarely vetoes them. In fact, Obama has vetoed fewer pieces of legislation than any president since Martin Van Buren. It's not just because Congress is sending him fewer bills.

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]]> Do GOP's Benghazi Charges Harm Hillary Clinton For 2016? Republican charges against the former secretary of state's handling of Benghazi struck some Democrats as an attempt to damage her presidential chances. Republican officials deny the accusations. Wed, 08 May 2013 20:57:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/08/182373309/do-gops-benghazi-charges-harm-hillary-clinton-in-2016?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/08/182373309/do-gops-benghazi-charges-harm-hillary-clinton-in-2016?ft=1&f=1123 Republican charges against the former secretary of state's handling of Benghazi struck some Democrats as an attempt to damage her presidential chances. Republican officials deny the accusations.

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]]> Nearly Three Years After Dodd-Frank, Reforms Happen Slowly The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was a sweeping legislative package designed to prevent another financial collapse. Journalist Gary Rivlin says passing the bill was just a first step in a long road to real reform, and the financial system is as vulnerable to disaster it was in 2008. Wed, 08 May 2013 13:26:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/08/181999098/nearly-three-years-after-dodd-frank-reforms-happen-slowly?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/08/181999098/nearly-three-years-after-dodd-frank-reforms-happen-slowly?ft=1&f=1123 The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was a sweeping legislative package designed to prevent another financial collapse. Journalist Gary Rivlin says passing the bill was just a first step in a long road to real reform, and the financial system is as vulnerable to disaster it was in 2008.

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]]> Cantor's Rebranding Effort Tested By House Republicans The House majority leader has pushed an agenda aimed at creating "health, happiness and prosperity" for American families. But so far Rep. Eric Cantor has had a mixed record in getting his fellow Republicans to go along with the effort. Wed, 08 May 2013 02:51:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/09/182035413/cantors-rebranding-effort-tested-by-house-republicans?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/09/182035413/cantors-rebranding-effort-tested-by-house-republicans?ft=1&f=1123 The House majority leader has pushed an agenda aimed at creating "health, happiness and prosperity" for American families. But so far Rep. Eric Cantor has had a mixed record in getting his fellow Republicans to go along with the effort.

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]]> Reality Check: Strapped States Cutting Unemployment Benefits During the recession, states have run up a $30 billion debt to Washington because they haven't had enough funds to cover unemployment checks. Now they're cutting benefits at the same time federal payments are being reduced because of the sequester. Fri, 03 May 2013 12:45:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/03/180818625/reality-check-strapped-states-cutting-unemployment-benefits?ft=1&f=1123 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/03/180818625/reality-check-strapped-states-cutting-unemployment-benefits?ft=1&f=1123 During the recession, states have run up a $30 billion debt to Washington because they haven't had enough funds to cover unemployment checks. Now they're cutting benefits at the same time federal payments are being reduced because of the sequester.

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