Brian Naylor http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100941&ft=1&f=2100941 NPR News' Brian Naylor is a correspondent on the Washington Desk. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Brian Naylor http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100941&ft=1&f=2100941 As FEMA Heads To Oklahoma, Agency Worries About Finances President Obama has promised the people of Moore, Okla., that the U.S. is "there for them, behind them, as long as it takes." That means, at least in part, sending in FEMA to provide disaster relief: temporary housing, loans, equipment and repairs. And while there appears to be enough money for now, there is some concern that between sequestration and political gridlock, money could become an issue. Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185839246/as-fema-heads-to-okla-agency-worries-about-finances?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185839246/as-fema-heads-to-okla-agency-worries-about-finances?ft=1&f=2100941 President Obama has promised the people of Moore, Okla., that the U.S. is "there for them, behind them, as long as it takes." That means, at least in part, sending in FEMA to provide disaster relief: temporary housing, loans, equipment and repairs. And while there appears to be enough money for now, there is some concern that between sequestration and political gridlock, money could become an issue.

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]]> Nonconservative Groups Say IRS Scrutinized Them, Too The IRS has admitted it flagged tax-exemption requests from groups with "Tea Party" or "Patriot" in their names starting in 2010. But some liberal groups and journalism organizations say their applications also faced long delays during the same period. Sun, 19 May 2013 05:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/19/185206908/nonconservative-groups-say-irs-scrutinized-them-too?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/19/185206908/nonconservative-groups-say-irs-scrutinized-them-too?ft=1&f=2100941 The IRS has admitted it flagged tax-exemption requests from groups with "Tea Party" or "Patriot" in their names starting in 2010. But some liberal groups and journalism organizations say their applications also faced long delays during the same period.

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]]> One Reason To Apply For Tax-Exempt Status: Anonymity The IRS scandal has put a spotlight on a part of the tax code increasingly popular with political groups. Donors can't get tax deductions for giving to 501(c)(4) organizations like they would for charities. But the names of those donors can stay private. Wed, 15 May 2013 17:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/184223558/one-reason-to-apply-for-tax-exempt-status-anonymity?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/184223558/one-reason-to-apply-for-tax-exempt-status-anonymity?ft=1&f=2100941 The IRS scandal has put a spotlight on a part of the tax code increasingly popular with political groups. Donors can't get tax deductions for giving to 501(c)(4) organizations like they would for charities. But the names of those donors can stay private.

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]]> IRS Controversy Revives Questions About Tax-Exempt Issues President Obama says it's outrageous that the Internal Revenue Service apparently targeted conservative groups for additional scrutiny. Some say there has not been enough scrutiny of groups across the political spectrum that are tax exempt — yet which also advocate political causes. Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/14/183840282/irs-controversy-revives-questions-about-tax-exempt-issues?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/14/183840282/irs-controversy-revives-questions-about-tax-exempt-issues?ft=1&f=2100941 President Obama says it's outrageous that the Internal Revenue Service apparently targeted conservative groups for additional scrutiny. Some say there has not been enough scrutiny of groups across the political spectrum that are tax exempt — yet which also advocate political causes.

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]]> Lawmakers Want Answers About Flaws In Terrorism Task Force Congress has held the first hearing into last month's Boston Marathon bombing. It reinforced the narrative that the federal government failed to share information with Boston area authorities. Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182800277/lawmakers-want-answers-about-flaws-in-joint-terrorism-task-force?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182800277/lawmakers-want-answers-about-flaws-in-joint-terrorism-task-force?ft=1&f=2100941 Congress has held the first hearing into last month's Boston Marathon bombing. It reinforced the narrative that the federal government failed to share information with Boston area authorities.

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]]> Push To End Teens' Distracted Driving Targets Parents, Peers Preliminary data show an increase in highway deaths among 16- and 17-year-olds last year. In response, the government is preaching a message of "don't text and drive" and has urged students to produce their own public service ads. Officials say parental involvement may be even more important. Wed, 08 May 2013 17:05:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/08/182296582/push-to-end-teens-distracted-driving-targets-parents-peers?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/08/182296582/push-to-end-teens-distracted-driving-targets-parents-peers?ft=1&f=2100941 Preliminary data show an increase in highway deaths among 16- and 17-year-olds last year. In response, the government is preaching a message of "don't text and drive" and has urged students to produce their own public service ads. Officials say parental involvement may be even more important.

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]]> Some Democrats Back Same-Sex Amendment To Immigration Bill When Americans marry noncitizens, their spouses become eligible for green cards and many of the benefits of citizenship — unless the couples are gay or lesbian. Some Democrats are hoping to extend the same benefits to same-sex couples by amending the immigration bill before the Senate. Mon, 06 May 2013 16:22:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/06/181651039/some-democrats-back-same-sex-amendment-to-immigration-bill?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/06/181651039/some-democrats-back-same-sex-amendment-to-immigration-bill?ft=1&f=2100941 When Americans marry noncitizens, their spouses become eligible for green cards and many of the benefits of citizenship — unless the couples are gay or lesbian. Some Democrats are hoping to extend the same benefits to same-sex couples by amending the immigration bill before the Senate.

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]]> Advocates Honor LaHood's Time At Transportation Department As outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood prepares to hand off the baton to President Obama's nominee, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, <em>Morning Edition</em> reflects on Lahood's legacy. What have he and the president accomplished? What's still to be done? Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/30/179992112/transportation-advocates-enthusiastic-about-lahoods-successor?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/30/179992112/transportation-advocates-enthusiastic-about-lahoods-successor?ft=1&f=2100941 As outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood prepares to hand off the baton to President Obama's nominee, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, Morning Edition reflects on Lahood's legacy. What have he and the president accomplished? What's still to be done?

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]]> Boston Response Praised, But Intelligence-Sharing Questioned Law enforcement officials have been given high marks for their response to the bombings at the Boston Marathon. But at the same time, questions are being raised about the coordination among federal agencies handling intelligence about the suspects in the months before the attack. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:07:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/24/178815160/boston-response-praised-but-intelligence-sharing-questioned?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/24/178815160/boston-response-praised-but-intelligence-sharing-questioned?ft=1&f=2100941 Law enforcement officials have been given high marks for their response to the bombings at the Boston Marathon. But at the same time, questions are being raised about the coordination among federal agencies handling intelligence about the suspects in the months before the attack.

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]]> Boston Lockdown 'Extraordinary' But Prudent, Experts Say The decision was made under "unprecedented" circumstances, says Frank Cilluffo of George Washington University. But officials were walking a fine line — because causing massive disruption is the objective of many terrorists. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:20:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/22/178446136/boston-lockdown-extraordinary-but-prudent-experts-say?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/22/178446136/boston-lockdown-extraordinary-but-prudent-experts-say?ft=1&f=2100941 The decision was made under "unprecedented" circumstances, says Frank Cilluffo of George Washington University. But officials were walking a fine line — because causing massive disruption is the objective of many terrorists.

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]]> Some States Hike Gas Tax; Va. Tries New Route To Fund Roads Revenues from gas taxes often fall short of what's needed for repairs and construction of the nation's roads, so states are starting to take action. Some are considering an increase in the state gas tax while others are getting creative. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:27:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/04/10/176811817/some-states-hike-gas-tax-va-tries-new-route-to-fund-roads?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/04/10/176811817/some-states-hike-gas-tax-va-tries-new-route-to-fund-roads?ft=1&f=2100941 Revenues from gas taxes often fall short of what's needed for repairs and construction of the nation's roads, so states are starting to take action. Some are considering an increase in the state gas tax while others are getting creative.

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]]> FBI Building May Soon Be 'Put Out Of Its Misery' With D.C. real estate booming, it's no surprise that the government is thinking about unloading a building seen by many as an eyesore. The J. Edgar Hoover Building, headquarters of the FBI, sits on a valuable spot along Pennsylvania Avenue, not far from the Capitol and the White House. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:04:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/05/176360153/fbi-building-may-soon-be-put-out-of-its-misery?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/05/176360153/fbi-building-may-soon-be-put-out-of-its-misery?ft=1&f=2100941 With D.C. real estate booming, it's no surprise that the government is thinking about unloading a building seen by many as an eyesore. The J. Edgar Hoover Building, headquarters of the FBI, sits on a valuable spot along Pennsylvania Avenue, not far from the Capitol and the White House.

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]]> Sequester Forces National Parks To Cut Costs The National Parks Service is among the federal agencies starting to feel the pain of across-the-board budget cuts. The service is trying to cut spending this spring, rather than in the summer when most visitors tour parks. Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/26/175335253/sequester-cuts-affect-national-parks?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/26/175335253/sequester-cuts-affect-national-parks?ft=1&f=2100941 The National Parks Service is among the federal agencies starting to feel the pain of across-the-board budget cuts. The service is trying to cut spending this spring, rather than in the summer when most visitors tour parks.

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]]> U.S. Gets Low Marks On Infrastructure From Engineers' Group The condition of the nation's roads, bridges and other kinds of infrastructure has actually improved over the past few years, but only slightly, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. It gives the U.S. a D-plus on its annual report card. Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/19/174767342/upgrading-americas-failing-infrastructure-could-cost-1-6-trillion?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/19/174767342/upgrading-americas-failing-infrastructure-could-cost-1-6-trillion?ft=1&f=2100941 The condition of the nation's roads, bridges and other kinds of infrastructure has actually improved over the past few years, but only slightly, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. It gives the U.S. a D-plus on its annual report card.

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]]> TSA Under Fire For Allowing Small Knives Onboard The Transportation Security Administration says starting next month, it's OK to bring small knives aboard passenger jets. The new policy is a result of the agency's shift from focusing on objects that might pose a threat to focusing on people. But many flight attendants, a few airlines and some lawmakers are pushing back against the new policy. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/15/174383219/tsa-under-fire-for-allowing-pocket-knives-onboard?ft=1&f=2100941 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/15/174383219/tsa-under-fire-for-allowing-pocket-knives-onboard?ft=1&f=2100941 The Transportation Security Administration says starting next month, it's OK to bring small knives aboard passenger jets. The new policy is a result of the agency's shift from focusing on objects that might pose a threat to focusing on people. But many flight attendants, a few airlines and some lawmakers are pushing back against the new policy.

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