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It's All Politics
GOP Objects To 'Millionaires Surtax'; Millionaires We Found? Not So Much
December 9, 2011 The Senate has again rejected proposals to extend the payroll tax holiday through next year, with Republicans objecting to using a "millionaires surtax" to pay for it. NPR tried to find millionaires who also object — but with little success.
It's All Politics
Can Congress Really Compromise On Extending The Payroll Tax Cut?
December 5, 2011 Congressional leaders from both parties say the payroll tax cut is a must-pass measure. It's just not entirely clear how it's going to happen.
Planet Money
What Political Compromises Could Create Jobs?
November 8, 2011 A guest post from Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research.
The Two-Way
Obama's Jobs Bill Expected To Hit Roadblock Today In Senate
October 11, 2011 The $447 billion plan is likely to be rejected later today when the Senate holds a key procedural vote. Democrats have a "Plan B," though. They're looking at breaking up the measure into smaller pieces that may stand better chances of passage.
It's All Politics
House Lawmakers Double Down On Dysfunction; Fail To Pass Spending Bill
September 21, 2011 House Democrats objected to Republican efforts to pay for $3.7 billion in FEMA disaster funding with offsetting cuts to an advanced technology program Democrats insisted was needed to maintain tens of thousands of auto industry jobs. The hard place was Tea Party Republicans who wanted deeper cuts than were in the bill.
It's All Politics
Rare Case Of House GOP, Democrat Agreement Suffers Florida Setback
September 12, 2011 Something Republican and Democratic incumbents generally agree on is the drawing of congressional district borders to safeguard their incumbent and partisan advantage and, in the case of the CBC, their racial upper hand in certain districts drawn to include mostly black voters.
The Two-Way
Pelosi Names Three To Finalize Debt 'Super Committee'
August 11, 2011 The 12 members of the Debt "Super Committee" are now official, as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi named her three appointees Thursday. She chose Reps. James Clyburn of South Carolina, Xavier Becerra of California, and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. The special panel must create a plan to shave $1.2 trillion off the federal deficit over the next decade.
It's All Politics
Polls: Voters Really Dislike Congress; Obama Not Doing So Hot Either
August 9, 2011 There could be another extreme makeover ahead of Congress if the current voter mood lasts until the 2012 general election. Different polls by credible organizations indicate that voters appear ready to wash their hands of the current Congress which could result in shifts in control of both the House and Senate.
The Two-Way
As FAA Shutdown Continues, Workers Miss Pay, Medical Coverage
August 3, 2011 The shutdown doesn't include air traffic controllers. But it has left 4,000 FAA employees, and an additional 70,000 contractors, either furloughed or fired outright.
It's All Politics
Pakistan May Frustrate U.S. But Consider Alternative
May 3, 2011 There's a lot of huffing and puffing in Washington and beyond about Pakistan after the successful U.S. military mission that killed Osama bin Laden at his safe house in that nation. But in the end, Pakistan is not only too big but dangerous to fail, with its nuclear weapons and extremists.
It's All Politics
Some GOP Freshmen Squeezed Between Medicare-Worried Seniors, Tea Party
April 25, 2011 New House Republicans from swing districts with their constituents during the spring recess are finding themselves in the middle of a political pinch. On one side are voters, many who are, worried about possible changes to Medicare. On the other, there's the Tea Party. And Democrats wait to pounce.
It's All Politics
Can Congress Match Wits With A Nobel-Prize Winning Physicist?
March 17, 2011 It's probably unnecessary to point out that Nobel laureate physicist Steven Chu, President Obama's energy secretary, is scary smart but in an approachable way. That came through in his appearance Wednesday when he parried questions from lawmakers.
It's All Politics
Charlie Cook Foresees Democrats As House Minority Past 2012
February 23, 2011 Charlie Cook, congressional campaign analyst, predicts Democrats won't regain House control soon.
