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David Welna David Welna is NPR's national security correspondent.
David Welna, photographed for NPR, 13 November 2019, in Washington DC.
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Politics

Republicans Barrel GOP Budget Through House

The House debated the budget plan of Representative Paul Ryan, an ambitious blueprint that would cut taxes and spending. But some fellow Republicans still opposed it for not cutting the deficit fast enough.

Republicans Barrel GOP Budget Through House

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Politics

How Oil Taxes Will Make A Mark On Campaigning

Both Republicans and Democrats think they have the upper hand as the Senate takes up a bill that would end oil company tax breaks. NPR's David Welna explains how the debate in the Senate is likely to frame the debate this fall in the campaign.

How Oil Taxes Will Make A Mark On Campaigning

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Media

Supreme Court Doesn't Budge On Push For Cameras

Not one second of the six hours of arguments on the health care law will be either seen or heard in real time by anyone not at the Supreme Court. The nation's highest court has turned down requests to allow live broadcasts of this week's historic proceedings.

Supreme Court Doesn't Budge On Push For Cameras

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Elections

Statehood Debate Key As Romney Wins Puerto Rico

Mitt Romney scored a commanding victory in Sunday's Republican primary in the U.S. commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Romney's rival, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, spent time campaigning in Puerto Rico, as did Romney. But in the end, no one came close to the former Massachusetts governor.

Statehood Debate Key As Romney Wins Puerto Rico

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Presidential Race

Puerto Rico Holds Primary With Statehood In Mind

Puerto Ricans are American citizens who do not vote in U.S. presidential general elections, but they do participate in Republican and Democratic nominating contests. Sunday, Puerto Rico holds a GOP primary. Both Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney visited the island this week. From San Juan, NPR's David Welna reports.

Puerto Rico Holds Primary With Statehood In Mind

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Congress' Split On Afghanistan Isn't Along Party Lines

A U.S. soldier watches members of the Afghan Public Protection Force arrive at a ceremony on the outskirts of Kabul on Thursday. Ahmad Jamshid/AP hide caption

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Ahmad Jamshid/AP

Politics

Congress' Split On Afghanistan Isn't Along Party Lines

Should the U.S. leave now, go later or reinforce? Just as the nation is divided over the war in Afghanistan, so too is Congress. As usual, Democrats and Republicans are arguing, but this time it's among themselves.

Congress' Split On Afghanistan Isn't Along Party Lines

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Politics

Senate Democrats Battle Over Court Nominees

Faced with persistent GOP opposition to President Obama's appointments, Majority Leader Harry Reid plans this week to press the point by bringing 17 judicial nominees to the floor.

Senate Democrats Battle Over Court Nominees

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Even For Romney, Delegate Math Still A Problem

Mitt Romney waits to speak while being introduced Monday during a campaign stop in Mobile, Ala. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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Mitt Romney

Even For Romney, Delegate Math Still A Problem

While Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney argues that his opponents have no realistic shot at winning enough delegates to secure the nomination, the same could eventually be true for Romney if a four-way race continues. NPR takes a look at the latest delegate numbers.

Even For Romney, Delegate Math Still A Problem

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Elections

GOP Candidates Criticize Obama On Iran

The GOP presidential hopefuls addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference in Washington, D.C., on a day their campaigns battled in 10 state contests. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich all criticized President Obama for his handling of Iran, and the president returned fire during an afternoon news conference.

GOP Candidates Criticize Obama On Iran

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Republican Challengers Pile On In Ohio House Race

This Nov. 4, 2008, file photo shows Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt being congratulated by supporters in Loveland, Ohio. Schmidt is up against three other Republicans in the March 6 primary. David Kohl/AP hide caption

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David Kohl/AP

Elections

Republican Challengers Pile On In Ohio House Race

Every seat in the House of Representatives is up for grabs next fall, and some longtime incumbents are facing off with members of their own party at the polls. In the battleground state of Ohio, Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt is facing more GOP challengers on Tuesday than any other House member.

Republican Challengers Pile On In Ohio House Race

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Delegate Process Could Make Race A Long(er) Haul

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney shakes hands at a campaign rally at Capital University in Bexley, Ohio, on Wednesday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Elections

Delegate Process Could Make Race A Long(er) Haul

Nearly two months into the GOP primary season, presumed front-runner Mitt Romney hasn't driven away his opponents. Will the GOP presidential nominee be decided before this summer's convention?

Delegate Process Could Make Race A Long(er) Haul

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Local GOP Leaders Torn Ahead Of Ohio's Key Vote

Prospective voters listen to Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, accompanied by his wife, Callista, on Feb. 7 at Cincinnati's Price Hill Chili restaurant. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Elections

Local GOP Leaders Torn Ahead Of Ohio's Key Vote

Mitt Romney has built the superior organization, but "it's sort of coming together" for Rick Santorum. The two GOP front-runners are battling over the crown jewel of Super Tuesday and a key swing state this fall.

Local GOP Leaders Torn Ahead Of Ohio's Key Vote

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Politics

Congress Agrees On Payroll Tax Extension

Congressional negotiators have finally finished the details on a deal to extend the payroll tax holiday through the end of the year. A final vote may take place Friday or Saturday.

Congress Agrees On Payroll Tax Extension

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Politics

GOP Leaders Support Payroll Tax Extension

Congress only has two weeks before inaction would result in a tax hike for 160 million Americans. The payroll tax cut extension passed in late December is set to expire at the end of the month.

GOP Leaders Support Payroll Tax Extension

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