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Scott Horsley Scott Horsley is NPR's Chief Economics Correspondent.
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Politics

Minimum Wage Raise: Blocked For Now, May Live Again In Campaigns

A bill to increase the federal minimum wage was blocked in the Senate on Wednesday, as Democrats failed to muster the 60 votes necessary to bypass a filibuster.

Minimum Wage Raise: Blocked For Now, May Live Again In Campaigns

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In Diplomacy, Obama Aims To 'Hit Singles,' Not Swing For Fences

President Obama was at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, Philippines, on Tuesday, during the last leg of his four-nation tour through the Asia-Pacific region. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

News

In Diplomacy, Obama Aims To 'Hit Singles,' Not Swing For Fences

As President Obama returns from his trip to Asia, he's defending the trip's modest diplomatic accomplishments. He says that, while such efforts may not be sexy, they're better than unforced errors.

In Diplomacy, Obama Aims To 'Hit Singles,' Not Swing For Fences

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News

Washington Levels New Sanctions At Russia, Pulls Some Punches

In response to events in Ukraine, the Treasury Department added sanctions on seven Russian officials and 17 companies. The Obama administration has refrained from targeting whole sectors of the Russian economy and is going out of its way to proceed as part of a coalition in part to avoid an 20th century Cold War stand off.

Washington Levels New Sanctions At Russia, Pulls Some Punches

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Politics

Conservatives Yet To Rally Around Obamacare Replacement

Congressional Republicans say they want to repeal and replace Obamacare, but they've been light on details of what the alternative might look like.

Conservatives Yet To Rally Around Obamacare Replacement

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Asia

Obama Trip To Focus On Relations With Asia

President Obama is about to leave on a week's visit to 4 Asian countries. It's the latest effort to refocus U.S. foreign policy on Asia. Like earlier efforts, it's struggling to ward off distractions.

Obama Trip To Focus On Relations With Asia

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Health Care

Following Enrollment Deadline, Health Care Focus Turns To States

President Obama met Thursday with insurance company executives and a separate group of insurance regulators from the states, discussing their mutual interest in administering the new health care law.

Following Enrollment Deadline, Health Care Focus Turns To States

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News

As Sebelius Steps Down, Obama Taps Budget Director To Replace Her

President Obama bid farewell Friday to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, whose lengthy tenure was marred by the botched rollout of the government's health insurance website. Obama wants his budget director, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, to replace Sebelius.

As Sebelius Steps Down, Obama Taps Budget Director To Replace Her

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Politics

Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius To Step Down

The move comes about 6 months after the disastrous roll out of the health insurance website. It was eventually fixed, but not before delivering a severe blow to the president's approval ratings.

Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius To Step Down

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News

Sebelius, Leader Of Rocky Health Care Rollout, Resigns From HHS

Kathleen Sebelius has resigned from her position as secretary of health and human services. President Obama accepted her resignation, and he plans to nominate Sylvia Matthews Burwell to replace her.

Sebelius, Leader Of Rocky Health Care Rollout, Resigns From HHS

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Pioneering Black Newsman In The White House Belatedly Gets His Due

Until 1944, presidential press conferences were exclusively attended by white reporters. That same year, Roosevelt became the first president to invite a black journalist — Harry McAlpin — to one. Getty Images hide caption

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Code Switch

Pioneering Black Newsman In The White House Belatedly Gets His Due

When Franklin Roosevelt first allowed Harry McAlpin to cover a presidential news conference, the White House Correspondents' Association objected. Now, it is naming a scholarship in his honor.

White House Learns Complications Of Pay Equity Debate

Lilly Ledbetter speaks at the White House on Tuesday, during an event marking Equal Pay Day. President Obama announced new executive actions to strengthen enforcement of equal pay laws for women. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

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Susan Walsh/AP

Politics

White House Learns Complications Of Pay Equity Debate

It's no surprise that Democrats are pushing the equal pay issue: It's a political winner among women. But the economics behind the current inequity and the challenges of righting it are complicated.

White House Learns Complications Of Pay Equity Debate

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Politics

Obama's Executive Orders Take On Unequal Pay For Women

President Obama signs two executive orders Tuesday morning, designed to encourage federal contractors to pay men and women equally. The move could bring more Democratic-leaning women to the polls.

Obama's Executive Orders Take On Unequal Pay For Women

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With Enrollee Goal Met, Obamacare Still Faces Political Trial

President Obama arrives in the Rose Garden on Tuesday to trumpet 7.1 million signups under the Affordable Care Act. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

Health Care

With Enrollee Goal Met, Obamacare Still Faces Political Trial

The Affordable Care Act's poll numbers may rise now that seven million more Americans have a stake in its survival. Yet even a small number of people can still make trouble for the law.

With Enrollee Goal Met, Obamacare Still Faces Political Trial

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In Arkansas, Voters May Get Chance To Raise Minimum Wage

Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor speaks to reporters at his Little Rock campaign headquarters on Feb. 28. A minimum wage increase on the ballot alongside Pryor could give Democrats more of a reason to show up on Election Day. Danny Johnston/AP hide caption

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Danny Johnston/AP

Politics

In Arkansas, Voters May Get Chance To Raise Minimum Wage

Arkansas has some of the lowest wages in the country. It's also home to one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats, raising the stakes for a possible ballot measure to increase the minimum wage.

In Arkansas, Voters May Get Chance To Raise Minimum Wage

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