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The Second Term NPR stories about George W. Bush's second term as 43rd President of the United States

The Second Term

National

Ridge Resigns as Homeland Security Chief

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge resigns, saying his only regret is that he could not make some security improvements sooner. Rumors of Ridge's resignation, the seventh in President Bush's Cabinet since the election, had circulated since the summer. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

Ridge Resigns as Homeland Security Chief

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Economic Outlook for the Second Bush Term

Some economists say the U.S. economy is growing -- but alarm bells went off in many markets last Friday when the dollar plunged to fresh lows against the Euro. For two views on the economic outlook for President Bush's second term, NPR's Tavis Smiley speaks with economist and author Julianne Malveaux and Stephen Moore, president of the Club for Growth and contributing editor to National Review magazine.

Economic Outlook for the Second Bush Term

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Bush Taps Commerce Secretary

President Bush chooses Carlos Gutierrez, CEO of Kellogg Co., to succeed Don Evans as secretary of Commerce. A native of Cuba, Gutierrez began working at Kellogg as a truck driver and became president of the company in 1998. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

Bush Taps Kellogg CEO for Commerce Secretary

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Slate's Politics: Commerce Secretary, Gay Marriage

NPR's Alex Chadwick talks with Slate contributor Chris Suellentrop about some of the major political stories of the week, including President Bush's nomination of Kellogg CEO Carlos Gutierrez to head the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear a challenge to legally recognized gay marriage in Massachusetts.

Slate's Politics: Commerce Secretary, Gay Marriage

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National

What's Next for Intelligence Reform?

Lee Hamilton, vice chairman of the Sept. 11 Commission, discusses Congress' failure to pass the intelligence reform bill this past weekend, whether it can be done before the end of the year and where intelligence reform might be headed. Hear Hamilton and NPR's Renee Montagne.

What's Next for Intelligence Reform?

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Politics

Intelligence Reform Stalled

Congress wraps up its 2004 session over the weekend without taking final action on the bill to overhaul the U.S. intelligence agencies, and passage before the end of the year appears unlikely. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

Intelligence Reform Remains Stalled

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Politics

Tax Return Provision of Spending Bill Surprises Lawmakers

Last-minute bills often contain surprises, and Congress' 3,200-page spending bill is no exception. The bill is intended to fund most of the federal government's operations, but is also festooned with special features few had noticed. NPR's David Welna reports.

Tax Return Provision of Spending Bill Surprises Lawmakers

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GOP Looks to Consolidate 2004 Wins in Congress

The 2004 national election gave Republicans four more years in the Oval Office, as well as increased majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Now the GOP is flexing its new muscle, seeking to strengthen its legislative hand. NPR's Tavis Smiley talks about growing GOP influence with Donna Brazile, Democratic political strategist and former campaign manager for the Gore-Lieberman 2000 campaign, and Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA).

GOP Looks to Consolidate 2004 Wins in Congress

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Bush Favors Close Advisers in Cabinet Appointments

President Bush chose close confidants when making his Cabinet nominations this week, saying he can trust these aides to implement his policies. But there are questions about whether the president and his policies are best served by a close-knit circle of loyal advisers, or by a sampling of diverse points of view. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.

Bush Favors Close Advisers in Cabinet Appointments

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