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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

Tuesday

Politics

President Makes Policy Stand in Rose Garden

President Bush summons White House reporters to the Rose Garden to hear his views on a dozen issues, including the violence in Iraq, charges of abuse at Guantanamo Bay, his campaign for new federal judges and a new approach to Social Security.

President Makes Policy Stand in Rose Garden

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Politics

Bush Touts Good Economic News in Rare Press Conference

In a rare press conference at the White House on Tuesday, President Bush touted recent good news about the economy and defended his policies on retooling Social Security, Iraq and his stance on rogue nuclear nations.

Bush Touts Good Economic News in Rare Press Conference

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Tuesday

Politics

Filibuster Compromise Averts Senate Showdown

A bipartisan deal averts a Senate showdown over judicial nominees that had been expected Tuesday. The agreement was reached by seven senators from each party but does not have the support of either party's leaders.

Filibuster Compromise Averts Senate Showdown

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Friday

Politics

Capitol Hill Rhetoric Heats Up Over 'Nuclear Option'

Obstruction! Assassination! Tyranny! The tone of Capitol Hill rhetoric has taken a sharp edge due to the "nuclear option." Alex Chadwick talks with NPR senior correspondent Juan Williams about the rancorous debate in the U.S. Senate this week over judicial nominees and filibusters. They also discuss the other most recent examples of heated rhetoric that's scorching American political discourse.

Capitol Hill Rhetoric Heats Up Over 'Nuclear Option'

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Wednesday

Politics

GOP Inches Closer to Senate 'Nuclear Option'

Madeleine Brand speaks with David Welna about Wednesday's Senate debate over the use of the so-called "nuclear option" -- a rule change that could end the minority right to filibuster. Republicans want to avoid filibusters on four key judicial nominations, but Democrats vow to slow Senate business to a crawl if Republicans trigger the "nuclear option."

GOP Inches Closer to Senate 'Nuclear Option'

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Tuesday

Social Security Debate

Democrat Wexler Offers Social Security Reform Plan

Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida became the first Democrat to offer a proposal for Social Security reform. Democrats had stayed away from offering a specific fix for the projected Social Security shortfall, instead allowing President Bush to present his ideas. Rep. Wexler explains his plan.

Democrat Wexler Offers Social Security Reform Plan

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Thursday

Politics

Senators Seek Bipartisan Compromise on Filibusters

Senate Republicans are threatening to dump the filibuster for judicial nominees -- an option Democrats have been using to block some of President Bush's more controversial judicial nominees. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), who is trying to craft a bipartisan compromise that would save the filibuster, discusses the debate.

Senators Seek Bipartisan Compromise on Filibusters

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Social Security Debate

Democrats' Strategy to Oppose Bush's Social Security Plan

Alex Chadwick talks with Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) about the strategy of the Democratic Party to oppose the president's proposed overhaul of Social Security. Levin is the ranking member on the Social Security Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Democrats' Strategy to Oppose Bush's Social Security Plan

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Politics

Senate Set to Vote on Embattled U.N. Nominee

Alex Chadwick talks with Los Angeles Times reporter Mary Curtius about the controversial nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Curtius reports on claims by Democrats in Congress that they have "overwhelming evidence" of Bolton's bullying and also of misleading testimony. A Senate panel could vote as early as today on whether to send his nomination to a full vote of the Senate.

Senate Set to Vote on Embattled U.N. Nominee

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Politics

Senate Panel to Vote on Bolton's U.N. Nomination

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee votes Thursday on the nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. First, senators will consider additional information about Bolton's tenure at the State Department. Senate Democrats are challenging his temperament and suitability for the job.

Senate Panel to Vote on Bolton's U.N. Nomination

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The Immigration Debate

Kennedy, McCain Introduce Immigration, Guest Worker Bill

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) are unveiling a bill to reform the U.S. immigration system. The plan is said to include a guest-worker program and tougher border enforcement. Supporters say it will help U.S. industries, but opponents say the bill is an amnesty plan for illegal immigrants.

Kennedy, McCain Introduce Immigration, Guest Worker Bill

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Wednesday

Morning Edition

Assessing Homeland Security

Eight former Homeland Security Department officials reflected on the department's first two years at a forum in Washington Tuesday. They shared unusually candid observations about the difficulties of resource allocation, the pressures the department faced and mistakes made in the past.

Assessing Homeland Security

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Tuesday

Politics

Senators Float Ideas to Avert Filibuster Fight

Democrats and some Republicans are floating new proposals to try to avert a showdown over judicial filibusters. Republican leaders have threatened to eliminate the filibuster, which Democrats have used to block 10 of President Bush's court nominees.

Senators Float Ideas to Avert Filibuster Fight

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World

President Bush in Post-Soviet Georgia

President Bush's visit to the former Soviet Union satellite republic of Georgia was seen by some as a rebuff to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom the United States believes has backpedaled on promises to speed up democracy. Ed Gordon speaks to Lawrence Sheets about how Bush was received in Russia and Georgia.

President Bush in Post-Soviet Georgia

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