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It's All Politics (Blog)

Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., chair of the Senate energy committee, spoke Wednesday about getting congressional approval for the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL pipeline. With her is Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a member of the committee. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

itoggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP

The Two-Way

Congress Will Vote On Keystone XL Pipeline, With An Eye On Louisiana

November 13, 2014 • The two bills' sponsors — Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La. — are heading toward a runoff election next month.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana walks through the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Congress returned to work following last week's midterm elections break. Landrieu is locked in a runoff with Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Mark Wilson/Getty Images

House, Senate To Vote On Keystone After Landrieu Calls For Vote

November 13, 2014 • Legislation to build the Keystone XL pipeline got new life after Senate Democrats abandoned efforts to block the measure in hopes of helping endangered Sen. Mary Landrieu keep her seat in Louisiana.

Beacon Power President and CEO Barry Brits, at the company's plant in Hazle Township, Pa. He says a loan from the Department of Energy made it possible for his company to develop its flywheel energy storage technology. Jeff Brady/NPR hide caption

itoggle caption Jeff Brady/NPR

U.S.

After Solyndra Loss, U.S. Energy Loan Program Turning A Profit

November 13, 2014 • The federal government lost hundreds of millions of dollars when solar panel maker Solyndra and car company Fisker went bankrupt. Now the loan program has made up for early losses and is in the black.

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After 4 Years As House Speaker, Boehner Looks Stronger Than Ever

November 13, 2014 • While John Boehner has held the speaker's gavel, it often looked like members of his caucus were in control. With a gain of more than a dozen GOP seats, Boehner might have some more maneuvering room.

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Immigration Divides Washington; Permanent Resolution Unlikely

November 13, 2014 • President Obama is planning to use his executive authority to offer temporary deportation relief to certain groups of immigrants. The Republicans say if he does, all bets are off.

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Record Numbers Of Women, Minorities Make Up Incoming Congress

November 13, 2014 • The incoming Congress will have the first black female Republican, a record number of women and minorities and the biggest GOP majority in the House since before World War II.

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Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky walks to his office to meet with new GOP senators-elect at the Capitol on Wednesday. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

itoggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Mitch McConnell's Mission: Making The Senate Work Again

November 12, 2014 • Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell has wanted to be Senate majority leader since grade school. Now, as he starts his sixth term in office, he'll finally get his wish.

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew says the global economy is relying too heavily on just the United States for growth. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Economy

As U.S. Leads Growth, It Wants Others To Step Up

November 12, 2014 • U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has a message for the leaders of other advanced economies: You have to shape up! The global economy is relying too heavily on just the United States for growth.

Congress' Newest Members Come To Washington

November 12, 2014 • The newly elected members of Congress arrived in Washington today to begin orientation for their new jobs.

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State Reps. Barry Moore, Joe Hubbard, Rod Scott and Merika Coleman study a map of the proposed redistricting plan in May 2012 following a meeting of the Legislative Committee on Reapportionment at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala. Dave Martin/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Dave Martin/AP

Law

At The Supreme Court, Tracing A Fine Line Between Politics And Race

November 12, 2014 • On Wednesday, the justices took up a redistricting case from Alabama that explores the question of which kinds of political gerrymandering are acceptable and which are not.

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In this May 12, 2009, photo, Jonathan Gruber, professor of economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, participates in a Capitol Hill hearing on the overhaul of the heath care system in Washington. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

The Two-Way

Obamacare Architect Apologizes For Remarks On The Law's Passage

November 12, 2014 • In a video, economist Jonathan Gruber says "the stupidity of the American voter" was key to the law's passage. He has apologized, but critics say his remarks are an admission of intentional deceit.

The Two-Way

In Alaska's Senate Race, Republican Sullivan Upsets Incumbent

November 12, 2014 • The late call in Alaska's vote is due to a close margin on Election Day and the time required to collect all the ballots from the state's far-flung polling places.

U.S. Rep. Alma Adams To Be Sworn Into Office

November 12, 2014 • Democrat Alma Adams represents North Carolina's 12th Congressional District. Steve Inskeep talks to her about her new position; she had served in North Carolina's General Assembly for 20 years.

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Anti-Poverty Groups Prepare For Battles With New Congress

November 12, 2014 • They've been fighting to maintain government spending for social services during a tough economy. In January, they'll face an all-Republican Congress, and the likelihood of steeper cuts has increased.

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Lame-Duck Congress Gets Back To Work After Midterm Elections

November 12, 2014 • On the to-do list is a spending bill to continue government funding past Dec. 11, and a tax bill to preserve some long-standing breaks. First up, are leadership elections.

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Author Interviews

Bush 41 And 43 Share Common Enemy: Saddam Hussein

November 12, 2014 • Former President George W. Bush discusses with NPR's David Greene how both he and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, waged war against Saddam Hussein, and the state of Iraq today.

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The question before the Supreme Court Wednesday is: Did Alabama's Republican-dominated Legislature rely predominantly on race or on partisanship when it was redrawing its districts? Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Carolyn Kaster/AP

Law

Supreme Court Case Seeks Source Of Alabama Gerrymandering

November 12, 2014 • The court is being asked to decide whether a 2010 state legislative redistricting in Alabama overloaded some districts with black Democrats on the basis of race or party.

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GOP Majority Also Brings New Leadership On Key Committees

November 11, 2014 • With every new Congress, power ebbs and flows for certain states. Some, like Michigan, will see a significant loss of congressional clout. Other states, like Texas, could see a surge of power.

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Health Care

Affordable Care Act Has Many Political And Legal Challenges Ahead

November 11, 2014 • The federal health exchange website is live this week for window shopping and people will begin to purchase new health insurance there on Saturday. But the Affordable Care Act still has many political and legal challenges ahead.

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Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul may have to choose between keeping his Senate seat and running for the presidency. Andrew Nelles/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Andrew Nelles/AP

It's All Politics

Rand Paul's Kentucky Problem

November 11, 2014 • The Republican senator, a top 2016 presidential prospect, is up against a state law that prevents him from running for re-election and for president simultaneously.

A Malaysian flag sits on a table among other flags during a news conference at the Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement talks in July 2012 in San Diego. Nearly two and a half years later, the deal remains incomplete. Gregory Bull/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Gregory Bull/AP

Business

Politics And A Food Fight Are Stalling A Major U.S.-Asia Trade Deal

November 11, 2014 • Supporters of expanded trade with Asian nations hoped this week would bring completion of a major deal, but U.S. and Japanese negotiators — and Obama and congressional Republicans — still don't agree.

Former President George W. Bush (right) and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, wave as they leave a family wedding in Washington, D.C., in May 2006. Normand Blouin-Pool/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Normand Blouin-Pool/Getty Images