Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'congress'

Waxman, Dingell Face Off Over Key House Panel

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:26:00 EST

On Thursday, Democrats in the House will cast a vote deciding who they want to lead the Energy and Commerce Committee. The face-off is a battle between two legislative titans in Congress: Current Chairman John Dingell, from Michigan, and California Rep. Henry Waxman.

Auto Bailout Debate Turns to Bankruptcy

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

U.S. automakers seem unlikely to secure $25 billion in emergency loans from Congress. But a new debate has emerged over the possibility of a planned or "pre-packaged" bankruptcy filing.

Electric Car Manufacturer Hopes To Generate Sales

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:06:00 EST

Even as America's troubled auto industry seeks a handout from Congress, a relatively new car manufacturer that's tailored for the 21st century is trying to get traction. Tesla Motors Inc., in Silicon Valley, hopes its $110,000 Roadster will make inroads for a cheaper family sedan.

Q&A: Pondering Options For Detroit's Future

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:45:00 EST

The Big Three automakers are petitioning Congress for a $25 billion lifeline, but growing opposition makes the outlook for the bailout uncertain. Analysts say both Ford and GM will need to restructure and continue their efforts to focus and improve their product lineup regardless of whether government help comes through.

Rep. Frank Wants To Extend Bailout To Automakers

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

CEO's from GM, Ford and Chrysler appear Wednesday before the House Financial Services Committee. Barney Frank, the committee's chairman, has drafted legislation extending the $700 billion rescue program to Detroit's Big Three. He talks with Steve Inskeep about whether Congress can pass the measure.

Roadtrip: GM, Ford, Chrysler Travel To Capitol Hill

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Congress and the White House say they want to do something to help the nation's automakers, which are close to insolvency. Executives from Ford, GM and Chrysler will be on Capitol Hill Tuesday to plead their case. But there is no consensus on what to do for Detroit. It may be next year before Washington acts, which the industry fears may be too late.

With Hat In Hand, Detroit's Big 3 Go To Capitol Hill

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

The chief executives of GM, Ford and Chrysler go before the Senate Banking Committee Tuesday — ahead of this week's vote on a Democratic plan to provide their companies $25 billion in loans. Will Congress act in time before one of the Big Three has to declare bankruptcy?

Galveston Suffering From 1-2 Punch: Ike, Economy

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

It's been more than two months since Hurricane Ike smashed the upper coast of Texas. Galveston was ground zero. The city has asked Congress for more than $2 billion in assistance. But that was before a new cyclone of bad economic news blew in last week.

Why Are Obama, McCain Meeting...

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain are meeting in Chicago Monday. Meanwhile, Congress returns to Washington for a lame duck session. Congressional leaders are deciding whether to keep Sen. Joseph Lieberman as head of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

'Big Three' U.S. Automakers: Bailout Or Bankruptcy...

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:42:00 EST

Congress is considering a $25 billion bailout for Detroit's Big Three automakers. GM shares have fallen nearly 90 percent in the last year, and Ford and Chrysler are also struggling. Some Americans say the mismanaged automakers shouldn't get a bailout.

Can Lame-Duck Congress Get Anything Done...

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

The Senate is back in Washington Monday for a lame-duck session. The first order of business is a bailout for the auto industry. The second may be an economic stimulus plan. It's unclear whether either measure can overcome Republican objections.

Americans Mixed On Bailout For Automakers

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Democrats in Congress are pushing this week for a bailout of Detroit's Big Three automakers, but there are signs they may not have enough votes. Some Americans blame the companies for their own problems. Others warn that a bankruptcy would only deepen the current recession.

Freshman Orientation For Congress' New Class

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

On Sunday, Washington welcomed the freshman class of the 111th Congress. Walt Minnick, a Democrat who will represent Idaho's 1st Congressional District, talks to host Andrea Seabrook about his particular brand of conservative liberalism.

A Look At What Lame-Duck Congress May Achieve

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Los Angeles Times correspondent Janet Hook talks to host Andrea Seabrook about what the lame-duck Congress might accomplish in its remaining days in office.

Opposition To Automaker Bailout Grows

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:34:00 EST

Some Republican lawmakers are challenging an emergency cash bailout for troubled U.S. automakers as Congress gets ready for its lame-duck session this week.

FDIC, Treasury At Odds Over Use Of Bailout Money

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:24:00 EST

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has laid out the detail of its $25 billion plan to fight foreclosures. The Treasury Department is still opposed, however, to using the bailout funds for the plan. It's not clear that Congress is ready to force Treasury's hand.

Bankruptcy Judges May Help Mortgage Holders

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Congress is struggling over what to do about the epidemic of home foreclosures. Senators told some of the nation's biggest bankers Thursday, that they should do their part to help homeowners. If they don't, Congress might turn to bankruptcy judges to rewrite the terms of mortgages — as they already do for car loans and even vacation homes.

Obama Looks To Harness Grass-Roots Support

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:39:00 EST

When President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January, he'll have expanded majorities of Democrats in both houses of Congress — and the support of a big grass-roots movement. Millions of people helped him beat Sen. John McCain, and Obama must be as innovative in utilizing their power postelection as he was during the campaign.

Congress Eyes Auto Bailout

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

House Democrats led by Barney Frank want to push through an auto company relief plan next week that would provide $25 billion in loans from the $700 billion bailout bill. Treasury Secretary Paulson objects and some House Republicans agree.

Auto Bailout: Necessary Or Dangerous...

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

The auto industry has been lobbying the president, president-elect and Congress for a bailout package of their own. Proponents of such a bailout say, if the domestic auto industry fails, it will have devastating effects for the entire Midwest. Opponents say the government should let The Big Three fail.

Lame-Duck Session's Stimulus Plan Has Critics

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:30:00 EST

Congress is supposed to return for a lame-duck session next week to possibly pass a short-term economic stimulus bill. The Senate has already blocked such a bill, however, and Republican senators still object to it.

Congress Scrambles To Find Funds For Carmakers

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:23:00 EST

The big three automakers say they need a government bailout to survive. The Treasury Department opposes a Democratic plan for it to provide money from the $700 billion bailout of the financial sector. Meanwhile, it's unclear if there is support for another bailout.

More Bad News For U.S. Carmakers

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

U.S. automakers Ford and GM have announced more big losses. The two companies, along with Chrysler and the United Auto Workers, are asking Congress for billions in loans to help them get through the next few months. Analysts say the companies are burning through cash reserves fast.

Democrats Make Major Gains In Congress

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:42:00 EST

Democrats made gains in the House and Senate for the second straight election, knocking off some prominent Republican incumbents and winning open seats that had been held by the GOP. But they came up short of the 60 Senate seats needed to end filibusters.

What's Next For Obama...

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Barack Obama has been elected president with 52 percent of the popular vote and at least 349 electoral votes. The Democrats also made significant gains in Congress. What is the president-elect likely to do next?