Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'congressman'

Obama To Pick Intelligence Novice To Head CIA

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama is expected to choose former congressman Leon Panetta to head the CIA. Panetta has relatively little experience in national security matters, although he did participate in daily intelligence briefings with President Bill Clinton when he served as Clinton's chief of staff between 1994 and 1997.

Op-Ed: Backing Burris For Being Black...

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:47:00 EST

Before Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed Roland Burris, an African American, to the open Senate seat, Illinois congressman Bobby Rush promised not to back anyone Blagojevich appointed. Clarence Page says Rush has changed his mind and decided to back Burris because he is black.

New To Congress, Ready To Start

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

On Tuesday, more than 60 new members of Congress will be sworn into office. Guest host Ari Shapiro speaks to one freshman congressman, Rep. Tom Periello, a Democrat from southern Virginia.

Congressman-Elect Prepares For Freshman Term

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST

Jim Himes, a Democrat from Connecticut, will soon begin his first term serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. Himes, one of more than 60 incoming freshman to Congress, won his seat by defeating 10-term Republican incumbent Christopher Shays. The Congressman-elect shares what inspired him to run for office, and what he hopes to accomplish in his first term.

Congressman Makes His Pilgrimage To Mecca

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

Rep. Keith Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat, is the first Muslim to serve in Congress. Just this month, Ellison undertook a sacred pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudia Arabia. The journey, known as the Hajj, is a pillar of the Islamic faith. The lawmaker shares highlights from his trip, and how he hopes his journey will aid his role as a public servant.

Chicago Congressman Davis Reacts To Blagojevich Scandal

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

Illinois Rep. Danny Davis is vying to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. senate. Davis granted an extensive interview to NPR's Michel Martin. In it, he addresses whether or not Gov. Rod Blagojevich should resign and whether the seat should go to an African American.

Once Snubbed By GOP, Now Hailed As Its Future

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:01:00 EST

Republicans are toasting Ahn "Joseph" Cao, who this week upset a longtime Democratic incumbent in Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District. But not so long ago, the Vietnamese-American congressman-elect couldn't get any attention from GOP leaders.

Congresswoman Thought She Was Being Punked

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:14:00 EST

You've heard how Canadian radio hosts put a fake call to Sarah Palin. That was not going to happen to a prominent member of Congress. The Miami Herald reports Ileana Ros-Lehtinen got a call from a man claiming to be President-elect Barack Obama. She hung up. Then she got a call from a guy, claiming to be Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief of staff. She hung up. Finally she got a call from a fellow Congressman, who told her she'd hung up on the real Barack Obama.

Is Emanuel Too Edgy To Be Obama's Chief Of Staff...

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:05:00 EST

Just two days after his election victory, President-elect Barack Obama appointed Rahm Emanuel to be his White House chief of staff. The Illinois congressman is known as a fiery, ferocious, take-no-prisoners Democrat. And is a sharp contrast to the inclusive, even-tempered, seldom-ruffled Obama.

In Conn., A Longtime GOP Congressman Ousted

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:46:00 EST

New England's last Republican Congressman Christopher Shays of Connecticut has lost his seat. He was ousted by Democrat and former Goldman Sachs executive Jim Himes. Himes talks about the upset and his plans for Connecticut's Fourth District.

Fla. Congressman's Surprising Scandal

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 09:40:00 EDT

Two weeks ago, Fla. Democrat Tim Mahoney appeared to be on an easy path to re-election. But then came revelations that he had an affair with a staffer — then paid her off when she threatened to sue for sexual harassment.

Libertarian Bob Barr On His Run For President

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party candidate for president, first came to national attention as one of the House managers in the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. The former Republican congressman from Georgia discusses the impeachment hearings, civil liberties and national security.

A 'No' Vote On The Bailout Turns To 'Yes'

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Republican congressman John Shadegg tells us what swayed him to change his vote from a firm "no" to an enthusiastic "yes."

Congressman Who Backed Bailout Aghast At Failure

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Third-term Democrat Jim Marshall of Georgia cast his vote in favor of the bill, knowing his support for the measure could cost him his seat. Talking just before the House's rejection of the measure, Marshall was dumbfounded at the failure.

Lawmaker Offers Congressional Therapy

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:51:00 EDT

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) serves a dual role in Washington these days: he's not just a congressman, but he's also calling upon his experience as a former psychiatrist. Lawmakers struggling with the stress of their jobs have asked for his advice recently. McDermott talks to host Andrea Seabrook about dealing with Capitol Hill pressures.

Day In The Life: Lobbying At The GOP Convention

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:50:00 EDT

A day in the life of lobbying at the Republican National Convention: a party hosted by lobbyists, a congressman's dinner to "discuss business interests," and the reasons why all of this is legal — and creatively effective.

Profile Of An Obama Supporter: Jesse Jackson Jr.

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

One of Barack Obama's staunchest defenders has been U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. He has stepped up for Obama even when that meant publicly chastising his own father. Now, as Obama takes center stage at the Democratic National Convention, the congressman is not too far behind as part of the new generation of black political leaders.

Aspiring Congressman Fights for Wounded Vets

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

If Staten Island Republican Robert Straniere wins a seat in the House of Representatives, he promises to start a "Wounded Warrior Workforce Initiative." The program will push members of Congress to hire wounded military veterans and their families as congressional staff. Straniere explains his plan.

N.J. Congressman Scrutinizes FBI's Anthrax Case

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) represents central New Jersey, which was drawn into the middle of the 2001 anthrax attacks when it was revealed that some of the deadly envelopes were mailed from Princeton, N.J. Holt talks with Liane Hansen.

Bicycle Friendly: Commuting with a Congressman

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Co-host Ari Shapiro commutes to work with Democratic Congressman Earl Blumenauer. He is head of the bipartisan Congressional Bike Caucus. Blumenauer says creating a culture of biking to work in every state is essential to fixing America's oil woes.

What's Next for Ron Paul...

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EDT

From his guerrilla campaigners to Internet rock star status, Ron Paul's run for the Republican nomination was far from traditional. The congressman reflects on his presidential run and what's next.

Congressman Accuses Chavez Family of Graft

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:14:00 EDT

Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez, has spent much of his decade in power preaching about giving more to the poor and raging about the graft of the country's previous leaders. But critics say corruption is flourishing once again nd one former Chavez supporter says the president's family is benefitting.

'Pure Goldwater' Revealed in Senator's Writings

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:03:00 EDT

Former congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., son of the late Sen. Barry Goldwater, and John Dean, former counsel to President Richard Nixon, discuss their new book about the five-term Arizona senator and 1964 Republican presidential nominee.

Kucinich Weighs in on the Fight for Ohio

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST

Ohio congressman and former Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich discusses his expectations for his state's upcoming primary elections. In the fight for Democratic delegates, Ohio and Texas are known as essential states for presidential contenders.

Cold Feet Could Cost in Mexico

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:00:00 EST

Mexican weddings are big social events. Churches are reserved years in advance, and people invite hundreds of guests. A local congressman has proposed making brides or grooms pay their significant others' expenses if they back out.