Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'legislation'

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.

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.

Obama's Transition: As Tough As Lincoln's...

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:30:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama's transition from the Bush administration to his own Cabinet and staff will be the toughest since the Civil War, according to Paul Light of New York University's School of Public Service. "There are enough Republicans in the Senate to place legislative holds on nominations," Light said.

The Senate Races: 60 Is The Magic Number

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:24:00 EST

For the first time in a generation, the Democrats could capture 60 seats in the Senate. That majority could prevent Republicans from blocking legislation with filibusters. On Nov. 4, 35 seats are at stake.

Parties Spending Heavily On Senate Races

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Not only are Republicans trailing in the presidential race, they are also behind in House and Senate races. Both parties are wondering whether Democrats can win enough races to give them the votes to push through the legislation they want.

In N.C., Sen. Dole Faces Tough Re-Election

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:32:00 EDT

Sen. Elizabeth Dole was thought so safe for re-election in North Carolina that none of the state's well-known Democrats wanted to challenge her. The nomination went to a state legislator making her first bid for statewide office who has now caught up to Dole in the polls.

Critics Say Rules Too Vague To Cap CEO Pay

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The legislation authorizing the government to spend up to $700 billion to help shore up the banking system includes provisions that cap what those banking executives may make. Critics say, however, that the standards are too vague to be anything more than political cover.

In N.C., Pro-Immigration Hispanics Face Threats

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:50:00 EDT

In North Carolina, there's been a rash of threats against Hispanic advocates and state legislators who are deemed supportive of immigrants. In recent months, those threats of violence have become so common that one Hispanic leader takes a bodyguard to some public appearances.

Immigration Issues In The Buckeye State

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:39:00 EDT

Some 1500 miles north of the Mexican border, Ohio citizens attempt to confront the complexities of immigration with new legislation and police crackdowns. Guests discuss the issue neither presidential candidate is talking about.

Financial Bailout Stuffed Inside Mental Health Bill

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:45:00 EDT

The financial bailout President Bush signed last week actually began its legislative life as a bill addressing mental health benefits. The law intended to save Wall Street also requires many businesses to offer mental health coverage equal to that for other illnesses.

Sweetened Senate Bailout Bill, Is Up To The House

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The Senate passed the Wall Street rescue plan Wednesday by a significant margin. Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain were among the 74 senators who approved the bailout. The legislation moves to the House, where party leaders are more confident it will pass this time due to tax breaks added to the $700 billion plan.

Hurricane Katrina Meets American Money

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:01:00 EDT

A Katrina-like storm has hit, and once again, the government was unprepared, despite months, perhaps years, of warnings. Our financial first responders were feckless, our legislators spineless and our lessons from Katrina unlearned.

Contents Of Bailout Bill Examined

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:29:00 EDT

The Senate is taking up the $700 billion plan to rescue Wall Street. Benton Ives, economics and finance reporter for the Congressional Quarterly, says the legislation is largely the same as the one the House rejected Monday, but with added tax breaks and an increase on the deposit insurance cap.

Should Constituents Matter On "Legacy" Votes...

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Rep. Christopher Shays was the sole Republican from Connecticut to vote in favor of the failed bailout bill — even after his constituents came out in force against the legislation. Shays explains why the economic solution can't be all about pleasing voters.

No Rescue... Economists Explore What's Next

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:42:00 EDT

Economists who have been watching the $700 billion bailout legislation play out in Congress say the package had some shortcomings that became hurdles to its passage in the House. As political leaders ponder what to do next, here's a look at what some economists think lies ahead.

Obama Suggests Expanding Deposit Insurance

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:35:00 EDT

Senator Barack Obama has proposed a fix to the bailout legislation. He wants to expand federal deposit insurance for families and small businesses. Currently bank deposits are insured up to $100,000. His plan would more than double that limit to $250,000.

Wall Street's Rescue Is In Limbo

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Some lawmakers say the U.S. economy may be in uncharted territory after Congress failed Monday to pass the $700 billion rescue package for the financial sector. The House lacked 23 votes to pass the legislation.

McCain Urges Lawmakers To Try Again

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The presidential campaign was overshadowed Monday after the collapse of the Wall Street rescue plan. Republican presidential hopeful John McCain hit the campaign trail calling for Congress to go back to work immediately on a bailout plan. The Arizona senator blamed Democrats and his rival Barack Obama for the legislation's failure.

Will Rescue Package Stabilize The Markets...

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:12:00 EDT

After a weekend of tense negotiations, lawmakers produced a $700 billion rescue package for Wall Street. The legislation includes limits on executive pay, oversight and a deal-sealing plan for eventually recouping losses. However, no one knows for sure whether that will be enough to stabilize the markets.

Passage Uncertain For Wall Street Bailout Bill

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:08:00 EDT

The House of Representatives is expected to vote Monday on a $700 billion rescue plan for the nation's financial system. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says it isn't a bailout of Wall Street, but a "buy-in" to help turn the economy around. It's not clear whether the bipartisan legislation has the needed votes to pass.

Will California Ever Settle On A Budget...

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

California's legislators finally passed a budget Tuesday that they could all agree on. But later in the day Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the deal.

The Interior Department Scandal And Drilling

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

As Congress prepares to debate oil drilling in U.S. coastal waters, the Interior Department is caught up in a wide-ranging ethics scandal. John Dimsdale of Marketplace tells Alex Chadwick the scandal could have an impact on oil-drilling legislation.

Energy Takes Center Stage on Capitol Hill

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:26:00 EDT

After testing out their energy slogans over the August break, legislators are back in Washington to test out their lawmaking abilities. Can a compromise involving some drilling and some alternative energy survive the election season?

Educators Discuss Classroom Life Post-Bush

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EDT

The No Child Left Behind Act is widely considered a signature education initiative of the Bush administration, passed in the early days of the president's first term. The legislation was intended to reform struggling schools and address the achievement gap. But eight years later, reviews are mixed. A roundtable of educators discuss issues they hope the next administration will address.

Legislator Aims To Regulate FBI Behavior

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:11:00 EDT

A bill in the works by Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA) would hold FBI agents criminally liable if they fail to share with state and local authorities when one of their informants commits a crime. Some agents fear that if the bill becomes law, it will lead to the demise of the agency's informant program.