Ailsa Chang appears in the following:
Lawmakers Divided Over McConnell's Desire To Extend Surveillance Plan
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants to extend the provision of the Patriot Act that authorizes the NSA's bulk collection of phone records before it expires. Others want the program reined in.
A Trade Deal Read In Secret By Only A Few (Or Maybe None)
Thursday, May 14, 2015
This post was updated at 1 p.m. ET
Senate leaders were all smiles Wednesday after they broke a 24-hour impasse and announced they had reached a deal on how to move forward on a fast-track trade negotiating bill. That legislation would give the president expedited authority to enter into a ...
Vote On Obama's Fast-Track Trade Bill Blocked By Senate Democrats
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats kept trade legislation from moving forward, dealing a blow to President Obama's agenda. Republicans and the White House now grapple with what comes next.
Senators Deny Obama Authority To Expedite Pacific Trade Deal
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
The U.S. Senate blocked a measure that would give President Obama fast-track trade authority to complete a massive Pacific trade deal. Most of Obama's opponents on trade come from his own party.
What Eye Contact — And Dogs — Can Teach Us About Civility In Politics
Friday, May 08, 2015
Don't look at me! In Minnesota, lawmakers are banned from making eye contact during debate. The idea is it leads to more civility. But does it? And what can animal science teach us about it?
Full Senate Debates May Reveal Recent Bipartisanship As An Illusion
Saturday, May 02, 2015
Just a few weeks ago we heard a lot about a delicate compromise that would allow Congress to review any deal emerging from nuclear talks with Iran. It came from a bipartisan negotiation in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee — to wide acclaim.
But that deal still needs ...
Seeking Presidency, 'Socialist' Sanders Looks To Elevate Less-Talked About Issues
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Bernie Sanders, the liberal senator from Vermont, will try to be more than a fringe presidential candidate. He's aiming to elevate the issue of income inequality on the national stage.
In Latest Outbreak Of Bipartisanship, Senate Compromises On Trafficking Bill
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Senate negotiators reached a deal Tuesday on an anti-human trafficking bill, which is expected to pave the way for the Senate to finally vote on Loretta Lynch's nomination for attorney general.
Helping Bridge Congress' Iran Divide, Sen. Ben Cardin Moves Into Spotlight
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
After an unexpected promotion, Cardin has become the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just as it is crafting a role for Congress to weigh in on the Iran nuclear deal.
Menendez 'Outraged' By His Indictment On Corruption Charges
Thursday, April 02, 2015
The Justice Department indictment alleges that Sen. Robert Menendez abused his office to benefit a Florida eye doctor who was his friend and donor. Menendez has always maintained his innocence.
Senators Endure Vote-A-Rama With Coping Mechanisms
Friday, March 27, 2015
As they do every time the Senate takes up a budget resolution, senators spend hours voting on proposals they want to add to the document, which isn't technically a budget but a vision statement.
Budget Reconciliation Explained Through Chutes And Ladders
Friday, March 20, 2015
The president's proposed budget sets the stage for Republicans to use a tool they've lacked until now: reconciliation. But they're not likely to win the game.
Senate Snags Lynch's Confirmation
Thursday, March 19, 2015
The confirmation vote for U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch to succeed Eric Holder as U.S. Attorney General is tied up in a partisan battle in the Senate. NPR's Ailsa Chang explains.
Abortion Provision In Human Trafficking Bill Delays Lynch Vote
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
The Senate remains deadlocked on what appeared to be a bipartisan bill which creates a fund for victims of human trafficking. Democrats object to language that would ban using the fund for abortions.
Missed Abortion Language Tangles Senate's Trafficking Bill
Monday, March 16, 2015
A bill cracking down on human trafficking was supposed to be an easy one to pass, but that was before Democrats discovered the bill also contained language restricting abortion rights.
Who Is Tom Cotton, The Man Behind The Iran Letter?
Friday, March 13, 2015
The man behind a letter 47 Senate Republicans addressed to Iranian leaders this week is a freshman senator who's been in the chamber just over two months. Tom Cotton was the unusual GOP candidate last fall who thrilled both the Tea Party base and the Republican establishment.
And now, the ...
Tom Cotton: The Freshman Senator Behind The Iran Letter
Friday, March 13, 2015
Freshman Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, who has been in office barely two months, penned an open letter to Iranian leaders this week that 47 Republican senators signed.
Congressional Approval For Military Fight Against ISIS Faces Uphill Battle
Thursday, March 12, 2015
President Obama has asked Congress to give him a new resolution authorizing military force so the U.S. can fight the self-described Islamic State, also known as ISIS, across the Middle East.
GOP Senators Remind Iran That Nuclear Deal Needs Their Backing
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
The letter from 47 Republican senators is addressed to Iranian leaders and tells them that any deal with the Obama administration must be ratified by Congress to outlive his term, which ends in 2017.
House Passes No-Strings-Attached Bill To Fund Homeland Security
Tuesday, March 03, 2015
An effort by some congressional Republicans to block President Obama's executive actions on immigration by tying it to a Homeland Security spending bill officially failed on Tuesday.
