U.S. Politics
Around-the-clock political news and analysis from Reuters. Follow @ReutersPolitics for more.
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The parallels with Obama's remarks to his Organizing for Action advocacy nonprofit continue, as Reuters reporter Gabriel Debenedetti notes:Obama's talk about refocusing Washington on issues that matter to citizens echoes what he told OFA on Monday: http://t.co/BFXZbvZzMB.
— Gabriel Debenedetti (@GDebenedetti) July 24, 2013 -
Obama: if you think education is expensive, wait til you see what ignorance costs.by Jeff Mason via twitter 7/24/2013 5:46:35 PM -
Obama mentions his upcoming stop at University of Central Missouri as part of a passage centered on education and the student loan reform and cost control effort, saying that he's excited to highlight the innovations put in place at schools like UCM to deliver more value to students.
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Good job, good education for your kids, secure retirement, home of your own -- Obama ticks off pillars of his ideas already covered here, before starting on healthcare as insurance exchange deadline for private individuals looms on October 1st.
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On healthcare Obama mentions "folks out there actively working to make this law fail" and a "politically-motivated misinformation campaign."by Gabriel Debenedetti via twitter 7/24/2013 5:59:48 PM -
Obama turns to next "cornerstone" of his speech, focus on reducing inequality and alleviating poverty. Stating that opportunities for upward mobility are at their lowest in 30 years, in addition to reduced stability for all as the economy wavers, Obama renews his call for an increased minimum wage and greater community-based efforts to fight bad labor practices.
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Obama says, "There are Republicans in Congress right now who agree with me privately on a lot of the ideas I've been proposing," who fear the political retaliation of saying so publicly. This is the appeal anticipated here by Elspeth Reeves, as Obama seeks to find new allies as Republicans beset by party fractures (particularly along the divide between the staunch House and more moderate Senate) interested in compromising in order to make real legislative progress. Lawmakers can just oppose everything - they must support something, Obama says.
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Obama to warn Republicans on budget tactics
By Mark Felsenthal
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will use the backdrop of a busy commercial port in Florida to warn congressional Republicans on Thursday that using the threat of government shutdown or debt default puts a fragile economic recovery in jeopardy.
In the second of a series of speeches on the economy, Obama is due to accuse Republicans for standing in the way of faster growth with their fiscal proposals, aides said.
Read the full preview here, and scroll down for coverage of Obama's first economic speech from this week, given yesterday in Galesburg, Illinois. -
President Obama walks out from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, before his departure to Jacksonville, Florida July 25, 2013. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
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At the Washington Post's Wonkblog, Ezra Klein makes the point that pitching a policy idea requires establishing the idea's political viability as much as its actual value as a solution:
That’s the problem with subjecting every single policy idea to this political test: If the opposition party doesn’t want to cut a deal, there won’t be a deal. And if all coverage of policy is colored by that core political decision, then there’ll never be real pressure on them to make a deal, either.
But there’s an alternative world on offer, one where the coverage of new policy ideas leaves their political future alone and focuses, at least at the outset, on whether they’re good ideas. If they’re bad ideas, then the conversation should end there. If they are good ideas, and people know that, then perhaps the knowledge will move a few Republican senators, or even — unlikely as it is — the public, and a policy that began with no evident path to passage will find a way forward.
In an apparent nod to partisanship's vice grip, Democrat Max Baucus and Republican Dave Camp are on a tour this week, set to extend into the August recess of constituent events that will be critical to the fall's legislative momentum, that Kim Dixon of Reuters called a "quixotic bid" to overhaul the voluminous tax code for the first time in 27 years.
These tax travels are occurring amidst the ongoing federal budget/funding battle, where the term "grand bargain" used to be circulated but has given way of late to short-term patches.
Today it will be worth watching for how much Obama focuses on actual policy rather than political positioning, as well as the scope of any potential compromise being proposed. His economic speech in Galesburg, IL last week did little to soften a clear frustration with Republicans. -
New White House “Grand Bargain” Proposal Is Neither Yet http://ti.me/14yyx76 via @TIMEPoliticsby Zeke Miller via twitter 7/30/2013 4:04:09 PM -
Obama starts presser on surveillance, says he regrets "leaks" that subverted a lawful review of programs, asks Americans to keep in mind that he expressed skepticism about these programs as a senator and sought proper checks as president.
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Obama announcing four reforms. First, changes to Section 215 of the Patriot Act.
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"Its not enough for me as president to have confidence in these programs" - Obama on NSAby Steven Dennis via twitter 8/9/2013 7:10:24 PM -
Obama says he will work with Congress to control access to telephone and other records as stipulated in Section 215 (background here).
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Second, Obama will be evaluating approval process of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC). Third, announces new website and other initiatives to improve NSA transparency. Fourth, appointing a task force of outside experts and representatives to provide an interim report in 60 days and a full report by year's end to ensure that government surveillance efforts balance with public's need for privacy.
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Obama: reform secret FISA court so there's a secret adversary to challenge gov case for warrants.by Ari Melber via twitter 8/9/2013 7:14:42 PM -
First question on foreign policy, Obama asked about relationship with Vladimir Putin and Russia, as well as further fallout from asylum granted to Snowden by Russia.
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Obama says tension with Russia has existed for some time, but cites START treaty, intelligence collaboration, and other collaborations.
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Obama: "I think there's always been some tension in the US-Russian relationship since the fall of the Soviet Union"by Ethan Klapper via twitter 8/9/2013 7:17:52 PM -
Obama says he does not think it's appropriate to boycott Olympics in Sochi, Russia, though "there's no one more offended than me" over anti-gay legislation in Russia. Looks forward to gay or lesbian athletes bringing home medals.
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Decision to forgo direct summit with Putin was not "strictly punitive" in wake of Snowden asylum, Obama says, but also part of several issues on which U.S. and Russia have not been able to reach agreement.
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Obama asked next about Snowden and to clarify on relationship with Putin. "I don't have a bad relationship" with him, Obama says, and that conversations with him are productive despite the Putin "slouch" one sees in photographs.
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"I don't think Mr. Snowden was a patriot," Obama says. Repeats opening remark that he'd called for a surveillance programs review before Snowden leaks, and that Americans deserved a full and lawful review without the avenue of leaked information.
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Obama unveils plan that aims to make college more affordable
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Thursday proposed a new plan to tackle soaring higher education costs with a system that would rate colleges and universities based on their value for the money students spend and tie those ratings to disbursement of federal student aid.By Jeff Mason and Elvina Nawaguna
Read More -
Pelosi after meeting with other big Congressional leaders on fiscal issues: We talked about the budget in its manifestations. Pelosi after mtg with other big Congressional leaders on fiscal issues: Progress is made anytime you can come together.
Reid: The anarchists have taken over...the House. Now they're here in the Senate.by Chad Pergram via twitter edited by Margarita Noriega (Reuters) 9/12/2013 3:13:12 PM -
Senator: Some Republicans who are seeking an “unrealistic” ObamaCare defunding plan are playing presidential politics j.mp/1atgxRKby The Hill via twitter 9/12/2013 3:13:38 PM -
This morning we're tracking a meeting on fiscal issues between the "Big 4" congressional leaders -- House Speaker Boehner, House Minority Leader Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and Senate Minority Leader McConnell. We expect to have live video of Boehner's post-meeting press conference at 11:30am ET.
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The leaders' meeting comes in the wake of yesterday's decision by House leaders to delay a vote to provide funding to avert a government shutdown as a September 30th deadline for approval nears. The conflict in the House centers on whether what's passed to avert a shutdown would be combined with a measure to defund Obamacare, a primary mission of some Tea Party and conservative Republicans.
This bloc forced yesterday's delay because the vote would have addressed Obamacare defunding and government funding separately, rather than tying the two together and forcing the Senate to vote for or against defunding Obamacare when the bill moves out of the House. Many in the Senate would much prefer being able to vote to provide the crucial government funding while leaving Obamacare funding in its current state. -
The Washington Post's Sean Sullivan broke down Speaker Boehner's recurring challenge trying to keep the House legislative gears turning while mollifying the more stridently conservative wing of his party so as to avoid more explosive negotiations later:
With the GOP Conference split into factions, key fiscal deadlines looming, and no obvious long-term remedies for the deep divisions, the question is this: How long will leadership continue down the path it is on, trying time and again to walk the fine line between satisfying the political right and coming up with legislation that can pass Congress?
The answer is probably the foreseeable future, because the alternatives look even worse for Boehner. Sure, he could bow to conservative demands. But that could mean a government shutdown with his stamp of approval, and potentially big-time political damage done to a GOP trying to mend itself after a disappointing election. -
Yesterday, Caren Bohan of Reuters reported that the delayed Syria military authorization vote, while still hanging heavy over Washington, has allowed some space for movement on the weighty domestic agenda of Obama's second term. Fiscal issues highlight the list, and in some ways are just as immediate as foreign policy demands.
Among Obama's most immediate challenges are two looming budget fights. By September 30, Congress and the president must agree on legislation to keep federal agencies funded or face a government shutdown.
Two weeks later, Congress must raise the limit on the country's ability to borrow or risk a possible debt default that could cause chaos in financial markets. -
Boehner opens his press conference saying he expressed to fellow congressional leaders the need for bipartisan cooperation on fiscal issues, hoping that Democrats and the president will come to the negotiating table.
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Boehner also expresses his hope that a diplomatic solution can be found in Syria. Asked about the Putin-penned op-ed in the New York Times, Boehner says he felt "insulted" reading it and acknowledges that he has doubts about Russia's motivations for its proposal.
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"We have a spending problem. It must be addressed," Boehner says.
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A typically succinct-bordering-on-brusque Boehner presser ends with him admitting he may have already said "more than he should" on foreign policy and Syria by expressing his misgivings about Russia's latest actions to stem the crisis. He also says that there are "millions of ideas" from lawmakers being considered to aid in resolving fiscal challenges.
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Obama says is shifting to domestic priorities from Syria focus
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said on Thursday he is focusing on domestic priorities after a tense period during which he sought congressional approval to use military force against Syria for its suspected use of chemical weapons.
"Even as we have been spending a lot of time on the Syria issue and making sure that international attention is focused on the horrible tragedy that occurred there, it is still important to recognize that we've got a lot more stuff to do here in this government," the president said before a meeting with his Cabinet at the White House.
(Reporting by Mark Felsenthal and Roberta Rampton; Editing by Vicki Allen) -
While a delayed White House address is nothing new, there may be extraordinary circumstances at play today given the tragic developments of the D.C. Navy Yard shooting. Reuters is tracking a press briefing occurring in D.C. right now and other news, if you'd like to follow along while waiting with us for the president's remarks.
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Obama opens his remarks with comments on the D.C. Navy Yard shooting, saying that there will be a "thorough investigation" and expressing his sadness over "yet another mass shooting."
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Reuters' Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton report: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has postponed a state visit to the White House on Oct. 23 out of concerns about U.S. surveillance programs, the White House said on Tuesday. Rousseff had threatened to cancel the visit over the last few weeks over news reports that the United States' National Security Agency had spied on emails, text messages and calls between her and her aides. Obama spoke with Rousseff on Monday to follow up on talks he had with her at a G20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, two weeks ago.
"The president has said that he understands and regrets the concerns disclosures of alleged U.S. intelligence activities have generated in Brazil and made clear that he is committed to working together with President Rousseff and her government in diplomatic channels to move beyond this issue as a source of tension in our bilateral relationship," said White House spokesman Jay Carney. Rousseff's visit to Washington will be rescheduled for a later date, he said. -
Obama invokes Holocaust in denouncing Assad: bit.ly/19wkjblby TPM via twitter 9/24/2013 2:36:18 PM -
Obama speaks against isolationism, but: "We're far more likely to invest our energy in those countries that want to work with us."
11 Republican senators released a letter as Obama spoke raising concerns about reports of diplomatic exchanges with Iran's Rouhani.by Patricia Zengerle via twitter edited by Margarita Noriega (Reuters) 9/24/2013 2:44:12 PM -
Key Obama quote on seeking Iran deal: "The roadblocks may prove to be too great, but I firmly believe the diplomatic path must be tested."by Steve Holland via twitter 9/24/2013 2:58:34 PM -
Why Ted Cruz’s fake filibuster doesn’t matter at all thkpr.gs/16XIyQOby thinkprogress via twitter 9/24/2013 7:58:56 PM -
by indystar via twitter 9/24/2013 7:59:12 PM -
"We will end up not shutting the government down and we will not defund Obamacare. That's how the movie ends" -- Republican Senator John McCain
Stepping into power, Britain's Johnson seeks more diverse cabinet
LONDON Taking over as Britain's prime minister on Wednesday, Boris Johnson is expected unveil a more diverse top team in a government to be tasked with delivering Brexit by the end of October, with or without a deal. | Video
