Government Programs 2007 Archive | PBS NewsHour

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	2007 DECEMBER Dec. 28, 2007 A Look at Who Is in Charge of Testing for Tainted Toys In the second of a two-part series, NewsHour economic correspondent Paul Solman continues his report on the safety of toys sold in the United States, now focusing on the regulatory agencies intended to safeguard consumers.

	Dec. 21, 2007 Experts Debate Privacy and Anti-Terrorism Measures The NewsHour presents excerpts from a debate on privacy and anti-terrorism measures at the University of Virginia's Miller Center of Public Affairs, part of an ongoing series of the Center on issues of national importance.

	Dec. 21, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Reid Weighs Partisan Divides, Security in Iraq Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., discusses how partisan differences have impacted the pace of recent legislative progress on Capitol Hill, the state of the Iraq war and the next steps for the Democratic-led Congress in an interview with Ray Suarez.

	Dec. 20, 2007 President Bush Accuses Congress of 'Wasteful Spending' in Earmarks President Bush criticized Congress on Thursday for including thousands of earmarks -- small projects for which lawmakers target funds -- in its spending bills. Fiscal experts explain how Congress intends to use those earmarks and how they affect the overall budget.

	Dec. 20, 2007 EPA Decision to Block State Emissions Plans Raises Policy Debate The Environmental Protection Agency denied new emissions proposals from California and 16 other states Wednesday that would set guidelines for automakers. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and a former EPA official debate who should regulate emissions.

	Dec. 19, 2007 McConnell Details Spending Bill Fight, Push for War Funds GOP and Democratic lawmakers have sparred in recent weeks over a massive spending bill that, in addition to funding domestic programs, also seeks to include funds for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., discusses legislative battles on Capitol Hill over spending and energy legislation.

	Dec. 19, 2007 New Plan Aims to Relieve Air Travel Congestion The government announced plans on Wednesday to ease congestion for holiday air travel, including opening up military air space and limiting flights to busy New York City airports. A former Federal Aviation Administration chief and an airline representative examine the proposal.

	Dec. 19, 2007 Recommendation Nears for Listing Polar Bear as 'Threatened' One year ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took up a proposal to list the polar bear as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act -- a decision that enjoys public support but also stands to impact a range of players.

	Dec. 18, 2007 Fed Backs New Rules Aimed at Curbing Risky Home Loans The Federal Reserve proposed new mortgage regulations Tuesday that would help protect home buyers from shady lending practices following losses suffered in the risky "subprime" home loan category. A Wall Street Journal reporter looks at the recent mortgage crisis and how the new Fed rules may prevent future subprime problems.

	Dec. 14, 2007 Shields and Brooks Mull Iowa Election Push, Baseball Scandal The final Republican and Democratic debates took place in Iowa this week ahead of the state's Jan. 3 caucus, a spending fight continued in Congress and a report brought new focus on the use of steroids in professional baseball. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the events of the week.

	Dec. 14, 2007 How is the Fed to be blamed if financial institutions are reckless and greedy? Paul Solman answers your questions on business and economic news on "The Business Desk."

	Dec. 13, 2007 Pelosi Aims to Set 'New Direction' Amid Legislative Battles Just over a year into her term as House leader in the new Democratic-majority Congress, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D- Calif., discusses the latest developments from Capitol Hill, including spending bill battles, new energy legislation, the controversy over CIA interrogation tapes and U.S. policy on Iran and Iraq.

	Dec. 12, 2007 New Drug Sentencing Rules Raise Questions for 19,000 Inmates The U.S. Sentencing Commission, which sets guidelines for federal prison sentences, voted this week to make its recent reduction in sentences for crack cocaine offenses retroactive, making over 19,000 inmates eligible for sentence reductions. Legal experts examine the shift and the potential impact on the justice system.

	Dec. 12, 2007 GPS-based System May Improve Air Travel The Federal Aviation Administration has unveiled a new air traffic control system, ADS-B, that incorporates the Global Positioning System to more accurately track airplanes in flight. Tom Bearden examines ADS-B, which the FAA has promised will make air travel safer and easier.

	Dec. 11, 2007 Lawmakers Investigate CIA Interrogation Tape Disposal The Senate Intelligence Committee questioned U.S. officials behind closed doors Tuesday about the destruction of CIA tapes of the interrogations of top terror suspects. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., and Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., discuss the congressional probe.

	Dec. 7, 2007 CIA Tapes Re-ignite Debate on Interrogation Tactics Congressional Democrats called for an investigation Friday into whether a CIA decision in 2005 to destroy video tapes of the interrogations of two top terror suspects constitutes an obstruction of justice. Analysts offer insight on the potential fallout of the handling of the tapes.

	Dec. 6, 2007 Economic Experts Weigh Bush's Mortgage Rate Freeze Plan, Housing Crisis President Bush announced a deal with mortgage lenders to freeze interest rates on some subprime mortgages due to move sharply higher soon that he hopes would slow the rate of home foreclosures. Economic analysts assess the value of the proposal and U.S. subprime troubles.

	Dec. 6, 2007 Paulson: No 'Silver Bullet' in Bid to Ease Mortgage Crisis As home foreclosures reached a record high Thursday, President Bush announced a deal with mortgage lenders to freeze interest rates on some subprime mortgages due to move sharply higher soon. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson discusses the details of the proposal.

	Dec. 5, 2007 House Considers Changes to Media-Ownership Rules The House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee heard testimony on Wednesday from top FCC officials on whether media companies should be permitted to own both a newspaper and a broadcast station in the same market. The NewsHour reports on the proposed rule changes and congressional reaction to the measure.

	Dec. 5, 2007 Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Case Testing Rights of Detainees The Supreme Court considered Wednesday whether terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have constitutional rights to challenge their detention in court. Legal experts evaluate the high court hearings and what a decision could mean for U.S. policy.

	Dec. 5, 2007 Negroponte Assesses Iraqi Progress, Intel on Iran's Nukes Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte just returned from a trip to the Middle East where he urged Iraqi lawmakers to push through newly-crafted legislation. In an interview with Jim Lehrer, Negroponte discusses his trip to Iraq and a new intelligence report detailing the limits of Iran's nuclear weapons program.

	Dec. 4, 2007 Basics of U.S. Economy Are Strong, Bush Says President Bush tried to quell concerns over the recent housing slump and credit crunch Tuesday, saying "The basics in the economy are good." Two former treasury secretaries examine the state of the economy and whether the U.S. is facing a recession.



	NOVEMBER Nov. 30, 2007 Tanzania Implements HIV Prevention Measures as World Marks AIDS Day As part of a U.S.-backed fight against HIV infection in Tanzania, student groups perform plays and stage other events in a bid to develop new techniques that will help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Susan Dentzer examines these programs on the eve of World AIDS Day.

	Nov. 30, 2007 Bali Talks to Set Stage for Further Climate Negotiations Nearly 20,000 policymakers, activists and journalists will gather on the island of Bali, Indonesia Monday to open talks aimed at crafting a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, the United Nations treaty on climate change.

	Nov. 28, 2007 There seem to be different rates that the Fed raises or lowers. What are they? Paul Solman answers your questions on business and economic news on "The Business Desk."

	Nov. 28, 2007 Why all the focus on just Fed policy? Paul Solman answers your questions on business and economic news on "The Business Desk."

	Nov. 28, 2007 The Fed -- it is neither a federal agency, nor does it have any reserves. Paul Solman answers your questions on business and economic news on "The Business Desk."

	Nov. 28, 2007 Why should the taxpayers bailout the major lending institutions? Paul Solman answers your questions on business and economic news on "The Business Desk."

	Nov. 27, 2007 Philadelphia Makes New Effort to Combat Urban Violence Rising murder rates in Philadelphia have led community activists to organize efforts to curb the city's crime. Kwame Holman talks to local activists about their fight against violent crime.

	Nov. 23, 2007 Schools Chief in New Orleans Faces Tough Road to Rebuilding In the newest in a series of reports on reforming troubled school systems, John Merrow returns to New Orleans for an update on how the city's schools chief is faring in his attempts to enact change in a system still working to recover from Hurricane Katrina.

	Nov. 19, 2007 D.C. Schools Chief Rhee Faces High Hopes for Reform As part of a series of reports on how educators are attempting to reform urban schools, education correspondent John Merrow reported in 2007 on the efforts of Washington, D.C., school chancellor Michelle Rhee to turn around the city's troubled school system.

	Nov. 15, 2007 Bush Announces Plan to Reduce Air Travel Delays President Bush announced new plans Thursday to minimize air travel delays and improve airline security. Two reporters assess the latest developments in the travel industry.

	Nov. 14, 2007 In '08 Election, Environment, Resources Top Concerns for Western Voters Rapid growth in some western states has caused strain on natural resources. Local experts explain how the issues of water, power and land use are playing a role in the 2008 presidential election.

	Nov. 14, 2007 Rapid Urban Growth Strains Nevada's Natural Resources Rapid growth in Las Vegas has caused tension between urban and rural areas about the strain on Nevada's natural resources. The battle over water and energy use has raised debate about the need for conservation and alternative sources of energy.

	Nov. 14, 2007 House Democrats Push War Funding Bill, Troop Drawdown The U.S. House of Representatives debated a $50 billion war-funding bill for Iraq and Afghanistan Wednesday that would also require U.S. troops to start leaving Iraq within 30 days. Two House members discuss the conflict between Congress and the White House over spending priorities.

	Nov. 14, 2007 Finding New Solutions to Africa's AIDS Crisis The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, is designed to funnel $15 billion over five years toward HIV prevention and treatment efforts in Africa and other countries. Ambassador Mark Dybul, U.S. global AIDS coordinator and Paul Zeitz of Global AIDS Alliance answered your questions.

	Nov. 9, 2007 House Passes Bill to Ease Middle-Class Tax Burden The House passed a tax reform bill on Friday aimed at reducing the burden of the Alternative Minimum Tax for middle-class Americans. The bill would raise taxes on hedge-fund and private equity firm managers to offset lost revenue.

	Nov. 7, 2007 U.S.-Backed HIV Services Help Boost Rwandan Health Care System A U.S. program to curb AIDS in Africa is working to build the capacity of Rwanda's health care system by training doctors and equiping health facilities. Health correspondent Susan Dentzer continues a series of reports examining the impact of the American effort.

	Nov. 6, 2007 In Rwanda, U.S.-Backed Program Improves Access to AIDS Drugs A U.S. program to curb AIDS in Africa is having success providing antiretroviral drugs to AIDS patients in Rwanda -- particularly pregnant women and newborns. Health correspondent Susan Dentzer begins a series of reports examining the impact of the American effort.

	Nov. 6, 2007 Extended Interview: U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Mark Dybul Ambassador Mark Dybul, U.S. Global AIDS coordinator of the president's AIDS initiative known as PEPFAR, talks about the program's impacts, challenges and future.

	Nov. 5, 2007 Environmental Issues Fuel California's Water Wars Southern California is coping with water shortages due to a judge's ruling limiting the amount of freshwater that can be pumped from the northern part of the state. Environmental advocates, concerned about the effect on wildlife, lead the battle over water.

	Nov. 2, 2007 Consumer Product Safety Chief's Travel Under Scrutiny The chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Nancy Nord, and her predecessor have come under criticism for taking trips paid for by groups they regulate. In back-to-back interviews, Nord responds to the accusations after a member of Congress explains why she has called for Nord's resignation.

	Nov. 1, 2007 Plan to Provide Illegal Immigrants with Driver's Licenses Stirs Debate Recent proposals to allow illegal immigrants to apply for driver's licenses and auto insurance have added a new layer to the debate over immigration rights in America and surfaced as an issue on the presidential campaign trail. Experts examine the controversy.



	OCTOBER Oct. 29, 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax Faces Chance of Repeal in Tax Code Overhaul Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., has proposed a plan to eliminate the alternative minimum tax, designed in 1969 to ensure wealthy Americans paid their fair share of taxes but which was never indexed for inflation. Rangel and Rep. James McCrery, R-La., debate the tax plan.

	Oct. 26, 2007 California Wildfire Response Compared to Katrina; U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Iran The government's response to the California wildfires evoked comparisons with Hurricane Katrina, while the United States imposed new sanctions against Iran. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's news.

	Oct. 26, 2007 Firefighters Make Headway on California Blazes Crews made steady progress against the California wildfires Friday, with weather conditions that were more cooperative toward firefighting efforts. Jeffrey Kaye provides an update on the ongoing firefight and how residents are slowly returning home.

	Oct. 25, 2007 House Passes Revised Children's Health Insurance Bill The U.S. House passed a revised version of legislation aimed at expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program Thursday, but not by the two-thirds margin necessary to override a promised presidential veto.

	Oct. 25, 2007 Crews Labor to Fully Rein in Damaging California Wildfires Wildfires that have forced thousands to evacuate continued to burn across parts of Southern California Thursday and the number of deaths blamed on the blazes rose to 10. Experts discuss what makes the fires difficult to contain and how the government's response has fared so far.

	Oct. 23, 2007 People and Places of Rwanda and Tanzania The NewsHour's journey to Rwanda and Tanzania brought the reporting team face-to-face with families coping with HIV and remnants of the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

	Oct. 19, 2007 Shields, Brooks Assess Primary Shuffle, Mukasey Hearings Attorney-General nominee Michael Mukasey faced tough questions on torture in his confirmation hearings this week, and speculation grew over the potential for a December New Hampshire primary. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks give their take on the week's political news.

	Oct. 18, 2007 Attorney General Nominee Mukasey Questioned on Torture Views Michael Mukasey, President Bush's nominee for U.S. attorney general, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a second day Thursday and was closely questioned on his views on interrogation tactics and torture. Legal experts assess the confirmation hearings.

	Oct. 18, 2007 House Fails to Override Children's Health Insurance Veto The House failed Thursday to override President Bush's veto of a bill would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The bill had some bipartisan support, but not the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto.

	Oct. 17, 2007 Senate Judiciary Questions Nominee Mukasey in Confirmation Hearing The Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday finished its first day of questioning of attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey, asking him about issues of national security. The NewsHour reports on Mukasey's confirmation hearing.

	Oct. 8, 2007 California Takes Lead in Stem Cell Research, Scientist Recruitment Since California passed a $3 billion bond measure for stem cell research, recruitment of top scientists has outpaced every other state. The new funding has sparked the building of state-of-the-art facilities and a push for stem cell innovations.

	Oct. 5, 2007 Shields and Brooks Look at Detention Policy, Election Race Lawmakers lashed out over secret memos on interrogation tactics, and presidential hopefuls reported fund raising figures this week. NewsHour political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss these issues and other political news of the week.

	Oct. 4, 2007 Investigators Seek More Facts on Blackwater Shootout Investigations continue over the Sept. 16 Baghdad shootout involving private security firm Blackwater USA, with an Iraqi probe claiming that at least 13 civilians died in the incident. A New York Times reporter in Baghdad provides an update on the case.

	Oct. 3, 2007 Fifty Years Ago, Sputnik Launched Space Age Fifty years ago this week, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first man-made satellite, into space. On the anniversary of the turning point in space exploration, a NASA historian and a science reporter assess the impact and legacy of the world's first satellite.

	Oct. 3, 2007 President Bush Vetoes Children's Health Insurance Legislation President Bush vetoed a bill Wednesday that aimed to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, by $35 billion. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., and Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., examine the president's decision and the next steps for the bill.

	Oct. 2, 2007 New Orleans School Chief Tackles Rebuilding Shattered System In the second of two reports on efforts to improve education in urban public schools, education correspondent John Merrow explores the plans underway in New Orleans to create a new school system in a city still struggling to rebuild from Hurricane Katrina.

	Oct. 1, 2007 Supreme Court to Weigh Education Law, More in New Session The U.S. Supreme Court opened its new term Monday with a docket that includes cases on reimbursement for private education, election law and the rights of Guantanamo Bay detainees. The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle previews the term and potential challenges for the court.



	SEPTEMBER Sept. 28, 2007 Senate Passage of SCHIP Measure Increases Pressure on President Bush Congressional Democrats have increased their pressure on President Bush to not veto an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. On Thursday night, the Senate passed the plan by a wide enough margin to override a veto.

	Sept. 27, 2007 Procurement Process Slows Deployment of Improved Vehicles In the final part of a three-part series on military equipment, NewsHour correspondent Paul Solman reports on vehicles designed to protect U.S. combatants from improvised explosive devices and other dangers.

	Sept. 24, 2007 Defense Department Sticks With M-16s Despite Problems As the Senate continues to debate military spending in Iraq, the NewsHour presents the second of three reports on how the Defense Department decides to equip U.S. troops, continuing with a look at M-16 rifles.

	Sept. 21, 2007 Defense Department Examines Body Armor As the Senate continues to debate military spending in Iraq, the NewsHour presents the first of three reports on how the Defense Department decides to equip U.S. troops, starting with body armor.

	Sept. 21, 2007 Senate at an Impasse on Iraq Withdrawal A partisan divide plagues Congress' ability to reach a consensus on if and when the United States should begin withdrawing troops from Iraq. The NewsHour reports on the ongoing debate.

	Sept. 20, 2007 President Bush Accuses Democrats of Politicizing SCHIP President Bush on Thursday promised to veto a Democratic-backed bill that would expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, accusing congressional Democrats of playing politics with the legislation.

	Sept. 17, 2007 Federal Reserve Plans Interest Rate Cut to Revive Economy The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates to help shore up the nation's economy. The NewsHour's Paul Solman examines the Federal Reserve's plans and what they mean for the economy.

	Sept. 17, 2007 Presidential Candidate Clinton Unveils Health Care Plan Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., unveiled her health care plan Monday. The plan would aim to insure all Americans. NewsHour health correspondent Susan Dentzer and a political reporter discuss Clinton's proposal.

	Sept. 14, 2007 Defense Secretary Gates Describes Plan for Iraq The Iraq war has dominated headlines with a report from Gen. David Petraeus and President Bush's announcement of a phased troop withdrawal. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates talks about long-term plans for the country.



	AUGUST Aug. 31, 2007 President Bush, Bernanke Weigh In on Credit Crisis President Bush announced a series of measures Friday intended to help ease the credit crunch caused by mortgage defaults, while Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said he would monitor the situation.

	Aug. 30, 2007 Pioneers Hope to Revitalize New Orleans Doctors, business owners and other young professionals have moved into New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, attracted by the concept of starting anew. NewsHour correspondent Tom Bearden presents the final report in a series on Katrina's two-year anniversary.

	Aug. 28, 2007 Number of Uninsured Hits New High, Census Shows The Census Bureau reported Tuesday that 47 million Americans had no health insurance in 2006, an increase of more than 2 million from the previous year. Health correspondent Susan Dentzer discusses the growing problem.

	Aug. 21, 2007 Bush Administration Moves to Rein In Children's Health Insurance Expansion The White House issued new guidelines for a low-income children's health insurance program that would essentially check states' efforts to broaden coverage to those at higher income levels.

	Aug. 20, 2007 Farmers in Colorado Struggle with Labor Shortage In the wake of repeated crackdowns on illegal workers, some farmers in Colorado are struggling to bring in their crops with fewer available migrant workers. The NewsHour reports on how the problem is affecting individual farmers and the American economy.

	Aug. 20, 2007 Border Issues Loom over North American Summit Although economic cooperation and the war on terror topped the agenda of President Bush's two-day summit with the leaders of Canada and Mexico, debate over the direction of the U.S. border security policy continues to play a large role in the discussions.

	Aug. 16, 2007 Teachers Grapple with Attaining Education Law's Goals The third and final installment in NewsHour education special correspondent John Merrow's series looks at how some of the country's best teachers are dealing with the No Child Left Behind law.

	Aug. 15, 2007 Transportation Secretary Discusses Concerns About National Infrastructure The bridge collapse in Minneapolis earlier this month raised questions about the state of the aging transportation infrastructure. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters discusses what the government is doing to ensure its safety.

	Aug. 15, 2007 Failing San Diego Schools Work to Meet Standards A number of failing schools in the San Diego area are adjusting their practices to meet standards under the No Child Left Behind law. Special correspondent for education John Merrow continues a series of reports on the law and how it is affecting U.S. education.

	Aug. 14, 2007 School Districts Find Loopholes in No Child Left Behind Law School districts are getting around certain requirements of the No Child Left Behind law by setting the bar measuring student progress low in the beginning. Special correspondent for education John Merrow begins a series of reports.

	Aug. 13, 2007 Bridge Inspections Under Scrutiny After Minneapolis Collapse The collapse of a highway bridge in Minneapolis highlighted the need for better inspections of U.S. infrastructure. Correspondent Betty Ann Bowser explains the inspection process and improvements some are demanding.

	Aug. 10, 2007 Bush Administration Pushes Enforcement of Immigration Workplace Laws The Bush administration announced new measures to crack down on immigration laws in the workplace. An immigration liberalization opponent and a business trade association representative debate the move.

	Aug. 10, 2007 Federal Reserve Moves to Stabilize Market The Federal Reserve said it would inject $38 billion into the banking system in response to the stock market's volatility, and central banks globally may take similar action. A former Federal Reserve governor and a Bush administration economic adviser explain the move.

	Aug. 6, 2007 President Signs Law to Expand Wiretapping Program President Bush signed a law granting the National Security Agency broader authority in monitoring communications among foreigners and Americans. A civil liberties advocate and a former National Security Council lawyer assess the new law.

	Aug. 3, 2007 Senate, House Vote to Expand Children's Health Program The Senate Thursday approved legislation to expand a federal children's health insurance program for low-income families by $35 billion over five years, following House passage of an even larger increase of $50 billion.

	Aug. 1, 2007 President Bush Presses for Flexibility on Terror Surveillance President Bush is calling on Congress to update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to let the government monitor overseas terror suspects without warrants. Two lawmakers discuss the proposal.

	Aug. 1, 2007 Report Addresses Veterans' Care Since inadequate facilities were uncovered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, new attention has been given to veterans' health needs. Two experts on veterans' medical care answer your questions.



	JULY July 30, 2007 Congress Eyes Expanding Children's Health Insurance Lawmakers and President Bush have been at odds over funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which is set to expire this year. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt and GOP Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty debate the matter.

	July 27, 2007 Congress Passes New Farm Bill Congress passed a new farm bill which subsidizes crops like soybeans and other vegetable products. Two experts talk to the NewsHour about what the bill will mean for farmers and the American economy.

	July 27, 2007 Democrats Seek Perjury Probe for Attorney General Senate Democrats requested a perjury investigation for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales after testimony from FBI Director Robert Mueller raised questions about his credibility. Former Justice Department officials discuss the situation.

	July 26, 2007 Federal Judge Strikes Down Hazleton's Illegal Immigration Law A U.S. District judge overturned an immigration law in Hazleton, Pa., that punished landlords who rented to illegal immigrants and businesses that that hired them, saying the law was unconstitutional.

	July 23, 2007 Veterans Struggle for Adequate Disability Compensation U.S. soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan receive disability compensation based on the extent of their injuries and other factors. The NewsHour reports on how the military determines the amount injured veterans receive and efforts to improve the process.

	July 18, 2007 Marine Tilt-rotor Aircraft Set for Deployment Despite Problems The V-22 Osprey, a new tilt-rotor aircraft, is expected to be deployed to Iraq in several months, but critics say it has operational and design problems. Correspondent Betty Ann Bowser reports on the controversy surrounding the new aircraft.

	July 17, 2007 Senate Looks to Expand Children's Health Insurance Program The Senate is expected to move forward with a five-year extension of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which covers 6 million low-income children nationwide. Health correspondent Susan Dentzer provides an update on those efforts.

	July 17, 2007 Al-Qaida Remains Persistent Threat to U.S., Report Says The U.S. government's newly released National Intelligence Estimate says the United States faces a "persistent and evolving" threat of attack from al-Qaida. Two veterans of the intelligence community discuss the report.

	July 12, 2007 Sting Uncovers Gaps in Government Oversight of Dirty Bomb Components In a sting operation orchestrated by the federal government, congressional investigators who set up a bogus company were able to purchase materials for a dirty bomb, despite Nuclear Regulatory Commission oversight.

	July 11, 2007 Security Cameras Coming to New York City New York plans to install a London-style surveillance camera system in lower Manhattan by year's end. Guests outline the reasons behind the program and the privacy issues it raises.

	July 11, 2007 House to Debate Renewal of Gun Tracing Limits More than 200 U.S. mayors are urging Congress to repeal a piece of legislation limiting the release of information that would allow authorities to track firearms. The original sponsor of the limits and a mayor discuss the law's merits.

	July 10, 2007 Former Surgeon General Reports Political Pressure Former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona told the Senate Tuesday the Bush administration silenced him on key issues. He speaks with the NewsHour about his testimony and tenure.

	July 10, 2007 Former Food and Drug Regulator Executed in China China said Tuesday it executed its former chief food and drug regulator for accepting bribes to approve unsafe medicines as Beijing sought to salvage its export market's tarnished reputation.

	July 9, 2007 High-level Homeland Security Vacancies Raise Concerns Nearly one-quarter of Department of Homeland Security positions remain vacant, according to a House committee report, raising concerns that the office may be unprepared for future emergencies.

	July 6, 2007 Local Police Team Up with Federal Immigration Officials In Phoenix, 10 federal immigration officers work with the local police department to investigate crimes that involve illegal immigrants. As more cities mull such collaborations, proponents say they help both agencies, but critics worry that they deter some crime victims from coming to police.

	July 3, 2007 New Tainted Chinese Products Add To Safety Concerns Inspectors in China reported the discovery of more tainted products on Tuesday. A food safety advocate and an investment bank executive explain what's behind the problems.



	JUNE June 28, 2007 Bald Eagle Removed from Endangered Species List America's national symbol, the bald eagle, has officially been taken off the endangered species list 40 years after coming close to extinction. The NewsHour reports on how and why this iconic bird is thriving once again.

	June 26, 2007 Senate Votes to Revisit Contentious Immigration Bill The Senate agreed Tuesday to reopen debate on a controversial immigration bill backed by President Bush. Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, discuss what comes next.

	June 15, 2007 Engineer Outlines New Floodwall Designs in New Orleans To better protect New Orleans, the Army Corps of Engineers used new techniques to build a stronger flood control system for the city inundated during Hurricane Katrina. One such effort focused on the Industrial Canal. Col. Jeff Bedey of the Hurricane Protection Office explains the new floodwalls.

	June 15, 2007 Senators Agree to Reexamine Stalled Immigration Bill Senate leaders agreed Thursday to send a new version of the foundering immigration bill back to the Senate floor, hoping a new commitment to border security and fewer amendments will generate greater support the second time around.

	June 12, 2007 President Bush Pushes Senators to Revive Immigration Bill As President Bush visited Capitol Hill Tuesday to push Senate Republicans to revive the immigration bill, many states were discussing local immigration policy. Two state legislators, Chip Rogers and Ben Miranda, talk about their visions for immigration reform in their areas.

	June 8, 2007 U.S. to Suspend New Border Rules to Ease Passport Backlog The Bush administration said Friday that it would temporarily relax rules requiring passports for U.S. citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean because of long waits in processing passports.

	June 7, 2007 Senate Torn on Immigration Bill The Senate has yet to reach a compromise on an immigration reform bill after a procedural vote failed Thursday. A congressional journalist discusses key sticking points in the debate.

	June 5, 2007 Senate Debates Family Ties Provision in Immigration Bill The Senate resumed debate of the immigration bill Tuesday, digging into a provision that would set limits on family members who can join immigrants in America. Sens. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and Robert Menendez, D-N.J., discuss the issue.



	MAY May 31, 2007 Immigration Debate Resonates Throughout U.S. As the Senate takes a break from debating the latest iteration of the immigration bill this week, legislators have been trying to assess public opinion on the issue. The NewsHour explores the attitudes around the country through the lens of regional newspaper editors.

	May 31, 2007 President Bush Urges Nations to Set Emissions Targets President Bush, in a counter-offer to European leaders, said Thursday that 15 nations with the world's largest economies should set common targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2008.

	May 30, 2007 California Seeks EPA Approval for Tougher Emissions Curbs The Environmental Protection Agency held a public hearing in Sacramento, Calif., on Wednesday to review California's bid to pass a law restricting car emissions beyond the federal level. California and EPA officials discuss the bid.

	May 30, 2007 President Bush Proposes Doubling Money to Fight AIDS to $30 Billion President Bush on Wednesday asked Congress for $30 billion to renew and double the funding to combat the global spread of AIDS, calling the disease a "modern-day plague."

	May 22, 2007 Temporary Workers Program Challenged in Immigration Debate Some senators on Tuesday challenged the part of the immigration bill that addresses temporary workers, with some vowing to limit or cut the program. The NewsHour takes a closer look at the interests surrounding the temporary worker program.

	May 21, 2007 Senate Opens Debate on Bipartisan Immigration Package The U.S. Senate opened debate Monday on a new immigration bill that has already faced criticism from both political parties. Two immigration policy analysts discuss provisions related to the path to citizenship.

	May 17, 2007 High-tech Companies Seek to Hire More Foreign Workers Citing the lack of qualified domestic candidates, many U.S. technology companies are hiring foreign workers to stay competitive in a global marketplace. The NewsHour reports on the fight to allow more foreign workers into the United States.

	May 16, 2007 Comey's Testimony Reveals Gonzales' Role in Wiretapping Former Deputy Attorney General James Comey testified before the Senate Tuesday on a 2004 standoff between himself and then-White House counsel Alberto Gonzales over President Bush's wiretapping program. Margaret Warner reports on Comey's testimony.

	May 8, 2007 Kansas Governor Outlines Tornado Recovery Efforts Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, said this week that the tornado recovery effort in her state has been limited by National Guard resources being diverted to the Iraq war. She discusses this issue and the White House's response.

	May 8, 2007 Six Men Arrested in Plot to Attack New Jersey's Fort Dix Federal prosecutors have charged six Muslim men living in the United States with plotting to sneak into Fort Dix in New Jersey and kill as many military personnel as possible. The NewsHour speaks with the U.S. attorney working on the case.

	May 3, 2007 Former CIA Director Tenet Responds to Memoir Criticism Former CIA Director George Tenet's new memoir has drawn criticism from administration officials over his account of events leading up to the Iraq war. Jim Lehrer talks with Tenet about his memoir and its critics.

	May 1, 2007 Book Investigates Public Transparency Policies Author Mary Graham discusses her new book, "Full Disclosure: The Perils and Promise of Transparency," on the government's ability and challenges to providing vital information to the public.

	May 1, 2007 Colorado Town Copes with Immigration Raids Five months ago, federal agents arrested more than 200 illegal workers at a meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colo. The NewsHour reports on how the town and immigrant community are dealing with the aftermath.



	APRIL April 30, 2007 New Report Details Reconstruction Failures in Iraq Billions of U.S. dollars have been invested in improving Iraq's infrastructure since 2003, but the effort has been beset by problems. Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen discusses his latest report.

	April 30, 2007 Former CIA Director Tenet's Memoir Sparks Controversy Former CIA Director George Tenet's new memoir has drawn criticism from administration officials over his account of events leading up to the Iraq war. A former senator and an ex-CIA officer discuss the assertions in the book.

	April 26, 2007 Global Food Chain Leads to Food Safety Challenges Recent recalls of peanut butter and pet food have focused public attention on food safety -- particularly imported items. Guests discuss current regulations and whether new rules are needed.

	April 9, 2007 Controversy Continues over Post-Katrina Spending on Trailers After Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast in August 2005, FEMA spent billions of dollars on trailers that served as temporary housing. As many of the trailers now sit vacant, the NewsHour reports on maintenance expenses and criticism of FEMA.

	April 3, 2007 Effectiveness of No Child Left Behind Debated President Bush's No Child Left Behind education law, passed in 2002 to help close the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students, is set to expire this year. Two education administrators discuss the law and give their views on its effectiveness.

	April 2, 2007 Supreme Court Says EPA Can Regulate Greenhouse Gases In a defeat for the Bush administration, the Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Environmental Protection Agency can regulate carbon dioxide emissions from cars under the Clean Air Act.



	MARCH March 30, 2007 President Bush Vows to Fix Conditions at Walter Reed Hospital During a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Friday, President Bush said bureaucratic failures caused poor conditions for veterans there and that steps for improvement have been taken. The NewsHour looks at the quality of care veterans are receiving.

	March 20, 2007 Congress Scrutinizes Attorney General Gonzales' Role President Bush and Congress edged closer to confrontation Tuesday over the firing of eight U.S. attorneys and the future of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. A panel analyzes the situation and the role of an attorney general.

	March 14, 2007 Congress Urged to Pass Immigration Bill This Year As his tour of Latin America concluded, President Bush pledged to work to change U.S. immigration laws and said immigration reform legislation could be completed by Congress this year. Analysts discuss the prospects of passing such a bill.

	March 14, 2007 President Supports Gonzales Despite Calls for Resignation President Bush reasserted his confidence in Alberto Gonzales Wednesday, amid calls for the attorney general to resign over the firing of eight U.S. attorneys. Legal analysts discuss the implications for Gonzales.

	March 12, 2007 President Bush Vows to Fight Drug Trade in Latin America President Bush visited Guatemala Monday, after pledging Sunday on a stopover in Colombia to seek more aid for the country to fight drug traffickers. Experts discuss the growing drug trade and the administration's efforts to curtail it.

	March 9, 2007 Daylight Saving Time Arrives Earlier than Usual Daylight saving time, which usually begins the first week of April, will be start earlier by four weeks starting this year, due to federal legislation passed in 2005. Two authors examine the impact of advancing the start of daylight saving time.

	March 9, 2007 Justice Department Audit Reveals FBI Misused Patriot Act A Justice Department audit released Friday said that the FBI used the Patriot Act improperly and unlawfully to gain information about people in the United States. Two members of the House Judiciary Committee debate the audit's conclusions.

	March 6, 2007 Senate Hears Testimony on Walter Reed Conditions The Senate questioned Army officials Tuesday about the conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other troop treatment centers around the country. NewsHour reports on the hearings.



	FEBRUARY Feb. 27, 2007 New Study Stirs Debate over Mandatory Cervical Cancer Vaccination By age 24 over one-third of American women contract the human papilloma virus (HPV), which has been linked to cervical cancer, a medical journal reported Tuesday. Following a background report, two guests debate mandatory HPV vaccinations for school-age girls.

	Feb. 26, 2007 Congress Wary of Justice Department Firings Evaluations of the U.S. attorneys recently dismissed by the Justice Department under a little-known USA Patriot Act provision described them as "well regarded" and "very competent." Analysts discuss the firings and congressional charges of political tampering.

	Feb. 26, 2007 Program to Help New Orleans Homeowners Moving Slowly The Road Home program was granted $7.5 billion by the federal government to help New Orleans homeowners rebuild. But of the 109,000 families who have applied, only 1,300 homeowners have received anything. The NewsHour reports on the reconstruction process.

	Feb. 21, 2007 Health Care Costs to Rise Dramatically over Next Decade U.S. health care spending is expected to increase dramatically over the next decade, from $2 trillion to over $4 trillion by 2016, according to a government report released Wednesday. NewsHour health correspondent Susan Dentzer explains the report.

	Feb. 21, 2007 Army Works to Repair Medical Center, Reputation Army officials toured Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Wednesday to inspect and monitor repairs at the facility, which has been criticized for poor conditions and patient care. The Army's surgeon general and a veterans advocate debate the medical center's future.

	Feb. 19, 2007 Army Hospital Struggles to Provide Iraq Veterans Adequate Care Some Iraq war veterans returning to the United States for medical treatment have found that Washington, D.C.'s Walter Reed Army Hospital has failed to provide them with adequate care. Dana Priest, a Washington Post reporter who broke the story, describes the problems.

	Feb. 16, 2007 U.S. Mint Prints Gold-colored Dollar Coins The U.S. Mint released into circulation millions of gold-covered dollar coins bearing the likeness of George Washington Thursday. U.S. Mint Director Edmund Moy discusses the decision to introduce the coin, after previous attempts to do so were unsuccessful.

	Feb. 16, 2007 Darfur Crisis Escalating, U.S. Envoy Says The United States urged African nations Thursday to offer troops for a joint U.N.-African Union force in Darfur as nongovernmental groups have threatened to leave because of escalating violence. Andrew Natsios, the U.S. envoy to Darfur, discusses the ongoing crisis.

	Feb. 14, 2007 House Speaker Pelosi Rejects Troop Surge Plan House Speaker Nancy Pelosi discusses Democratic strategy in the House debate on a nonbinding resolution that would oppose President Bush's decision to send 21,500 more combat troops to Iraq. A vote is expected Friday.

	Feb. 14, 2007 President Bush Discusses Iraq Security, Iran President Bush held an hour-long press conference Wednesday that covered Iraq and his domestic agenda. The NewsHour presents excerpts.

	Feb. 9, 2007 Senate Delays Resolution Vote; Giuliani Enters Presidential Race The Senate delayed a vote on a proposed resolution opposing President Bush's Iraq plan, while former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani entered the 2008 presidential race. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss these and other political stories.

	Feb. 9, 2007 Pentagon Report Finds War Intelligence Flawed But Lawful A report released Friday by the Pentagon's inspector general found that a 2002 intelligence briefing on Iraq was faulty but legal. NewsHour analysts discuss the Senate Armed Services Committee's response to the report.

	Feb. 6, 2007 House Explores Wasteful Spending in Iraq A House committee investigating how over $12 billion disbursed for Iraq reconstruction was mismanaged questioned Paul Bremer, the former head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, on Tuesday.

	Feb. 5, 2007 President Bush Sends Congress Budget Plan President Bush sent Congress a proposed $2.9 trillion spending blueprint, which includes $245 billion for military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. White House budget Director Ron Portman and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., debate the numbers.

	Feb. 2, 2007 Intelligence Report Predicts Dire Future for Iraq's Security The National Intelligence Estimate report on Iraq, released Friday, painted a gloomy picture of sectarian violence and the Iraqi government's ability to achieve political unity. Analysts discuss the report and its implications for the security in Iraq.



	JANUARY Jan. 31, 2007 FDA Overhauls Prescription Drug Oversight Program The Food and Drug Administration announced it is making more than a dozen changes to improve oversight of prescription drugs, including increased monitoring of drugs' safety after they are on the market. FDA Commissioner Dr. Andrew Von Eschenbach discusses the changes.

	Jan. 31, 2007 Millions of Iraq Reconstruction Aid Wasted, Inspector Says Rising sectarian violence has hindered Iraq reconstruction efforts, and millions of dollars were wasted, investigators said Wednesday. Stuart Bowen, the special investigator general for Iraq reconstruction, discusses the findings of his audit.

	Jan. 25, 2007 President Bush Promotes New Health Care Plan President Bush outlined new health care initiatives in his State of the Union address Tuesday, including creating new tax deductions on health insurance and giving states more flexibility in using federal funds. Two health care experts discuss the president's plan.

	Jan. 25, 2007 Security Problems Hinder Infrastructure Rebuilding The success of rehabilitating vital infrastructure in Iraq has been hampered by security concerns and rising costs, which pose a difficult challenge to providing Iraqis with electricity, clean water and a functioning transportation system.

	Jan. 23, 2007 Sen. Webb Offers the Democratic Response to the State of the Union In his response to President Bush's State of the Union address, Sen. James Webb, D-Va., outlines his party's response, stressing the need to help the middle class through fairer tax policies and criticizing the president's handling of the war in Iraq. The following is the full text of his remarks.

	Jan. 19, 2007 U.S. 'No Less Safe' After Spy Policy Change, Gonzales Says Attorney General Gonzales defended the administration's decision to shift authority of its warrantless surveillance program to a secret court. Gonzales explains what happens next and said the country is "no less safe."

	Jan. 18, 2007 Senate Questions Gonzales on Spy Policy Change The Senate Judiciary Committee grilled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Thursday about the administration's decision to shift authority of its warrantless communication surveillance program to a secret court. Guests discuss the implications of the policy change.

	Jan. 17, 2007 Secret Court to Monitor Surveillance Program The Justice Department said Wednesday a secret but independent panel of federal judges will oversee the government's controversial domestic spying program.

	Jan. 12, 2007 House Passes Bill Forcing Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices The House passed legislation Friday to force the government to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare patients, but President Bush is expected to veto the measure. Two Medicare experts discuss the bill and the government's role in bringing down drug costs.

	Jan. 9, 2007 Schwarzenegger Proposes Universal Health Care in California California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a universal health care program that would extend coverage to the state's uninsured population. A California health official and NewsHour correspondent Susan Dentzer discuss the implications of the proposed plan.

	Jan. 5, 2007 President Bush Revamps Iraq Team Before Policy Changes President Bush shifted several key administration officials related to Iraq policy Friday, days before he was expected to unveil a new war strategy to the American public.