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2005
DECEMBER
December 30, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss Jack Abramoff's
legal troubles, the winners and losers of 2005 and President Bush's performance
over the last year.
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December 30, 2005
Corruption
Scandal
A reporter discusses the background of Jack Abramoff, a Washington
lobbyist at the center of a far-reaching congressional corruption scandal.
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December 23, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss Congress' last-minute
action on the Patriot Act, the domestic surveillance controversy and other political
developments of the week.
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December
22, 2005
Patriot Act Squabble
The House on Thursday passed a one-month extension of the USA Patriot Act, following
the Senate's six-month extension, forcing the Senate back into session Thursday
evening. |
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December 21, 2005
Senate
Showdown
In last minute votes on Wednesday, the Senate approved a bill to
trim spending on social programs but rejected a military spending bill that included
a controversial provision to drill for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge.
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December 19, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss executive powers
and the revelations of domestic surveillance, along with the administration's
efforts to bolster support for the war on Iraq.
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December 16, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks analyze Jim Lehrer's interview
with President Bush on progress in Iraq, his recent reversal on torture policy
and a claim that he authorized the National Security Agency to monitor Americans
without a court warrant.
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December 14, 2005
Extended
Session
Disputes on several key bills have kept Congress in session longer
than usual. A congressional scholar explains the disagreements.
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December
13, 2005
Patriot Act
Debate
Congress remains divided over renewing sections of the controversial
Patriot Act, a bill that allows access to personal records in terrorism cases
but critics say infringes on civil liberties. Two senators discuss their differing
views of the Patriot Act.
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December 9, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss Iraq war political
strategy, the confusion over U.S. rules for the treatment of terror suspects
and the troubles of Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas.
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December 8, 2005
House
Debates Investment Taxes
A report on the debate in the House of Representatives
over taxing income from capital gains and dividends.
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December 5, 2005
9/11
Commission Gives Government Failing Grades
The panel charged with investigating
the government response to 9/11 announced that the government has failed to adequately
follow its recommendations to protect America against a future terrorist attack.
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December 2, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss President Bush's Iraq strategy
and the resignation of Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif.
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NOVEMBER
November 30, 2005
Iraq Strategy
President Bush reinforced his strategy in Iraq and rejected
calls to set any timetables for a pullout in a speech Wednesday at the U.S.
Naval Academy. Two members of the Senate Armed Forces Committee discuss
the president's speech. |
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November 25, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the ongoing debate over
pulling troops from Iraq.
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November 21, 2005
Guilty
Plea in Lobby Case
Michael Scanlon, a former press aid to Rep. Tom Delay
and former partner to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, pleaded guilty in a government
investigation on conspiring to bribe public officials. Two reporters discuss
the case.
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November
21, 2005
Debate
over Iraq Withdrawal
Following a background report on the response to Rep.
John Mutha's proposal to pull U.S. troops from Iraq, two retired lieutenant generals
discuss how the plan would affect the situation on the ground.
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November 18, 2005
War of Words
The White House defended its strategy in Iraq facing recent criticisms and calls
for a withdrawal. Following a background report, New York Times columnist David
Brooks and Boston Globe columnist Tom Oliphant discuss the accusations.
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November 18, 2005
Making the Cut
Early Friday morning, the House narrowly passed a deficit-reduction bill. Congressional
expert Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute discusses the battle
on Capitol Hill over spending and taxes. Then, New York Times columnist David
Brooks and Boston Globe columnist Tom Oliphant discuss taxes and spending cuts
in the budget.
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November 17, 2005
Call
for Withdrawal
Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., ranking Democrat on the Defense
Appropriations Subcommittee and a former supporter of the Iraq war, said Thursday
that U.S. Troops should leave within six months. Following an interview with
Murtha, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., offers
a rebuttal.
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November
15, 2005
Questioning
the Iraq War
The Senate debated Iraq policy amid concerns over prewar intelligence
and exit strategy. Two senators, Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner,
R-Va., and Richard Durbin, D-Ill, share
their views on the situation in Iraq. |
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November 14, 2005
Legal
Rights of Detainees
Congress is debating an amendment limiting the rights
of detainees at the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Two guests discuss the
proposal.
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November 11, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and Richard Lowry discuss President Bush's Veteran's
Day speech and the national implications of November's local elections.
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November 10, 2005
Budget
Debate
As Congress wrestles with spending priorities and the latest round
of budget cuts, two experts discuss the decisions lawmakers face.
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November
10, 2005
Newsmaker:
Sen. John McCain
U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., discusses the recent bombings
in Jordan, winning the Iraq war, and U.S. prisoner abuse policy.
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November 9, 2005
Local Election Results
Three guests look at the national implications
of local elections and what they mean for the future of Democrats and
Republicans.
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November
9, 2005
Questions
for the Oil Industry
Oil industry executives appeared before the Senate to
defend record high third quarter profits and deny accusations of price gouging
at the pump.
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November 8, 2005
Congress
Debates Torture Amendment
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. proposed and amendment
that bans the use of torture on prisoners held by the United States on foreign
soil. Two senators with opposing views discuss Sen. McCain's amendment.
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November 7, 2005
Virginia
Gubernatorial Race
A report on Virginia's closely contested race
for governor. Many experts believe the race may offer clues about congressional
races in 2006.
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November 4, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the debate over the handling
of pre-Iraq war intelligence, the arraignment of former vice presidential chief
of staff Lewis Libby, and the state of the Alito nomination.
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November 2, 2005
Drilling Debate
Following a background report, two experts discuss drilling in the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge.
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November 1, 2005
Senators
Discuss Alito Nomination
Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Mike DeWine,
R-Ohio talk about Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.
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OCTOBER
October 28, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the Libby indictment in the CIA
leak case and the next Supreme Court nominee.
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October 27, 2005
Miers
Withdraws
Mark Shields, David Brooks and Jan Crawford Greenburg discuss
the possible ramifications of Harriet Miers' withdrawal from consideration as
a Supreme Court justice.
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October 27, 2005
Miers
Withdraws: Senate Reaction
Sens. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill.,
members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, discuss the Miers withdrawal. |
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October
27, 2005
Miers Withdraws
A report on Harriet Miers' withdrawal as a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court. |
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October
26, 2005
Uncertainty Over
Miers
Following a background report, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen
Specter and ranking Democrat Patrick Leahy discuss the state of the Harriet Miers
Supreme Court nomination.
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October 21, 2005
Political
Wrap
David Brooks and Tom Oliphant discuss the indictment of Tom Delay,
The Miers nomination, the CIA leak investigation, Iraq war strategy and the
World Series.
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October 19, 2005
More
Questions for Miers
A report on the status of the Harriet Miers nomination.
Senate Judiciary Committee members say they want more information on the Supreme
Court nominee. |
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October 18, 2005
Supreme
Questions
Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers supplied the Senate with on
Tuesday shed more light on her opinions. Following a background report, two senators
discuss the new information about the candidate.
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October 14, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the role of religion in Harriet
Miers' nomination as a Supreme Court justice and the political ramifications
in the United States of the impending vote on a new constitution in Iraq.
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October 7, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the rift among conservative ranks
over the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, President Bush's
recent remarks on terrorism and the Senate's vote against harsh interrogation
tactics.
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October 6, 2005
Interrogation Tactics
A review of Wednesday's Senate vote on how to regulate the detention, interrogation
and treatment of prisoners held by the U.S. military. |
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October 3, 2005
The Miers Nomination: Senate
Reaction
Two senators discuss the Miers nomination.
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SEPTEMBER
September 30, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the indictment of House Majority
Leader Tom Delay, the investigation into stock sales by Senate Majority Leader
Bill Frist and Judge John Roberts' confirmation as chief justice of the United
States.
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September 29,
2005
Iraq War Hearings
A report on the the Iraq war hearings presented before the Senate and House
Armed Services committees, followed by an
interview with Sens. John Warner, chairman of the Senate committee, and Carl Levin,
ranking Democrat, about their views on the situation in Iraq.
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September 28, 2005
Indicted
House Leader
A Texas grand jury indicted House Majority Leader Tom Delay,
R-Texas, on Wednesday in connection with an alleged illegal campaign finance
scheme. Two experts discuss the impact.
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September 27, 2005
Investigating
FEMA
A report on the House committee probe into the government's Hurricane
Katrina response and the tough questions asked of former FEMA Director Michael
Brown.
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September 23, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the cost and politics surrounding
hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the Senate committee stamp of approval for
John Roberts to become chief justice of the United States.
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September 22, 2005
Roberts
Vote Heads to Full Senate
The Senate Judiciary Committe voted 13-5 in favor
of passing the nomination of Judge John Roberts as chief justice of the United
States to a vote by the full Senate. |
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September 21, 2005
Able Danger
A report on the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on allegations
that a secret Pentagon program, dubbed Able Danger, turned up valuable information
about the alleged ringleader of the Sept. 11 attacks, Mohammed Atta, more than
a year before the attacks occurred. |
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September 20, 2005
Paying
for Katrina
Following a report on the growing price tag on recovery costs
for Hurricane Katrina, two experts discuss the costs and the federal government's
commitment.
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September 19, 2005
Conversation:
Jimmy Carter and James Baker
Former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary
of State James Baker, co-chairmen of the National Commission on Federal Election
Reform, talk about their newly released recommendations for federal election
reform.
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September 16, 2005
Political
Wrap
David Brooks and Tom Oliphant discuss the
federal government's role in rebuilding the Gulf Coast as well as the confirmation
hearings for chief justice nominee John Roberts. |
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September
15, 2005
Brooks and
Oliphant
New York Times columnist David Brooks and Boston Globe columnist
Tom Oliphant join Jim Lehrer to discuss the Roberts hearings and preview President
Bush's Katrina speech. |
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September 15, 2005
Final
Day of the Roberts Hearings
A report on the final day of John Roberts' confirmation
hearings for chief justice of the United States. |
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September 14, 2005
Third Day of the Roberts Hearings
Judge John Roberts completed the second day of questioning in his confirmation
hearings to become the chief justice of the United States. Two
legal scholars discuss his responses. |
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September 13, 2005
Highlights
from the Second Day
Chief justice of the United States nominee John Roberts
faced the first round of questions from the Senate Judiciary Committe. Two
scholars assess Roberts' responses on the issues of abortion, the right to privacy
and racial and gender discrimination. |
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September 12, 2005
The Roberts Hearings: Day 1
John
Roberts faced the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday in the first day of hearings
to see if he should become the nation's top jurist. Following two reports on the
day's statements, two experts talk
about the direction the hearings will take throughout this week. |
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September 9, 2005
Political
Wrap
David Brooks and Tom Oliphant discuss the federal response to Hurricane
Katrina and the upcoming confirmation hearings for Supreme Court chief justice
nominee John Roberts.
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September
8, 2005
Storm in Congress
Following a background report on the debate in Congress over investigating the
federal response to Hurricane Katrina, Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Joseph
Lieberman, D-Conn., the two leaders of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Committee, talk about the investigation into the disaster. |
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September
6, 2005
Katrina's Political
Fallout
President Bush and congressional leaders each announced Tuesday that
they would investigate the federal government's highly criticized response to
Hurricane Katrina.
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September 2, 2005
Political
Wrap
David Brooks, Tom Oliphant and NewsHour essayist and Chicago Tribune
columnist Clarence Page talk about about the week's horrific events, including
its political ramifications and racial tensions that have arisen.
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AUGUST
August 29, 2005
Newsmaker:
Patrick Leahy
Senate Judiciary Committee ranking Democrat Patrick Leahy
of Vermont discusses the upcoming confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee
John Roberts.
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August 26, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss how the constitutional conflict
in Iraq may weigh on the political standing of President Bush, and the latest
round of base closures.
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August 24, 2005
Newsmaker:
Arlen Specter
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., talks
about the confirmation hearings on Supreme Court nominee John Roberts.
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August 19, 2005
Political
Wrap
Tom Oliphant and Bill Kristol discuss the newly released writings of
Supreme Court justice nominee John Roberts reveal, and the ongoing campaign
in Texas by mothers of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq.
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August
18, 2005
U.S.-Mexico
Border Disputes
The governors of New Mexico and Arizona have declared states
of emergency in response to continued gang violence and drug smuggling along the
states' 350-mile border with Mexico.
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August 15, 2005
Clearing
the Air
Correspondent Lee Hochberg of Oregon Public Television looks at why
some American cities are voluntarily complying with the Kyoto Protocol on global
warming.
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August 12, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss growing sentiment against the
Iraq war, a possible U.S. exit strategy and President Bush's role as a wartime
leader.
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August 10, 2005
Transportation
Bill
President Bush signed a major highway bill Wednesday, which he said would
provide a much-needed economic boost to the nation. Critics of the bill say it
contains too many "pork barrel" projects.
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August 5, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the recess appointment of John
Bolton as the U.S. envoy to the United Nations, mounting casualties in Iraq,
and Supreme Court nominee John Roberts.
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JULY
July 29, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and Ramesh Ponnuru discuss the passage of an energy bill
by the Senate and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's backing broader stem cell
research.
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July 29, 2005
Senate Passes Energy Bill
The Senate passed a $14.5 billion energy bill Friday that
includes tax breaks and other incentives to encourage increased domestic production
of energy.
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July 29, 2005
Energy
Bill Winners and Losers
Experts discuss the likely impact of a broad energy
bill passed Friday by the Senate.
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July 29, 2005
Stem
Cell Pioneers
A report on the latest developments in the controversial field
of stem cell research.
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July 29, 2005
Rush
to Recess
Congress pushes to wrap up legislation, including the passage
of a new energy bill and highway spending bill Friday, as it prepares for the
month-long August recess.
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July 27, 2005
Gun
Liability Bill
A report on Wednesday's Senate debate on a bill to protect
the gun industry from potential lawsuits over misuse of its weapons. |
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July
27, 2005
The CAFTA Debate
President Bush visited Capitol Hill Wednesday to urge lawmakers to pass the Central
American Free Trade Agreement, which some legislators fear will threaten jobs. |
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July
22, 2005
John Roberts' Legal
Legacy
As Judge John Roberts and U.S. Senators prepare for confirmation hearings
in September, three legal experts examine the judge's legal record on issues that
may come before the Supreme Court.
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July 22, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the nomination of John Roberts
Jr. to the Supreme Court and the latest developments in the CIA leak controversy.
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July 21, 2005
Renewing
the Patriot Act
The House of Representative met Thursday to vote on renewing
the Patriot Act with some minor changes designed to increase judicial and political
oversight of some of its most controversial provisions. |
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July 20, 2005
Supreme Court Choice
Supreme Court nominee John Roberts Jr. began meeting senators from both parties
Wednesday as the Senate floor begins talking about the nominee. |
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July
20, 2005
President Bush's
Selection
An analyst talks about Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' legal
ideology and why President Bush selected him for the nomination. |
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July
20, 2005
Newsmaker:
Andrew Card
White House chief of staff Andrew Card talks about President Bush's
choice of Appellate Judge John Roberts Jr. for the Supreme Court.
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July 20, 2005
Newsmaker:
Sen. Charles Schumer
Judiciary Committee member Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.,
discusses John Roberts' chances of getting Senate confirmation to sit on the
Supreme Court.
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July
20, 2005
Cultivating Controversy
The House is set to vote on the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Some U.S.
dairy farmers believe CAFTA will help business, while some sugar farmers disagree. |
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July
19, 2005
Supreme Court Pick
President Bush will introduce his choice to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
on the Supreme Court Tuesday evening in a speech to the nation. |
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July
18, 2005
Newsmaker:
Ken Mehlman
Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman talks about
the current state of the Republican Party and the controversy surrounding White
House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove. |
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July 15, 2005
Under
Pressure
The controversy surrounding White House top aide Karl Rove and his
potential role in the leak of a CIA operative's name to the media grows as the
Senate takes action.
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July 13, 2005
Media
Relations
The White House press corps applied pressure this week on administration
mouthpiece Scott McClellan to explain prior assertions that presidential adviser
Karl Rove had no involvement in the CIA leak case.
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July 13, 2005
Under
Pressure
Two former White House officials discuss the revelation that President
Bush's senior political adviser Karl Rove may be involved in the leak of a CIA
operative's name to the media.
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July 11, 2005
Public
Broadcasting Hearings
A Senate subcommittee held hearings on the future of
funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting and alleged biases in PBS programming.
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July 8, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the U.S. response to the bombings
in London's transportation system, the results of the Group of Eight summit
in Scotland, the Supreme Court nomination process and the investigation into
the leak of the CIA operative's identity.
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July 6, 2005
Supreme Court
Test
Two leading members of the Senate Judiciary Committee discuss the upcoming
confirmation battle over who should replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra
Day O'Connor.
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July 6, 2005
Balancing Act
Correspondent Spencer
Michels reports on California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who recently reached
an agreement with legislative leaders over the state's budget but whose approval
rating still continues to slide.
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July 5, 2005
Supreme
Court History
In a prelude to the expected battle over the next Supreme Court
justice nomination, a legal expert discusses the selection and confirmation process.
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July 1, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and Ramesh Ponnuru discuss Supreme Court Justice Sandra
Day O'Connor's retirement Friday and the political battle over choosing a replacement
for her.
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July 1, 2005
Pivotal
Justice
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor resigned Friday after 24
years on the bench. Margaret Warner talks with Jan Crawford Greenburg of the Chicago
Tribune about O'Connor's role on the court.
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July 1, 2005
O'Connor
Legacy
Experts debate the legacy and Supreme Court career of Justice Sandra
Day O'Connor, who announced her retirement Friday.
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JUNE
June 30, 2005
The
Fight Over CAFTA
The Senate is slated Wednesday to vote on the much-debated
Central American Free Trade Agreement, which would open the markets of six South
American nations to the United States.
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June 29, 2005
Newsmakers:
Hadley And Biden
Some prominent congressional Democrats criticized President
Bush's speech Wednesday, saying he shouldn't have invoked the memory of the Sept.
11 attacks when urging support for Iraq.
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June 28, 2005
Political
Wrap
Rich Lowry and Tom Oliphant discuss what President Bush hopes to accomplish
in his address to the nation as public support for the war in Iraq is waning.
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June 28, 2005
Energy
Plans
The Senate passed an energy bill Tuesday that would double the use of
corn-blended ethanol, bolster electricity grid reliability and offer $16 billion
in tax breaks and incentives to improve domestic production.
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June 24, 2005
Political
Wrap
Rich Lowry and Tom Oliphant discuss the war in Iraq, the Senate deadlock
over the nomination of John Bolton and controversial comments from top presidential
advisor Karl Rove.
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June 23,
2005
Iraq Strategy
Senior Pentagon and military officials testified before the Senate Thursday about
Iraq's military strategy and troop training.
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June 22, 2005
Newsmaker: Howard Dean
Gwen
Ifill speaks with Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean about the
future of the Democratic Party and controversial statements made by the former
presidential candidate about the Republican Party.
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June 22, 2005
Emissions
Limits
After hours of debate, the Senate on Wednesday agreed to voluntary
emissions reductions rather than mandatory cuts in a sweeping energy policy bill. |
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June
22, 2005
Newsmaker: Howard
Dean
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean speaks about the future
of the Democratic Party. |
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June 21, 2005
CPB:
Under Pressure
The House of Representatives is expected to vote by the end
of the week on an appropriations bill recommended by its subcommittee to cut the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting's federal funding by 45 percent in 2006. |
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June
20, 2005
The Bolton
Battle
President Bush urged the Senate Monday to end debate on U.N. ambassador
nominee John Bolton and allow an up-or-down vote.
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June 17, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss Democratic Senator Dick Durbin's
comments regarding Guantanamo Bay and the Republican response.
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June 16, 2005
Liberty and Security
The House
of Representatives voted Wednesday to block a Patriot Act provision allowing the
FBI to search library and bookstore records. A number of the Patriot Act's provisions
will expire at 2005's end. |
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June 15, 2005
Guantanamo
Bay Hearings
Pentagon officials at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday
defended detention policies at Guantanamo Bay, citing laws of war allowing for
the indefinite holding of enemy combatants. |
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June 14, 2005
Energy
Policy Reform
The Senate began a floor debate over a broad energy bill the
House of Representatives passed in April earlier this year. |
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June 13,
2005
Lynching
Apology
Gwen Ifill looks at the Senate's vote to apologize for not outlawing
lynching as a federal crime.
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June 10, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and Rich Lowry discuss President Bush's meeting with British
Prime Minister Tony Blair, Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean's controversial
comments about Republicans and Guantanamo Bay.
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June 8, 2005
Tobacco
Trial
A federal judge Wednesday questioned the Justice Department's decision
to require tobacco companies to fund a five-year, $10 billion nationwide stop-smoking
program, rather than a recommended 25-year, $130 billion plan. |
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June
7, 2005
Pension Problems
Following the collapse of United Airlines' employee pension plan, members of Congress
and the White House are pushing for an overhaul of the rules governing pension-funding
benefits.
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June 3, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the revelation of Watergate source
Deep Throat, the Guantanamo abuse allegations and SEC chairman nominee Christopher
Cox.
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June 1, 2005
Deep
Throat Reflections
In the wake of W. Mark Felt's admission that he was the
source for much of the Watergate information, analysts debate how knowing the
source's identity will impact how we remember Watergate. |
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June 1, 2005
Making History in Los Angeles
Antonio Villaraigosa made history last month when he was elected as Los Angeles'
first Hispanic mayor in over 100 years. The mayor-elect discusses his goals for
the city and the challenges he will face.
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MAY
May 30, 2005
Baath Party Conference to Open Amid Calls for Democratic Reform
Members of Syria's Baath Party will meet in June for the first time in five years to discuss party politics. Among the topics to be addressed, mounting international pressure for President Bashar Assad to institute steps toward reforming the authoritarian regime. |
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May 27, 2005
Political Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the Senate vote to delay John Bolton's nomination to the United Nations, the Senate compromise on judicial nominations and the House bill on stem cell research. |
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May 27, 2005
Filibuster
Fight
The vote to end debate on the nomination of John Bolton as U.S. ambassador
to the United Nations fell four votes short on the Senate floor Thursday night,
delaying a final vote.
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May 26, 2005
Embattled
U.N. Nominee John Bolton
Until the White House releases classified information
about U.N. ambassador designate John Bolton, Democrats have promised to try to
delay a vote on the embattled nominee until next month. |
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May 25, 2005
Judicial Battle
The
Senate on Wednesday voted 56-43 mostly along party lines to confirm Priscilla
Owen as a federal appeals judge.
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May 24, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the political implications of
the Senate compromise on judicial nominations.
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May 24, 2005
Senate
Compromise
A Senate showdown over barring filibusters for judicial nominees
was averted Monday when 14 Republicans and Democrats forged a last-minute compromise. |
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May
23, 2005
Stem Cell Research
Politics
The House is set to consider a bill that would allow federal funding
of stem cell research using human embryos donated by fertility clinics. President
Bush has promised to veto the measure.
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May 20, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the Senate debate over judicial
nominee Priscilla Owen, the possible showdown over blocking the filibuster for
judicial nominations, and the Newsweek story about the Quran that sparked deadly
protests in Afghanistan.
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May 19, 2005
Judging
Judges
The Senate debate over controversial judicial nominee Priscilla Owen
entered a second day Thursday.
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May 18, 2005
Senate
Showdown
The U.S. Senate began contentious floor debate Wednesday over the
fate of judicial nominee Priscilla Owen, bringing closer the potential showdown
over the use of the filibuster.
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May 18, 2005
Los
Angeles' New Mayor
Residents of Los Angeles elected city councilman Antonio
Villaraigosa as the mayor of the second largest city in America on Tuesday. Villaraigosa,
the first Latino mayor in Los Angeles in more than a century, beat the incumbent
James Hahn by a wide margin.
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May 17, 2005
Senate
Showdown
Talks between Senate Democrats and Republicans over President Bush's
judicial nominees broke off late Monday after party leaders failed to reach a
compromise for voting on the controversial nominees. An update on the potential
Senate showdown. |
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May 17, 2005
U.N.
Oil-for-Food Probe
British Parliament Member George Galloway testified Tuesday
before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations over allegations of
wrongdoing in the U.N. oil-for-food program and denied any involvement in the
scandal. |
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May 16, 2005
Filibuster
Facts
Talks between Senate Republican and Democratic leaders over President
Bush's judicial nominees came to a halt Monday, days before Congress is expected
to vote on a controversial proposal to ban judicial filibusters.
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May 13, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the battle in the Senate over
John Bolton's nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and the Senate's
standoff over judicial nominees.
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May
13, 2005
The Senate Standoff
Over Judicial Nominees
A report on the Senate's potential showdown over President
Bush's judicial nominations. |
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May 12, 2005
The
Bolton Battle
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday sent John Bolton's
nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to the full Senate without
an endorsement. |
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May 11, 2005
Judges
Weigh in on Nomination Battle
As the battle over President Bush's judicial
nominees moves closer to a heated debate on the Senate floor, two federal court
judges recount their own confirmation hearing experiences.
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May 6, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks are joined by Daily Telegraph correspondent
Alec Russell to discuss the re-election of British Prime Minister Tony Blair
and his party's diminished majority.
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May 3, 2005
Medicaid Squeeze
The
U.S. House and Senate passed new federal budget plans last week that will cut
Medicaid spending by $10 billion over the next five years.
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APRIL
April 29, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and Rich Lowry discuss the ethics battle over House Majority
Leader Tom Delay, President Bush's Social Security plan and the GOP proposal
to ban filibusters for judicial nominees.
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April 29, 2005
Budget Blueprint
Congress this week approved a $2.6 trillion budget plan for 2006, which calls
for new tax cuts and spending reductions in the next five years.
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April 27, 2005
House
Ethics Battle
House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said Wednesday that
he is prepared to retract controversial ethics rules passed earlier in the year
aimed at shielding House Majority Leader Tom Delay, R-Texas, from a probe into
the outside funding of some of his travels.
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April 26, 2005
Tom
DeLay Under Fire
President Bush was joined by embattled House Majority Leader
Tom DeLay at a Social Security event in their home state of Texas Tuesday. Afterward,
the president praised Delay and in a show of support gave the congressman a
ride back to Washington on Air Force One. Kwame Holman gives an update on DeLay's
ongoing ethics troubles.
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April 26, 2005
Social
Security: Solving the Problem
The Senate Finance Committee began holding hearings
Tuesday on whether Social Security needs an overhaul, while President
Bush continued making his case for changes at an event in Texas and demonstrators
took to Capitol Hill to protest the idea of allowing personal accounts. |
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April
25, 2005
Judicial Wars
On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader
Bill Frist, R-Tenn., delivered a taped speech to a nationwide broadcast in
which Christian conservatives, during other segments, attacked Democratic senators
for blocking judicial nominees described in the program as "people of faith."
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April 22, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the protracted approval process
of President Bush's judicial nominees, the controversial nomination of John
Bolton as U.N. ambassador, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's ethics allegations
and whether the momentum to reform Social Security is flagging.
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April 21, 2005
Judicial Wars
The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday approved two of President Bush's controversial
judicial nominees, setting up a confrontation between the Republican majority
and Democrats who can use filibusters to block nominations. |
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April 21,
2005
Off the Tracks?
Amtrak, facing steep money woes after shelving its high-speed Acela trains for
months due to brake problems, asked Congress for a 50 percent increase in budget
Thursday. |
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April 20, 2005
The
John Bolton Battle
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed voting on
the embattled nomination of John Bolton as U.N. ambassador for three weeks to
review allegations of misdeeds. |
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April 18, 2005
Rally
to End Judicial Filibusters
Republican senators are lobbying for the use of
a "nuclear option" to ban filibusters for judicial nominations, claiming Democrats
will use the tactic to unfairly defeat President Bush's judicial nominees.
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April 15, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss House Majority Leader Tom Delay
and the Senate Republicans' proposal to use a "nuclear option" to ban filibusters
in judicial nominations.
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April 14, 2005
Battle
Over John Bolton
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed the confirmation
vote of U.N. Ambassador designate John Bolton until next week. Senators Christopher
Dodd, D-Conn., and George Allen, R-Va., discuss the confirmation hearings and
the opposition to Bolton's nomination. |
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April 11, 2005
Bolton
Faces Tough Senate Inquiry
U.N. ambassador designate John Bolton appeared
before a Senate committee Monday, facing tough questions from Democrats and Republicans
over his past criticisms of the United Nations. |
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April 11, 2005
Tough Questions for John
Bolton
U.N. Ambassador designate John Bolton faced a tough confirmation hearing
Monday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Former U.S. ambassadors
to the U.N. discuss the hearing and debate the pros and cons of Bolton's nomination.
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April 8, 2005
Political
Wrap
David Brooks and Washington Post columnist Harold Meyerson discuss
the formation of an Iraqi government, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's ethics
scandals and the pope's funeral.
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April
5, 2005
Patriot
Act
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and FBI Director Robert Mueller urged
Congress to renew key provisions of the Patriot Act Tuesday during Senate Judiciary
Committee hearings on the controversial anti-terrorism law. |
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April 5,
2005
Renewing the Patriot
Act
Legal experts debate the Patriot Act following Congressional hearings
Tuesday over the future of the controversial anti-terrorism law.
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April 1 , 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the Terri Schiavo case, Tom DeLay
and the presidential commission's report on prewar Iraq intelligence regarding
weapons of mass destruction.
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April 1, 2005
Tom
DeLay Under Fire
A report on the troubles of House Republican Leader Tom
DeLay of Texas over allegations of fund-raising irregularities and his vocal
presence in the case of severely brain-damaged Florida woman Terri Schiavo.
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MARCH
March 25, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the Terri Schiavo case, the president's
Social Security Plan and possible 2008 presidential candidates.
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March 21, 2005
Terri
Schiavo's Life Support
Federal lawmakers met Monday to determine whether a
judge will consider reinserting the feeding tube of Terri Schiavo, a severely
brain-damaged woman.
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March 18, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the political climate surrounding
the Terri Schiavo case, the baseball steroid hearings on Capitol Hill and the
nomination of Paul Wolfowitz as the next president of the World Bank.
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March 18, 2005
Terri
Schiavo's Life Support
Despite Republicans' efforts on Capitol Hill Friday,
a Florida judge ordered the removal of a feeding tube that was keeping Terri Schiavo,
a severely brain-damaged woman, alive. |
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March 16, 2005
Drilling
for Oil
The Senate's voted Wednesday 49-51 to defeat a measure that would
have banned oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
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March 15, 2005
Tom
DeLay's Troubles
House Majority Leader Tom Delay, R-Texas, on Tuesday categorically
denied allegations that two of his overseas trips were paid for by special interest
groups.
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March 11, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss Tom Delay's ethics investigation,
next Thursday's congressional baseball-steroids hearings, Social Security and
judicial nominees.
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March 10, 2005
Prisoner
Abuse Report
The Senate Armed Services Committee heard testimony Thursday
on a Pentagon report about prisoner abuse by U.S. forces around the world.
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March 4, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss President Bush's plan to overhaul
the Social Security system and a proposal by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan
to introduce a national sales tax.
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March
2, 2005
Bankruptcy Changes
A bill up for debate in the Senate will make it harder for people to walk away
from personal debts such as credit cards after they have declared bankruptcy. |
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March
1, 2005
Newsmaker: Sen.
Bill Frist
Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., speaks about President Bush's Social
Security plan, the Democrats' use of the filibuster against the president's judicial
nominees and his plans in 2008.
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FEBRUARY
February 25, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss President Bush's trip to Europe,
his commitment to expanding democracy and plans to overhaul Social Security.
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February 18, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and Rich Lowry discuss the appointment of John Negroponte
as the new director of national intelligence, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan
Greenspan's comments about Social Security and the brewing fight over judicial
nominees.
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February 17, 2005
Newsmaker:
Reid
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., talks about the current political climate, his
role as Senate minority leader and where the Democratic Party is headed.
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February
16, 2005
Threats and
Policy
President Bush's top advisers spoke at congressional hearings Wednesday
to discuss Iraq, the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and
terrorist threats within the United States. A report about the security discussions.
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February 15, 2005
Judging
Judges
President Bush renominated 20 candidates for federal judgeships who
had been previously blocked by Senate Democrats as being too controversial. A
discussion with two members from the Senate Judiciary Committee about the president's
nominees.
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February 11, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and Rich Lowry discuss Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice's overseas visit, President Bush's $2.57 trillion budget and Social Security
reform.
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February 11, 2005
Class
Actions
The Senate, by a vote of 72-26, approved legislation Thursday that
would send large, multi-state class action lawsuits to federal courts.
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February 4, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss President Bush's Social Security
proposal and the likely selection of Howard Dean to head the Democratic National
Committee.
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February 2, 2005
State
of the Union
Mark Shields and David Brooks preview the State of the Union
address by President Bush. |
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February 1, 2005
Forum: Social Security
President Bush's call for reforms to Social Security is part of a broader philosophical effort to promote an "ownership society" in the United States. Two experts answer your questions about the philosophical differences in the Social Security debate. |
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February 1, 2005
Forum: Fixing Social Security
President Bush has launched a national campaign to generate support for his plans to reshape Social Security, including the controversial option of personal investment accounts for younger workers. Two experts answer your questions about the personal accounts and other aspects of the president's plan. |
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JANUARY
January 28, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the elections in Iraq and the
confirmation of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
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January 21, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's political news, including
Condoleezza Rice's confirmation hearings, Social Security and the nuclear impasse
with Iran.
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January 20, 2005
Implications
of Presidential Inauguration
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the political
impact of Thursday's inauguration.
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January 14, 2005
Political
Wrap
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss inspectors failing to find weapons
of mass destruction in Iraq, Michael Chertoff's nomination as Homeland Security
secretary and the independent review of CBS' handling of the 60 Minutes National
Guard story.
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January 7, 2005
Confirmation
Hearings
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the Gonzales Senate confirmation
hearings, tax reform and House ethics changes.
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January
4, 2005
New
Congress
Ray Suarez reports on the first day of the 109th Congress. |
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