Online NewsHour: U.S. Presidency Archive | 2009

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	2009 NOVEMBER Nov. 11, 2009 On Veterans Day, Obama Faces Afghan Decision On the day that veterans around the country are honored for their service, President Barack Obama is set to meet with his top military advisers to continue discussions about the possibility of sending more troops to Afghanistan.

	Nov. 10, 2009 News Wrap: White House Disputes Reports of Afghan Troop Surge In other news, White House officials insisted President Obama has not decided how many more troops to send to Afghanistan, and a suicide car bombing in Pakistan killed at least 24 people.

	Nov. 9, 2009 Battle Lines Emerge in Senate Over Health Care Reform After narrowly passing the House late Saturday, the focus of the health care reform push now moves to the Senate, where a range of issues, including the public option, and how the bill treats abortion, may prove contentious topics of debate.

	Nov. 6, 2009 Shields, Brooks Examine GOP's 'Morale Boost' Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks sort through the week's news, including impending health care legislation and a worsening job market.

	Nov. 6, 2009 Democrats' Health Bill Nears House Vote Betty Ann Bowser speaks with key policymakers about the ongoing health care debate surrounding House Democrats' new reform proposal.

	Nov. 5, 2009 Shooter in Deadly Fort Hood Attack Remains Alive The U.S. Army says one of its own soldiers, a military psychiatrist, carried out a shooting rampage Thursday afternoon in Fort Hood, Texas, that left at least 12 people dead and injured 31 others.

	Nov. 5, 2009 Endorsements, Protests Mark Health Care Debate House Democrats' health reform plan received AARP's backing Thursday, but thousands of protesters rallied against the plan on Capitol Hill. Kwame Holman reports.

	Nov. 5, 2009 Aid for Jobless, Homebuyers Clears Congress Congress has passed legislation that would expand a popular homebuyer's tax credit and extend unemployment benefits in a bid to breathe more life into the struggling American economy.



	OCTOBER Oct. 30, 2009 Clinton: Pakistan 'Making Progress' Against Extremists In a Friday interview with Margaret Warner in Islamabad, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the goals of her Pakistan trip, how she is encouraged by the country's battle against extremists and the administration's upcoming decision on an Afghan strategy.

	Oct. 30, 2009 Obama Meets With Top Pentagon Brass on Way Forward in Afghanistan For the first time since President Barack Obama kicked off a formal review of his Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy in late September, he met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday to help determine the way forward.

	Oct. 30, 2009 Obama Announces End of HIV Travel Ban Foreigners infected with HIV will be allowed to travel and immigrate to the United States without restriction, President Barack Obama said Friday, announcing the repeal of a twenty-year-old travel ban.

	Oct. 29, 2009 Ex-State Department Official Explains Exit Over Afghan War Strategy In an interview with Judy Woodruff, Matthew Hoh, the first U.S. official known to resign in protest to America's presence in Afghanistan, discusses his objections to the war.

	Oct. 29, 2009 House Health Care Bill Features Public Option Compromise House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled an $894 billion health care reform bill Thursday that would expand insurance coverage to as many as 36 million people. In a nod to moderates, the plan includes a public option in which rates are negotiated with doctors and hospitals. Betty Ann Bowser reports.

	Oct. 29, 2009 Economy Shows New Signs of Growth, but Jobs Still Lag The U.S. economy ended a year of contraction in the third quarter, expanding by 3.5 percent. While much of the growth is being attributed to President Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan, critics continue to ask, when will jobs return?

	Oct. 29, 2009 U.S. Economy Rebounds 3.5% in Third Quarter The U.S. economy expanded at a 3.5 percent annual pace from July to September, according to Commerce Department figures released Thursday, in a signal that the worst recession since the 1930s may be easing.

	Oct. 28, 2009 Crackdown Targets Banks Deemed 'Too Big to Fail' The head of a key House committee unveiled legislation Wednesday that would grant the federal government sweeping new powers to police giant financial firms. Jim Lehrer talks to two financial analysts about the debate over "too big to fail" institutions.

	Oct. 28, 2009 Deadly Car Bombing Clouds Clinton's Visit to Pakistan As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Pakistan for meetings with top diplomats, a car bombing in Peshawar struck a crowded market, killing at least 101 people and injuring scores more. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on the attack and its impact on Clinton's visit.

	Oct. 28, 2009 Militant Attacks Kill Scores in Afghanistan and Pakistan Taliban militants stormed a U.N. guest house Wednesday in Kabul, leaving 12 people dead, including 5 U.N. staffers, and one American. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, a car bombing in the northwestern city of Peshawar killed more than 100 people. Gwen Ifill reports.

	Oct. 28, 2009 New Strategies Considered to Curb U.S.-Mexico Drug Trade The U.S. dealt a "significant blow" to one of Mexico's most infamous drug cartels last week after a 19-state drug raid resulted in 300 arrests and millions of dollars in confiscated money. This comes on the heels of new drug policy talks.

	Oct. 28, 2009 Bill: Biggest Firms Would Fund Future Rescues The U.S. government would be given broad new powers to shrink financial firms deemed "too big to fail" and shift the cost of rescuing troubled companies from taxpayers to other large firms, according to draft legislation released Tuesday.

	Oct. 27, 2009 Opt-out Clause on Public Option Puts Role of States Back in Spotlight Among the health reform proposals under debate on Capitol Hill is a plan to allow states to opt out of a public option -- which may help legislation pass through Congress, but how would it work to drive down costs? Two experts discuss the idea with Ray Suarez.

	Oct. 27, 2009 Renewed Public Option Push in Senate Tests Democratic Unity The push by the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to include a public option into a health care reform bill drew sharply different reactions on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, with liberals voicing support, moderates airing concerns, and Republicans promising a filibuster.

	Oct. 27, 2009 Iran Seeks Big Changes in Uranium Deal Iran vowed Tuesday to seek "important changes" in a United Nations plan that would require it to ship its enriched uranium out of the country for processing abroad, raising alarm among Western governments involved in nuclear talks with the country.

	Oct. 27, 2009 October Afghan War's Deadliest Month for U.S. Eight U.S. troops were killed in multiple bombings Tuesday in southern Afghanistan, making October the deadliest month of the war for U.S. forces since its start in 2001.

	Oct. 23, 2009 Shields, Brooks: Obama Risks Looking Petty in Fox Fight Columnists David Brooks and Mark Shields review the week's news, including the coming Afghan runoff and the war of words between the White House and Fox News.

	Oct. 23, 2009 NATO to Move Toward More Troops, Afghan Aid Defense Secretary Robert Gates, speaking at a NATO conference in Slovakia, said Friday that allies are moving toward sending more troops and civilian aid to Afghanistan.

	Oct. 22, 2009 House Panel Approves Curbs for Insurers' Antitrust Exemptions The House approved a bill on Wednesday that would limit the health insurance industry's exemption from federal antitrust laws. Betty Ann Bowser and Judy Woodruff report.

	Oct. 22, 2009 Feinberg Hopes More Companies Adopt Executive Pay Rules The Federal Reserve curbed pay packages for executives of companies that received bailout money in an effort to discourage risky business practices. Jeffrey Brown speaks with executive pay czar Kenneth Feinberg.

	Oct. 19, 2009 Exploring Tensions Between Presidents and the Media Jeffrey Brown speaks with media experts about the ongoing feud between the White House and Fox News channel.

	Oct. 19, 2009 U.S. Launches New Strategy for Dealing With Sudan The Obama administration announced a new strategy on Sudan, which includes offering incentives in exchange for a resolution on the crisis in Darfur. Ray Suarez speaks with General Scott Gration, special envoy to Sudan, for more.

	Oct. 19, 2009 Health Reform Calculator: What Would You Pay? As Congress works to consolidate pieces of legislation that could overhaul the U.S. health care system, the issue of how Americans would afford mandated health insurance is a focus of the debate.

	Oct. 16, 2009 Shields and Gerson Survey Health Care Outlook, Economy Columnists Mark Shields and Michael Gerson sort through the top news of the past week, including a key vote on health care in the Senate Finance Committee, bank earning reports and conflicting data about the health of the economy.

	Oct. 16, 2009 News Wrap: Police Station Bombing Kills 13 in Pakistan In other news, a suicide bombing at a police station in Pakistan has killed at least 13 people, and in Iraq a bomber opened fire on a mosque in Tal Afar.

	Oct. 16, 2009 Loan Losses Drive Down Bank of America Earnings Bank of America reported Friday that it lost more than $2.2 billion in the third quarter, largely due to loan defaults and credit card delinquencies.

	Oct. 15, 2009 Obama Visits New Orleans to Gauge Recovery President Obama flew to New Orleans on Thursday to assess the city's recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Margaret Warner reports.

	Oct. 14, 2009 Afghanistan's Disputed Election Complicates U.S. Strategy As President Obama develops a new Afghanistan strategy, rising violence there and an unresolved election have combined to sap public support for the war. Ashraf Ghani, who was one of Afghanistan's presidential candidates, discusses his country's future.

	Oct. 14, 2009 Senate Shifts Focus to Health Care Compromise Top Senate Democrats and White House officials have turned their health reform efforts toward crafting a compromise package that can unite Democrats and avoid a GOP filibuster. Policy analysts examine the different ways a public option could take shape in Congress.

	Oct. 14, 2009 Wall Street Set for Record Payouts a Year After Crash Despite heightened scrutiny from both the public and regulators in the wake of the AIG bonus scandal, compensation on Wall Street is set for a record year in 2009. Jeffrey Brown reports.

	Oct. 14, 2009 Dow Closes Above 10,000 for First Time in a Year The Dow Jones industrial average closed Wednesday above 10,000 for the first time since Oct. 3, 2008. Ray Suarez speaks with a Washington Post reporter about the significance.

	Oct. 14, 2009 Retail Sales Up, but Auto Sales Sag Without 'Clunkers' Retail sales for September fell by the largest amount this year, though most of the drop is attributed to cars sales plummeting at the end of the government's popular 'cash for clunkers' program.

	Oct. 13, 2009 Emanuel: Cost, Competition Central to Health Reform In an interview, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel discusses the Senate Finance Committee's passage of a health reform bill, the future for the public option and more.

	Oct. 13, 2009 Health Care Bill Clears Senate Panel with One G.O.P. Vote President Obama's top domestic initiative, health care reform, inched closer to final votes in Congress on Tuesday after clearing a key hurdle in the Senate Finance Committee. Betty Ann Bowser reports.

	Oct. 13, 2009 Finance Committee Passes Reform Bill With Support From Snowe The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday became the last of five congressional panels to act on a health reform bill, passing its legislation in a 14-9 vote that saw Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe breaking from Republicans -- at least for the moment.

	Oct. 12, 2009 Historian Taylor Branch on the 'Clinton Tapes' Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Taylor Branch speaks with Jeffrey Brown about his new book, "The Clinton Tapes."

	Oct. 12, 2009 Poll: Americans Support Civil Unions, but Oppose Same-sex Marriage Americans broadly support giving gay and lesbian couples the same rights as people in heterosexual marriages, but using the term "marriage" still draws opposition, according to the latest Pew Research Center survey on same-sex marriage.

	Oct. 10, 2009 Reporter's Notebook: Protesters in Honduras Criticize U.S. Response to Crisis In late June, Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was ousted in the middle of the night by an opposition angered by his efforts to extend presidential terms. Marcelo Ballve of New America Media reports from Honduras on tensions within the country.

	Oct. 9, 2009 President Obama Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Mixed Reviews President Barack Obama was named this year's Nobel Peace Prize honoree, becoming the second sitting president to win. Ray Suarez reports.

	Oct. 9, 2009 Obama's Reform Effort Faces More Hurdles After Finance Committee Vote A key component of President Obama's health reform overhaul faces a vote next week in the Senate Finance Committee after the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office gave it an upbeat assessment.

	Oct. 9, 2009 Historian: Obama Peace Prize More an 'Aspirational' Award President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize Friday -- a surprising nod considering it came during the first year of his term. Historian Peniel Joseph describes it as more of an "aspirational award" than a reward for a foreign policy feat.

	Oct. 9, 2009 Leaders React to Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Friday's surprise announcement that President Barack Obama would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize drew both praise from backers of the president and criticism from some of his harshest critics.

	Oct. 9, 2009 Obama Awarded Nobel Peace Prize for Changing Political Climate, Disarmament Push In a surprising turn, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday that President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to change the worldwide diplomatic atmosphere, his elicitation of hope and his push for nuclear disarmament.

	Oct. 9, 2009 Peace Prize Announcement Heard 'Round the Web President Barack Obama woke up Friday to the news that he'd won the Nobel Peace Prize just nine months into his presidency. He wasn't the only one surprised.

	Oct. 8, 2009 Michelle Obama's Ancestry Reveals Intriguing Slave Tale Jeffrey Brown examines first lady Michelle Obama's ancestral path as the descendant of a slave.

	Oct. 8, 2009 Afghanistan Ambassador Warns of Worsening Violence Margaret Warner speaks with Afghanistan's ambassador to the United States, Said Jawad, about escalating Taliban violence and what is at stake for the U.S.

	Oct. 8, 2009 Senate Committee Set for Health Reform Vote The Senate Finance Committee will vote Tuesday on a sweeping revamp of the U.S. health care system as the debate over President Barack Obama's top domestic policy enters a new stage.

	Oct. 8, 2009 The Personalities and Priorities of Obama's Economic Team Ryan Lizza, Washington correspondent for The New Yorker magazine, has penned a new account of how the main players on the White House economic team negotiate their different backgrounds and priorities in crafting high-stakes economic policies.

	Oct. 6, 2009 Obama Brings Congress Into Afghan Strategy Review Reporters offer insight into President Obama's meeting with lawmakers Tuesday to discuss a strategy shift in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

	Oct. 5, 2009 Among Doctors, Many Opinions on Health Care Reform While President Obama worked to rally doctors around health care reform Monday, fault lines have nevertheless emerged among physicians on topics such as the public option, the role of insurance companies, and the say of patients. A pair of doctors debate their views with Judy Woodruff.

	Oct. 5, 2009 Obama Pitches Health Reform to Doctors President Obama made his latest pitch for health care reform Monday in a White House Rose Garden speech to 150 white-coat-wearing doctors from around the country.

	Oct. 2, 2009 Key Senate Panel Nears Health Care Reform Vote The Senate Finance Committee has finished a marathon week sorting through hundreds of amendments to Chairman Max Baucus's health care reform plan. Next stop for the bill: a vote by the full committee. Betty Ann Bowser reports.

	Oct. 1, 2009 Few Profits, Many Cost Overruns Expected for Olympic Hosts As the International Olympic Committee prepares to anoint a host for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games Friday in Copenhagen, cities vying for the honor are unlikely to receive much of a direct economic boost as host.



	SEPTEMBER Sept. 30, 2009 U.S. Considers Reengaging with Myanmar Following a bloody military coup in 1988, the nation of Myanmar has been largely isolated from the West. Now, for the first time in more than 20 years, signs are emerging that the U.S. may engage in new diplomatic talks with the country.

	Sept. 29, 2009 Afghan Election Further Complicates Efforts to Shape Military Strategy As the White House works to revamp U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., assess the call for more troops, the role of the Afghan election and a shift in U.S. public opinion on the war.

	Sept. 29, 2009 NATO Chief Backs Obama's Approach in Afghanistan NATO's secretary general told President Obama on Tuesday that the alliance will support the U.S. in Afghanistan for "as long as it takes."

	Sept. 28, 2009 Despite Hurdles, White House Sticking to Gitmo Deadline The White House is sticking to a plan to close the prison complex at Guantanamo Bay by Jan. 22, despite mounting opposition in Congress to relocating terror suspects inside the U.S. With less than four months until the administration's deadline arrives, experts examine the remaining options.

	Sept. 28, 2009 Gates: Closing Guantanamo Proving 'Tough' Defense Secretary Robert Gates hinted Sunday it may not be possible to close the prison facility at Guantanamo Bay by January, as President Obama has ordered. Margaret Warner reports.

	Sept. 28, 2009 Obama Looks to Aid Chicago's Olympic Bid at Finish Line President Obama will travel to Copenhagen this week to lobby on behalf of his hometown of Chicago and its bid to land the 2016 summer games.

	Sept. 28, 2009 Medicare Set for Big Cuts Under Overhaul Plans Depending on which, if any, health care reform plan passes through Congress, Medicare faces cuts as high as $500 billion. But what would cuts entail? Gwen Ifill reports.

	Sept. 25, 2009 Shields, Brooks Examine Obama's Moves on Iran, G-20 Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks sift through this week's headlines, including Iran's nuclear surprise, the G-20 summit and U.N. talks.

	Sept. 25, 2009 Leaders Warn Iran Over Secret Enrichment Site Iran has revealed the existence of a secret uranium-enrichment plant, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday, a development that could heighten fears about Tehran's ability to produce a nuclear weapon.

	Sept. 24, 2009 Lula: 'Blue-Eyed' Bankers and Emerging Markets Paul Solman interviews Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva at the G-20 about the role of developing nations in the global economy, the state of Latin American politics and controversial comments the Brazilian leader recently made about the role of "blue-eyed bankers" in the financial meltdown.

	Sept. 24, 2009 World Faces Tough Choices on Iran's Nuclear Program Rahm Emanuel tells PBS' Charlie Rose that Iran knows the choices it faces in the global community due to its nuclear ambitions. Also, analysts tell Jim Lehrer that Iran's 'tactical' decisions continue to frustrate the world.

	Sept. 24, 2009 Security Council Calls for Nuclear Disarmament The U.N. Security Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday promoting nuclear disarmament. Margaret Warner reports from New York.

	Sept. 24, 2009 G-20 Leaders Urge Financial Reforms, but Dramatic Results Seen as Unlikely As the leaders of the G-20 meet in Pittsburgh to discuss how to overhaul the global financial system, countries are calling for a wide spectrum of reforms. But a dramatic overhaul of how the global economy is run may be unlikely.

	Sept. 24, 2009 U.N. Passes Resolution on Nuclear Disarmament The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a U.S.-sponsored resolution Thursday aimed at ridding the world of nuclear weapons.

	Sept. 23, 2009 Struggling to Find Affordable Health Insurance An excerpt from a PBS special on one family's struggle to obtain affordable health care.

	Sept. 23, 2009 Obama: Global Cooperation Needed on Key Challenges President Obama urged leaders at the U.N. General Assembly to assume a bigger role in solving the world's toughest problems. Margaret Warner reports.

	Sept. 23, 2009 President Obama Tells U.N. World Can't 'Wait for America' to Lead In his first address to the U.N. General Assembly, President Barack Obama bluntly said world leaders who once accused the United States of acting alone must now join with him to solve global crises rather than "wait for America" to lead.

	Sept. 22, 2009 Amid Afghan Strategy Review, What Are the Options? As the Obama administration reconsiders the U.S. options on the Afghan war, experts weigh in on the debate over sending more troops and containing the Taliban's influence.

	Sept. 22, 2009 At U.N. Summit, China Pledges to Lead Effort to Curb Climate Change As the U.N. kicked off a summit on climate change in New York, China promised to lead the way in combating global warming. Margaret Warner reports.

	Sept. 22, 2009 Obama Urges Abbas, Netanyahu to Advance Talks Undertaking a foreign policy challenge that that has vexed world leaders for years, President Barack Obama pressed Israeli and Palestinians leaders Tuesday to do more to reach an elusive Mideast peace deal.

	Sept. 22, 2009 Obama Addresses Climate Change in U.N. Speech The United States is a serious and determined partner in combating global warming, President Barack Obama told world leaders Tuesday as he sought to show U.S. resolve ahead of crucial climate change talks in Copenhagen in December.

	Sept. 21, 2009 Tax Feud Emerges Over Health Insurance Mandates A key feature within health care proposals emerging from Congress and the White House is a mandate for all Americans to purchase insurance. But is a mandate a tax? Two experts discuss the topic with Gwen Ifill.

	Sept. 21, 2009 Clinton: No Troop Moves Until Afghan Election Resolved Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discusses U.S. top commander in Afghanistan Gen. Stanley McChrystal's assessment of the war, the U.S. stance on the Karzai government and the U.N. General Assembly meeting.

	Sept. 18, 2009 Brooks and Marcus on Health Bill, Obama Media Push Columnists David Brooks and Ruth Marcus sort through the week's top stories, including the state of the health reform push, President Obama's media strategy and U.S. plans to revamp missile defense in Europe.

	Sept. 18, 2009 One Year On, Hurdles Remain for Reforming Wall Street One year after the fall of Lehman Brothers' brought the global economy to the brink of collapse, questions remain as to whether the government has been tough enough on Wall Street. Experts explain why.

	Sept. 17, 2009 Ted Kennedy Jr. Reflects on His Father's Legacy Judy Woodruff speaks with Ted Kennedy Jr. about his father's posthumously published memoir, "True Compass." The book offers new insights into Edward Kennedy's famous family and his political career, including the dark moments.

	Sept. 17, 2009 Boehner Says GOP Support Unlikely for Baucus Health Plan In an interview with Jeffrey Brown, House Minority Leader John Boehner describes the prospects for GOP support of the president's health reform push and describes what he sees as a "modern-day political rebellion in America" over the expanding role of government.

	Sept. 17, 2009 For Young Americans, Health Insurance is Often Elusive President Obama took his health reform call to young people Thursday with a speech at the University of Maryland. Kwame Holman reports on the challenges faced by the more than 10 million Americans between the ages of 19 and 26 without health insurance.

	Sept. 17, 2009 Obama Aims to Rally Young Adults for Health Care Reform President Obama made his case for health care reform to a cheering crowd of students and others at the University of Maryland Thursday.

	Sept. 16, 2009 Debate on Race Emerges as Obama's Policies Take Shape The question of race has simmered on the back burner of the national debate over President Obama's policy agenda. Gwen Ifill talks to columnists and academics about the role of race in the current political climate.

	Sept. 16, 2009 Baucus Health Plan Hits Opposition From Both Parties Sen. Max Baucus unveiled his committee's health care plan on Wednesday. Republicans complained the plan would cut Medicare, while Democrats opposed the exclusion of a public option. Betty Ann Bowser reports.

	Sept. 15, 2009 Doubts Surface Among Democrats on Afghan War Strategy During testimony on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Afghan war is growing more complicated and may require more troops. Margaret Warner reports on doubts among some Democrats on the strategy for Afghanistan.

	Sept. 15, 2009 Obama Touts Economic Policies in Health Care Push President Obama traveled to Pennsylvania and Ohio on Tuesday to tout his administration's economic policies. Separately, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the recession is "likely over," but that a drop in the jobless rate is in all likelihood still months away.

	Sept. 14, 2009 Health Care Reform Tests Promises of Bipartisan Politics Despite campaign promises to change the tone of politics in Washington, President Barack Obama finds Congress and the nation still split over a range of critical issues. Gwen Ifill and guests discuss the roots of the division.

	Sept. 14, 2009 One Year After Financial Crisis, Reform Questions Loom On the one year anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, Jeffrey Brown talks to economists and experts about what has been learned and the future of financial reform.

	Sept. 14, 2009 A Look Back at the Collapse of Lehman Brothers Lehman Brothers survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the attacks of 9/11, yet under the leadership of Richard Fuld the investment bank went from storied Wall Street firm to catalyst of last year's economic crisis. What went wrong? Paul Solman reports.

	Sept. 14, 2009 Obama Urges Wall Street to Embrace Stricter Oversight On the one-year anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, President Obama visited Wall Street to urge financial firms to remember the lessons of the economic crisis and to press for regulatory reforms.

	Sept. 11, 2009 Shields, Brooks Reflect on Health Care Speech, Reform Push Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's news, including President Obama's health care speech and renewed reform push.

	Sept. 11, 2009 Public Views Shifting on War in Afghanistan Jeffrey Brown speaks with editorial page editors about the public's view on the war in Afghanistan and increasing doubts over sending more troops.

	Sept. 10, 2009 Public Voices on Obama's Health Care Address Spencer Michels gets reactions from the public to President Obama's health care speech.

	Sept. 10, 2009 Presidential Heckling Quite Rare, Historian Says South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson's interruption of President Obama's address to Congress Wednesday night was a rare instance of presidential heckling, but it was not the first. Historian Richard Norton Smith discusses past instances and the context.

	Sept. 10, 2009 Reporter's Podcast: Survey Shows Europeans Back Obama on Most Issues A recent German Marshall Fund poll that gauged Europeans' views of President Barack Obama shows generally positive ratings, except in some areas of foreign policy such as Afghanistan.

	Sept. 9, 2009 Obama Says Time Is Now for Health Reform President Barack Obama sought to call Congress and the American public to action Wednesday night, in a prime-time speech aimed at resetting the terms of the debate over health care reform.

	Sept. 9, 2009 Full Text: GOP Response to Obama Reform Speech Following is the text of Louisiana Rep. Charles Boustany's GOP response to President Obama's health reform address to a joint session of Congress Wednesday, as distributed to news organizations.

	Sept. 9, 2009 Shields and Brooks React to President Obama's Health Care Speech President Barack Obama delivered a speech to a joint session of Congress Wednesday on the effort to develop health care reform legislation. Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the speech and the road ahead for health care politics.

	Sept. 9, 2009 Full Text: Obama's Health Reform Speech Following is the text of President Barack Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress Wednesday, as prepared for delivery, released by the White House and distributed to news organizations.

	Sept. 9, 2009 President Prepares for Pivotal Health Care Speech President Barack Obama will call Congress to a "season for action" on health care Wednesday night, urging lawmakers to set aside partisan gamesmanship in favor of drafting reform legislation, according to excerpts released by the White House.

	Sept. 9, 2009 Shields and Brooks Mull Stakes for Obama Speech Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the lead up to President Obama's health reform speech and developments in Congress.

	Sept. 9, 2009 Axelrod Optimistic About Health Care Reform Push Judy Woodruff speaks with White House senior adviser David Axelrod about what is at stake for President Obama ahead of Wednesday night's speech.

	Sept. 9, 2009 Obama Prepares for Crucial Health Reform Address As public opinion dips on health reform, President Barack Obama prepared for a crucial prime-time speech to Congress on the divisive issue.

	Sept. 9, 2009 Obama Aims to Recalibrate Public Debate in Speech to Congress President Obama will speak on health care reform to a joint session of Congress Wednesday night. Health Affairs editor Susan Dentzer discusses the speech and the president's health care reform goals.

	Sept. 8, 2009 Obama Speaks to Students in High-profile Address Ray Suarez gets reactions from teachers, parents and students to President Barack Obama's back-to-school address, which created controversy among some groups.

	Sept. 8, 2009 Ahead of Obama Speech, Health Reform Debate Renewed in Congress New health care proposals were discussed Tuesday as Congress returned to Capitol Hill after its August recess. Betty Ann Bowser reports.

	Sept. 8, 2009 President Obama Urges Students to Stay in School President Obama urged students Tuesday to work hard and stay in school, in a back-to-school speech that had become a surprise lightning rod for controversy this week.

	Sept. 7, 2009 New Book Looks at Key Moments in Historic 2008 Election Judy Woodruff speaks with authors Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson about their new book, "The Battle for America 2008: The Story of an Extraordinary Election," which examines Obama's historic election.

	Sept. 7, 2009 Obama Kicks Off Critical Week for Health Reform President Barack Obama renewed his push for health care reform from Ohio where he addressed the AFL-CIO on Labor Day. Gwen Ifill reports.

	Sept. 4, 2009 Seattle Health Cooperative May Offer National Model The success of the Seattle-based medical provider, Group Health, has put new attention on whether a cooperative health plan can work on a national level. Betty Ann Bowser reports.

	Sept. 3, 2009 Surgeon Gawande Seeks More 'Rational Care' in Medicine In a continuing series of conversations with key players in the health care debate, Ray Suarez speaks with surgeon and writer Atul Gawande about spreading the concept of "rational care" in medicine.

	Sept. 3, 2009 Health Care Reform Splits Retailers In a summer of health care reform twists and turns, few things may have surprised the public more than the debate over the positions that their favorite -- and least-favorite -- places to shop have taken on the issue.

	Sept. 2, 2009 The Case Against the Public Insurance Option In the latest in a series of conversations with key players in the health care debate, Jeffrey Brown speaks with Robert Laszewski, president of the consulting firm Health Policy and Strategy Associates and opponent of a public insurance option.

	Sept. 1, 2009 Examining the Public Option in Health Care Reform In the latest in a series of conversations with key players in the health care debate, Jeffrey Brown speaks with Jacob Hacker of Yale University, one of the key proponents of a public insurance option.



	AUGUST Aug. 31, 2009 Other News: General Warns of 'Serious' Challenges in Afghanistan In other news, Gen. Stanley McChrystal warned "the situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable," as the military reported the deaths of two more American soldiers there.

	Aug. 31, 2009 Japanese Election a Major Turning Point for World's No. 2 Economy Voters in Japan on Sunday rejected their incumbent political party for just the second time in postwar history, choosing instead a party that promised to reverse the nation's struggling economy and to redefine Tokyo's relationship with Washington.

	Aug. 29, 2009 Leaders Pay Tribute to Kennedy at Boston Funeral Hundreds of political luminaries paid tribute to Sen. Edward Kennedy on a rainy Saturday in Boston as three days of memorials were set to culminate with his entombment near his slain brothers.

	Aug. 28, 2009 Shields, Brooks Consider Kennedy Legacy, Health Reform Prospects Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's top news, including Sen. Edward Kennedy's legacy, the health reform debate and detainee interrogation.

	Aug. 28, 2009 Health Systems Abroad Offer Lessons for U.S. Reform Plan As part of the NewsHour's series of conversations about health care reform, Betty Ann Bowser talks to Washington Post correspondent T.R. Reid, author of a new book about health care systems around the world and what the U.S. can learn from them.

	Aug. 28, 2009 IAEA Report Shows Some Slowdown, but Continued Nuclear Activity in Iran Iran has showed some signs of cooperation in slowing its uranium enrichment activity but indicators continue to point toward a covert nuclear weapon program, according to a report released Friday by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

	Aug. 27, 2009 Separating Fact from Fiction in Health Reform Debate With five different versions of a health care bill in Congress, Ray Suarez examines the effort to separate fact from fiction in the national debate over a reform plan.

	Aug. 26, 2009 Looking Back at Highs, Lows of Kennedy's High-profile Life Kwame Holman looks back at the life of the last surviving Kennedy brother and his role as a liberal stalwart.

	Aug. 25, 2009 Across the U.S., All Eyes on Health Reform, Economy At the end of an especially eventful August recess, Jeffrey Brown speaks with reporters and analysts from around the nation about how the economy and health care debates are shaping up.

	Aug. 25, 2009 White House Projects U.S. Debt Will Nearly Double in Coming Decade Fallout from the recession is expected to drive up the government's budget deficit by $9 trillion over the next decade, $2 trillion higher than a May estimate, according to a report issued Tuesday by the White House.

	Aug. 25, 2009 Obama Taps Bernanke for Second Term at Fed Ending speculation that he might appoint a new central bank chief, President Obama said he would nominate Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke for a second term Tuesday as the administration continues its efforts to stabilize the embattled U.S. economy.

	Aug. 24, 2009 Idaho Congressman Hears from Constituents on Reform A Blue Dog Democrat congressman speaks with his Idaho constituents about the ongoing health care reform debate. Betty Ann Bowser reports.

	Aug. 24, 2009 Amid Release of CIA Documents, Prosecutor to Investigate Alleged Abuse Cases The Obama administration announced Monday the creation of a new unit responsible for questioning terrorism suspects, as the anticipated released of a report shed new light on interrogation tactics used by the previous administration.

	Aug. 21, 2009 Controversial Afghan Law Leaves Shiite Women's Rights in Question Afghan President Hamid Karzai faces continued international and domestic pressure to further overhaul a controversial law affecting Shiite women that critics say he passed to secure votes from conservatives in this week's election.

	Aug. 21, 2009 Bernanke: U.S. Economy Poised for Recovery Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke offered an optimistic assessment of the U.S. economy's chances for recovery Friday in a much-anticipated speech to fellow central bankers and top economists.

	Aug. 20, 2009 Former Insurance Exec Speaks Out on Health Reform Until last year, Wendell Potter worked for both Cigna and Humana health care for two decades. He's now a senior fellow on health care with the Center for Media and Democracy, a liberal research group. He speaks to Gwen Ifill as part of an ongoing series of conversations on health care reform.

	Aug. 20, 2009 Lockerbie Bomber Released from Scottish Prison Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, who was convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie airliner bombing, has been released from prison in Scotland and sent home to Libya on compassionate grounds.

	Aug. 19, 2009 Despite Infighting, Democrats May Proceed Alone on Health Reform Looking to attract GOP votes, Democrats are waging a fierce debate over whether a public option must be part of health care reform. Scholar Norman Ornstein and The Hotline's Amy Walter predict a health reform bill will clear Congress despite Democrats' infighting.

	Aug. 18, 2009 Aetna CEO: Public Insurance Option 'Wrong Way to Go' Efforts to overhaul the health care system would be damaged by creating a public option to compete with private insurers, Ron Williams, chief executive of Aetna Inc., the nation's third-largest health insurer, tells Judy Woodruff.

	Aug. 17, 2009 Wessel Answers Questions on the Changing Fed A year after Wall Street went into a tailspin, the Fed continues to take unprecedented steps to revive the economy. David Wessel has penned a book about Ben Bernanke and the changing role of the Fed. He answered questions in an Online NewsHour forum.

	Aug. 14, 2009 11-year-old Reporter Lands an Interview with Obama After waiting a year for a response from the White House, 11-year-old Damon Weaver landed an interview with President Obama.

	Aug. 14, 2009 Public Views on Health Care Overhaul Top Week's News Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's news, including public views on President Obama's health reform plan and Secretary of State Clinton's Africa trip.

	Aug. 14, 2009 Courtroom Artist William Hennessy's Sketches Courtroom sketch artist William Hennessy has been documenting legal proceedings for 27 years. Here is a look at some of his most memorable work.

	Aug. 13, 2009 Home Foreclosures Set Third Record in Five Months Foreclosure filings in the United States jumped in July, again setting a record for the third time in five months. The increase was due to falling home prices and the recession, which kept some homeowners from making payments or refinancing.

	Aug. 12, 2009 Medal of Freedom Recipients Honored at White House President Barack Obama awarded 16 people with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Wednesday. Judy Woodruff offers a look at the ceremony.

	Aug. 12, 2009 Marines Storm Taliban Stronghold Ahead of Election Four hundred U.S. Marines stormed into the Taliban stronghold of Dahaneh in southern Afghanistan early Wednesday morning in a bid to secure the area ahead of next week's presidential election.

	Aug. 7, 2009 Health Reform Push, Clinton's N. Korea Trip Top Week's News Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the news of the week, including tensions in the health care debate and former President Bill Clinton's trip to North Korea to obtain the release of two U.S. journalists.

	Aug. 7, 2009 During August, Public Weighs in on Reform The Senate remained in session this week, but as House members headed home to their districts the focus of health care reform efforts moved off Capitol Hill.

	Aug. 7, 2009 Taliban Leader Believed Dead in U.S. Strike A drone-fired missile appears to have killed a top Taliban commander in Pakistan, both U.S. officials and militants believe.

	Aug. 7, 2009 U.S. Unemployment Rate Dips Slightly to 9.4% For the first time since April 2008, the U.S. unemployment rate fell slightly in July, to 9.4 percent, down from 9.5 percent in June.

	Aug. 6, 2009 Dealers, Detroit Look for Boost With 'Clunkers' Extension The government's popular "cash for clunkers" incentive program -- aimed at replacing gas guzzlers with more fuel-efficient vehicles -- nearly exhausted its $1 billion budget in just days. Analysts look at who benefits from the program and its effects on the troubled U.S. auto industry.

	Aug. 6, 2009 Somali Instability Poses Challenge for Anti-Terror Efforts Secretary of State Clinton spent the second day of her African tour expressing support for the fragile transitional government in Somalia. Margaret Warner reports on the visit, and the risks posed by the Somali government's struggles to combat extremist groups linked to al-Qaida.

	Aug. 6, 2009 Sotomayor Confirmed as First Hispanic on Supreme Court The U.S. Senate voted 68-31 Thursday to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, making her the first Hispanic and third woman to serve as a justice.

	Aug. 6, 2009 Does Sotomayor Vote Have Political Ramifications? Nine of 40 Senate Republicans voted with the Democratic majority Thursday to confirm Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Amy Walter of The Hotline dissects the vote and discusses whether it is likely to have any impact on next year's elections.

	Aug. 6, 2009 Senate Confirms Sotomayor for Supreme Court The Senate voted largely along party lines, 68-31, Thursday afternoon to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to become the first Hispanic on the high court despite strong opposition by most Republican senators.

	Aug. 5, 2009 Obama Addresses Criticism on Stimulus Spending Amid the continuing debate over the effectiveness of the federal stimulus funds, President Obama unveiled new grants that he said can help rebuild the economy. A ProPublica reporter discusses how some hard-hit areas are getting more money, but others are not.

	Aug. 5, 2009 Journalists' Return Sparks Debate on N. Korea Relations After being held in North Korea for four months, two journalists for Current TV returned to the U.S. accompanied by former President Bill Clinton. Margaret Warner reports on the homecoming, and what the episode means for U.S. relations with North Korea.

	Aug. 4, 2009 Diplomatic Efforts of Former Presidents Former President Clinton's visit to North Korea illustrated how ex-presidents can continue their diplomacy. Since Herbert Hoover, such efforts have been largely humanitarian, though Jimmy Carter has commented on foreign agendas and advocated for global causes. Historian Richard Norton Smith discusses their unique roles.

	Aug. 4, 2009 Kim Jong Il Pardons Captured Journalists After Meeting With Bill Clinton North Korean leader Kim Jong Il issued a "special pardon" to two jailed American journalists after meeting with former President Bill Clinton, North Korea's official news agency reported.

	Aug. 3, 2009 Lawmakers Weighing Tax on 'Cadillac' Health Plans As Congress continues searching for ways to finance a health care overhaul, one option under review is taxing the costliest employer-provided health plans, otherwise known as "Cadillac" plans. After a recap on developments on the health care front, experts discuss the proposal with Judy Woodruff.

	Aug. 3, 2009 White House Mulls Moving Gitmo Detainees to U.S. The Obama administration is considering whether to establish a joint courtroom-prison complex in the United States to house the 229 suspected terrorists being held at Guantanamo Bay, the Associated Press has reported.



	JULY July 31, 2009 U.S. Economy Shrinks Less Than Expected The U.S. economy sank at a pace of just 1 percent in the second quarter of the year, the Commerce Department reported Friday, in a better-than-expected showing that the recession could be winding down.

	July 29, 2009 House Blue Dogs Reach Health Reform Deal, Senate Committee Nears Agreement Blue Dog Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee have reached a deal with House Democratic leadership that will allow the committee to resume its stalled markup of a health care reform bill Wednesday.

	July 29, 2009 Gates: U.S. Could Quicken Iraq Troop Withdrawal The U.S. military could accelerate its withdrawal from the Iraq war thanks to a sustained drop in violence, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday after talks with his top commanders.

	July 28, 2009 Amid Health Reform Debate, Prospects for Public Plan Explored As House Democrats try to round up votes for a health reform plan and a bipartisan group works on a Senate compromise, two bloggers size up the prospects for a public health insurance plan.

	July 28, 2009 Health Care Wrangling Picks Up Speed Negotiations over health-care reform continued on Capitol Hill Tuesday, as President Barack Obama once again made his case for reform to the public, this time in a forum with the AARP.

	July 24, 2009 Other News: Obama Steps Back from Gates Comment In other news, President Obama stepped back from comments he made concerning the arrest of prominent black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr., and Democrats in the House of Representatives agreed on a plan for cutting Medicare growth.

	July 24, 2009 Schools to Compete for Funding in Obama Reform Plan The Obama administration is pushing education leaders to accept a series of reforms, including performance pay for teachers and a deeper embrace of charter schools. Education Secretary Arne Duncan discusses the proposals with Judy Woodruff.

	July 24, 2009 House Democrats May Vote on Health Reform Bill Next Week The U.S. House of Representatives could vote on a healthcare reform bill next week, Rep. John Larson, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said Friday.

	July 24, 2009 Watchdog Role at Center of Regulator Showdown Three federal government officials charged with reforming the U.S. financial system testify Friday in front of the House Financial Services committee who should become the nation's top consumer watchdog.

	July 22, 2009 Obama Makes Fresh Appeal on Health Care at Prime-time News Conference President Obama sought to rally support for a health care overhaul during a news conference Wednesday as Congress struggles for agreement on a reform plan. Following is full text of the president's opening remarks.

	July 22, 2009 As Deadline Nears, Obama Steps Up Health Care Push With the days ticking down until President Obama's target date for a deal on health care reform, the White House is pushing to convince the public and Congress that swift action is necessary.

	July 22, 2009 Al-Maliki Visits White House Aiming to Bolster Iraq's Economy, Security Standing next to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki at the White House, President Barack Obama said Wednesday the United States and Iraq were in a "full transition" and would continue the plan to withdraw troops by the end of 2011.

	July 22, 2009 Alison Krauss, Brad Paisley at the White House There is a long tradition of country musicians performing at the White House. Johnny Cash played for Richard Nixon; Tammy Wynette sang for Gerald Ford; and Willie Nelson performed for Jimmy Carter. In recent years, Alan Jackson and Toby Keith have taken the stage. On Tuesday, the Obamas welcomed Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley.

	July 20, 2009 Obama Outlines Expectations for Health Reform Timeline, Economic Recovery In an interview with Jim Lehrer, President Barack Obama said he could be flexible on the August deadline for a health care reform plan if most details are in place and discussed the state of the economy.

	July 17, 2009 Health Reform, Sotomayor Hearings Top Week's News Mark Shields and David Brooks consider the news of the week, including the confirmation hearings of Sonia Sotomayor, efforts at health care reform and the shape of the economy.

	July 17, 2009 Obama Calls for Action on Health Care Amid Cost Concerns Saying "now we've got to get over the finish line," President Barack Obama renewed his call Friday to lawmakers to hammer out health care reform legislation. Betty Ann Bowser recaps the week's developments, including new concerns on the plan's costs.

	July 17, 2009 On 100th Anniversary, NAACP Looks to Future of Civil Rights President Obama spoke Thursday at the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Gwen Ifill traveled to New York to speak with the leader and two activists from the organization about its changing role.

	July 17, 2009 At NAACP Centennial, Obama Speaks of Struggle President Barack Obama delivered a rousing speech Thursday to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, paying tribute to the organization's history and challenging its members to confront continued racial disparities.

	July 16, 2009 Cyber Attacks on Governments On the Fourth of July, cyber attacks started targeting computers at the White House, the Pentagon and other major U.S. government agencies. The New York Stock Exchange and the South Korean government were also targets. Who and what are behind the attacks? Two experts answered your questions.

	July 16, 2009 Paulson Rebuts Congress' Rebuke on Bank Merger Lawmakers grilled former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson Thursday over the government's role in Bank of America's merger with Merrill Lynch, saying authorities withheld information about losses and intimidated bank executives into sealing the deal.

	July 15, 2009 Lawmakers Push Sotomayor for Views on Critical Issues Sonia Sotomayor faced new questioning from lawmakers Wednesday. Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Patrick Leahy and Sen. Charles Grassley give their take on the hearings.

	July 15, 2009 Sotomayor Deflects Abortion Questions Senators repeatedly pushed Judge Sonia Sotomayor to define her views on abortion Wednesday, but she resisted. Kwame Holman recaps the third day of confirmation hearings.

	July 14, 2009 Analysts Examine Second Day of Sotomayor Hearings Judge Sonia Sotomayor faced questions on past rulings and statements during her second day of Supreme Court confirmation hearings Tuesday. Legal analysts examine her responses.

	July 14, 2009 Senators Press Sotomayor on Past Statements In a second, tense day of Senate testimony, Judge Sonia Sotomayor defended her past remarks about race while seeking to elaborate on her judicial philosophy. Kwame Holman recaps the day's events.

	July 10, 2009 Brooks, Marcus Mull Court Politics, Health Care Reform Columnists Ruth Marcus and David Brooks discuss top political news, including next week's hearings on Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination, the pace of health care reform and President Obama's trip abroad.

	July 10, 2009 As G-8 Summit Wraps Up, Obama Heads to Ghana Margaret Warner, who has been reporting on the scene of the G-8 summit, discusses the meeting's conclusion and President Obama's next stop in Ghana.

	July 9, 2009 G-8 Leaders Take New Steps to Curb Global Warming As the G-8 summit wrapped up, President Obama and other leaders discussed new goals to limit climate change and assessed the unrest in Iran. Margaret Warner reports from the scene.

	July 9, 2009 U.S. Government to Fund H1N1 Vaccinations The U.S. government plans to fund a vaccination program against the new H1N1 swine flu this fall, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday.

	July 8, 2009 Hospitals Vow Cost Cuts Amid Concerns on Reform's Price Tag Three major hospital organizations joined the effort to cut medical costs and agreed to contribute $155 billion over the next 10 years to the cost of health care reform. Betty Ann Bowser reports.

	July 7, 2009 Obama Calls for Stronger U.S.-Russian Relationship As he wraps up his two-day trip to Moscow, President Barack Obama urged the resetting of the U.S.-Russian relationship while citing the common interests that could form the basis for stronger political and economic ties.

	July 6, 2009 U.S., Russia Unveil Plan for Nuclear Cuts at Summit President Barack Obama met with Russian leaders Monday to push for progress on arms control and other issues. Margaret Warner reports from the opening day of the Moscow summit.

	July 6, 2009 Judge OKs Plan to Sell GM Assets; Appeal Looms A New York judge has approved General Motors Corp.'s bankruptcy sale in a move that will allow the company's most-profitable assets to quickly emerge from bankruptcy protection under government ownership.

	July 3, 2009 Russian Foreign Minister Sees 'Improvement' in U.S.-Russian Relations In the last of a series of reports from Russia, Margaret Warner talks with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about the future of U.S.-Russian relations, last year's Georgian war, and negotiating a nuclear arms treaty.

	July 2, 2009 Marines Launch Offensive to Seize Afghan Valley Thousands of U.S. Marines marked the start of a new offensive in Afghanistan Thursday, pouring from into Taliban-controlled villages in southern Afghanistan to clear insurgents from the area ahead of the nation's Aug. 20 presidential election.



	JUNE June 30, 2009 Iraqi Forces Take Over Cities as U.S. Steps Back Six years after the U.S.-led invasion to oust Saddam Hussein, Iraq declared a public holiday Tuesday to mark the planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from cities and towns, staging a military parade aimed at illustrating its security progress.

	June 29, 2009 Firefighters Case Prompts Reaction on Sotomayor's Role in Lower Court Decision The Supreme Court's Ricci v. DeStefano decision was highly anticipated not only because of its potential impact on civil rights and affirmative action, but also due to high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's role in the case as an appeals court judge.

	June 29, 2009 Supreme Court Rules 5-4 for White Firefighters in Job Promotions Bias Case The Supreme Court ruled Monday that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions due to their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor supported as an appeals court judge.

	June 26, 2009 Climate Bill, Sanford's Future Top Week's Political News Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks examine developments in the landmark climate change legislation before Congress, as well as the fallout from S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford's admission to an extramarital affair.

	June 26, 2009 Landmark Climate Change Bill Moves Through Congress The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday debated landmark climate change legislation that would establish a "cap-and-trade" system for carbon emissions. Kwame Holman reports.

	June 26, 2009 Amid Recession, U.S. Savings Rate Hits Highest Mark Since 1993 As the longest recession since World War II drags on, Americans are responding by shying away from spending, opting instead to save money at the fastest pace in 15 years, a new report shows.

	June 25, 2009 'Cap-and-Trade' Emissions Bill Faces Test in Congress As early as Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives may vote on landmark climate legislation that would establish a "cap-and-trade" system for carbon emissions. Judy Woodruff talks to analysts about the measure's pros and cons.

	June 24, 2009 Experts Assess President Obama's Strategy With Media Jeffrey Brown talks with media analysts about the press corps' coverage of President Obama during his first few months in office.

	June 24, 2009 Fed Keeps Key Rate at Record Low The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the recession is easing, but that the U.S. economy likely will remain fragile and limit the threat of inflation.

	June 23, 2009 Public Views on Health Reform Shape Political Landscape As Congress works to draft health care reform legislation, the Hotline's Amy Walter and NPR's Julie Rovner assess President Obama's latest remarks on a public insurance option, concerns over the cost of an overhaul and how the public is viewing the debate.

	June 23, 2009 President Obama Condemns 'Unjust Actions' in Iran Hours after Iran's electoral authority announced it found "no major irregularities" in this month's disputed election, President Barack Obama said at a White House press conference that he "strongly" condemned the Iranian regime's use of force to quell protests.

	June 23, 2009 Full Text: Obama's Press Conference on Iran, Health Care Following is the full text and audio of President Barack Obama's White House press conference Tuesday, where he discussed the disputed Iranian election, health care reform and the push for a clean energy economy.

	June 23, 2009 The Future of U.S. Global Health Policy Assistant U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Michele Moloney-Kitts and Christine Lubinski, head of the Center for Global Health Policy and Advocacy, answer viewer questions on President Obama's global health initiative and how it will shift U.S. global health priorities.

	June 19, 2009 Shields and Brooks Mull U.S. Response to Iran Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the Obama administration's response to political turmoil in Iran and new plans to overhaul the financial regulation system.

	June 19, 2009 Health Care Debate May Hinge on Public Insurance Option House Democrats unveiled a draft health care reform bill Friday that includes a "public option" -- a government-run health insurance plan that would compete with private insurers. Betty Ann Bowser examines the debate over the public insurance concept.

	June 19, 2009 Iran's Supreme Leader Sides With Ahmadinejad in Disputed Election Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday defended President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the rightful winner in the country's June 12 elections and disputed any possibility that the vote was rigged, as other candidates have contended.

	June 17, 2009 As Lawmakers Craft Health Care Reform, Concerns Rise Over Costs Concerns over the possible costs of health care reform are growing louder on Capitol Hill as lawmakers begin to hammer out legislation. Betty Ann Bowser recaps the latest developments on where the reform debate.

	June 17, 2009 Obama's Regulatory Reform Plan Stirs Mixed Reaction Gwen Ifill speaks with a banking expert and an economist about what the administration's plans for reforming financial oversight mean for businesses and consumers alike.

	June 17, 2009 Regulatory Reform Plan Aimed at Protecting Larger Economy President Barack Obama proposed a major overhaul of financial industry regulation Wednesday. White House adviser Christina Romer explains the administration's plans.

	June 17, 2009 President Obama Seeks Overhaul of Financial Market Oversight President Barack Obama proposed Wednesday sweeping changes to the way the government oversees financial institutions in an attempt to remedy the regulatory system that failed to detect the global economic crisis.

	June 17, 2009 Iranian Election Tensions Continue With Call for New Rally Supporters of Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi gathered in downtown Tehran for a fifth straight day Wednesday as their candidate continued his challenge to the country's supreme leader and cleric-led system.

	June 16, 2009 White House Says Climate Change Already Affecting U.S. Global climate change is already affecting the United States, according to a report by federal scientists released Tuesday.

	June 16, 2009 In Iran, Recount to Begin as 7 Die in Protests Iran's 12-person Guardian Council said Tuesday it would begin a partial recount of votes in Friday's disputed presidential election, as seven people were reportedly killed during a massive march through the streets of Tehran.

	June 12, 2009 Shields, Brooks Mull Health Reform, Palin's Role in GOP Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks assess the chances for health care reform to clear Congress this year, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's role in the GOP and the significance of the Virginia governor's race.

	June 11, 2009 Obama Takes Pitch for Health Care Reform to the Public President Barack Obama hit the road Thursday to promote an overhaul of the nation's health care system as Congressional battle lines began to be drawn on reform legislation. Kwame Holman reports on the latest developments.

	June 10, 2009 Chrysler Finishes Deal With Fiat After Court Strikes Down Request to Delay Sale Italian automaker Fiat became the new owner of most of Chrysler's assets Wednesday, in a move that largely ends the U.S. company's bankruptcy process and staves off concerns about liquidating the company.

	June 9, 2009 Ten Banks Allowed to Repay $68B in Bailout Funds Ten large U.S. banks have been cleared by the Treasury Department to start repaying $68 billion in bailout money and begin to free themselves from an extraordinary government intervention program that began amid the global financial crisis.

	June 5, 2009 Obama's Cairo Speech, Sotomayor Top Week's News David Brooks and Ruth Marcus discuss the news of the week, including President Obama's speech on U.S.-Muslim ties, Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court bid and GM's bankruptcy plan.

	June 4, 2009 Obama's Speech Could Mark Shift in U.S.-Muslim Relations As reaction to President Obama's address in Cairo continues to filter in, analysts consider what the lasting effect Thursday's speech may have on U.S. policy and global attitudes.

	June 4, 2009 Obama's Cairo Speech Elicits Varying Reactions From American Muslims Many American Muslims watched Thursday's address by President Obama with keen interest, seeing it as both a major moment for U.S. policy as well as a call for Muslims to reflect on their beliefs and the governments of the Middle East.

	June 4, 2009 Obama Urges Cooperation With Muslim World In a sweeping speech in Cairo, President Obama called for stronger U.S.-Muslim alliances, urging each to put suspicions aside and unite to combat violent extremism.

	June 4, 2009 Muslim-Americans React to President Obama's Speech Several Muslim-Americans, who gathered at a community center in Maryland, said they liked how President Obama acknowledged the Muslim community in his June 4 speech in Egypt and addressed sensitive issues, but they also saw many challenges to his vision.

	June 4, 2009 Reaction to President Obama's Cairo Speech A roundup of reaction from officials and citizens across the Middle East and elsewhere to President Barack Obama's speech to the Muslim world in Cairo Thursday.

	June 4, 2009 Text: President Obama's Speech in Cairo Following is the text of President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo on relations between the U.S. and Muslim world, as prepared for delivery and released by the White House to media organizations.

	June 4, 2009 In Cairo Speech, Obama Seeks 'New Beginning' for U.S., Muslim World Delivering a much-anticipated address in Cairo Thursday, President Barack Obama called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims" that can reframe the debate on the fight against violent extremism and other key issues.

	June 3, 2009 Ronald Reagan Statue Unveiled in Capitol Rotunda House Speaker Nancy Pelosi presided over a ceremony unveiling a statue of former President Ronald Reagan at the Capitol Rotunda, which 87-year-old former first lady Nancy Reagan attended.

	June 3, 2009 Obama, Saudi King Meet About Speech, Mideast Tensions President Obama met with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Wednesday ahead of his speech in Egypt aimed at improving relations with the Muslim world. Ray Suarez reports.

	June 3, 2009 Obama Seeks Saudi King's Counsel on Eve of Address to Muslim World President Barack Obama began his latest effort to open a dialogue with the Muslim world with a visit to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

	June 2, 2009 Sotomayor Begins Meeting With Key Lawmakers Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor met with key lawmakers Tuesday to explain her record and make her case for confirmation. The Hotline's Amy Walter offers insight.



	MAY May 29, 2009 Sotomayor's Supreme Court Bid President Barack Obama has named Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court, a choice that could make her the first Hispanic on the nation's highest court.

	May 29, 2009 Sotomayor's Supreme Court Bid, GM's Future Top Week's News Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks analyze the news of the week, including President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court and GM's likely bankruptcy.

	May 29, 2009 After Historic Nomination, Questions on Sotomayor's Record Emerge Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor will bring some 17 years of judicial experience to her confirmation hearings. Legal scholars assess what her record says about her judicial philosophy and outlook.

	May 29, 2009 Digital Threats Mark New Front in Nation's Security President Obama unveiled plans Friday to shore up the safety of U.S. computer networks, including naming a new "cyber czar." Analysts examine the nature of digital vulnerabilities.

	May 29, 2009