Politics

U.S. Poverty Rising, Family Incomes Fall

The poverty rate increased in 2008 to its highest point since 1997 and median household income declined 3.6 percent as the effects of the recession set in, according to new census data released Thursday.

Congress Reacts to President Obama's Speech

Judy Woodruff speaks with members of Congress about their responses to President Obama's address.

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Obama Says Time Is Now for Health Reform

By Lea Winerman

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.

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.

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.

Justice David H. Souter

By PBS News Hour

Justice David Souter, the 105th justice to be appointed to the Supreme Court, retired from the high court in June 2009, after more than 18 years on the bench.

President Prepares for Pivotal Health Care Speech

By Talea Miller

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.

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.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor

By PBS News Hour

Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court.